Ritterkreuzträger of 4. Gebirgs-Division

The 4. Gebirgs-Division, also known as the 4th Mountain Division and nicknamed "Enzian" after the gentian flower, was an elite mountain infantry unit of the German Wehrmacht during World War II. Formed in October 1940 at the Heuberg training area from experienced Gebirgsjäger troops, it specialized in high-altitude and rugged-terrain warfare. The division first saw combat in the 1941 Balkans Campaign, advancing swiftly through Yugoslavia as part of XIV Panzer Corps. It then transferred to the Eastern Front with Army Group South during Operation Barbarossa, where it fought intensely in the Caucasus Mountains, the Kuban bridgehead, and the Crimea. As the tide of war turned, the unit conducted a long and brutal fighting retreat across Ukraine, Hungary, and Slovakia under extremely difficult conditions. After marching more than 10,000 kilometers and suffering heavy casualties over five years of continuous combat, the remnants of the 4th Mountain Division finally surrendered to Soviet forces near Olomouc in Czechoslovakia in May 1945.

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EICHENLAUBTRÄGER


Hauptmann Rudolf Schlee (1913-1979), a highly decorated soldier of the Wehrmacht who was born on 10 November 1913 in Ludwigshafen, Rheinland Provinz (German Empire), served as a platoon leader in the 6./Gebirgsjäger-Regiment 13 during World War II and demonstrated exceptional bravery in various campaigns. He earned the Ritterkreuz des Eisernen Kreuzes on 23 October 1941 as Oberfeldwebel for his leadership and courage during intense combat operations, particularly in the mountain warfare contexts following the campaigns in the Balkans and the advance into the Soviet Union. His repeated acts of valor continued to stand out in the harsh fighting in the Caucasus region, where he led his Jäger platoon with outstanding initiative and determination, ultimately leading to the award of the Eichenlaub zum Ritterkreuz des Eisernen Kreuzes as the 222nd recipient on 6 April 1943. Schlee later rose to the rank of Hauptmann and survived the war, becoming one of the notable recipients of these prestigious German decorations for his frontline service.

Source :
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/4th_Mountain_Division_(Wehrmacht)

Ritterkreuz Action of Wilhelm Bredemeier

Wilhelm Bredemeier (19 January 1916 - 4 June 1995) received the Ritterkreuz des Eisernen Kreuzes on 9 November 1942 as Feldwebel and Zugführer in 12.Kompanie (Maschinengewehr) / III.Bataillon / Gebirgsjäger-Regiment 91 / 4.Gebirgs-Division. The following press article describes why Bredemeier was awarded the Ritterkreuz:

"During the mountain combat in the Caucasus in 1942 the vanguard of a Kampfgruppe received the order to take control of an important pass. Feldwebel Bredemeier’s Zug was sent ahead as the lead unit. During the morning hours Feldwebel Bredemeier and a few Jäger reached the point that was thought to be the pass position following a very difficult climb. However he immediately ascertained that the actual pass was still more than a kilometre away from the reached position. It was known that a Russian force of 400-500 men was approaching the pass from the south.

Without hesitation he resolved to immediately thrust to the pass despite the exhausted state of his Jäger in order to prevent the enemy from establishing themselves there. However he and his men would have to make it there at top speed.

Along with two squads from his Zug, he rushed up the steep slope and reached the pass. But from here it could be seen that an approximately 400 metre ridge that fell steeply to either side led from the pass towards the south. It was therefore necessary to also occupy this ridge. Feldwebel Bredemeier clashed with the enemy just a few steps away from the end of the ridge. The Jäger proceeded to struggle with the enemy over control of the hill for several hours with machine-pistols and hand grenades while under the inspiring leadership of their Feldwebel. They did this until friendly reinforcements from the Kompanie arrived. During the following night the Bolsheviks utilized a sudden burst of rain to gain a foothold on the ridge under the cover of darkness. However it was once again Feldwebel Bredemeier who threw himself with his few Jäger against the enemy, forcing them off the ridge in a bitter man-to-man fight. The fighting then continued for another 6 days and nights, until the enemy finally gave up.

