Enemy Elite Friday: Friedrich Bachmann (Germany)

 

Friedrich ''Fritz" Bachmann

 

"On the 09./10.02.1945 the 7th Panzer Division launched a counter-thrust towards the North in order to liberate the defenders of the encircled city of Elbing. The I./Pz.Gren.Rgt. 7 had orders to fight their way to the edge of Elbing itself so as to enable the defenders to break out. During this time the unit suffered heavy losses, but in this moment Obergefreiter Bachmann would show particular bravery after all the officers and NCOs of his unit had become casualties. He organized the continuation of the combat on his own initiative until the ordered objective had been reached. The divisional commander, Generalleutnant Mauss, would personally recommend him for the Knight’s Cross in recognition of his actions here."  from his Knight's Cross to the Iron Cross citation, awarded on April 5th, 1945 as Obergefreiter with the 7th Panzer Division.

 

Another capable enemy elite,

Brian