Ritterkreuzträger of Independent Pionier Units

 PIONIER-BATAILLON 51

The Pionier-Bataillon 51 was raised on 12 October 1937 as a Korps-Pionier-Bataillon with its peacetime garrison at Rosslau, drawing personnel from the Pionier-Bataillon 13 of the 4. Infanterie-Division, the Pionier-Bataillon 19 of the 19. Infanterie-Division, and the Pionier-Bataillon 16 of the 16. Infanterie-Division. Under the command of Oberstleutnant Hans Mikosch the unit took part in the Anschluss of Austria and later carried out fortification work on the Westwall. During the Polish campaign of 1939 the battalion served as an army troop performing bridging, obstacle clearance and assault pioneer tasks. In the Western campaign of May 1940 it played a decisive role in the reduction of the Belgian fortress of Eben-Emael; Oberstleutnant Mikosch led the battalion through heavily defended positions to relieve the airborne troops who had landed on the fort, an action for which he received the Ritterkreuz des Eisernen Kreuzes on 21 May 1940. Motorized and equipped for rapid river crossings, the battalion opened Operation Barbarossa on 22 June 1941 by seizing the Bug bridge at Sokal and clearing Soviet bunker lines on the heights east of the river while attached to the 57. Infanterie-Division, employing assault boats, flamethrowers and explosive charges with support from Sturmgeschütze. On 21 May 1942 the formation was redesignated Panzer-Pionier-Bataillon 51, absorbing a newly raised Panzer-Pionier-Kompanie of the 23. Panzer-Division and becoming the organic pioneer unit of that division. Thereafter it followed the 23. Panzer-Division through France, the second battle of Kharkov, the Caucasus offensive, the defensive fighting on the Mius and Dnieper, the southern Ukraine, Poland and finally Hungary in 1944–45, continuously performing the full range of panzer pioneer duties: bridge construction under fire, mine clearance, obstacle demolition and close assault in support of armoured spearheads until the final collapse of the front.



Generalleutnant Hans Mikosch (1898-1993) was born on 7 January 1898 in Kattowitz and volunteered for the Imperial German Army in 1914, serving as a pioneer officer and receiving a commission as Leutnant after two years of combat in the First World War before leaving the military in 1920 to join the police. He returned to the Heer on 15 October 1935 as Hauptmann, was promoted to Major in 1936 and to Oberstleutnant in 1939, and from October 1937 commanded Pionier-Bataillon 51, leading it in the invasion of Poland and later in the Westfeldzug. On 10 May 1940 his battalion advanced through fortified and heavily defended Belgian positions to relieve the Fallschirmjäger who had landed on Fort Eben-Emael, enabling the definitive German capture of the fort; for this action he received the Ritterkreuz des Eisernen Kreuzes on 21 May 1940 as Oberstleutnant und Kommandeur of Pionier-Bataillon 51. Promoted to Oberst in 1942, he commanded Pionier-Regiment 677 and later Pionier-Regiment-Stab z.b.V. 677 while also leading Kampfgruppe Mikosch on the Eastern Front. After the Soviet Operation Uranus, his Kampfgruppe retreated from the Kalatsch bridgehead to the Chir railway station on 24 November 1942 and was subordinated to the 384. Infanterie-Division, holding positions near Werch-Tschirskij in the Chir-Don triangle for four weeks against repeated Soviet tank and infantry assaults. On 14 December 1942 the Soviet 7th Tank Corps broke through with thirty tanks into the village itself, yet Kampfgruppe Mikosch destroyed twenty enemy tanks despite losing nearly all its anti-tank weapons and thereby prevented the Soviets from rolling up the entire Chir defensive front westward, actions for which he was awarded the Eichenlaub to the Ritterkreuz on 6 March 1943 as Oberst und Kommandeur of Pionier-Regiment-Stab z.b.V. 677 und Führer einer Kampfgruppe im Raum Stalingrad. He later temporarily commanded the 10. Panzergrenadier-Division from October to December 1943, then the 13. Panzer-Division until May 1944, receiving promotion to Generalmajor in January 1944, served as commandant of Boulogne and Higher Pionier Commander, and ended the war as Generalleutnant responsible for fortifications in East Prussia and leader of another Kampfgruppe Mikosch near Königsberg. Captured by Soviet forces on 8 April 1945, he remained a prisoner until 1955 and died on 18 January 1993 in Reichshof.

Source :
https://www.lexikon-der-wehrmacht.de/Gliederungen/Pioniere.htm

Ritterkreuzträger of Pioniertruppen (Pioneer)

The German Pioniertruppen of the Wehrmacht in the Second World War formed a specialized branch of combat engineers collectively known as Pioniere, often distinguished as schwarz Pioniere by their black Waffenfarbe, and they operated primarily as assault troops rather than mere construction workers. Each Infanterie-Division typically included an organic Divisions-Pionier-Bataillon consisting of a Bataillonsstab with Nachrichtenzug, three Pionier-Kompanien of which two were usually horsedrawn and one motorized, a motorized Brückenkolonne B for pontoon bridging, and a leichte Pionier-Kolonne. Under the command of a Major or Hauptmann these units supported Blitzkrieg operations by clearing natural and artificial obstacles, repairing roads, and erecting temporary bridges using Schlauchboote and Brückengerät to enable rapid crossings such as those over the Meuse at Sedan or the Bug River in 1941. In the attack the Sturmpioniere advanced alongside the Infanterie employing Flammenwerfer, pole charges, hollow charges, and demolitions to breach fortifications, wire obstacles, and bunkers while laying or clearing Tellerminen and Schützenminen. On the defensive they constructed Feldstellungen, erected barbed-wire entanglements, planted minefields, and maintained supply routes under the direction of Unteroffiziere and Feldwebel who trained Pioniere and Oberpioniere in specialized skills. Specialized formations expanded the branch to include Panzerpioniere for armored support, Fallschirmpioniere attached to Luftwaffe airborne units, Gebirgspioniere for mountain warfare, Eisenbahnpioniere who restored rail networks in occupied territories, and Festungspioniere who built the Atlantikwall and Westwall. Equipment ranged from standard Karabiner 98k rifles and MG 34 machine guns to compressors, assault boats, smoke candles, and substantial stocks of explosives carried in the Pioniersturmgepack. Throughout campaigns from Poland in 1939 through the Eastern Front battles to the final defenses of 1945 the Pioniertruppen remained essential for mobility, countermobility, and survivability, with officers such as Leutnante and Hauptleute coordinating the integration of pioneer efforts into the combined-arms team. Their dual role as elite assault specialists and technical experts ensured that the Wehrmacht could maintain operational tempo even under increasingly adverse conditions until the complete dissolution of these units in 1945.

