Friday, September 11, 2020

Enemy Elite Friday: Hyacinth Graf Strachwitz (Germany)


 
"While serving as part of the Kampfgruppe of Oberst Wagner, Strachwitz played a decisive role in its success on the 02./03.08.1941.  He was able to determine that the easiest way to seize the city of Pervomaisk (a critical road junction for the Soviets) was to strike from the north.  The attack was a success and Strachwitz received the Knight's Cross for his major contribution towards the victorious outcome of this battle."  from his Knight's Cross to the Iron Cross citation, awarded on August 25, 1941.

"Awarded for the role his Abteilung played in the Division's battles near Stalingrad in August of 1942, with following actions in particular being worthy of note...
1) The armoured battles on the 07./08.08.1942, where the Division destroyed 275 Soviet tanks.
2) Reaching the Don river in two places on the 15./17.08.1942.
3) The thrust towards the Volga river north of Stalingrad, beginning on the 23.08.1942.  In this advance the Abteilung overran 37 Soviet firing positions.
4) The defensive battle in the same area (especially around Hill 126).  In a four day battle the 31 Panzers of the Abteilung destroyed 105 hostile tanks without loss."  from his Knight's Cross to the Iron Cross with Oak Leaves citation, awarded on November 13, 1942.

"Awarded for the successes of his regiment during the Third Battle of Kharkov, specifically the fighting to recapture Belgorod in the north.  In addition to driving the Soviets back, the Regiment also managed to capture or destroy 150 Soviet tanks in a five-day struggle (90+ of which were in the time period 13-15.03.1943)."  from his Knight's Cross to the Iron Cross with Oak Leaves and Swords citation, awarded on March 29, 1943.

"Awarded for his actions on the Narva front as an ad-hoc Kampfgruppe commander.  On the 22.02.1944 he led a mixed Panzer/Sturmgeschütz formation through an unfavorable patch of forested terrain without regard for the adjacent hostile formations.  By doing so he was able to succeed in breaking through the Soviet positions located behind the woods and thus contribute significantly to the integrity of the defense on the Narva front."  from his Knight's Cross to the Iron Cross with Oak Leaves, Swords and Diamonds citation, awarded on April 15, 1944.

Another deadly enemy elite,
Brian & Mel

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