Friday, December 17, 2010

Enemy Elite Friday: Hellmuth Mäder (Germany)


 
"Awarded for his bold crossing of the Mosh river, which enabled the bulk of his Division to cross over the river on the same day.  By this the Division was able to avoid a frontal assault against a strongly fortified Soviet position.  Another result of the creation of this bridgehead was the ability of the Division to continue its pursuit battle over the Udy and Donez rivers near Tschugujoff on the following day."  from his Knight's Cross to the Iron Cross citation, awarded on 3 April 1942 as Major.
 
"On the 26.07.1944, following the Soviet summer offensive against Heeresgruppe Nord, the spearhead of the Soviet 3rd Guards Tank Corps reached the city of Schaulen.  Available for the defense were only various security companies and other alarm units.  Mäder assembled what forces could be found into a Kampfgruppe and defended Schaulen for one day and one night.  After this the Kampfgruppe managed to breakout towards Libau on the night of the 27-28.07.1944.  For his defense of the city under such difficult circumstances, as well as continuing to defend against the Soviet offensive afterwards with scratch units, Mäder would be decorated with the Oakleaves."  from his Knight's Cross to the Iron Cross with Oak Leaves citation, awarded on 27 August 1944 as Oberst.
 
"Awarded for his Division’s success in the battle for Lauban in the time period 01-05.03.1945.  Here the spearheads of the Führer-Grenadier-Division linked up with the 8 Panzer Division on the 04.03.1945, thereby cutting off the attacking Soviet soldiers.  Though most Soviet soldiers managed to escape they lost most of their heavy weapons in the process, and Lauban itself was freed.  This would be the last great German operational victory in the East."  from his Knight's Cross to the Iron Cross with Oak Leaves and Swords citation, awarded on 18 April 1945 as Generalmajor.

Another capable enemy elite,
Brian

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