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HEER


Generalleutnant Hans Mikosch (1898-1993) was born on 7 January 1898 in Kattowitz and volunteered for the Imperial German Army in 1914, serving as a pioneer officer and receiving a commission as Leutnant after two years of combat in the First World War before leaving the military in 1920 to join the police. He returned to the Heer on 15 October 1935 as Hauptmann, was promoted to Major in 1936 and to Oberstleutnant in 1939, and from October 1937 commanded Pionier-Bataillon 51, leading it in the invasion of Poland and later in the Westfeldzug. On 10 May 1940 his battalion advanced through fortified and heavily defended Belgian positions to relieve the Fallschirmjäger who had landed on Fort Eben-Emael, enabling the definitive German capture of the fort; for this action he received the Ritterkreuz des Eisernen Kreuzes on 21 May 1940 as Oberstleutnant und Kommandeur of Pionier-Bataillon 51. Promoted to Oberst in 1942, he commanded Pionier-Regiment 677 and later Pionier-Regiment-Stab z.b.V. 677 while also leading Kampfgruppe Mikosch on the Eastern Front. After the Soviet Operation Uranus, his Kampfgruppe retreated from the Kalatsch bridgehead to the Chir railway station on 24 November 1942 and was subordinated to the 384. Infanterie-Division, holding positions near Werch-Tschirskij in the Chir-Don triangle for four weeks against repeated Soviet tank and infantry assaults. On 14 December 1942 the Soviet 7th Tank Corps broke through with thirty tanks into the village itself, yet Kampfgruppe Mikosch destroyed twenty enemy tanks despite losing nearly all its anti-tank weapons and thereby prevented the Soviets from rolling up the entire Chir defensive front westward, actions for which he was awarded the Eichenlaub to the Ritterkreuz on 6 March 1943 as Oberst und Kommandeur of Pionier-Regiment-Stab z.b.V. 677 und Führer einer Kampfgruppe im Raum Stalingrad. He later temporarily commanded the 10. Panzergrenadier-Division from October to December 1943, then the 13. Panzer-Division until May 1944, receiving promotion to Generalmajor in January 1944, served as commandant of Boulogne and Higher Pionier Commander, and ended the war as Generalleutnant responsible for fortifications in East Prussia and leader of another Kampfgruppe Mikosch near Königsberg. Captured by Soviet forces on 8 April 1945, he remained a prisoner until 1955 and died on 18 January 1993 in Reichshof.



Oberstleutnant Dr.jur. Josef-Georg Mulzer (1915-2011) was born on 23 April 1915 in Munich and entered the Wehrmacht in 1934 as a Fahnenjunker with Pionier-Bataillon 7, where he was promoted to Leutnant in 1936. From autumn 1938 he served as Adjutant of Gebirgs-Pionier-Bataillon 83, taking part in the Polish and Norwegian campaigns. After further service he became Kommandeur of Gebirgs-Pionier-Bataillon 83 in November 1942 and was promoted to Major on 1 June 1943. In July 1943 he assumed command of Pionier-Bataillon 195 of the 95. Infanterie-Division. During the fighting for the Orel salient in mid-1943 he and his men eliminated numerous Soviet penetrations through energetic counterattacks, and on one occasion he recaptured a commanding height in an attack launched on his own initiative; for these actions he was awarded the Ritterkreuz des Eisernen Kreuzes on 7 September 1943. Near the end of 1943 his battalion held a defensive sector west of Bobruisk. After a heavy Soviet artillery barrage and assault on a broad front, Mulzer used his last reserves, including staff personnel and drivers, to eject the attackers from his positions. When the Soviets broke through in the neighbouring sector and threatened to roll up the entire divisional front, he quickly assembled available men, launched a successful flank attack that inflicted heavy losses and forced the enemy to flee, then established a temporary defensive line that held until reinforcements arrived. For averting this major danger he received the Eichenlaub to the Ritterkreuz on 10 January 1944 as the 367th recipient. After Generalstabsausbildung he became Kommandeur of Pionier-Sturm-Regiment 1 on the Western Front in September 1944, was severely wounded in October, and was promoted to Oberstleutnant on 1 December 1944 while in hospital. His other awards included the Eisernes Kreuz 2. and 1. Klasse, the Verwundetenabzeichen in Silber, the Allgemeines Sturmabzeichen, the Narvikschild and the Ostmedaille. He died in Würzburg on 21 January 2011.



