Ritterkreuz Action of Hans Röger

Hans Röger (13 July 1920 - 12 April 2009) received the Ritterkreuz des Eisernen Kreuzes on 21 September 1944 as Unteroffizier and Zugführer in 1.Kompanie / I.Bataillon / Panzer-Füsilier-Regiment "Großdeutschland" / Panzergrenadier-Division "Großdeutschland". The medal was awarded for the following actions:

1) Launching a daring scouting mission during the fighting in Romania in April 1944, where Feldwebel Röger and one of his men dressed up as shepherds and were able to infiltrate the Soviet lines. His cover worked, and he was not only able to gather much valuable intelligence, but also blow up a railway bridge located within Soviet territory.

2) The fighting on 17 August 1944, where the I.Bataillon (gepanzerte) / Panzer-Fusilier Regiment GD was searching for a place to ford the Venta. On this day Unteroffizier Röger was driving with the rest of his Zug headquarters at the tip of the German spearhead towards the town of Kursenai. When they turned around a bend they suddenly found themselves staring right into the barrel of a Soviet 150mm Howitzer. Acting without hesitation, Röger jumped out of his SPW and stormed forward with his MP 40, capturing the gun and its tractor along with the rest of the platoon. After defending against a Soviet counterattack the Germans pressed on, and were able to reach the Venta. Here it was Röger who managed to find a ford across the small stream. By all these actions he was able to contribute significantly to the advance of his Bataillon on this day.


Source :
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https://www.tracesofwar.com/persons/38925/R%C3%B6ger-Johannes-Evangelist-Hans.htm