Bio of Oberfeldwebel Johann Bäuchl (1918-1994)

Johann Baichl (birth name: Johann Bäuchl)

Date of birth: 28.08.1918 - Gundersdorf, Steiermark (Austria-Hungary)
Date of death: 03.05.1994 - Voitsberg, Steiermark (Austria)

Promotions:
31.01.1941 Gefreiter
00.00.194_ Obergefreiter
00.00.1942 Unteroffizier
20.02.1944 Feldwebel
21.10.1944 Oberfeldwebel

Career:
04.03.1940 - 27.05.1940 Soldat in 11.Kompanie / Gebirgsjäger-Ersatz-Regiment 138
27.05.1940 - 01.09.1942 Soldat in 1.Kompanie / Radfahr-Bataillon 403
01.09.1942 - 05.01.1943 Advance training in 2.Panzergrenadier-Lehr-Kompanie / Lehr-Abteilung 2 / Kompanieführer-Schule für Schnelle Truppen
05.01.1943 - 24.10.1944 Soldat in 5.Kompanie / II.Bataillon / Panzergrenadier-Regiment 33 / 4.Panzer-Division
24.10.1944 - 00.05.1945 Zugführer- und Stosstruppführer-Ausbildung in 5.Kompanie / Armee-Waffenschule der 3.Panzerarmee

Awards and Decorations:
31.07.1941 Eisernes Kreuz II.Klasse (atas aksinya dalam Unternehmen Barbarossa)
00.00.1941 Verwundetenabzeichen in Schwarz
00.00.194_ Infanterie-Sturmabzeichen in Silber
00.00.1942 Medaille Winterschlacht im Osten 1941/42 (Ostmedaille)
28.03.1943.1943 Eisernes Kreuz I.Klasse (atas aksinya dalam Pertempuran Kursk)
00.00.194_ Verwundetenabzeichen in Silber
14.12.1943 Nahkampfspange in Bronze
23.05.1944 Deutsches Kreuz in Gold (atas aksi keberaniannya yang mengagumkan sebagai Zugführer dalam menggulung pertahanan Soviet di Kantong Kovel)
19.06.1944 Nahkampfspange in Silber
23.10.1944 Nahkampfspange in Gold (satu dari 19 orang anggota Panzergrenadier-Regiment 33 yang menerima medali ini)
23.10.1944 Ritterkreuz des Eisernen Kreuzes, as Oberfeldwebel and Zugführer in 5.Kompanie / II.Bataillon / Panzergrenadier-Regiment 33 / 4.Panzer-Division

----------------------------------------------------------------------------

Johann Baichl, real birth name Bäuchl, was born on August 28th, 1918 in Gundersdorf / Austria as the son of a carpenter and on March 4th, 1940 he joined the 11th Company of the Gebirgsjäger-Ersatz-Regiment 138 after having learned the trade of a farmer himself.

From May 27th, 1940 he was transferred to the 1st company of the 403 bicycle battalion and, as a non-commissioned officer and officer's assistant, was transferred to the company commander's school for rapid troops in the teaching department 2 of the 2nd Panzergrenadier there from September 1st, 1942 -Training company.

After five months, the Russian veteran helped train future company commanders and assisted in tactics courses and combat exercises.

As part of his independent battalion, he previously took part in the Russian campaign, where he was slightly wounded in the winter fighting in 1941.

On January 5, 1943, he was transferred to the 5th Company of the 33rd Panzer Grenadier Regiment of the 4th Panzer Division, where he experienced the fighting near Kursk, Tim-Korowino-Obojan and gained close combat experience during operations in the Ssumy, Novgorod and Sevsk areas. During the battles within the framework of the "Zitadelle" company, Baichl and his regiment repeatedly breached the enemy defense system, but they got stuck in the counter-attack of the T-34 tanks and the numerous mine and anti-tank belts.

During the retreat movements near Orel, on the Desna, in the Pripjet swamps, he showed steadily more courage as a platoon leader. Outstanding were, among other things, his measures in the relief offensive of the Kowel-Kessel, for which he was awarded the German Cross in Gold, showed his extraordinary bravery. After a brief refresher, the division was thrown straight into the vortex of the Soviet summer offensive of 1944.

As a result, the division demonstrated its high combat strength at Baranowitschi, in the Schara bridgehead, relieving the Army Corps "von Vormann", at Slonim and rescuing the 28th Jäger Division.

After deployments on the Narew, around Warsaw and in the Vistula bend, the division switched to Army Group North.

There the division was in the period from 06.10. deployed on the Venta until October 13, 1944, with the 33rd Panzer Grenadier Regiment occupying a bridgehead on the south bank of the Venta.

On October 9, 1944, the regiment pushed forward to the bridge near Moscheiken and made another push at Gaidziai via Kalnenai, with parts of the regiment reaching the Venta southwest of Kalnenai and forcing the Venta crossing over a footbridge.

In the subsequent battles for Klates-Pluki, promoted to sergeant-major on October 21, 1944, Baichl stood out for his particular bravery and thus contributed significantly to the local success.

With immediate effect, he was withdrawn from the front line according to the regulations and, due to his experience potential, transferred to the 5th company of the Army Weapons School of the 3rd Panzer Army, where he was mainly deployed in the training of platoon leaders and shock troop leaders.

It is possible that shortly before the end of the war he was transferred to the Panzergrenadier School, but there is no direct evidence of this.

Awarded the close combat clasp in gold, he was one of a total of 19 soldiers of the 33rd Panzer Grenadier Regiment who received this high, if not the highest, honorary honor. After the war he changed his name to Johann Bäuchl, returned to Styria and worked there as a master carpenter.

Source :
http://alifrafikkhan.blogspot.com/2014/10/oberfeldwebel-johann-baichl-1918-1994.html
https://www.tracesofwar.com/persons/1715/B%C3%A4uchl-Johann-Geb-Baichl.htm