Erich Becker (8 April 1911 - 16 June 1993) received the Ritterkreuz des Eisernen Kreuzes on 21 September 1944 as Major and Kommandeur Regimentsgruppe 425 / 211.Infanterie-Division. During August 1944 Major Becker and his Regimentsgruppe received the mission of holding the important cornerstone of Brok (south of Ostrow), which was located along the Bug river. The village was declared to be a fortified place in order to cover the withdrawal of the 211. Infanterie-Division. The Soviets were quick to get into the rear of the Regimentsgruppe and begin an enveloping attack with several battalions. Realizing that the loss of his position would have resulted in the collapse of the entire front, Major Becker decided to strip his already thin frontline to an even greater extent in order to build up a blocking position around the village. He led a counterthrust at the head of the few men of his staff and manage to establish this blocking position with the help of his brave Grenadiers. Those Soviet forces that continued to attack here were either destroyed or thrown back. During the later course of the combat Becker managed to hold the won terrain against all furious Soviet counterattacks. He even threw them back further eastwards with his own bold counterthrusts until he had attained a favourable frontline disposition. By doing all this he managed to hold this cornerstone of the front at a very critical time for the Division. After three days of combat, having completed his mission, he sent a message to the Division in which he stated that he would break out and rejoin the Division. Becker would be awarded the Ritterkreuz a short while after this for his outstanding defensive success. By the time the decoration was presented, the Regimentsgruppe 425 was reformed as II. Bataillon / Grenadier-Regiment 385.
Source :
https://www.lotsearch.de/lot/feine-dame-jugendstildarstellung-neujahr-1899-58293143
https://www.tracesofwar.com/persons/28296/Becker-Erich-Grenadier-Regiments-Gruppe-425.htm
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