"For his actions on June 22, 1941. On this day he decided to strike
before the planned attack in order to take advantage of the morning fog
and dust that had been created by the artillery’s preparatory fire. This
enabled him to thrust deeply into the fortified lines to the southeast
and east of Tauroggen. By doing this Major Behrend in turn enabled
Kampfgruppe Badinski (which was fighting under the control of the 1 Panzer Division) to break through to the eastern edge of Tauroggen and
occupy the eastern part of Tauroggen itself." from his Knight Cross of the Iron Cross citation, awarded on July 15 1941.
"Awarded for his actions west of Luga at the start of February 1944. In
this time Grenadier Regiment 154 became separated from the rest of the
58 Infanterie Division during the defensive combat in the area. The
Regiment was attacked by an entire Soviet division, and at the same time
partisan forces cut off all of its rearward connections. Major Behrend would act with iron resolve while being encircled behind
enemy lines with his Regiment for 3 days. Leading at the head of the
attached Aufklärungs-Abteilung 158, he captured three-quarters of the
village of Potschap before being attacked by strong Soviet
reinforcements. Mahor Behrend then led the spearhead of his unit around
the attackers, reached the Pljussa river under the cover of darkness,
crossed it and then eventually reached the German lines on the February 13, 1944." - from his Knight Cross of the Iron Cross with Oak Leaves citation, awarded on March 6 , 1944.
"Awarded for his actions during his Division’s defense of the Fladder
canal. In this time Behrend personally destroyed an allied tank with a
Panzerfaust. After the Division had been encircled by the Allies,
Behrend proceeded to lead his troops in a breakout. 14 Sherman tanks
were destroyed in the process, mostly with Panzerfausts." - from his Knight Cross of the Iron Cross with Oak Leaves and Swords citation, awarded on April 26, 1945.
A true enemy elite,
Brian & Mel
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