Ritterkreuz Action of Willy Apitz

Ritterkreuzträger Unteroffizier Willy Apitz recounts his brave exploits beyond the Dnieper. Daily proof that German soldier is best and bravest individual fighter gains substance from first person account by Apitz, over supporting animation, of his experience beyond River Dnieper in being cut of by Soviet armour and calling down his own fire (Artillerie Regiment 81) and tanks to repel nearby Russian forces.

Willy Apitz received the Ritterkreuz des Eisernen Kreuzes on 1 January 1944 as Obergefreiter and Funker in 10.Batterie / Artillerie-Regiment 81 / 97.Jäger-Division. During the autumn of 1943 Obergefreiter Apitz found himself engaged in his Division’s heavy defensive combat along the Lower Dnieper front between the Nikopol and Cherson bridgeheads. In this time, while he was serving as a radio operator at a forward observation post, all of his comrades were killed during a large-scale Soviet attack. When the Soviets proceeded to launch a renewed thrust with tanks and infantry, Apitz decided to personally direct the fire of his attached artillery even though he had no training in this role. However, despite being all alone, he managed to fulfill this role effectively and direct devastating artillery fire onto the attacking Soviet forces.

A unit of Soviet infantry that were passing by suddenly attacked Apitz at his position. He initially held them off with his carbine before ordering his own artillery to bombard his position. He had to repeat the order twice before his stunned comrades proceeded to do just that. Fierce artillery fire was then plastered on Apitz’s position for about a minute. However Apitz survived, and the Soviet infantry took such high losses that they decided to fall back to their jump-off position. With this the Soviet thrust came to an end.

Apitz would be initially decorated with the Eisernes Kreuz I.Klasse for this action. Later on he also received the Ritterkreuz at the recommendation of his superiors.

Source :
Die Deutsche Wochenschau No. 720 - 21 June 1944
https://www.iwm.org.uk/collections/item/object/1060004235
https://www.tracesofwar.com/persons/28123/Apitz-Willy.htm
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e-DzDJmt5F8

Ludwig Müller with His Jäger

Generalleutnant Ludwig Müller (center, Kommandeur 97. Jäger-Division), affectionately called “Wurselsepp” with genuine Bavarian humor by his soldiers, discuss details of the operations with his officers. The picture was taken by Kriegsberichter Beissel on 6 November 1943. Only two weeks previously - on 25 October 1943 - Divisionskommandeur Müller was awarded with the Ritterkreuz des Eisernen Kreuzes for his leadership of the 97. Jäger-Division during the campaign for the Kuban bridgehead, and in particular the fighting for Hill 114.1 (east of Moldawanskoje) in the time period 16 July - 14 September 1943. Here the Soviets tried many times, in vain, to seize this important hill from which all their movements in the area could be observed. It was only following the German evacuation of the Kuban bridgehead that this hill finally fell into their hands.

Source :
https://www.ebay.de/itm/395095426624?itmmeta=01HQMHYVC75J8VGRQT5RD2MRB3&hash=item5bfd85c640:g:BoYAAOSwdVBljbZ9
https://www.tracesofwar.com/persons/12448/M%C3%BCller-Ludwig-97-J%C3%A4ger-Division.htm

Ritterkreuz Action of Willy Apitz

Willy Apitz (27 January 1916 - 28 February 2004) received the Ritterkreuz des Eisernen Kreuzes on 1 January 1944 as Obergefreiter and Funker in 10.Batterie / IV.Abteilung / Artillerie-Regiment 81 / 97.Jäger-Division. In the autumn of 1943, after heavy fighting at the Kuban bridgehead, the 97. Jäger-Division withdrew to the Kerch Strait on the Crimean peninsula. From there they moved to the lower Dnieper, between the bridgeheads of Nikopol and Kherson, fighting against the 4th Ukrainian Front. Obergefreiter Apitz found himself engaged in his Division’s heavy defensive combat. In this time, while he was serving as a radio operator at a forward observation post, all of his comrades were killed during a large-scale Soviet attack. When the Soviets proceeded to launch a renewed thrust with tanks and infantry, Apitz decided to personally direct the fire of his attached artillery even though he had no training in this role. However, despite being all alone, he managed to fulfill this role effectively and direct devastating artillery fire onto the attacking Soviet forces. A unit of Soviet infantry that were passing by suddenly attacked Apitz at his position. He initially held them off with his carbine before ordering his own artillery to bombard his position. He had to repeat the order twice before his stunned comrades proceeded to do just that. Fierce artillery fire was then plastered on Apitz’s position for about a minute. However Apitz survived. By the time the firing ceased and the smoke cleared, the Russians had suffered such losses that they withdrew to their starting positions. The enemy attack was finally completely repulsed.

For this feat, Obergefreiter Willy Apitz was awarded the Eisernes Kreuz I.Klasse on 27 November 1943. Oberkommando der Wehrmacht also appreciated that his action was decisive for the success of the defense against the Soviet offensive and he was awarded the Ritterkreuz at the recommendation of his superiors, also receiving his promotion to Unteroffizier.

Source :
https://forum.axishistory.com/viewtopic.php?f=5&t=207409&p=2450865#p2450865
https://sites.google.com/site/gymdietaexplosive2015/a/apitz-willy
https://www.tracesofwar.com/persons/28123/Apitz-Willy.htm

Divisionskommandeur Ernst Rupp with His Officers in the Bunker

Generalmajor Ernst Rupp (Kommandeur 97. Jäger-Division) in the bunker with his stabsoffizier (staff officers). Behind him is Major Kurt Ferchl (Ia Erster Generalstabsoffizier 97. Jäger-Division). Ferchl was born on 15 June 1909, and was promoted to Oberstleutnant on 1 March 1943. He received the following decorations during the war: Eisernes Kreuzes II.Klasse (29 September 1939) und I.Klasse (4 June 1941), and Deutsches Kreuz in Gold (28 July 1943). The picture was taken in 1942.

Source :
https://forum.axishistory.com/viewtopic.php?p=2348563#p2348563

Ritterkreuz award ceremony of Friedrich-Wilhelm Otte

Ritterkreuz award ceremony of Oberst Friedrich-Wilhelm Otte (Kommandeur Jäger-Regiment 207 / 97.Jäger-Division) which were held at Caucasus front on 13 November 1942. Awarding the medal is Generalmajor Ernst Rupp (Kommandeur 97. Jäger-Division).

Source :
ECPAD Archives (courtesy of Blanluet Christophe)
https://www.facebook.com/groups/152986901863424/?post_id=927678051060968