The occupation of this pass and ridge was of decisive importance for the operations of the Kampfgruppe. If the Soviets had managed to bring both terrain features into their possession then the entire forward advance of the Gruppe would have been cast into doubt, and at the same time a danger would have existed that our friendly forces further to the east might have been cut off.

However this outcome was prevented thanks to the determined action and personal bravery of Feldwebel Bredemeier.”

The aforementioned action took place on 28 August 1942 at the Bgalar Pass and the nearby mountain ridge. From here it was only a 22 km straight line distance to the Black Sea.


Source :
https://www.tracesofwar.com/persons/46495/Bredemeier-Wilhelm.htm
https://www.weitze.com/militaria/35/Heer_Originalunterschrift_von_Ritterkreuztraeger_Oberfeldwebel_Wilhelm_Bredemeier__303835.html

Bio of Oberfeldwebel Wilhelm Bredemeier (1916-1995)

Wilhelm Heinrich Ludwig Bredemeier

Date of Birth: 19.01.1916 - Herford, Nordrhein-Westfalen (German Empire)
Date of Death: 04.06.1995 - Lindenberg im Allgäu, Bayern (Germany)

Wife: Annemarie Münch (married 19.06.1942)
Campaigns: Invasion of Poland (1939), Battle of France (1940), Invasion of Yugoslavia (1941), Operation Barbarossa (1941), Battle of Uman (1941), and Battle of the Caucasus (1942-1944)

Promotions:
01.10.1938 Gefreiter
01.10.1939 Unteroffizier
01.09.1941 Feldwebel
01.01.1943 Oberfeldwebel
17.01.1957 Oberfeldwebel (Bundeswehr, with RDA from 01.01.1957)
15.05.1959 Hauptfeldwebel (Bundeswehr, with RDA from 01.03.1959)

Career:
05.11.1937 joined the Wehrmacht as a member of 15.Kompanie / Infanterie-Regiment 91
02.06.1942 Zugführer in 12.Kompanie (MG) / Gebirgsjäger-Regiment 91 / 4.Gebirgs-Division
28.08.1942 wounded in the battle of Caucasus
26.11.1943 wounded again and transferred to a military hospital
18.02.1944 2.Genesenden-Kompanie / Gebirgsjäger-Ersatz-Bataillon 99 in Sonthofen
09.05.1945 - 03.07.1945 POW of the Americans and held in the Weiden camp in the Upper Palatinate
03.09.1956 joined the Bundeswehr as a member of Gebirgsjäger-Bataillon 104 in Mittenwald
01.01.1957 transferred to 3.Kompanie / Gebirgsjäger-Bataillon 8 in Mittenwald
16.10.1957 - 15.03.1959 Gebirgs- und Winterkampfschule Mittenwald-Karwendel
16.12.1957 - 10.10.1958 took his Führerschein der Klasse B driving license
16.03.1959 Lehrgruppe W der Infanterieschule Mittenwald
01.12.1960 Lehrgruppe Geb.W.
01.02.1963 Hauptfeldwebel in Kampftruppenschule IV in Mittenwald-Luttensee
01.04.1968 Kreiswehrersatzamt Kempten der Reserve III
08.05.1970 - 06.06.1970 compulsory military exercise at VKK 613 in Kaufbeuren
31.03.1968 retired