Oberstleutnant der Reserve Wilhelm Niggemeyer (1918-2008) was born on 9 May 1918 in Haan near Düsseldorf in the Rhineland and died on 14 February 2008 in Erftstadt at the age of 89. He entered military service on 1 October 1938 with the Pionier-Bataillon 26 of the 26. Infanterie-Division, took part in the Westfeldzug of 1940, and was promoted to Leutnant der Reserve. By June 1941 he was serving as Führer of the 2. Kompanie of his battalion on the Eastern Front. During the heavy fighting around Rzhev and later near Voronezh he repeatedly distinguished himself in close-quarters combat against Soviet armour. On 22 August 1942, southwest of Kaluga, a Soviet attack spearheaded by some thirty tanks threatened a German bridgehead. As Leutnant der Reserve and Führer of 2./Pionier-Bataillon 26, Niggemeyer personally destroyed two enemy tanks in close combat, forcing the remainder to withdraw and thereby preventing a breakthrough; for this action he was awarded the Ritterkreuz des Eisernen Kreuzes on 18 September 1942. Shortly afterwards he was promoted to Oberleutnant der Reserve and appointed Bataillonsadjutant of Pionier-Bataillon 26. In January 1943 the 26. Infanterie-Division, then positioned along the Don south of Voronezh, was compelled to retreat under intense Soviet pressure. On the evening of 20 January two Soviet heavy tanks carrying tank riders blocked the division’s sole withdrawal route and inflicted chaos on the congested columns with machine-gun and cannon fire. Acting on his own initiative, Niggemeyer assembled two assault teams, advanced against the tanks, eliminated the accompanying infantry by concentrated fire, immobilised the vehicles with Teller anti-tank mines, and then destroyed the crews that had bailed out, using machine-pistols and bayonets in hand-to-hand fighting. The road was thereby cleared and the division was able to continue its ordered retreat. For this decisive deed he received the Eichenlaub to the Ritterkreuz on 17 May 1943 as the 241st recipient, while still serving as Bataillonsadjutant. He later rose to Hauptmann and Major der Reserve, trained troops in anti-tank warfare, and appeared in the 1943 instructional film Männer gegen Panzer. Seriously wounded in the final fighting, he was taken into Allied captivity and released in September 1945. After the war he managed a department store before joining the Bundeswehr in 1955, rising to Oberstleutnant and commanding the schwere Pionierbataillon 719 until his retirement in 1974.



Major Helmut Kalbitz (1912-1944) was born on 3 January 1912 in Harburg-Wilhelmsburg and entered the Wehrmacht in 1935 with Pionier-Bataillon 12, later transferring to Pionier-Bataillon 30 where he was promoted to Leutnant on 1 June 1939. He took part in the Polish and French campaigns with this unit before becoming Chef of the 1. Kompanie of Pionier-Bataillon 125 on 1 October 1940, by which time he held the rank of Oberleutnant. On 7 September 1943 he was awarded the Ritterkreuz des Eisernen Kreuzes for his decisive actions during the fighting that led to the capture of Gaissin, where his company enabled the 125. Infanterie-Division to seize the town and contribute to the destruction of strong enemy forces south of Uman. Promoted to Hauptmann on 1 April 1942, he assumed command of Pionier-Bataillon 31 in August 1943. Following the German evacuation of Gomel on 26 November 1943, Soviet forces infiltrated the forested Beresina-Dnieper triangle and advanced toward Paporotnoje, threatening a major breakthrough; Kalbitz led his battalion in bitter fighting that checked the enemy advance and secured the front, for which he received the Eichenlaub to the Ritterkreuz on 7 January 1944 as the 366th recipient. Wounded during these actions, he was promoted to Major on 1 March 1944 while in hospital and subsequently appointed Kommandeur of Heeres-Pionier-Brigade 127. He was reported missing in action on 23 August 1944 near Iași in Romania. His other awards included the Eisernes Kreuz 2. Klasse (10 October 1939), Eisernes Kreuz 1. Klasse (10 June 1940), and the Verwundetenabzeichen in Schwarz, Silber and Gold.

Source :
https://www.facebook.com/groups/132294707379067/posts/854112745197256/
https://www.themilitarymark.com/wwii-wehrmacht-heer/blog-post-title-one-2xjjf-7semt-57b3d

Ritterkreuz Action of Franz Zejdlik

Franz Zejdlik (20 October 1906 - 8 September 1978) received the Ritterkreuz des Eisernen Kreuzes on 4 October 1942 as Major and Kommandeur Panzer-Pionier-Bataillon 51 / 23.Panzer-Division. On 20 July 1942 the Vorausabteilung of the 23. Panzer-Division (consisting of the division's Pionier-Bataillon, Kradschützen-Bataillon and a Panzerjäger Kompanie), under the command of Major Zejdlik, was ordered to cross the Don at Nikolayevskaya and secure a bridgehead over the river. The town was reached at 19:00 that day, though still defended by the Soviets. They were cleared out during the night.

Shortly afterwards the Germans secured a 10-ton ferry intact, and using this as well as inflatable sacks, Zejdlik sent a company of motorcycle troops over the river against the Soviet positions there. They were able to secure a weak bridgehead, which was strengthened during the night.

Zejdlik realized that creating a viable bridgehead here would only be possible if the 7 km distant towns of Karenchov and Worosoff were captured, due to the swampy terrain immediately adjacent to the river. As such he decided to launch an attack on these positions at dawn with only part of his Vorausabteilung, despite the flank threat to the tenuous bridgehead. The gamble payed off however and both towns were taken.

The following night the Soviets attempted to counterattack with tanks and infantry. Zejdlik launched a counterattack against these forces, capturing or dispersing the infantry and destroying 6 tanks. Exploiting the confusion Zejdlik led his Kradschützen in pursuit, and they captured the 3 km distant village of Dolschowskaya.

By this action the security of the bridgehead was thus guaranteed. During the battle to capture the bridgehead the following losses were inflicted on the Soviets...

- 2 officers and 680 men captured
- 220 enemy dead counted
- 7 field guns (6.62 cm)
- 6 AT guns
- 35 AT rifles
- 1 heavy machine gun
- numerous mortars

By this action Zejdlik far exceeded his original mission of forming a limited bridgehead over the Don, all the more remarkable due to his lack of experience in leading infantry formations! This bridgehead would later be of great operational importance to both the division and the whole of the XXXX. Panzerkorps.

In addition to this act, in a subsequent battle Major Zejdlik distinguished himself further. Taking over the Panzergrenadier-Regiment 126 (whose commander had become a casualty), he led friendly forces to victory during a bitter battle to conquer a Soviet hilltop position. 1,000 prisoners, 6 field guns and numerous AT guns and rifles were captured.

For these achievements Major Zejdlik would be awarded the Ritterkreuz.


