Dr.rer.pol. Dr.jur. Hans Boelsen (6 March 1894 - 24 October 1960) received the Ritterkreuz des Eisernen Kreuzes on 17 September 1943 as Oberst and Kommandeur Panzergrenadier-Regiment 111 / 11.Panzer-Division. Boelsen’s Ritterkreuz recommendation reads as follows:
“During the middle of August, in the aftermath of 4. Panzer-Armee’s withdrawal movement west of Belgorod, the 11. Panzer-Division found itself defending the Boromlja river (located in the Trostjanez area) with its remaining forces against continual massed assaults.
On 17 August 1943 the enemy succeeded in achieving a broad penetration to the north in the sector of the left neighbouring Division with 3 Guards mechanized brigades, 1 Guards tank brigade, 1 tank regiment and 3 rifle divisions. On the following day this was expanded to the south and west, and the recaptured lines of this Division were overrun. This created an immediate threat to the open left flank of the 11. Pz.Div.
Oberst Boelsen and his Regiment were deployed on the Division’s left wing at the time, and the commander received a message of these developments. Realizing the gravity of the situation, he acted without waiting for orders first as these could not be expected for some time due to the unclear situation. At that moment his Regiment was engaged in a counterthrust to the east, and already it was being forced to deploy drivers and clerks to the frontline. However he nonetheless took a few men out of the line and led them into the area west of Nikitowka-Belka. There he also gathered up scattered Grenadiers from the neighbouring Division. Due to the heavy losses of his own officers, leading to their consequent shortage, he personally placed himself at the spearhead of these rounded up groups. With these he launched himself against the hotly pursuing enemy forces and was able to throw them back with bloody losses via bold counterthrusts. The first one took place near Grusskoje, then near Nowosselowka, Skrebowka and finally near Baiwor.
In this manner he erected a chain of individual resistance centres from the east to the west along a several kilometres wide frontline that faced northwards. With this he weakened the hostile attacking power and held up their thrust to the south.
By completing such a brave and ruthless action on his own initiative, Oberst Boelsen succeeded in preventing the enemy’s intended rolling up of the north-south frontline at a very critical hour. This allowed the XXIV. Panzer-Korps (located southeast of Achtyrka) to complete its operations as planned without having to divert any of its forces.”
In addition to the more generic endorsements, the following statement by the commander of 4. Panzer-Armee (namely Generaloberst Hoth) provides an interesting insight into the overall significance of this action…
“The premature wavering of the 57. Division created an extraordinarily delicate situation on the 17 August 1943, as the currently disengaged 112. Infanterie-Division saw itself compelled to come back northwards to face the new southward enemy push. If the brave commander of the Pz.Gren.Rgt. 111 had not kept his nerves and inspired his men to fight through his bravery here then the crisis would have expanded to encompass the entire XXXXVIII. Panzer-Korps.
This deed fulfills all the requirements for the Ritterkreuz. I have no hesitation in approving this submission.”
Source :
"Panzertruppen: Les troupes blindées allemandes - German armored troops 1935-1945" by Heimdal
https://www.tracesofwar.com/persons/2385/Boelsen-Drjur-Drrerpol-Hans.htm
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