Awards and Decorations:
16.07.1940 Eisernes Kreuz II.Klasse
12.07.1941 Infanterie-Sturmabzeichen in Silber
19.12.1941 Eisernes Kreuz I.Klasse
08.03.1942 Verwundetenabzeichen in Schwarz
17.03.1942 Bulgarian Soldier's Cross of the Military Order "For Bravery", 3rd Class
01.09.1942 Medaille "Winterschlacht im Osten 1941/42" (Ostmedaille)
09.11.1942 Ritterkreuz des Eisernen Kreuzes, as Feldwebel and Zugführer in 12.Kompanie (Maschinengewehr) / III.Bataillon / Gebirgsjäger-Regiment 91 / 4.Gebirgs-Division. The following press article describes why Bredemeier was awarded the Ritterkreuz: "During the mountain combat in the Caucasus in 1942 the vanguard of a Kampfgruppe received the order to take control of an important pass. Feldwebel Bredemeier’s Zug was sent ahead as the lead unit. During the morning hours Feldwebel Bredemeier and a few Jäger reached the point that was thought to be the pass position following a very difficult climb. However he immediately ascertained that the actual pass was still more than a kilometre away from the reached position. It was known that a Russian force of 400-500 men was approaching the pass from the south. Without hesitation he resolved to immediately thrust to the pass despite the exhausted state of his Jäger in order to prevent the enemy from establishing themselves there. However he and his men would have to make it there at top speed. Along with two squads from his Zug, he rushed up the steep slope and reached the pass. But from here it could be seen that an approximately 400 metre ridge that fell steeply to either side led from the pass towards the south. It was therefore necessary to also occupy this ridge. Feldwebel Bredemeier clashed with the enemy just a few steps away from the end of the ridge. The Jäger proceeded to struggle with the enemy over control of the hill for several hours with machine-pistols and hand grenades while under the inspiring leadership of their Feldwebel. They did this until friendly reinforcements from the Kompanie arrived. During the following night the Bolsheviks utilized a sudden burst of rain to gain a foothold on the ridge under the cover of darkness. However it was once again Feldwebel Bredemeier who threw himself with his few Jäger against the enemy, forcing them off the ridge in a bitter man-to-man fight. The fighting then continued for another 6 days and nights, until the enemy finally gave up. The occupation of this pass and ridge was of decisive importance for the operations of the Kampfgruppe. If the Soviets had managed to bring both terrain features into their possession then the entire forward advance of the Gruppe would have been cast into doubt, and at the same time a danger would have existed that our friendly forces further to the east might have been cut off. However this outcome was prevented thanks to the determined action and personal bravery of Feldwebel Bredemeier.” The aforementioned action took place on the 28.08.1942 at the Bgalar Pass and the nearby mountain ridge. From here it was only a 22 km straight line distance to the Black Sea.
28.01.1944 Nahkampfspange in Bronze
16.12.1960 Deutsches Sportabzeichen in Gold
04.10.1967 Verwundetenabzeichen in Silber
16.11.1967 Schützenschnur in Bronze
01.12.1967 Schützenschnur in Gold

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Wilhelm Heinrich Ludwig Bredemeier was born on January 19th, 1916 in Herford as the son of the carpenter Wilhelm Bredemeier. He then attended the elementary and trade school in Herford, passed a journeyman's examination in the carpentry trade at the Wilhelm Johstmeyer company in Herford, graduated from 1 October 1936 to 24 March 1937 his work service in Neubeckum i.W., last as a foreman and joined the Wehrmacht on 5 November 1937.

At first he belonged to the Infantry Regiment 91 in Lindau i.B. with which he took part in the Polish campaign. During the subsequent campaign in France he was promoted to corporal and awarded the Iron Cross 2nd Class and then moved with his regiment to the Truppenübungsplatz Heuberg near Ulm, where it was expanded in the course of the conversion of the 27th Infantry Division and 17th Panzer Division left the association and was renamed as Gebirgsjäger-Regiment 91. This brought Bredemeier as a mountain trooper. His brother Walter was killed during the French campaign. Wilhelm also had two sisters.

The Balkan campaign then followed, where Bredemeier earned the Infantry Assault Badge.

