Generalmajor Theodor Scherer (Kommandeur Kampfgruppe Scherer) awards his friend Hauptmann Dipl.-Ing. Albert Biecker (Chef 9.Kompanie / III.Bataillon / Infanterie-Regiment 386 / 218.Infanterie-Division) with the Ritterkreuz des Eisernen Kreuzes in recognition of his tremendous leadership in combat inside the Cholm Pocket, March 20, 1942. Only five weeks later Hauptmann Biecker would be killed in action inside the still-besieged Cholm. The picture was taken by Kriegsberichter Richard Muck of PK (Propaganda-Kompanie) 501.
Albert Biecker received the Ritterkreuz des Eisernen Kreuzes on 18 March 1942 as Hauptmann and Chef 9.Kompanie / III.Bataillon / Infanterie-Regiment 386 / 218.Infanterie-Division. The medal was awarded for his actions during the siege of Cholm, as described in the following wartime excerpt: “Hauptmann Biecker has ruthlessly fended off countless attacks while serving as the commander of the main strongpoint on the eastern road for over 6 weeks. Yesterday morning he and his men used hand grenades to defeat a tank-supported Russian demolition group that was striking against the GPU building, and on this morning he eliminated a Soviet company that had entered into the GPU building while being covered by tanks. These deeds have been decisive for the holding of Cholm.”
Generalmajor Theodor Scherer (Kommandeur Kampfgruppe Scherer) awards his friend Hauptmann Dipl.-Ing. Albert Biecker (Chef 9.Kompanie / III.Bataillon / Infanterie-Regiment 386 / 218.Infanterie-Division) with the Ritterkreuz des Eisernen Kreuzes inside the Cholm Pocket, 20 March 1942. Now Hauptmann Biecker is wearing his white stahlhelm. The picture was taken by Kriegsberichter Richard Muck of PK (Propaganda-Kompanie) 501.
Generalmajor Theodor Scherer (Kommandeur Kampfgruppe Scherer) hugging his friend Hauptmann Dipl.-Ing. Albert Biecker (Chef 9.Kompanie / III.Bataillon / Infanterie-Regiment 386 / 218.Infanterie-Division) who just received the Ritterkreuz des Eisernen Kreuzes inside the Cholm Pocket, 20 March 1942. The picture was taken by Kriegsberichter Richard Muck of PK (Propaganda-Kompanie) 501.
Hauptmann Dipl.-Ing. Albert Biecker (Chef 9.Kompanie / III.Bataillon / Infanterie-Regiment 386 / 218.Infanterie-Division) smiling to the camera after receiving the Ritterkreuz des Eisernen Kreuzes from Generalmajor Theodor Scherer (Kommandeur Kampfgruppe Scherer) inside the Cholm Pocket, 20 March 1942. The picture was taken by Kriegsberichter Richard Muck of PK (Propaganda-Kompanie) 501.
Source :
Bundesarchiv photo collection
"Besieged: The Epic Battle For Cholm" by Jason D. Mark
"Kampfgruppe Scherer: 105 Tage im Kessel von Cholm. Zeitgeschichte im Bild" by Richard Muck
https://forum.axishistory.com/viewtopic.php?f=55&t=96560&start=15
https://www.tracesofwar.com/persons/28436/Biecker-Albert.htm
https://www.ww2incolor.com/gallery/german-forces/19864/knight%27s-cross-award-in-cholm-pocket
