"SS-Hauptsturmführer Bochmann has had an outstanding share in the
success of Gruppe Eicke’s attack while leading at the head of his
assault Bataillon.
Bochmann’s Bataillon succeeded in capturing the village of
Nowo-Ramuschewo on the evening of the 21.04.1942 following a hard
battle. It did so under the active leadership and brave personal
dedication of its commander, who led his men here to victory while
displaying independent initiative. 13 guns (2.2 cm calibre) and 6
tractors were captured in close combat with blank weapons. From Nowo-Ramuschewo it was possible to make direct visual contact with
the attacking spearheads of Gruppe von Seydlitz (located on the western
bank of the Lowat) for the first time.
It is therefore requested that SS-Hauptsturmführer Bochmann be awarded
the Knight’s Cross of the Iron Cross in recognition of both his personal
outstanding bravery as well as his achievement of establishing contact
with Gruppe von Seydlitz." from his Knight's Cross to the Iron Cross citation, awarded on 3 May 1942 as SS-Hauptsturmführer and as leader of SS "Totenkopf"-Panzer-Jäger-Abteilung.
"On the 09.03.1943 Bochmann’s Bataillon occupied a security line in
Schelstowo as aerial reconnaissance reported withdrawal movements by the
enemy. SS-Sturmbannführer Bochmann personally led an armed
reconnaissance effort against Katschalowka. By doing so he inflicted
bloody losses on the enemy, who were not expecting his appearance at a
point about 13 km in front of friendly lines. In the process he captured
4 operational trucks and 1 anti-tank gun (7.62 cm) while also
eliminating several guns, vehicles and sledges. He returned to his
jump-off position, having completed his sally without any friendly
losses. On the next day (10.03.1943) the Bataillon was able to fulfill its
mission of capturing the village of Krassnokutsk as quickly as possible
thanks to SS-Sturmbannführer Bochmann’s particularly skillful employment
of his Bataillon. He personally drove amongst the point Zug and was
thus able to obtain a clear picture of the enemy situation in the
village. As it was getting dark at the time he decided to avoid a
nocturnal street battle by immediately assaulting the village from three
sides at once. He personally directed the attack, and it led to a total
victory. The enemy lost numerous dead, several guns and anti-tank
rifles as well as abundant miscellaneous materiel.
On the 17.03.1943 Bochmann’s Bataillon received a two-part mission. It
was to first capture the patch of forest 3 km southeast of Ssorokowka. After this it would seize the villages of Saroshnoje and Tetlega in
conjunction with the I./SS-T-Krdsch.Rgt. ‘Thule’. SS-Sturmbannführer
Bochmann showed outstanding bravery during these attacks. After the
infantry had rolled up the first field positions he drove up in his SPW
and roared forward with a Zug, throwing the enemy into such confusion
that they fled the forest in panic. Utilizing this success, he
immediately thrust further forwards and enabled his Bataillon to swiftly
approach the village of Tetlega. He personally entered into the
village, bitterly defended by the enemy, with his 5. Kompanie. Here he
immediately perceived how to roll up the positions within the village,
and he thereupon brought the northern part of the village into friendly
hands within the shortest time while also establishing contact with the
Kampfgruppe that was attacking from the south." from his Knight's Cross to the Iron Cross with Oak Leaves citation, awarded on 17 May 1943 as SS-Sturmbannführer and commander of the II./SS-Krad-Schützen-Regiment "Thule".
"On the 08.03.1945 Standartenführer Bochmann personally rallied and re-energized an attack by combat elements of his Division that had
stalled under heavy enemy fire in the battle area north of Ratibor. On the 12.03.1945 he personally led a night attack under the most
difficult of conditions that resulted in the capture of VW. Annahof. On the 14.03.1945 he directed the defense of Langlieben, a
cornerstone of the German defense in the area, against the onslaught of
an enemy that far outnumbered his forces in men and weapons. He achieved
this through his personally led and boldly executed counter-thrusts, and
throughout the whole battle he fought from the foremost line and served
as the soul of resistance for the troops that had been gathered under
his command. During the particularly heavy combat on the 16.03.1945 it was once
again his personal intervention in the foremost line that ensured that
Kreuzlinden (southwest of Oberglogau) was held. This in turn created the
necessary conditions for he planned evacuation of the Cosel bridgehead. On the 19.03.1945 it was once again his inspiring powers of
leadership that resulted in the village of Deutsch-Mühlen being held
against all enemy tank and infantry attacks. In doing so he laid the
groundwork for the breakthrough of both Divisions during the evening. During the breakthrough on the 19./20.03.1945 along the route
Deutsch-Rasselwitz—Stubendorf—Hotzenplotz he once again proved to be a
shining example of inspiring leadership. Particularly noteworthy is the
fact that, having endured a not insignificant injury on the 14.03.1945,
he continued to remain with and in command of his troops despite all the
medical advice to the contrary." from his Knight's Cross to the Iron Cross with Oak Leaves and Swords citation, awarded on 26 March 1945 as SS-Standartenführer and leader of the 18. SS-Freiwilligen-Panzergrenadier-Division "Horst Wessel".
Another capable enemy elite,
Brian & Mel
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