Source :
https://forum.axishistory.com/viewtopic.php?p=2493591#p2493591
https://www.tracesofwar.com/persons/82037/Zejdlik-Franz.htm

Bio of Oberstleutnant Franz Zejdlik (1906-1978)

Franz Zejdlik

Date of Birth: 20.10.1906 - Voitsberg, Steiermark (Austria-Hungary)
Date of Death: 08.09.1978 - Krems an der Donau, Niederösterreich (Austria)

Promotions:
00.00.1925 Wachtmeister (Austrian Bundesheer)
15.08.1931 Leutnant (Austrian Bundesheer)
15.08.1935 Oberleutnant (Austrian Bundesheer)
01.06.1938 Hauptmann
01.01.1942 Major
01.11.1942 Oberstleutnant
01.06.1956 Oberstleutnant (Austrian Bundesheer)
06.03.1957 Oberst (Austrian Bundesheer)
01.07.1963 Brigadier (Austrian Bundesheer)

Career:
02.03.1925 Joined the Austrian Bundesheer and posted in Pionier-Bataillon 5 in Graz
01.09.1929 Offiziersausbildung (Officer training) in Heeresschule Enns
00.00.1931 Zugskommandant in Pionier-Bataillon 4 in Linz
01.07.1932 Transferred back to Pionier-Bataillon 5 in Graz
00.10.1934 Training officer for the one-year volunteer courses
00.03.1938 Became the member of the Wehrmacht after Anschluss
00.05.1938 Transferred to Pionier-Bataillon 32 (mot.) in Schwedt/Oder
00.00.194_ After several assignments in a Panzer division as a company commander and battalion commander, he became commander of a grenadier regiment. Further functions followed in Heeresgruppe C as staff officer to the Generals der Pioniere und Festungen (General of Engineers and Fortresses), and later he came to the Army High Command. He taught at Pioneer School 1 as a tactics instructor for battalion and regimental leader courses and then became commander of Pioneer School 3.
15.07.1946 Joined the Oberösterreichische Landesbaudirektion
00.00.1950 Awarded the professional title of Ingenieur (engineer)
00.00.1952 Technischen Oberinspektor responsible for audits of water and waterworks cooperatives
01.06.1956 Joined the post-war Austrian Bundesheer as Oberstleutnant
26.08.1956 Kommandeur 3. Infanterie-Brigade (mot.) in commissioned in Krems-Mautern, later renamed the 3. Panzer-Brigade and then the 3. Panzergrenadier-Brigade
00.00.1956 - 00.00.1963 At the same time, Militärkommandant von Niederösterreich
01.10.1964 - 31.12.1971 Again, Militärkommandant von Niederösterreich

Awards and Decorations:
00.00.193_ Silberne Medaille für Verdienste um die Republik Österreich
00.00.19__ Panzerkampfabzeichen
00.00.19__ Eisernes Kreuz II.Klasse
00.00.19__ Eisernes Kreuz I.Klasse
00.00.19__ Verwundetenabzeichen in Schwarz
00.00.1942 Medaille "Winterschlacht im Osten 1941/42" (Ostmedaille)
04.10.1942 Ritterkreuz des Eisernen Kreuzes, as Major and Kommandeur Panzer-Pionier-Bataillon 51 / 23.Panzer-Division. On 20.07.1942 the Vorausabteilung of the 23. Panzer-Division (consisting of the division's Pionier-Bataillon, Kradschützen-Bataillon and a Panzerjäger Kompanie), under the command of Major Zejdlik, was ordered to cross the Don at Nikolayevskaya and secure a bridgehead over the river. The town was reached at 1900 that day, though still defended by the Soviets. They were cleared out during the night. Shortly afterwards the Germans secured a 10-ton ferry intact, and using this as well as inflatable sacks, Zejdlik sent a company of motorcycle troops over the river against the Soviet positions there. They were able to secure a weak bridgehead, which was strengthened during the night. Zejdlik realized that creating a viable bridgehead here would only be possible if the 7 km distant towns of Karenchov and Worosoff were captured, due to the swampy terrain immediately adjacent to the river. As such he decided to launch an attack on these positions at dawn with only part of his Vorausabteilung, despite the flank threat to the tenuous bridgehead. The gamble payed off however and both towns were taken. The following night the Soviets attempted to counterattack with tanks and infantry. Zejdlik launched a counterattack against these forces, capturing or dispersing the infantry and destroying 6 tanks. Exploiting the confusion Zejdlik led his Kradschützen in pursuit, and they captured the 3 km distant village of Dolschowskaya. By this action the security of the bridgehead was thus guaranteed. During the battle to capture the bridgehead the following losses were inflicted on the Soviets: 2 officers and 680 men captured, 220 enemy dead counted, 7 field guns (6.62 cm), 6 AT guns, 35 AT rifles, 1 heavy machine gun, and numerous mortars. By this action Zejdlik far exceeded his original mission of forming a limited bridgehead over the Don, all the more remarkable due to his lack of experience in leading infantry formations. This bridgehead would later be of great operational importance to both the division and the whole of the XXXX. Panzerkorps. In addition to this act, in a subsequent battle Major Zejdlik distinguished himself further. Taking over the Panzergrenadier-Regiment 126 (whose commander had become a casualty), he led friendly forces to victory during a bitter battle to conquer a Soviet hilltop position. 1,000 prisoners, 6 field guns and numerous AT guns and rifles were captured. For these achievements Major Zejdlik would be awarded the Ritterkreuz.
00.00.19__ Goldenes Ehrenzeichen für Verdienste um die Republik Österreich
00.00.19__ Wehrdienstzeichen
00.00.19__ Ehrenzeichen für Verdienste um das Bundesland Niederösterreich
00.00.19__ Verdienstzeichen des Österreichischen Bundesfeuerwehrverbandes
00.00.19__ Verdienstzeichen des Niederösterreichischen Landesfeuerwehrverbandes

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After elementary school and community school, Franz Zejdlik attended three semesters of mechanical engineering at the Höheren technischen Bundes-Lehr- und Versuchsanstalt (Higher Technical Federal Teaching and Research Institute) in Graz-Gösting. Due to his father's accident, he dropped out of school and worked as a technical employee in a construction company.

