Friday, July 2, 2010

Enemy Elite Friday: Hermann A. Breith (Germany)


 
"Oberst Hermann Breith and his Panzer-Brigade bloodily brushed aside the first formation of French armor they encountered, destroying a large number of hostile tanks in the process.  Later on he overcame the heaviest enemy defensive fire with exemplary attacking spirit and personally led his Brigade to victory despite being wounded himself.  The engagement with French armor took place near Merdorp on the 13.05.1940, and Breith’s Brigade was credited with destroying over 30 French tanks during this battle."  from his Knight's Cross to the Iron Cross citation, awarded on 3 June 1940. 
 
"On the 30.01.1942 Generalmajor Breith succeeded in eliminating a Soviet penetration in the area north of Kursk, specifically near Butyrki—Judinka—Stakanowo.  Heavy losses were inflicted on the Soviets, and they were subsequently forced to pull back across the Tim river."  from his Knight's Cross to the Iron Cross with Oak Leaves citation, awarded on 31 January 1942.
 
"General der Panzertruppe Breith led an Armee-Korps comprised of several Heer Divisionen and one of the Waffen-SS that succeeded in forcing its way through to a point just to the west of the encircled Kampfgruppe Stemmermann. In the process one enemy position after another was broken through, and the bulk of the Soviet forces were drawn to the Korps.   During this fighting General Breith repeatedly distinguished himself through his bravery and the skillful leadership of his Armee-Korps, and he repeatedly intervened at the hot  spots of the combat from the foremost line"  from his Knight's Cross to the Iron Cross with Oak Leaves and Swords citation, awarded on 21 February 1944.
 
Another capable enemy elite,
Brian

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