ECPAD archives (DAT 1154 L02)
SS-Obersturmführer
Hubert-Erwin Meierdrees / Meierdress (Führer Sturmgeschütz-Batterie /
SS-Totenkopf-Artillerie-Regiment / SS-Division 'Totenkopf'). Wounded in
the Demjansk pocket and extracted after being wounded in action.
Ritterkreuz des Eisernen Kreuzes awarded on 13 March 1942. The
Ritterkreuz recommendation of Erwin Meierdrees by the
Divisionskommandeur Eicke reads as follows: “Meierdrees was serving as
part of Kampfgruppe Bochmann when the Russians penetrated friendly lines
south of Staraya Russa at the beginning of January 1942, and in
response to this development Meierdrees was initially deployed northeast
and southeast of the city. His numerous bold attacks brought valuable
relief to the hard-pressed Heer units in this area, and heavy losses
were inflicted on the foe in the process. After the Kampfgruppe
commander became a casualty SS-Obersturmführer Meierdrees rallied the
remnants of the Gruppe and proceeded to conduct a determined defense of
the village of Bjakowa (located on the Staraya Russa—Demyansk road).
Since the end of January Meierdrees has held this village in a heroic
struggle against overwhelming enemy attacks despite being encircled from
all sides. Whenever the Russians fought their way into the village with
strong tank and aircraft support they were always forced to retreat
from their gains in the face of the bravely fighting troops under the
bold and skillful leadership of SS-Obersturmführer Meierdrees. The defenders of Bjakowa continue to stand their ground under the guidance of their heroic commander.
The holding of this village is of critical importance for the integrity
of Fortress Demyansk, as the capture of this village would place
another section of the road into enemy hands and bring them one step
closer to linking up with those Russian forces pushing southwards from
Gortschizy. I ask that SS-Obersturmführer Meierdrees be awarded the
Ritterkreuz des Eisernen Kreuzes on account of his heroic struggle and
the success he has achieved.”
Meierdrees was awarded the Eichenlaub #310 for his Ritterkreuz on 5
October 1943 as SS-Hauptsturmführer and Kommandeur I.Abteilung /
SS-Panzer-Regiment 3 "Totenkopf" / SS-Panzergrenadier-Division
"Totenkopf". The Eichenlaub recommendation of Erwin Meierdrees reads as
follows…
“1.) During the attack against the Uljanowka
agricultural estate on 1 March 1943 our Panzers were unable to advance
due to the threat from a strong Pakfront. SS-Hauptsturmführer Meierdrees
bypassed this Pakfront with his Panzer and attacked it from the flank
with magnificent spirit. He personally crushed 4 heavy anti-tank guns
beneath his tracks, and his brave deed opened up the enemy’s front for a
pursuit thrust by our forces.
2.) During the early morning hours
of 3 March 1943 Meierdrees and his Panzer-Abteilung had a surprise
encounter with a Russian column stretching 7 km in length (consisting of
mostly artillery and anti-tank guns) whilst advancing towards
Schljachowaja. SS-Hauptsturmführer Meierdrees immediately attacked this
column on his own initiative, and by driving at the very spearhead of
the attack he gave his troops the highest example of dutifulness and
personal bravery.
The success was total. Several artillery
detachments, over 40 anti-tank guns and several hundred trucks together
with abundant quantities of assorted war materiel were destroyed or
captured.
The 15 T-34s that were escorting the Russian column were all destroyed in the process.
3.)
On 7 July 1943 the enemy commenced their anticipated flanking thrust
from Ternowka towards the Radin—Schopino road with strong infantry and
tank forces. In response SS-Hauptsturmführer Meierdrees engaged the
attackers as the first friendly unit to do so (they therefore did not
even have infantry support at first). Whilst driving amongst his point
Kompanie he identified a large assembly of about a regiment’s worth of
Russian infantry in the Dolshik ravine. These were presumably awaiting
the arrival of their own armoured forces, which were located about 1.5
km to the east at the time.
SS-Hauptsturmführer Meierdrees
immediately ordered his light Kompanie to attack these infantry. He
personally led the Kompanie into the opposing ranks, and the foe was
routed with heavy losses. After this he led both of his medium Kompanien
in an attack against the hostile armoured forces. By skillfully
inserting his forces into battle it was possible to destroy 5 tanks in a
very short time (of which he personally took out 3). The remaining
tanks pulled back to the east at top speed. This determined and
energetic intervention by SS-Hauptsturmführer Meierdrees prevented the
Russians from blocking the road.
4.) SS-Hauptsturmführer
Meierdrees and his Abteilung repeatedly distinguished themselves during
the seizure and defense of the Psel bridgehead. During the attack
against the hutment near Kljutschi on 12 July 1943 his Abteilung
assailed a strongly fortified Russian defensive system which was
occupied by infantry forces that were quite ready for defense against
armour. As the rest of the Abteilung rolled over the trenches and
proceeded to engage the enemy infantry further in the rear, the Panzer
of SS-Hauptsturmführer Meierdrees was immobilized. He proceeded to bail
out, rally the other bailed out crews of his Abteilung and then clear
out the hostile positions in man-to-man close combat.
5.) During
the attack against Hill 213.9 (on the Mius) Meierdrees and his Abteilung
were amongst those in the first wave. He led his men forwards with
indefatigable aggressiveness, and did not waver from even the strongest
defensive fire. During this fighting his Panzer was knocked out twice,
forcing him to bail out and engage in infantry combat with his crew. On 1
August 1943 he rolled out with his Abteilung for the fifth time, and
finally he and his men managed to circumvent the hostile
anti-tank/artillery fire and take control of the hill. Strong infantry
counterthrusts that were supported by tanks were repulsed.
6.)
During the establishment of the Kolontajew bridgehead on 19-20 August
1943 SS-Hauptsturmführer Meierdrees and his Abteilung distinguished
themselves once again. Disregarding the strong enemy artillery and
anti-tank fire that was falling on the village, he drove through the
hostile gunfire, captured Hill 167.5 (located NE of the village) and
held it against the strongest of opposing pressure. Here
SS-Hauptsturmführer Meierdrees was wounded for the fifth time.”
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ECPAD archives (DAT 1154 L01)
Source :
https://imagesdefense.gouv.fr/fr/
https://www.tracesofwar.com/persons/21806/Meierdrees-Hubert-Erwin-aka-Meierdress.htm
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