Enemy Elite Friday: Erwin Bachmann (Germany)

 

Erwin Bachmann

 

"On the 17.01.1945 the 1st SS Panzer Regiment 10 had the task of holding the bridgehead that had been created in the Offendorf area. The 3rd SS Pz.Rgt. 10 was subordinated to Kampfgruppe von Lüttichau and received the mission to eject the enemy forces that had entered into the Southwestern part of Herrlisheim. 
Radio contact had been broken off since 13:30 on this day. Thus, at 16:15, the battalion adjutant was sent to establish contact with the  3rd SS Pz.Rgt. 10 and confirm the situation with the company. SS 

Onersturmführer Bachmann reached the company and learned that the company commander had fallen out due to severe wounds. Bachmann immediately took over command of the company and launched a surprise thrust into Herrlisheim with a Panzer platoon. By skillfully employing his own 4 panzers he was able to launch a very successful surprise attack against the group of enemy tanks in the village (consisting of some 20 tanks altogether). 8 tanks were destroyed in quick succession, and the crews of another 12 tanks gave themselves up without a fight. Their tanks thus fell into our hands in an undamaged and drive-able state. One of the 8 destroyed tanks was personally set afire by SS-Obersturmführer Bachmann via a panzerfaust. 20 German soldiers (including 2 officers) were freed from captivity in the process. SS Obersturmführer Bachmann thereby secured the village on his own initiative in a display of extraordinary bravery and decisiveness. The occupation of Herrlisheim laid the groundwork for the division’s continued operations. SS Obersturmführer Bachmann is a man of great character, and he is completely worthy of being awarded the Knight’s Cross." from his Knight's Cross to the Iron Cross citation, awarded on February 10th, 1945 as SS Obersturmführer der Reserve with the 10th SS Panzer Division "Frundsberg"

 

Another capable enemy elite,

Brian