Wolfgang Gast (14 February 1919 - 8 May 1988) received the Ritterkreuz des Eisernen Kreuzes on 4 June 1944 as SS-Obersturmführer and Führer I.Abteilung / SS-Panzer-Artillerie-Regiment 2 "Das Reich" / 2.SS-Panzer-Division "Das Reich". Gast’s Ritterkreuz recommendation reads as follows: "On 24 October 1943 the enemy attacked with strong infantry forces from Chodoroff along the road to Tschutschinka. Their aim was to unite their two bridgeheads. After they had forced out our infantry from their positions west of Chodoroff they advanced forwards uncontested to a point about 200-300 meters in front of the firing positions of the 1. and 2.Batterie / SS-Panzer-Artillerie-Regiment ‘Das Reich’. Here they encountered bitter resistance from these Batterien, the soul of which was SS-Obersturmführer Gast (commander of the I./SS-Pz.A.R. ‘Das Reich’). SS-Obersturmführer Gast realized that this dangerous situation could only be saved by a counterthrust, and so he personally led such a maneuver with his artillerymen. He succeeded in striking the opponent in their flank and pushing them back to the woods at Wesselaja—Dubrowa. In the process the I./SS-Panzer-Artillerie-Regiment ‘Das Reich’ destroyed 3 T-34 tanks. Numerous Russians ended up dead on the battlefield. SS-Obersturmführer Gast thereby prevented a dangerous Russian thrust into the rear of the weak German forces positioned east of Tschutschinka, and through these actions he also saved valuable materiel in the form of artillery pieces and vehicles. He held this position long enough for elements of the SS-Pz.Gren.Rgt. ‘Der Führer’ to be brought up, which then swiftly established a new frontline in front of the firing positions of the I./SS-Pz.A.R. ‘Das Reich’.”
Source :
Mark C. Yerger photo collection
https://www.tracesofwar.com/persons/13335/Gast-Wolfgang.htm
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