"During early December 1944 the troops of the 46th Infantry Division
sought to retreat to the Northern bank of the Ipel River. As the Germans
were evacuating the bridgehead all of the motorized vehicles were
ordered to pull back across the railroad bridge. One of the first
vehicles to get onto the bridge was the RSO light hauler of
Stabsgefreiter Attenberger. However the vehicle caught fire when it was
still in the process of crossing. The presence of such a burning hulk on
the structure would prevent any more German vehicles from getting
across the bridge.
Recognizing this, Attenberger remained behind the wheel of his burning
vehicle and attempted to completely cross the long bridge. The other
German soldiers watched with bated breath as flames overtook the driver
compartment itself. However Attenberger eventually got his vehicle to
the other side, and upon reaching it he immediately jumped out and
extinguished the flames on his uniform. Then the gas tank of his RSO
finally exploded.
Thanks to Attenberger’s brave actions here it was possible for the remaining German elements on the Southern bank of the Ipel to evacuate the bridgehead. He was thus awarded the Knight’s Cross in recognition of this feat." from his Knight's Cross to the Iron Cross citation, awarded on January 21st, 1945 as Stabsgefreiter of Artillery Regiment 114 of the 46th Infantry Division.
Thanks to Attenberger’s brave actions here it was possible for the remaining German elements on the Southern bank of the Ipel to evacuate the bridgehead. He was thus awarded the Knight’s Cross in recognition of this feat." from his Knight's Cross to the Iron Cross citation, awarded on January 21st, 1945 as Stabsgefreiter of Artillery Regiment 114 of the 46th Infantry Division.
Another capable enemy elite,
Brian
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