Josef Barmetler (11 March 1904 - 20 February 1945) received the Ritterkreuz des Eisernen Kreuzes on 9 July 1941 as Oberleutnant der Reserve and Führer 7.Kompanie / III.Bataillon / Fallschirmjäger-Sturm-Regiment 1 / 7.Flieger-Division. The medal was awarded for his actions during the battle of Crete. On the afternoon of 20 May 1941 he and his 7. Kompanie assaulted Hill 107 from the south and were able to capture the southern part of the hill in the evening. In the process the unit captured 100 men and 4 officers. At around 08:00 on the next day the Kompanie continued its advance to the peak of the hill from the south. The Kompanie made contact with the Kampfgruppe led by Oberstabarzt Dr. Neumann, and the artillery and AA guns on the hill were finally eliminated with the help of Kampfgruppen Gericke and Trebes. Later, on 25 May 1941, Oberleutnant Barmetler was in the process of attacking the Galatas heights when he realized that the Gebirgsjäger on his right wing were not keeping up. Before receiving any orders from the Bataillon commander, Oberleutnant Barmetler sent in elements of his Kompanie in the direction of the Gebirgsjäger. Along with the support of heavy weapons, 7. Kompanie was able to get into the rear of the enemy. The defending 5th New Zealand Brigade was ultimately forced to give up the Galatas Heights, and with this an important precondition for the surrender of Crete was established. Oberleutnant Barmetler himself was however wounded during this decisive thrust.
Source :
https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Bundesarchiv_Bild_183-L19498,_Josef_Barmetler_(cropped).jpg
https://www.tracesofwar.com/persons/28212/Barmetler-Josef.htm
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