By early 1943, Oberst Anton Glasl took command of Gebirgsjäger-Regiment 100 on 1 March. This elite mountain unit, part of the 5th Gebirgs-Division (veterans of campaigns in Poland, France, Greece, Crete, and the Leningrad sector), specialized in rugged terrain warfare but often fought in swampy, forested areas of the Eastern Front.
In mid-1943, during the grueling battles around the Neva River salient and Leningrad front, Glasl's regiment redeployed to positions near Karbussel (likely in the Volkhov or Mga area). The terrain was far from ideal mountain country—swampy, forested, and vulnerable—but Glasl worked tirelessly to fortify it into a strong defensive bulwark.
The critical fighting erupted on 22 July 1943. After a prolonged Soviet artillery barrage, three enemy regiments—supported by tanks and ground-attack aircraft—assaulted the regiment's lines. Glasl's troops repelled the attacks, often in brutal close-quarters combat, inflicting heavy losses.
On 24 July, the Soviets achieved simultaneous penetrations at three points. Glasl, acting independently without divisional reinforcements, stabilized the situation through masterful maneuvering. The Soviet objective was to break through from the swamps, outflank the division, and sever the main supply route and railway. His swift initiative and "heroic devotion to duty" thwarted this plan.
Over the following days, the regiment faced repeated massive assaults, especially against I./Gebirgsjäger-Regiment 100 in its blocking position. The climax came on 7 August. After hours of fighting with artillery and air support, Soviet forces penetrated in regimental strength. With reserves exhausted, the front risked collapse and rolling up from the rear.
In a decisive act of leadership, Glasl assembled an ad-hoc force from his staff, signals troops, messengers, cooks, drivers, and scattered soldiers. He personally led this improvised counterattack at the head of his men. Meter by meter, they pried the Soviets from their gains in bitter fighting until the enemy fled with heavy casualties. The original front line was restored. His citation noted that this action had implications "far beyond the Division."
During the period 22 July to 8 August 1943, the regiment repelled 96 enemy attacks, many in close combat. Troops reportedly cried out in relief during the counterthrust: “It has never turned out so magnificently, yes, our Oberst is here, he is already helping us!” This reflected Glasl's inspirational presence and personal courage.
The official recommendation concluded: “These great successes can be attributed to the energy, independent action and exemplary devotion to duty of Oberst Glasl. He is totally worthy of receiving the high honour of being awarded the Knight’s Cross to the Iron Cross.”
In mid-1943, during the grueling battles around the Neva River salient and Leningrad front, Glasl's regiment redeployed to positions near Karbussel (likely in the Volkhov or Mga area). The terrain was far from ideal mountain country—swampy, forested, and vulnerable—but Glasl worked tirelessly to fortify it into a strong defensive bulwark.
The critical fighting erupted on 22 July 1943. After a prolonged Soviet artillery barrage, three enemy regiments—supported by tanks and ground-attack aircraft—assaulted the regiment's lines. Glasl's troops repelled the attacks, often in brutal close-quarters combat, inflicting heavy losses.
On 24 July, the Soviets achieved simultaneous penetrations at three points. Glasl, acting independently without divisional reinforcements, stabilized the situation through masterful maneuvering. The Soviet objective was to break through from the swamps, outflank the division, and sever the main supply route and railway. His swift initiative and "heroic devotion to duty" thwarted this plan.
Over the following days, the regiment faced repeated massive assaults, especially against I./Gebirgsjäger-Regiment 100 in its blocking position. The climax came on 7 August. After hours of fighting with artillery and air support, Soviet forces penetrated in regimental strength. With reserves exhausted, the front risked collapse and rolling up from the rear.
In a decisive act of leadership, Glasl assembled an ad-hoc force from his staff, signals troops, messengers, cooks, drivers, and scattered soldiers. He personally led this improvised counterattack at the head of his men. Meter by meter, they pried the Soviets from their gains in bitter fighting until the enemy fled with heavy casualties. The original front line was restored. His citation noted that this action had implications "far beyond the Division."
During the period 22 July to 8 August 1943, the regiment repelled 96 enemy attacks, many in close combat. Troops reportedly cried out in relief during the counterthrust: “It has never turned out so magnificently, yes, our Oberst is here, he is already helping us!” This reflected Glasl's inspirational presence and personal courage.
The official recommendation concluded: “These great successes can be attributed to the energy, independent action and exemplary devotion to duty of Oberst Glasl. He is totally worthy of receiving the high honour of being awarded the Knight’s Cross to the Iron Cross.”
Source :
https://www.tracesofwar.com/persons/47603/Glasl-Anton.htm
https://www.weitze.com/militaria/08/Ritterkreuz_des_Eisernen_Kreuz_1939_Grosser_Nachlass_aus_dem_Besitz_von_Oberstleutnant_Franz_Poeschl_nbsp_Gebirgsjaeger_Regiment_100_nbsp_zuletzt_6_Gebirgs_Division__473608.html?token=95c4abc51f8aa5dcee437be951b10fdd&t=1778588629
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