"Hauptmann Abele was a battalion commander in the 44. Grenadier-Division
“Hoch und Deutschmeister” during its battles in Italy in early 1944. On
the 27.01.1944 the battalion was ordered to close a gap in the German
lines near Belmonte (specifically between the Colle Abate and Monte
Castellone, in the Terelle Valley) and thereby protect the vital supply
line known as the “Neumann-Weg”. The battalion’s promised support did
not arrive, and so Abele and his men were alone in this fight.
In the fighting which ensued they defended against Allied troops from
Morocco. The fighting degenerated into close combat, wherein the men of
Abele’s Bataillon were reduced to throwing stones when their grenades
ran out. Nevertheless, with the help of mountain gun that prevented
timely reinforcement of the French attack, the battalion was able to
prevent an entire French regiment from capturing the Colle Abate. By the
time they were relieved by the Pz.Gren.Rgt. 200 (90. Pz.Gren.Div.),
Abele’s Bataillon was down to 36 men. Yet the achievements of this unit
did not go unnoticed, and Abele would receive the Knight’s Cross as well
as a promotion." from his Knight's Cross to the Iron Cross citation, awarded on February 22nd, 1944 as Hauptmann of the Reichs-Grenadier-Regiment "Hoch u. Deutschmeister"
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