Johannes Grimminger (6 June 1914 - 16 April 1945) received the Ritterkreuz des Eisernen Kreuzes on 23 August 1944 as Hauptmann der Reserve and Führer Panzergrenadier-Feld-Ersatz-Bataillon 25 / 25.Panzergrenadier-Division. The medal was warded for his actions while commanding a Bataillon during fierce battles in the Eastern Front. Grimminger led a Kampfgruppe during the time period 11 July - 4 August 1944 under the control of 4. Armee that was deployed for defense during the withdrawal from the Niemen river to Suwalki. Grimminger and his men succeeded in preventing a breakthrough between the German border and lake Kokne, fended off 7 attacks on the 19 July 1944, and were encircled the next day (with Grimminger himself being wounded). Despite this Grimminger and his men managed to break out of the trap and reach friendly lines.
Grimminger received the Eichenlaub #776 for his Ritterkreuz on 11 March 1945 as Hauptmann der Reserve and Kommandeur II.Bataillon / Panzergrenadier-Regiment 192 / 21.Panzer-Division. On the 18 February 1945 Hauptmann Grimminger determined that the Soviets had blocked the retreat route of the 21. Panzer-Division along the road to Halbau. Subordinating the Aufklärungs-Abteilung of the Division to himself, he cleared the Soviet roadblock and this opened up a corridor to Halbau for his Division and the remnants of two others to pass through, allowing all three to escape total destruction. He would be awarded the Eichenlaub for this action.
Source :
https://www.the-saleroom.com/en-gb/auction-catalogues/bene-merenti-auktionen/catalogue-id-benemerenti10006/lot-616592b0-8fa0-4706-a04b-a50700a914db
https://www.tracesofwar.com/persons/5429/Grimminger-Johannes.htm