On March 2, 1925, he joined the Austrian Armed Forces and achieved the rank of Wachtmeister in the Pionier-Bataillon 5 in Graz. On September 1, 1929, he began officer training at what was then the Enns Army School, where he was promoted as a Leutnant and "best of the year" on August 15, 1931.

Franz Zejdlik was assigned as a platoon commander to the Pionier-Bataillon 4 in Linz, but at his own request was transferred back to the Pionier-Bataillon 5 in Graz on July 1, 1932. In October 1934 he was assigned as a training officer for the one-year volunteer courses. On August 15, 1935 he was promoted to first lieutenant. For his services in training he received the Silver Medal for Services to the Republic of Austria.

After Austria was annexed to the German Empire, he was taken over by the Wehrmacht. In May 1938 he came to Schwedt/Oder to the Pioneer Battalion 32 (motorized) of the 2nd Infantry Division (motorized), later the 12th Panzer Division. On June 1, 1938 he was promoted to Hauptmann.

After several assignments in a tank division as a company commander and battalion commander, he became commander of a grenadier regiment. Further functions followed in Army Group C as staff officer to the General of Engineers and Fortresses, and later he came to the Army High Command.

He taught at Pioneer School 1 as a tactics instructor for battalion and regimental leader courses and then became commander of Pioneer School 3.

On January 1, 1942, Franz Zejdlik was promoted to major and, as commander of Panzerpionier Battalion 51 of the 23rd Panzer Division, received the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross on April 10, 1942. He was promoted to Oberstleutnant on November 1, 1942.

After the end of the Second World War, Franz Zejdlik worked in an architectural office. He joined the Upper Austrian State Building Directorate on July 15, 1946 and became a clerk for the land improvement cadastre. After graduating from high school in 1948, he was awarded the professional title of engineer in 1950. In 1952 he was appointed chief technical inspector. He was then responsible for audits of water and waterworks cooperatives.

On June 1, 1956, Franz Zejdlik was called up as a Oberstleutnant in the Federal Army of the Second Republic and from August 26, 1956 he was in charge of the 3rd Infantry Brigade (mot), which was later renamed the 3rd Armored Brigade and then the 3rd Armored Grenadier Brigade , commissioned in Krems-Mautern.

On March 6, 1957 he was promoted to Oberst.

From 1956 to 1963, in addition to his role in the brigade, he was also the military commander of Lower Austria. It was not until 1963 that this position was filled independently by Brigadier Ignaz Reichel. After being promoted to brigadier on July 1, 1963, he became military commander of Lower Austria again on October 1, 1964. He handed this post over to his successor Brigadier Herbert Müller-Elblein on December 31, 1971.

Franz Zejdlik in Lindau 1943.

Source :
https://www.bmlv.gv.at/sk/lask/brigaden/pzgrenbrig3/brigade.shtml
https://de.wikipedia.org/wiki/Franz_Zejdlik
https://www.ebay.com/itm/145228018807
https://forum.axishistory.com/viewtopic.php?p=2493591#p2493591
https://reibert.info/media/franz-zejdlik-jpg.430030/
https://www.tracesofwar.com/persons/82037/Zejdlik-Franz.htm

Ritterkreuz Action of Gerhard Peter

Gerhard Peter (12 February 1915 - 4 June 1998) received the Ritterkreuz des Eisernen Kreuzes on 15 November 1941 as Oberleutnant and Chef 3.Kompanie / Panzer-Pionier-Bataillon 16 / 16.Panzer-Division. During the heavy fighting around Nikolajew in the time period 13-17 August 1941, Oberleutnant Peter proved to be a most capable officer. He held the south flank of the Division against strong Soviet attacks, achieved great success in counterattacking those Soviet columns that did break through and participated in the advance of the Panzer-Regiment that resulted in the capture of this important port city. On 30 September 1941 he led an energetic attack with an armoured train from Nowomoskowsk towards the east. Here, despite having left most of the friendly riflemen behind, he managed to occupy the Miskowo train station after a hard fight and then prevented the approach of an enemy armoured train with a timely railway demolition. For these actions he would receive the Ritterkreuz.


Source :
Jim Haley photo collection
https://www.tracesofwar.com/persons/84453/Peter-Gerhard-Panzer-Pionier-Bataillon-16.htm

Bio of Major i.G. Gerhard Peter (1915-1998)

Gerhard Peter

Date of Birth: 12.02.1915 - Oberschöneweide, Berlin (German Empire)
Date of Death: 04.06.1998 - Lehrte, Hanover (Germany)

Promotions:
00.00.194_ Major im Generalstab

Career:
00.00.194_ Chef 3.Kompanie / Panzer-Pionier-Bataillon 16 / 16.Panzer-Division

Awards and Decorations:
00.00.19__ Eisernes Kreuz II.Klasse
00.00.19__ Eisernes Kreuz II.Klasse
00.00.194_ Allgemeines-Sturmabzeichen
15.11.1941 Ritterkreuz des Eisernen Kreuzes, as Oberleutnant and Chef 3.Kompanie / Panzer-Pionier-Bataillon 16 / 16.Panzer-Division. During the heavy fighting around Nikolajew in the time period 13-17.08.1941, Oberleutnant Peter proved to be a most capable officer. He held the south flank of the Division against strong Soviet attacks, achieved great success in counterattacking those Soviet columns that did break through and participated in the advance of the Panzer-Regiment that resulted in the capture of this important port city. On 30.09.1941 he led an energetic attack with an armoured train from Nowomoskowsk towards the east. Here, despite having left most of the friendly riflemen behind, he managed to occupy the Miskowo train station after a hard fight and then prevented the approach of an enemy armoured train with a timely railway demolition.


