Heinz Harmel and Zenz Kaiser in Kharkov

Two officers from SS-Panzergrenadier-Division "Das Reich" during the Third Battle of Kharkov (19 February - 15 March 1943). From left to right: SS-Obersturmbannführer Heinz Harmel (Kommandeur SS-Panzergrenadier-Regiment "Deutschland") and SS-Hauptsturmführer Vinzenz Kaiser (Führer III.Gepanzerten-Bataillon / SS-Panzergrenadier-Regiment “Der Führer"). On 12 March 1943, after the 16./SS-Pz.Gren.Rgt. ‘Deutschland’ had breached the anti-tank ditch, the I./SS-Pz.Gren.Rgt. ‘Deutschland’ penetrated into the first rows of houses at Kharkov and established a bridgehead. In the early morning hours heavy enemy counterattacks were launched against this bridgehead that threatened to shrink the holding. In response the Regiment dispatched the subordinated III.(Spw.)/SS-Pz.Gren.Rgt. ‘Der Führer’ into the bridgehead in order to bolster its defenses. It was intended that later, after the arrival of a Panzer-Abteilung, the SPW Bataillon would advance into the city with armoured support. SS-Hauptsturmführer Kaiser, driving ahead of his unit, made the decision to not use his Bataillon to reinforce the defensive front of the I./SS-Pz.Gren.Rgt. ‘Deutschland’. Instead it would attack out of the bridgehead in order to bring relief to the I. Bataillon and, if possible, expand the foothold into the city. The attack of the SPW Bataillon, organized and personally led by SS-Hauptsturmführer Kaiser, was a total success. It not only succeeded in significantly expanding the bridgehead, but also forced the enemy to pull back an even farther distance. Recognizing this new situation, SS-Hauptsturmführer Kaiser ordered his men to mount up and pursue the enemy while still in their vehicles. SS-Hauptsturmführer Kaiser made this decision without waiting for the Panzers. His swift and courageous action meant that the bulk of his Bataillon was able to push forwards as far as the train station. From there it sent out a patrol that made contact with the advancing III./SS-Pz.Gren.Rgt. ‘Deutschland’, as well as another such patrol that did the same with elements of the SS-Pz.Gren.Div. ‘LSSAH’ that were advancing towards the Red Square. Through his initiative and willingness to proceed without the Panzers, SS-Hauptsturmführer Kaiser created the conditions that enabled the entire western part of the city to be in our hands by midday on the 12 March 1943 at the cost of heavy losses to the enemy. Furthermore, SS-Hauptsturmführer Kaiser would later launch an attack on his own initiative with a Kampfgruppe consisting of only a few SPWs against a strong enemy force in the woods southwest of Kharkov. It succeeded in cutting off the enemy and capturing 40 guns. For this amazing achievement, he would be awarded with the Ritterkreuz des Eisernen Kreuzes on 20 April 1943.

Source :
https://www.bartfmdroog.com/droog/niod/beek.html
https://coollib.net/b/125452-roman-olegovich-ponomarenko-1943-diviziya-ss-reyh-na-vostochnom-fronte/read
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Third_Battle_of_Kharkov
https://www.tracesofwar.com/persons/13548/Kaiser-Vinzenz-Zenz-Waffen-SS.htm