Ritterkreuz Award Ceremony of 86. Infanterie-Division

Ritterkreuz award ceremony for the three members of 86. Infanterie-Division, which were held in August 1943. The recipients are, from left to right: Hauptmann Erwin Zilger (Chef 1.Kompanie / Panzerjäger-Abteilung 186. Ritterkreuz on 4 August 1943), Leutnant der Reserve Karl-Heinz Jaeger (Führer 1.Kompanie / I.Bataillon / Grenadier-Regiment 167. Ritterkreuz on 4 August 1943), and Obergefreiter Matthias Poll (Kompanie Truppführer in 2.Kompanie / Pionier-Bataillon 186. Ritterkreuz on 8 August 1943).

Ritterkreuz award ceremony for the three members of 86. Infanterie-Division, which were held in August 1943. The recipients now posed with the Divisionskommandeur Generalleutnant Helmuth Weidling. From left to right: Obergefreiter Matthias Poll (Kompanie Truppführer in 2.Kompanie / Pionier-Bataillon 186. Ritterkreuz on 8 August 1943), Weidling, Hauptmann Erwin Zilger (Chef 1.Kompanie / Panzerjäger-Abteilung 186. Ritterkreuz on 4 August 1943), and Leutnant der Reserve Karl-Heinz Jaeger (Führer 1.Kompanie / I.Bataillon / Grenadier-Regiment 167. Ritterkreuz on 4 August 1943).

Ritterkreuz award ceremony for the three members of 86. Infanterie-Division, which were held in August 1943. The recipients now posed with the Divisionskommandeur Generalleutnant Helmuth Weidling. From left to right: Obergefreiter Matthias Poll (Kompanie Truppführer in 2.Kompanie / Pionier-Bataillon 186. Ritterkreuz on 8 August 1943), unknown, Weidling, Hauptmann Erwin Zilger (Chef 1.Kompanie / Panzerjäger-Abteilung 186. Ritterkreuz on 4 August 1943), and Leutnant der Reserve Karl-Heinz Jaeger (Führer 1.Kompanie / I.Bataillon / Grenadier-Regiment 167. Ritterkreuz on 4 August 1943).

Hauptmann Erwin Zilger (Chef 1.Kompanie / Panzerjäger-Abteilung 186. Ritterkreuz on 4 August 1943) after the award ceremony. The following newspaper excerpt (dated 23 September 1943) describes why Zilger received the Ritterkreuz: “…In total he and his Panzerjägern destroyed 31 tanks in the eastern campaign. However he particularly distinguished himself during the fighting between Orel and Belgorod in the most recent weeks. The Soviets had succeeded in breaking through the German position. The key position of Hill X was being held only by a brave party of soldiers under the leadership of Hauptmann Zilger. Although the Soviets launched repeated attacks against the hill in up to battalion strength, the group was able to repulse all assaults despite being encircled on all sides. Small periods of respite were won via counterthrusts up until the time when the brave soldiers here were eventually relieved by Sturmgeschütze. These courageous Westphalians proved to be a rock that the Bolsheviks could not dislodge, with the result that the enemy were prevented from rolling up the entire friendly artillery positions.”

Obergefreiter Matthias Poll (Kompanie Truppführer in 2.Kompanie / Pionier-Bataillon 186 / 86.Infanterie-Division. Ritterkreuz on 8 August 1943) after the award ceremony. During the assault on the northern shoulder of the Kursk salient in Operation Citadel, a German attack spearhead was held up during the fight for Ponyri by a minefield. In response to this Obergefreiter Poll sprang forward on his own initiative and was able to clear a lane under the heaviest of Soviet fire. Through this bold deed the other German grenadiers were able to storm into the Red Army defense line, roll up the hostile trench works and proceed towards a commanding hilltop. Poll would be awarded the Ritterkreuz for his actions here.

Source :
ECPAD archives (DAT 3749 L14)
ECPAD archives (DAT 3749 L34)
http://alifrafikkhan.blogspot.com/2014/11/foto-86-infanterie-division.html
https://forum.axishistory.com/viewtopic.php?p=2496758#p2496758
https://imagesdefense.gouv.fr/fr/catalogsearch/result/index/?avec_visuel=1&p=4&q=ritterkreuz