Source :
Jim Haley photo collection
http://www.ritterkreuztraeger.info/rk/p.html
https://www.tracesofwar.com/persons/84453/Peter-Gerhard-Panzer-Pionier-Bataillon-16.htm

Ritterkreuz Action of Ulrich Gunzert

Ulrich Gunzert (8 July 1915 - 12 October 2000) received the Ritterkreuz des Eisernen Kreuzes on 20 December 1941, as Oberleutnant and Chef 3.Kompanie / Pionier-Bataillon 258 / 258.Infanterie-Division. Description: “Received for leading a bold defense against the strong attacking power of a Bolshevik unit. He established a connection with cut off German forces and at this point in the fight the German unit’s has succeeded. Oberleutnant Gunzert was born in 1915 in German East Africa; He received his military training in Upper Bavarian with a Pionier Battalion. In the course of the Russian campaign he destroyed a Bolshevik tank near Grodek with a concentrated charge, and carried out a successful scouting troop operation by making an independent decision to destroy an enemy bunker construction on the Djessna. Later, he also contributed to a flak position being conquered.”

Source :
http://ritterkreuztraeger.blogspot.com/2023/05/bio-of-oberleutnant-ulrich-gunzert-1915.html
https://www.tracesofwar.com/persons/45948/Gunzert-Ulrich.htm

Bio of Oberleutnant Ulrich Gunzert (1915-2000)

Ulrich Gunzert

Date of Birth: 08.07.1915 - Muansa/Mwanza, Deutsch-Ostafrika
Date of Death: 12.10.2000 - Ottobrunn, Bayern (Germany)

Promotions:
00.00.194_ Oberleutnant

Career:
00.00.194_ Chef 3.Kompanie / Pionier-Bataillon 258 / 258.Infanterie-Division

Awards and Decorations:
00.00.19__ Eisernes Kreuz II.Klasse
00.00.19__ Eisernes Kreuz I.Klasse
20.12.1941 Ritterkreuz des Eisernen Kreuzes, as Oberleutnant and Chef 3.Kompanie / Pionier-Bataillon 258 / 258.Infanterie-Division. Description: “Received for leading a bold defense against the strong attacking power of a Bolshevik unit. He established a connection with cut off German forces and at this point in the fight the German unit’s has succeeded. Oberleutnant Gunzert was born in 1915 in German East Africa; He received his military training in Upper Bavarian with a Pionier Battalion. In the course of the Russian campaign he destroyed a Bolshevik tank near Grodek with a concentrated charge, and carried out a successful scouting troop operation by making an independent decision to destroy an enemy bunker construction on the Djessna. Later, he also contributed to a flak position being conquered.”

Source:
https://www.alamy.com/stock-photo/knights-cross-medal.html?sortBy=relevant
https://www.bridgemanimages.com/en/scherl/knight-s-cross-bearer-ulrich-gunzert-1941-b-w-photo/black-and-white-photograph/asset/6364264
https://forum.axishistory.com/viewtopic.php?f=5&t=159818&p=2385475&hilit=gunzert#p2385475
http://www.ritterkreuztraeger.info/rk/g.html
https://www.tracesofwar.com/persons/45948/Gunzert-Ulrich.htm
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hk99rd9KbCk

Ritterkreuz Action of Helmut Schmischke

Helmut Schmischke (30 September 1915 - 18 June 1999) received the Ritterkreuz des Eisernen Kreuzes on 22 July 1943 as Hauptmann and Kommandeur Pionier-Bataillon 36 (motorisiert) / 36.Infanterie-Division. During the battle for the Orel salient in July 1943, Hauptmann Schmischke, his Bataillon and an attached Abteilung of Sturmgeschütze were sent to counterattack a group of Soviet tanks and infantry that had broken through the German lines to a depth of 5 kilometres. Their effort was successful, and the Germans not only succeeded in destroying 30 Soviet tanks but also managed to take back the high ground at Shelyabug and the old main line of defense. This position was held until the Soviet was finally able to overrun it through overwhelming employment of artillery and tanks. Schmischke, already wounded several times, and his weak Bataillon eventually became encircled by the Soviets. However their resistance had tied down significant Soviet forces, which in turn permitted friendly forces to construct a new main line of defense. With great effort, Schmischke was able to lead his Bataillon through the hostile ring and reach friendly lines. For his Bataillon’s outstanding performance during this battle, Schmischke would receive the Ritterkreuz shortly afterwards.

Source :
https://forum.axishistory.com/viewtopic.php?p=2426080#p2426080
https://www.tracesofwar.com/persons/17817/Schmischke-Helmut.htm

Ritterkreuz Action of Josef Portsteffen

Josef Portsteffen (4 October 1913 - 21 June 1974) received the Ritterkreuz des Eisernen Kreuzes on 21 May 1940 as Oberfeldwebel and Stoßtruppführer in 1.Kompanie / Pionier-Bataillon 51 (motorisiert). Following the German aerial assault on the Eben Emael fortress, it was vital for the ground troops to link up with the Fallschirmjäger as soon as possible. The initial efforts were thwarted however due to the destruction of the bridge over the Albert Canal at Kanne, which prevented a swift push to the fortress. The initial efforts of the Pionier-Bataillon 51 on the afternoon of 10 May 1940 to cross the canal were stopped dead by fierce Belgian fire, as were two further attempts later that day.

Finally, during the evening, an assault team lead by Oberfeldwebel Portsteffen launched a crossing under cover of darkness. Paddling furiously, they managed to cross the canal unscathed along the NW side of the fortress. They immediately scaled the hill up to the top and began destroying the Belgian fortifications there. One of the most important ones destroyed was the so-called Werk 4. Armed with flamethrowers, the Pioniere forced the Belgians to close the shutters which then allowed the assault team to close in and knock it out with explosives. In doing so the path was cleared for further German troops to move up on the NW side of the fortress.

By the early morning of the next day Portsteffen and his team became the first German ground troops to make contact with the Fallschirmjäger, and were joined by the rest of the Bataillon later that day. Portsteffen would receive the Ritterkreuz for his efforts in securing the German victory in this battle.

