Ritterkreuz Award Ceremony for Josef Dörfel

 Ritterkreuz award ceremony for Oberfeldwebel Josef Dörfel (Zugführer in 6.Kompanie / II.Bataillon / Infanterie-Regiment 439 / 134.Infanterie-Division) which were held in March 1942 (Dörfel received the announcement from 4 March 1942). Awarding the medal is Generalmajor Hans Schlemmer (left, Kommandeur 134. Infanterie-Division).

Josef Dörfel (2 March 1915 - 3 April 2002) received the Ritterkreuz des Eisernen Kreuzes on 4 March 1942 as Oberfeldwebel and Zugführer in 6.Kompanie / II.Bataillon / Infanterie-Regiment 439 / 134.Infanterie-Division. The medal was awarded for his actions near the end of 1941, as described in the following wartime excerpt: “Oberfeldwebel Dörfel showed exceptional energy as he and his encircled Zug (Platoon) fought their way out of enemy territory under the most difficult of circumstances. After he and his weary soldiers reached the delaying position only to encounter the enemy a second time, he once again initiated a breakthrough, leading at the head of his Zug and encouraging them to fight through the enemy once more. It is only thanks to the indomitable willpower and toughness of Oberfeldwebel Dörfel himself that this Zug was able to make contact with its Bataillon after an almost 48-hour operation while enduring temperatures of -23 degrees, constant snowstorms, a lack of supplies and no opportunities to warm up.”

Source :
Fakatona photo collectionm