According to a report dated June 2, 1941, he moved from the 15th (staff) company of the Gebirgsjäger-Regiment 91 to the 12th company of the regiment, which belonged to the 4th Mountain Division. After the start of the campaign in the east, in which Bredemeier had previously been on the Iron Death in Serbia, he was nearly killed in February 1942 near Krasnyluz by shrapnel on the left side of his chest after heavy advance fighting in the Ukraine, where the wounded warrior earned the Iron Cross 1st Class. A short time later he married Annemarie Münch on June 19, 1942 and moved to his wife's place at Annaberg in the Ore Mountains.

As a platoon commander in the 12th company, he took part in the heavy fighting in the Caucasus. There, on August 28, 1942, the vanguard of a battle group received the order to secure the important Bgalar Pass. The bredemeier platoon was sent ahead as the head of this vanguard. At dawn, Bredemeier and some fighters, after a difficult ascent, arrived at the point that was given to him as the destination. Here, however, he realized that the pass was only a kilometer to the south. Bredemeier knew that the enemy, with a strength of up to 500 men, was also marching towards the pass, so Bredemeier decided without hesitation, despite the fatigue of his comrades, to advance to the pass and get it into his own hands as quickly as possible.

With two groups of his platoon he continued the ascent, reached the pass and saw that from the pass there was a ridge about 400 meters long, dropping abruptly on both sides, which also had to be manned. Shortly before the end of the ridge, Bredemeier clashed with the opponent. In the next few hours the battle raged, fought with MPi and hand grenades, until finally reinforcements from their own company arrived. The following night, in pouring rain, the enemy attacked again and finally gained a foothold on the ridge. Here, too, Bredemeier counterattacked and drove the enemy off the crest. Only after six days and nights did the enemy give up his efforts to get possession of the ridge or the pass. The possession of the crest was of paramount importance for further operations. With Bredemeier's victory, Sukhumi on the Black Sea was only 22 kilometers away as the crow flies. Bredemeier received the Knight's Cross on November 9, 1942, as a sergeant and platoon commander in the 12th (MG) company of the 91st Mountain Jaeger Regiment. On the occasion of the award, Bredemeier received home leave and arrived in Annaberg on December 17, 1942. A reception was prepared in his honor on December 22, 1942, at which he signed the city's golden book.

Shortly thereafter, on November 26, 1943, he was wounded again and transferred to a military hospital. From there he was sent to the 2nd convalescent company of the 99th Mountain Hunter Replacement Battalion in Sonthofen with a report dated February 18, 1944. There he is then deployed as part of the Gneisenau combat group in the Omütz-Sillein area.

He was taken prisoner by the Americans on May 9th, 1945 and held in the Weiden camp in the Upper Palatinate. He was released on July 3rd, 1945.

After the war, Bredemeier joined the 104th Mountain Jaeger Battalion in Mittenwald on September 3rd, 1956 and switched to the 3rd company of the 8th Mountain Jaeger Battalion in Mittenwald on January 1st, 1957. From October 16, 1957 to March 15, 1959 at the mountain and winter combat school in Mittenwald-Karwendel, Bredemeier took his class B driving license from December 16, 1957 to October 10, 1958 and came to teaching group W at the Mittenwald Infantry School on March 16, 1959. On December 1st, 1960 he switched to the teaching group Geb.W. and on 02/01/1963 as a sergeant at Combat Troops School IV in Mittenwald-Luttensee. Assigned to Reserve III on April 1, 1968 by the district military replacement office in Kempten. until 06.06.1970 a compulsory military exercise at VKK 613 as a main sergeant of the reserve in Kaufbeuren. He is released into retirement on March 31, 1968.

Wilhelm Bredemeier, never a member of the NSDAP or its branches, died on June 4th, 1995 in Lindenberg im Allgäu.

Oberfeldwebel Wilhelm Bredemeier in a Hoffmann postcard.