Source :
https://forum.axishistory.com/viewtopic.php?p=2422005#p2422005
https://www.tracesofwar.com/persons/84334/Portsteffen-Josef.htm

Bio of Major Kurt Speidel (1917-1976)

Full nama: Kurt Speidel
Nickname: unknown
Date of Birth: 4 March 1917 at Düsseldorf, Nordrhein-Westfalen (German Empire)
Date of Death: 5 November 1976 at Köln, Nordrhein-Westfalen (West Germany)
NSDAP Number: unknown
SS Number: unknown
Academic Title: unknown
Family Member: unknown
Physical Feature: unknown

Beförderungen (Promotion):
Unknown

Karriere (Career):
Unknown
 
Orden und Ehrenzeichen (Medals and Decorations):
00.00.19__ Eisernes Kreuz II.Klasse
00.00.19__ Eisernes Kreuz I.Klasse
18.11.1941 Ritterkreuz des Eisernen Kreuzes, as Oberleutnant and Führer 2.Kompanie / Panzer-Pionier-Bataillon 86 / 9.Panzer-Division. Awarded for capturing the western section of the vital Dnieper bridge (leading to the island) at Zaporozhye in a lightning-fast action.

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Source :
https://www.feldgrau.com/WW2-German-Knights-Cross-Holder-Kurt-Speidel-6171/
https://forum.axishistory.com/viewtopic.php?p=2376715#p2376715
https://www.tracesofwar.com/persons/82242/Speidel-Kurt.htm

Bio of Generalleutnant Hans Mikosch

Hans Mikosch (7 January 1898 – 18 January 1993) was born in 1898, Mikosch volunteered for the army of Imperial Germany in 1914. After two years service in World War I, he received a commission in an engineer battalion. After the war, he joined the police force where he remained for several years until he rejoined the German Army in 1935 as an engineer. With the rank of Oberstleutnant (lieutenant colonel), he commanded the 51st Engineer Battalion which fought in the Battle of Poland in 1939 and assisted in the capture of Fort Eben-Emael in Belgium on 11 May 1940. Shortly afterwards, he was awarded the Ritterkreuz des Eisernen Kreuzes.

Promoted to Oberst (colonel) in 1942, Mikosch was commander of the 677th Pioneer Regiment, which took part in the Battle of Stalingrad and saw him awarded the Ritterkreuz des Eisernen Kreuzes mit Eichenlaub, and the following year, was temporary commander of the 10th Panzergrenadier Division from late July to late December, during which it fought in Operation Citadel and the Battle of Kiev. He then took command of the 13th Panzer Division on 23 December. His new command, which had been heavily engaged on the Eastern Front, was withdrawn from the front and underwent a refit. During this time he was promoted to Generalmajor (equivalent to the rank of brigadier general in the United States Army). On its return to the front, the 13th Panzer Division took part in the Battle of the Korsun–Cherkassy Pocket and the subsequent retreat to the Bug River.

After his period in command of the 13th Panzer Division ended in May 1944, Mikosch took up a post as commandant of the town of Boulogne in France. He later commanded Higher Engineering Command XIII and then towards the end of the war, he was responsible for fortifications in East Prussia. Having been promoted to Generalleutnant (equivalent to the rank of major general in the United States Army) the previous month, he surrendered to the Soviet forces on 8 April 1945. He was held in the Soviet Union for over 10 years before being released. He later lived in Westphalia, where he died in 1993.

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Promotions:
16.05.1916 Leutnant (mit Patent vom 29.01.1916)
Oberleutnant
Polizei-Hauptmann (?)
15.10.1935 Hauptmann (Reichsheer)
01.03.1936 Major
01.04.1939 Oberstleutnant
01.04.1942 Oberst
01.01.1944 Generalmajor
16.03.1945 Generalleutnant

Career:
25.09.1914 - Entered service as a Kriegsfreiwilliger, assigned to Freiwilligen-Bataillon 6.
16.04.1916 Commissioned as a Leutnant in Pionier-Bataillon 27.

20.01.1920 Discharged from military service.
ca. 1920 - 15.10.1935 Polizei service.
15.10.1935 Transferred to Heer as Hauptmann.
01.10.1937 - 00.00.1942 Kommandeur of Pionier-Bataillon 51.
02.10.1943 - 23.12.1943 Führer of 10.Panzer-Grenadier-Division.
23.12.1943 - 25.05.1944 Kommandeur of 13.Panzer-Division.
18.06.1944 - 00.08.1944 (?) Kommandant of Boulogne.
00.08.1944 - 01.10.1944 (?) Höherer Pionier-Kommandeur XIII.
01.10.1944 - 00.00.1945 (?) Kommandant der Befestigungen (Commandant of Fortifications) in Ostpreußen.

Postwar Confinement:
In Soviet captivity, 8.04.45 - 1955.

Decorations & Awards:
06.03.1943 Eichenlaub zum Ritterkreuz des Eisernes Kreuzes (201.) as Oberst and Fhr. of a Kampfgruppe (Pionier-Regiments-Stab z.b.V. 677) subrodinated to Heeresgruppe Süd and operating in the area of Stalingrad
21.05.1940 Ritterkreuz des Eisernes Kreuzes as Oberstleutnant and Kdr. Pionier-Bataillon 51, for outstanding bravery during the Fort Eben-Emal and Albert Canal operations in Belgium
13.11.1942 Deutsches Kreuz in Gold as Oberst and and Kdr. Pionier-Regiment 677, Eastern Front
14.05.1940 1939 Spange zum 1914 Eisernes Kreuz I. Klasse
19.10.1939 1939 Spange zum 1914 Eisernes Kreuz II. Klasse
06.06.1918 1914 Eisernes Kreuz I. Klasse
12.06.1916 1914 Eisernes Kreuz II. Klasse
Medaille "Winterschlacht im Osten 1941/42"
ca. 1934 Ehrenkreuz für Frontkämpfer 00.00.194_ Wehrmacht-Dienstauszeichnungen

