"At 06:00 on the 15.01.1942, during the fighting in the Crimea, the
Infanterie-Regiment 391 commenced a hasty attack with its I. Bataillon
in the lead. The Regiment fought its way past Hill 200 and was able to
capture Hill 175 despite a fierce opposing resistance. The Regiment
continued its attack on the following day through difficult terrain that
was covered in ravines. All throughout this time the Regiment’s
commander, Major Griesbach, showed great bravery and command abilities,
which were invaluable in enabling the Regiment (which was practically at
battalion strength) to succeed in its goals. His skillful leadership
meant that Hill 251.4 was also captured, and his independent decision to
retake Hill 175 after it had temporarily fallen was of great importance
for the continued combat of the Division. His efforts during this time
were crucial in ensuring the fall of Feodosia on the 18.01.1942." from his Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross citation, awarded on 14 March 1942.
"Oberst Griesbach launched an assault operation that demonstrated that,
although the Soviets may be superior in numbers, they’re much more
lacking in the realm of actual combat ability. This deliberate
counterattack was initiated on the Oberst’s own initiative and conducted
with the battle-weary troops of his III. Bataillon. In the combat which
followed the commander fought at the spearhead of the foremost
Kompanie, crushing one resistance nest after another and directing his
shock troops and artillery observer onto appropriate targets. He was
also the first to experience the enemy’s blocking fire. After more than
half of the penetration area had been recaptured after a five-and-a-half
hour battle he moved to the sector of his I. Bataillon, which was
positioned on the Bolsheviks’ right flank. With these men he launched a
surprise onslaught against the enemy without any artillery preparation. It was not long before he and his troops succeeded in entering the
positions of the Soviets, who now found themselves pushed into an ever
more narrow space in-between the two German Bataillonen. They suffered
extremely heavy casualties as a result, with about 2000 dead Bolsheviks
remaining on the battlefield once hostilities had ceased. 338 prisoners
were taken, while 5 tanks, 24 artillery pieces and 149
mortars/machine-guns were either destroyed or captured. This victory was
mentioned in the Wehrmachtbericht of the 25.03.1943." from his Knight's Cross to the Iron Cross with Oak Leaves citation, awarded on 17 May 1943.
"Awarded for his actions near Leningrad in January 1944. On the
17.01.1944 his Kampfgruppe destroyed 69 hostile tanks near the village
of Pelellja. Later the Kampfgruppe recaptured the heights near Duderhof,
which had fallen to the Soviets on the 18.01.1944. Griesbach would also
distinguish himself on the 23.01.1944 when he lead his Kampfgruppe to
success in a counterthrust at Gatschina. Ultimately his Kampfgruppe
managed to prevent a Soviet breakthrough south of Leningrad, and
Griesbach would be recognized appropriately for this achievement." from his Knight's Cross to the Iron Cross with Oak Leaves and Swords citation, awarded on 6 March 1944." from his Knight's Cross to the Iron Cross with Oak Leaves and Swords citation, awarded on 6 March 1944.
Another enemy elite,
Brian
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