Source :
https://www.generalassaultmilitaria.com/product/heer-gebirgsjager-knights-cross-portrait-wilhelm-bredemeier/
https://military-history.fandom.com/wiki/Wilhelm_Bredemeier
https://www.tracesofwar.com/persons/46495/Bredemeier-Wilhelm.htm
https://web.archive.org/web/20110105150927fw_/http://ritterkreuztraeger-1939-45.de/Infanterie/B/Br/Bredemeier-Wilhelm.htm
https://www.weitze.com/militaria/35/Heer_Originalunterschrift_von_Ritterkreuztraeger_Oberfeldwebel_Wilhelm_Bredemeier__303835.html

Ritterkreuz Action of Stefan Mlinar

Stefan Mlinar (13 December 1915 - 3 February 1983) received the Ritterkreuz des Eisernen Kreuzes on 24 June 1944 as Gefreiter and Funktruppführer in 5.Kompanie / II.Bataillon / Gebirgsjäger-Regiment 13 / 4.Gebirgs-Division. Here follows a report by the Ia of the 4. Gebirgs-Division which describes why Stefan Mlinar would receive the Ritterkreuz:

“Heroic deed of a radio operator:

On the dark night of 03-04 March 1944 the Bolsheviks succeeded in penetrating the line held by the left wing of the 2. Kompanie of a Gebirgsjäger-Bataillon (located along the road Ryschanowka—Olchowez) in company strength. As a result of the knee deep mud and incessant rain the German MGs were completely silted up and could not fire. The Bolsheviks succeeded in penetrating through the German trenches near a heavy machine-gun squad that was tasked with protecting the gap between two Bataillone.

The commander of 2. Kompanie resolutely decided to launch a counterattack with parts of his Kompanie staff and the reserve squad. In the meantime Gefreiter Mlinar stayed behind as a radio troop leader at the command post, with the role of maintaining uninterrupted radio contact with the Bataillon. In the muddy trenches the counterattack group could only make slow progress. Suddenly shots rang out in the trenches behind the Kompanie command post.

With a clear understanding of the thorny situation, in this moment Mlinar acted no longer as a communication specialist, but like an experienced combat trooper. With unstoppable energy he rallied his radio operator and messenger and on his own initiative stormed into the trenches behind the command post with his 2 comrades, with machine-pistol, rifle and grenade in hand. Knee deep in the mud, he pushed forward in the twilight 50 meters towards the enemy who had made it here. After his first grenades detonated he sprang forth without hesitation in an incomparable defiance of death. Screaming “Hurra”, he killed 6 Bolsheviks in close combat with his MP and took 3 prisoners. Behind him his radio operator died a hero’s death while fighting in a hand grenade duel. Capitalizing on his success, Mlinar continued to storm forth alone through the waterlogged trenches with only 10 rounds in his magazine, again screaming “Hurra”. Through this fearless display of ferocity he put the totally surprised Bolshevik Kompanie to flight. The enemy left behind 4 light machine guns, 14 sub-machine guns and several rifles.

Gefreiter Mlinar thus prevented an imminent Bolshevik penetration at the seam between two Bataillone through his independent resolve, personal readiness for duty and fearless attitude.

For this deed Gefreiter Mlinar, hailing from Judendorf (Kreis Loeben, Steiermark), became the 23rd man of the 4. Gebirgs-Division to receive the Ritterkreuz des Eisernen Kreuzes.”

Source :
https://www.tracesofwar.com/persons/84921/Mlinar-Stefan.htm

Bio of Feldwebel d.R. Alois Gugganig (1906-1944)

 

Feldwebel Alois Gugganig (Zugführer in 12.Kompanie / III.Bataillon / Gebirgsjäger-Regiment 91) with the recently acquired Ritterkreuz, 1943.