Source :
Gregg Tolbert photo collection
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hans_Mikosch
https://www.oocities.org/~orion47/WEHRMACHT/HEER/Generalleutnant2/MIKOSCH_HANS.html

Ritterkreuz Action of Erwin Hemmerich

Erwin Hemmerich (16 July 1915 - 19 March 1945) received the Ritterkreuz des Eisernen Kreuzes posthumously on 28 March 1945 as Hauptmann and Kommandeur Pionier-Bataillon 326 / 326.Infanterie-Division. During the Allied counterattack against the northern German flank of the Ardennes offensive, the Pionier-Bataillon 326 under the command of Hauptmann Hemmerich stood as the defenders of the village of Neuville, northwest of St. Vith. They defended this village with the courage of desperation against much superior Allied forces, destroying a number of tanks and preventing a breakthrough here that would have had grim consequences for the wider situation. Hemmerich would be awarded the Ritterkreuz for the defensive stand of his Bataillon here.

 

Source :
https://forum.axishistory.com/viewtopic.php?p=2339878#p2339878
https://www.tracesofwar.com/persons/6317/Hemmerich-Erwin.htm

Ritterkreuz Action of Alfred Germer

 

Alfred Germer (7 June 1914 - MIA 1 March 1945) received the Ritterkreuz des Eisernen Kreuzes on 26 May 1940 as Oberleutnant and Chef 1.Kompanie / Pionier-Bataillon 171 / 71.Infanterie-Division. The following wartime excerpt (dated 30 August 1940) describes why Germer received the Ritterkreuz: "Oberleutnant Alfred Germer used his reinforced Pionier Kompanie to storm and neutralize the enemy’s Armoured Fortress 505 (located near Villy). During this engagement he gave his Pionieren a good example of energetic and fearless devotion to duty. He executed his mission with surprisingly few casualties and was the first to enter into the armoured redoubt." The fortification mentioned in this article was known to the French as the “Ouvrage de La Ferté”. The aforementioned action took place on 18 May 1940.

Source :
https://www.tracesofwar.com/persons/48005/Germer-Alfred.htm

Fritz Brutscher with Comrade

Fritz Brutscher (14 March 1915 - 15 February 1943) received the Ritterkreuz des Eisernen Kreuzes on 22 January 1943 as Leutnant der Reserve and Führer 3.Kompanie / Panzer-Pionier-Bataillon 92 / 20.Panzer-Division,

Source :
Denis Daum photo collection

Award Ceremony for Heinrich Niemann

 

 Ritterkreuz award ceremony for Leutnant der Reserve Heinrich Niemann (Führer 3.Kompanie / Pionier-Battailon 196 / 96.Infanterie-Division) on 30 April 1943. The medal was awarded for his actions south of Lake Ladoga. Here Niemann, along with his Pionier Kompanie, endured days of enemy artillery fire while holding an important hill. They then defended this height successfully against all the enemy attacks that followed. Niemann would be heavily wounded during the second enemy attack. In the end of the World War II, he finally reached the rank of Oberleutnant der Reserve. After the Second World War Niemann served with the Bundeswehr from 1957 until 31st March 1978, and finally reached the rank of Oberstleutnant.

Source :
https://www.kpemig.de/3-Privatfotos-Leutnant-Niemann-je-9-x-12-cm
https://www.kpemig.de/Leutnant-Niemann-Privatfoto-85-x-13cm
https://www.tracesofwar.com/persons/38910/Niemann-Heinrich.htm

Portrait Photo of Friedrich Müller-Rochholz

Friedrich Müller-Rochholz (16 February 1914 - 5 May 2002) received Ritterkreuz des Eisernen Kreuzes on 8 May 1945 (the day German surrendered!) as Hauptmann and Kommandeur Panzer-Sturmpionier-Bataillon "Brandenburg". His last rank was Hauptmann.

Source :
http://das-ritterkreuz.de/index_search_db.php?modul=search_result_det&wert1=4372&searchword=Rochholz

Ritterkreuz Award Ceremony for Josef Portsteffen

On behalf of der Führer Adolf Hitler, SA-Obergruppenführer Wilhelm Brückner (Chefadjutant Führer und Reichskanzler) awarded the Ritterkreuz des Eisernen Kreuzes to Oberfeldwebel Josef Portsteffen (Stoßtruppführer 1.Kompanie / Pionier-Bataillon 51 [motorisiert] / X.Armeekorps / 18.Armee / Heeresgruppe B). Watching from behind are, from left to right: SS-Gruppenführer Julius Schaub (Persönlicher Adjutant Führer und Reichskanzler) and SS-Gruppenführer und Generalleutnant der Waffen-SS Karl Wolff (Verbindungsoffizier zischen dem Reichsführer SS und dem Führerhauptquartier). Just after the German Fallschirmjäger attacked and captured the Belgian Fort Eben-Emael, the first land forces of the Wehrmacht from Pionier-Bataillon 51 arrived. Portsteffen was the first to fight in a dinghy under fire via the albert canal to reach the paratroopers position. For a couple of hours, there were hard battles for the seizure of the Canal. For his bravery, Portsteffen received the Ritterkreuz at Führerhauptquartier Felsennest in 21 May 1940. He was the first NCO from the Army to receive such a prestigious award!

Source :
https://audiovis.nac.gov.pl/obraz/31028/16681a180a83d321351d3a71c29af66e/
https://www.facebook.com/DasRitterkreuz/posts/161287194320634

Major der Reserve Max H. Rehbein

Max Heimo Rehbein (9 December 1918 - 13 November 2015) received Ritterkreuz des Eisernen Kreuzes in 5 March 1945 as Hauptmann der Reserve and Kommandeur Pionier-Bataillon 23 / 23.Infanterie-Division.

Source :
http://das-ritterkreuz.de/index_search_db.php4?modul=search_result_det&wert1=5042&searchword=rehbein