Walter Neitzel (9 May 1913 - 2 September 1944) received the Ritterkreuz des Eisernen Kreuzes on 2 June 1943 as Hauptmann and Führer I.Bataillon / Grenadier-Regiment 409 / 122.Infanterie-Division. At 02:00 on 25 May 1943 the Soviets achieved a penetration in the right sector of the II.Bataillon / Grenadier-Regiment 409 (located near Ssemkina Goruschka) with two companies of their own. In response Hauptmann Neitzel (who commanded the right neighbouring Battalion) launched a counterthrust against these forces, and by 07:30 he had managed to deal with this dangerous threat to his flank successfully. In this engagement the Soviets lost 199 counted dead and 33 prisoners, while Neitzel’s counterattack force suffered losses of only 4 wounded troops! Neitzel would be awarded the Ritterkreuz for this action.
Neitzel received the Eichenlaub for his Ritterkreuz on 5 September 1944 as Major and Kommandeur I.Bataillon / Grenadier-Regiment 409 / 122.Infanterie-Division. The medal was awarded for his actions during the fighting of the 122. Infanterie-Division south of Riga. On 11 August 1944 the Division was forced to pull its front back to the line Kivioru - 1 km north of Gut Misso. By 15:00 on this day Major Neitzel had managed to break through the Soviet forces blocking his path to the west and stood here with two Kompanien ready for further orders. During the evacuation movements between Reval and Pernau, he was so badly wounded on 26 August 1944 that he succumbed to his injuries on 2 September 1944. The following day, as the 576th soldier in the Wehrmacht, he was awarded the Eichenlaub and posthumously promoted to Oberstleutnant.
Source :
http://pantorijn.blogspot.com/2015/02/greif-division-postcards-knight-cross.html
https://www.tracesofwar.com/persons/12630/Neitzel-Walter.htm
No comments:
Post a Comment