Full name: Alois Gugganig
Nickname: Lois
Date of Birth: 8 June 1906 in Bad Gastein, Bischofshofen, Salzburg (Austro-Hungarian Empire)
Date of Death: 6 January 1944 in Vinnitsa, Ukraine (Soviet Union)
NSDAP Number: unknown (joined in 1931)
SS Number: no
Academic Title: no
Family Member:Anton Gugganig and Maria Herzog (parents)
Physical Feature: unknown

Beförderungen (Promotion):
01.06.1941 Gefreiter
01.11.1941 Unteroffizier

Karriere (Career):
00.00.1912 - 00.00.1920 attended elementary school in Bad Gastein
00.00.1916 - 00.00.1918 attended his first ski course which was organized by his school
00.00.1920 learned the profession of a shoemaker
00.00.1927 - 10.06.1929 attended the mountain guide course
04.05.1930 head of the ski school in Badgastein
17.04.1940 ski train driver in Infanterie-Regiment 738
27.05.1940 - 29.04.1941 served in Gebirgsjäger-Ersatz-Regiment 136
27.05.1940 - 04.07.1940 completed the basic training in Gebirgsjäger-Ersatz-Regiment 136
30.04.1941 - 07.02.1942 served in 6.Kompanie / II.Bataillon / Infanterie-Regiment 738
11.08.1941 - 06.09.1941 Unterführer-Lehrgang II.Bataillon / Infanterie-Regiment 738
08.02.1942 - 26.06.1942 served in 2.Kompanie / Gebirgsjäger-Bataillon 99
03.04.1942 - 09.04.1942 Heeresbergführer-Lehrgang
26.06.1942 transferred to the Hochgebirge staff in Berchtesgaden
27.06.1942 transferred to 2.Kompanie / Hochgebirgsbatallions 2
12.10.1942 wounded for the first time by bullet fire
13.02.1943 - 06.01.1944 transferred to 2.Kompanie /  Gebirgsjäger-Regiment 91
00.03.1943 received home leave which he spent with his family in Badgastein
19.10.1943 went back to the front to his old unit
06.01.1944 killed in action

Orden und Ehrenzeichen (Medals and Decorations):
13.04.1935 SA Wehrsport-Abzeichen                                               
24.12.1941 Kriegsverdienstkreuz II.Klasse mit Schwertern              
20.02.1941 Eisernes Kreuz II.Klasse                                                   
27.09.1942 Eisernes Kreuz I.Klasse                                                   
02.10.1942 Verwundetenabzeichen in Schwarz                               
09.04.1943 Ritterkreuz des Eisernen Kreuzes, as Feldwebel and Zugführer in 12.Kompanie / III.Bataillon / Gebirgsjäger-Regiment 91 / 4.Gebirgs-Division                         
01.07.1943 Heeres-Bergführerabzeichen                                           
10.09.1943 Infanterie Sturmabzeichen                                              
20.11.1943 Medalia comemorativa Cruciada Impotriva Comunismului (Romania)                        

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Alois Gugganig was born on June 8, 1906, in Badgastein to Anton and Maria Gugganig. From 1912 to 1920, he attended the elementary school in Badgastein. He was enthusiastic about skiing and mountaineering very early on. From 1916 to 1918, he attended his first ski course, which was organized by his school. During this time he was able to achieve some downhill victories. In 1920, he learned the profession of a shoemaker. In his free time, he regularly went on mountain and ski tours. In 1927, he was invited by the Austrian Alpine Association to attend the mountain guide course, which he completed in 1929 together with his training as a ski instructor. In 1930, he became head of the ski school in Badgastein. In 1931, he became a member of the NSDAP, and in 1932 he became a member of the SA.

