Heinrich Born (6 November 1918 - 19 January 2008) received the Ritterkreuz des Eisernen Kreuzes on 14 April 1945 as Oberleutnant and Führer 4.Kompanie / I.Bataillon / Panzergrenadier-Regiment 104 / 15.Panzergrenadier-Division. The medal was awarded for his actions during the defensive battle near Heishof in February 1945. Here he rejected an order to withdraw and instead set up a blocking position with 10 volunteers against a Canadian armoured attack that was carried out with 30-40 tanks as well as infantry. The attack was repulsed with no losses on the German side (even wounded soldiers!), and the result of this was that two German divisions which would have otherwise fallen into captivity were able to instead disengage from the enemy.
In the book by Denis and Shelagh Whitaker "Endkampf am Rhein", the battles in the Reichswald are described.
"The Panzer Grenadier Regiment 104 was deployed between Goch and Uedem in February 1945. Here in the Niers area the enemy tried to reach Weeze. Around Höst and beyond the Niers lay the battalions "Holub" and "Theis" of Grenadier Regiment 104. Oberstleutnant Nolte, the regimental commander, led the defensive fighting against superior enemy forces from the Heishof. Leutnant Born was particularly distinguished by his personal bravery in these back and forth swaying battles and was proposed for the Ritterkreuz. In this time there was heavy tank fighting around Keppeln, where the Canadians suffered heavy losses. Tanks were shot down there in rows, and the exact losses are not fully known".
Source :
Jim Haley photo collection
https://www.facebook.com/Militaergeschichte18131945
https://www.tracesofwar.com/persons/28602/Born-Heinrich.htm
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