New Ritterkreuzträger SS-Obersturmführer Erwin Meierdrees (Führer Sturmgeschütz-Batterie / SS-Totenkopf-Artillerie-Regiment / SS-Division 'Totenkopf') in a series of picture taken by SS-Kriegsberichter Dürr, April 1942. He was presented with the Ritterkreuz on 13 March 1942 by Generaloberst Ernst Busch while still in convalescence in the hospital. Meierdrees was awarded the Ritterkreuz in recognition of his courage and resourcefulness while encircled near Bjakowo, Demyansk Pocket. The SS newspaper 'Das Schwarze Korps' published a story on his actions.
Early in the winter of 1941, the German advance in the Soviet Union had ground to a halt. Totenkopf, as part of Army Group North’s 16th Army, stabilized in the region of Lake Valdai-Lake Ilmen-Stara Russa-Demyansk. It appeared the months of action had taken their toll and the units could advance no further. Some desultory action took place over November and December when a massive attack in early February cut off some six German divisions, including Totenkopf in the so-called Demyansk pocket. A massive Luftwaffe airlift was mounted while the Fuhrer issued a “No Retreat” order both in January 1941 and later in February.
It is against this backdrop Meierdrees earned his Ritterkreuz in Bjakowo, a small village some 50km southeast of Staraya Russa and 50km northwest of Demyansk. On the 30th of January 1942, Meierdrees was ordered to relieve Kampfgruppe Saumenicht, in the Jaswy region. Meierdrees headed in this direction with his Sturmgeschütze, resting in Ramuschewo, another small village, for the night. The following morning, however, the village was attacked by the Russians, and Meierdrees and his outfit only barely were able to escape. Some way further down the road, Meierdrees discovered a small village, Bjakowo. This village was small, elongated, and located on a small hill. It was manned by a small security detachment. It was here that Meierdrees decided to fortify. The total sum of the available men were some ninety men, Meierdrees’ StuGs and several 10.5cm guns.
The enemy attacks began almost immediately; a general pattern of alternating between fierce infantry and armour attacks, and artillery attacks, was observed. While Bjakowo was on a hill, nearby forests that reached almost into the village entrances themselves gave the Russians plenty of cover. Attacks were almost continuous until the 19th of February; by now, the defenders were running out of ammunition, while almost no buildings or trees had been left standing.
The defenders were granted a few days respite while the Russians focused attacks on the nearby Kobykino, while Meierdrees hoped he could break out and link up with Sturmbannführer Kleffner in Wassiljewschtschwka. By this stage, his hope was Kleffner could break through to him. Further attacks took place, while Meierdrees constantly radioed for supplies, which were duly dropped in the Bjakowo vicinity, giving his men some much-needed supplies. After a failed large attack on the 10th of March from the West, North and North East of the village, the Russians requested the surrender of the defenders on the 11th. Meierdrees was severely wounded the next day and was flown out by Fieseler Storch on the 13th. After his injury, Meierdrees’ men were placed under the command of Kleffner. On the 18th, the survivors break out and some eighty-five men reached friendly lines, of which only sixteen were not wounded. For his heroic leadership, Erwin Meierdrees was recommended for the Ritterkreuz des Eisernen Kreuzes by Eicke and received the award on the 13th of March 1942.
It is against this backdrop Meierdrees earned his Ritterkreuz in Bjakowo, a small village some 50km southeast of Staraya Russa and 50km northwest of Demyansk. On the 30th of January 1942, Meierdrees was ordered to relieve Kampfgruppe Saumenicht, in the Jaswy region. Meierdrees headed in this direction with his Sturmgeschütze, resting in Ramuschewo, another small village, for the night. The following morning, however, the village was attacked by the Russians, and Meierdrees and his outfit only barely were able to escape. Some way further down the road, Meierdrees discovered a small village, Bjakowo. This village was small, elongated, and located on a small hill. It was manned by a small security detachment. It was here that Meierdrees decided to fortify. The total sum of the available men were some ninety men, Meierdrees’ StuGs and several 10.5cm guns.
The enemy attacks began almost immediately; a general pattern of alternating between fierce infantry and armour attacks, and artillery attacks, was observed. While Bjakowo was on a hill, nearby forests that reached almost into the village entrances themselves gave the Russians plenty of cover. Attacks were almost continuous until the 19th of February; by now, the defenders were running out of ammunition, while almost no buildings or trees had been left standing.
The defenders were granted a few days respite while the Russians focused attacks on the nearby Kobykino, while Meierdrees hoped he could break out and link up with Sturmbannführer Kleffner in Wassiljewschtschwka. By this stage, his hope was Kleffner could break through to him. Further attacks took place, while Meierdrees constantly radioed for supplies, which were duly dropped in the Bjakowo vicinity, giving his men some much-needed supplies. After a failed large attack on the 10th of March from the West, North and North East of the village, the Russians requested the surrender of the defenders on the 11th. Meierdrees was severely wounded the next day and was flown out by Fieseler Storch on the 13th. After his injury, Meierdrees’ men were placed under the command of Kleffner. On the 18th, the survivors break out and some eighty-five men reached friendly lines, of which only sixteen were not wounded. For his heroic leadership, Erwin Meierdrees was recommended for the Ritterkreuz des Eisernen Kreuzes by Eicke and received the award on the 13th of March 1942.
Source :
Konstantinos Laios photo collection
https://www.facebook.com/groups/691098008051629/?multi_permalinks=1412885159206240&hoisted_section_header_type=recently_seen
http://livinghistory.ru/topic/88498-liudi-litca-sobytiia-panzerwaffe/page-32
http://sylviolassance.blogspot.com/2013/11/meierdress-hubert-erwin-1112191602011945.html
https://www.warhats.com/store/p1078/Waffen-SS-Panzer-Officers-Cap-Pink-Piping-Gaberdine-Aged.html#/
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