Gugganig completed his basic training at the Gebirgsjäger-Ersatz-Regiment 136 in Innsbruck. After completing basic training, he was transferred to Fulpmes due to his civilian mountain guide training. Here he completed his first army mountain guide course from August 22 to September 4, 1940, and then completed the first winter course from February 3 to April 17, 1940. Then he went straight to the front, to Infanterie-Regiment 738, where he was used as a ski train driver. Here he was also awarded the Iron Cross 2nd Class and the War Merit Cross 2nd Class. He then took part in the first Unterführer course in the II. Battalion of Infanterie-Regiment 738. After graduation, he was transferred to the Gebirgsjäger-Battalion 99 in Sonthofen. From 04/04 to 05/01 in 1942, he took part in the second army mountain guide course in Fulpmes. He was present here until June 26, until being transferred to the Hochgebirge staff in Berchtesgaden, from where he was transferred directly to the 2nd company of the Hochgebirgsbatallions 2 on June 27. Here he was wounded on October 12, 1942, for the first time by bullet fire. After recovery in the hospital, he came to the Jäger-Regiment 91, 2 Company on February 13, 1943. Here he was awarded the Ritterkreuz on March 27, 1943. Then he received home leave which he spent with his family in Badgastein. From there he went on to Fulpmes where he was awarded the Heeresbergführer. On October 19, 1943 he went back to the front to his old unit.

How He Won His Ritterkreuz: Gugganig was ordered to hold the edge of a village against any attack by the enemy with his platoon to protect the flank of his division. During the night however, several hundred Russians suddenly broke into the village through a front hatch to the left of his position. They overran three heavy gun positions and penetrated ever deeper into the defensive line. To counter the danger of being overrun, Gugganig decided to counterattack with his platoon. With his troops he attacked a twenty-fold superior force. A murderous hand-to-hand fight broke out, house after house was reconquered by Gugganig and his men as well as the three heavy gun positions. After hours of fighting, he managed to occupy the old main battle line and capture almost 100 Russians and left more than 180 dead on the battlefield. Through his action and others of this kind, the Kuban bridgehead was created.

On January 6, 1944, at around 3 am, the Russians carried out a surprise attack against the position of Gugganig and his platoon. Here he was severely wounded by a shot in the belly and grenade splinters in the back. He died in the hands of a comrade who then wrote a letter to his mother and told her the last words and wishes from her son. He was admitted to the field hospital in Winniza at 1 am, on January 7, where he was declared dead and buried there the same day.

Source :
https://www.alamy.com/sergeant-alois-gugganig-12gebirgsjaegerregiment-91-with-the-knights-cross-1941-image385783729.html
https://www.edelweiss-antiques.com/alois-gugganig
https://www.ratisbons.com/auctions-archive/25th-contemporary-history-auction/grouping-to-heeresbergfuehrer-kc-recipient-fw-gugganig.html
https://www.tracesofwar.com/persons/85736/Gugganig-Alois.htm

Ritterkreuz Action of Klaus Faulmüller

Dr. Klaus Faulmüller (21 June 1917 - 25 October 1943) received the Ritterkreuz des Eisernen Kreuzes on 25 June 1943 as Oberleutnant der Reserve and Führer 7.Kompanie / II.Bataillon / Gebirgsjäger-Regiment 13 / 4.Gebirgs-Division.

The following divisional order of the day describes why Faulmüller would be awarded the Ritterkreuz:

“The Führer and Supreme Commander of the Wehrmacht has awarded the Ritterkreuz des Eisernen Kreuzes to Oberleutnant d.R. Faulmüller, 7./Geb.Jäg.Rgt. 13.

On the 15 May 1943, during the fighting in the Neberdshajewskaja-Krymskaja area, Oberleutnant Faulmüller stormed the heavily fortified ‘Artillery Hill’ along with his Zug. Having done this on his own initiative, he proceeded to hold the hill against strong enemy counterattacks that were supported by tanks.

Through his bold initiative and outstanding personal courage, Oberleutnant Faulmüller prevented the collapse of our attack (which was taking heavy losses) at a crucial moment. The capture of this vital position enabled the neighbouring Bataillon to make contact at the front without any more significant losses.

The enemy suffered numerous casualties. 3 enemy tanks were destroyed in close combat, and many heavy weapons were captured.

I congratulate Oberleutnant der Reserve Faulmüller on behalf of the Division for this high honour. He is the 10th Ritterkreuzträger (Knight’s Cross Holder) of the 4. Gebirgs-Division.”

