Friday, December 10, 2010

Enemy Elite Friday: Hermann von Oppeln-Bronikowski (Germany)


 
"Awarded for the leadership of his Panzer-Regiment during the desperate fighting of Army Group Don in the winter of 1942-43.  He had a decisive share in a battle that led to the destruction of an enemy battlegroup.  His Panzers claimed the bulk of the losses inflicted on the Soviets by the XXXXVIII Panzerkorps in the time period 06.12.1943-05.01.1943, which included the following destroyed or captured 451 tanks, 209 guns and 752 heavy infantry weapons"  from his Knight's Cross to the Iron Cross citation, awarded on 1 January 1943 as Oberst.
 
"Awarded for his accomplishments during the battle of Normandy, where he and his Panzer Regiment held their positions for 32 days in the area around Caen against overwhelming allied superiority."  from his Knight's Cross to the Iron Cross with Oak Leaves citation, awarded on 28 July 1944 as Oberst.
 
 "Awarded for his leadership of the 20 Panzer Division during the fighting on the Eastern front in early 1945, which included the following successes.  
27.01.1945: Attacked in a southerly direction in the industrial region of Upper Silesia, wherein his men were able to open a retreat route for the bulk of the trapped German divisions there.  In this action Oppeln-Bronikowski was twice shot up while in an armored vehicle.  
07.02.1945: Commanded a successful night attack near Grottkau.  
15-17.03.1945: Contained a deep enemy break-in north of Neiße, which the enemy had created by advancing in a southerly direction from Grottkau.
18.03.1945: Preventing an enemy breakthrough towards the Neiße-Ottmachau road.  The Soviets had advanced along the axis Stephansdorf - Groß Gießmannsdorf - Hochdorf with the aim of encircling Neiße from the west.   Oppeln-Bronikowski quickly counterattacked into the enemy occupied territory and destroyed their armored spearhead at Hochdorf.  He then launched a further counterstroke against the enemy group in the park north of Groß Gießmannsdorf with the same result."  from his Knight's Cross to the Iron Cross with Oak Leaves and Swords citation, awarded on 17 April 1945 as Generalmajor.
 
Another deadly enemy elite,
Brian

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