"Oberstleutnant Audorff has already served as an outstanding troop leader
in the Western Campaign. In this capacity he distinguished himself in
such a way that he was assigned the post of regimental commander while
only a major.
Assigned the task of organizing the formation of Grenadier Regiment 754
in November 1942, he was able to forge this unit into an effective
instrument of war within a very short time. As such it was able to be
employed with great success on the Tunisian Front as early as December
of the same year.
On the 25.04.1943 the English launched an offensive near Medjez el Bab
that had the ultimate aim of breaking through to Tunis. On this day
Oberstleutnant Audorff personally directed his defense from the foremost
line, and he managed to pull off a successful resistance against an
English infantry division reinforced by a tank brigade. The main line of
defense therefore remained completely in our hands by the evening of
this day. Throughout this time he personally intervened everywhere
despite strong enemy artillery and airstrikes. He conducted all the
necessary counter-thrusts/counterattacks and was the soul of the
defensive will. His regiment was accordingly named in the OKW-Bericht
for having the lion’s share of this defensive success. However the
prevention of an enemy breakthrough to Tunis on this day is ultimately
the personal achievement of Oberstleutnant Audorff, commander of the
Grenadier Regiment 754.
Oberstleutnant Audorff has a true soldier’s personality and is particularly worthy of this high honor." from his Knight's Cross to the Iron Cross citation, awarded on May 13th, 1943 as Oberstleutnant of Grenadier Regiment 754 in the 334th Infantry Division.
Another capable enemy elite,
Brian
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