"Untersturmführer Ancans has distinguished himself through
outstanding bravery and decisiveness while serving as the leader of a
Nahkampfschule. On the 23.12.1944, following a heavy artillery barrage, the Soviets
used strong infantry forces to achieve a deep penetration in the sector
of the left neighboring division. By doing so they threatened the left
flank of our division. The division therefore immediately sent in
hastily assembled alarm units to secure the threatened flank and prevent
a rolling up of the frontline from east to west. A 6 km wide blocking
front was built up and held against all the enemy attacks that were
launched with both artillery and Katyusha support. Untersturmführer Ancans was deployed along this blocking front,
specifically near the Rumbas farm with his Nahkampfschule and the
trainees of a sniper course. The enemy eventually succeeded in pushing
back the units on both his left and right flanks, and he himself was
almost forced to withdraw and consequently concede this important
cornerstone of the divisional frontline. But Untersturmführer
Ancans recognized the danger this would pose for the entire front, and
in this critical situation he resolved to hold his strong-point at the
Rumbas farm under any circumstances, and to the last man if necessary. Enemy penetrations were eliminated under his leadership and in
conjunction with the 8./SS-A.R. 19 (which had gone over to close
combat).
This strong-point near the Rumbas farm came to constitute the focal point of the entire battle. The enemy had to capture this cornerstone if they were to have any chance at successfully thrusting into the flank of the division. Their success here would have led to the rolling up of the division’s frontline. However they failed to eliminate the strong-point despite launching 4 attacks with strong artillery, tank and aircraft support. Here Untersturmführer Ancans was the soul of the entire defensive battle. He was a shining example for his men, who were likewise inspired to incomparable deeds of heroism. 6 enemy tanks were destroyed in this sector with close combat weapons. Ancans personally knocked out 1 of these. Another 3 were knocked out with direct fire from the 8./SS-A.R. 19. About 200 enemy dead were counted in front of the strong-point. Untersturmführer Ancans’ decisiveness brought about a particularly extraordinary victory here. He provided the entire division with a firm bulwark, thereby enabling it to carry out the withdrawal movement back to the artillery covering position that had been planned for the evening. Untersturmführer Ancans was awarded the Iron Cross First Class on the 27.12.1944 in recognition of his actions here, however this hardly suffices in light of his outstanding merit and bravery. Even when held to a very high standard, I nonetheless view Ancans as particularly worthy of being awarded the Knight’s Cross to the Iron Cross. During this heavy combat Untersturmführer Ancans was wounded for the sixth time." from his Knight's Cross to the Iron Cross citation, awarded on January 25th, 1945 as Untersturmführer in Winaffen-Feldersatz-Bataillon 19 0f the 19.SS-Freiwillige-Grenadier-Division.
This strong-point near the Rumbas farm came to constitute the focal point of the entire battle. The enemy had to capture this cornerstone if they were to have any chance at successfully thrusting into the flank of the division. Their success here would have led to the rolling up of the division’s frontline. However they failed to eliminate the strong-point despite launching 4 attacks with strong artillery, tank and aircraft support. Here Untersturmführer Ancans was the soul of the entire defensive battle. He was a shining example for his men, who were likewise inspired to incomparable deeds of heroism. 6 enemy tanks were destroyed in this sector with close combat weapons. Ancans personally knocked out 1 of these. Another 3 were knocked out with direct fire from the 8./SS-A.R. 19. About 200 enemy dead were counted in front of the strong-point. Untersturmführer Ancans’ decisiveness brought about a particularly extraordinary victory here. He provided the entire division with a firm bulwark, thereby enabling it to carry out the withdrawal movement back to the artillery covering position that had been planned for the evening. Untersturmführer Ancans was awarded the Iron Cross First Class on the 27.12.1944 in recognition of his actions here, however this hardly suffices in light of his outstanding merit and bravery. Even when held to a very high standard, I nonetheless view Ancans as particularly worthy of being awarded the Knight’s Cross to the Iron Cross. During this heavy combat Untersturmführer Ancans was wounded for the sixth time." from his Knight's Cross to the Iron Cross citation, awarded on January 25th, 1945 as Untersturmführer in Winaffen-Feldersatz-Bataillon 19 0f the 19.SS-Freiwillige-Grenadier-Division.
Another deadly enemy elite,
Brian
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