The following report in “Die Gebirgstruppe” 5/78 provides further details as to this action…

“During the combat in the Neberdshajewskaja-Krymskaja area (in the Kuban bridgehead) the Kampfgruppe of Eichenlaubträger Oberst Göbel commenced a counterattack. The enemy had achieved a penetration during their last major assault that had to be cleaned up, and an important hill in particular had to be recaptured.

Although the enemy rained down coordinated fire on the attacking troops with all weapons, the Grenadiers and Gebirgsjäger were initially able to make good progress and were able to advance to a point close to the summit of the hill. However at that stage the attack threatened to bog down in the formidable defense. Losses were being incurred, the leaders of both Kompanien deployed against the hill became casualties, and the neighbouring troops on the left and right were also beginning to falter.

Oberleutnant Faulmüller, commander of the 7./Geb.-Jäg.Rgt. 13, stood in reserve with a Zug. He was to move up forwards when the hill was captured. But now the situation had totally changed. All communication links were down. No orders could reach Faulmüller, and no inquiries from him to his superiors came through.

The young officer decided to take the course of action that aligned with his own attitude and the traditions of the German Heer. He went forward into the attack with his Zug, gathered up withdrawing elements from other Kompanien along with him and stormed against the hill. Riding on a Sturmgeschütz and firing an MG against the enemy while on the move, he penetrated into the hill position at the head of his Gebirgsjäger and rolled it up in bitter close combat, destroying several bunkers along with their crews. After this had been captured the bushy terrain behind the hill that still contained numerous enemies was cleared out. As a result the hill finally came under German control. The visible results of this battle were enemy losses of 102 prisoners, 78 dead, 1 artillery piece, 18 mortars and numerous MGs and anti-tank rifles.

However the Gebirgsjäger had barely managed to set up for defense when the enemy launched a counterthrust with the support of 16 tanks. At the moment armour-piercing weapons were not yet available, and it was not long before individual enemy tanks had pushed into the rear of the defenders in order to wreak havoc. Oberleutnant Faulmüller took up a captured anti-tank rifle and fired it against the oncoming steel monsters at the closest possible range. He knew that he could not hope to penetrate the enemy tank, but by doing so he did reassure his own troops and influence the enemy tank crews. The Gebirgsjäger took heart from his example. They destroyed 3 enemy tanks in close combat and bloodily repulsed the following enemy infantry.

Through his bold initiative and outstanding personal courage, Oberleutnant Faulmüller prevented the collapse of our attack (which was taking heavy losses) at a crucial moment. The capture of this vital position enabled the neighbouring Bataillon to make contact at the front without any more significant losses.”

Source :
https://www.sammlermarkt-nord.net/shop/captain-klaus-faulmueller-with-knights-cross-p-20392.html?language=en&redirectCancelled=true
https://www.tracesofwar.com/persons/30075/Faulm%C3%BCller-Klaus-Georg.htm

Ritterkreuz Action of Kaspar Brandner

A special dinner held by 4. Gebirgs-Division to honor Oberjäger Kaspar Brandner (center, Gruppenführer in 8.Kompanie / II.Bataillon / Gebirgsjäger-Regiment 91 / 4.Gebirgs-Division) who recently got the Ritterkreuz des Eisernen Kreuzes on 28 October 1944. Sitting at left is Generalleutnant Friedrich Breith (Kommandeur 4. Gebirgs-Division). The medal was awarded for Brandner actions in October 1944 near the village of Mezö (along the Carpathian front). Here he and his squad wiped out an entire company of Soviet soldiers and held off the Soviet attack long enough for reinforcements to arrive and stabilize the situation.

Source :
Jim Haley collection
https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=2998244036955907&set=gm.896713897490717&type=3&theater&ifg=1
https://www.tracesofwar.com/persons/28644/Brandner-Kaspar.htm