"Awarded for the successful actions of his Abteilung during the fighting southeast of Smolensk in the summer of 1943. On the 07.08.1943 his Sturmgeschütz-Abteilung comprised the reserve of
the German XII. Armeekorps along with Grenadier Regiment 87. The Soviets
launched an attack against the 268. Infanterie-Division along a 7 km
front but failed to achieve a breakthrough. The next day though they
attacked the neighboring division and were more successful, capturing
an important hill on the flank of the 268. I.D. and threatening it with
encirclement. Acting on his own initiative, Zettler launched a
counterattack with his force of Sturmgeschütze and infantry into the
open flank of the Soviets, retaking the hill and destroying 29 tanks in
the process. The threat to the 268. Infanterie-Division was thus
temporarily eliminated.
Several days later, when the Korps was no longer able to continue to
hold the front, it commenced a planned withdrawal to a new defensive
line on the night of the 12./13.08.1943. Zettler and 11 of his
Sturmgeschütze were positioned forward of the new line in order to
shield the reforming German units, and with the help of friendly
artillery they were able to hold off three pursuing Soviet regiments. A part of Zettler's force was detached during this time, and it fought
with the 267. Infanterie-Division in the area around Spas Demensk. In a
spell of heavy fighting during the time period 10.-14.08.1943 this
detachment claimed to have destroyed 95 attacking Soviet tanks,
earning the recognition of the 4. Armee commander, Generaloberst Heinrici.
Zettler was thus awarded the Knight's Cross for his Abteilung’s
successes during this month as well as its overall performance in the
past year. The Abteilung claimed a total of 710 Soviet tanks destroyed
in the period July 1942 up to 15.08.1943." from his Knight's Cross to the Iron Cross citation, awarded on October 18th, 1943 as Hauptmann of Sturmgeschütz-Abteilung 667.
Another capable enemy elite,
Brian & Mel
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