Germany's Sgt. York

[Johnny R]

For WWII I agree with Simon, that there are many Jr. NCOS that did some amazingly brave things on the spur of the moment but did not replicate exactly what York is described of doing.

Hans Sturm was a personal friend and I visited him several times when I lived in Germany-

http://www.stengerhistorica.com/Gall...eger/Sturm.htm

Many of these men and their actions are forgotten simply because Germany lost the War.

[KM-NZ]

sorry to intrude but there are more then likely many German Yorks out there then thought there are, in war, alot of people do heroic things no matter what side, many untold or unrecognised.

[Hoss]

Hello Brad
When you post something its so factual, there really is no response other than a which looks kind of
childish.
Please, Iam fascinated by your posts. I,ve been to Fort Douaumont and know of its capture. Was,nt it manned at the time by very few French that were in the lower levels because of German 'Heavies'. One of the two large guns having been put out of action.
Basically abandoned? France was shocked at its loss and demanded its recapture. After being pounded by French guns and attacked at great loss, the Germans had to withdraw many of the occupants having been driven insane by the heavy shelling from huge rail mounted guns.

Can its capture be compared to York,s feat? I guess it all depends on your point of view.
If you compare the weak inital French force and the state of the German troops encounted by York it is comparable.
No, I havent had a drink, yet!


Eric

[Brad Posey]

Most of the "talk" on forums in general are what I call "beer" talk...

Actually I was drinking a beer when I made these posts....... To me this is "beer talk"

Due to a loss I have had a lot more time on my hands and I find here a very good place to keep busy and learn something new.

Anyway, thanks for the comments. I guess tonight I can have another beer and think of something else to discuss.


.

[Simon O.]

Certain RKT were used extensively for propaganda purposes but most are virtually unknown today. Here's a good example of the problem.

Helmuth Valtiner

when a gefreiter he was central in the establishment of a bridgehead across a river in Greece, 1941 and became only the second RKT of private rank. The problem is, although you'll find his photo all over the place for sale, he was also drawn by Willrich, trying to get the details of exactly what he did is very difficult.

http://www.lexikon-der-wehrmacht.de/.../ValtinerH.htm

[Hoss]

Was,nt William,s post referring to WW1?
Just asking?

Eric

[PlaceOfBayonets]

Was,nt William,s post referring to WW1?
Just asking?

Eric

Nope, either major war. I mean it was only a 20 year break in basically the same conflict.

W

[MauserKar98k]

Some great information posted here by Brad Posey. This stuff is a pleasure to read.

[Hoss]

It seems like every time when I post replies in threads there is not a lot of discussion that follows..

Your not alone Brad
Seems like all I have to do is go 'Boo to a Goose' and thats the end of that thread.

Eric

[Klaus O.]

RKT Fritz Christen

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fritz_Christen

Having missed the Polish campaign, and having cut its teeth successfully in France, the Totenkopf division was heavily embroiled in combat on the Eastern front from the first days of the German invasion of the Soviet Union. On the morning of September 24, 1941, Christen and his anti-tank battery were engaging Russian targets north of the village of Lushno (Luzhno). In an initial engagement, Soviet skirmishers killed all of the other men of the battery. While exposed to artillery and small arms fire, Christen manned his 50mm cannon alone, holding on without supplies or provisions for the next three days. When a counterattack by other Totenkopf troops recaptured Lushno, Christen was credited with having knocked out 13 Soviet tanks and killed nearly 100 enemy soldiers singlehandedly. The soldiers that greeted him were baffled that a single artilleryman could hold his position against hundreds of Soviet troops and a formidable armor presence. For this stunning act of individual bravery, SS-Obergruppenführer Theodor Eicke awarded Christen with the Iron Cross, First Class and recommended him simultaneously for the Knight's Cross. Subsequently, Hitler personally awarded him the Knight's Cross, making Christen the first enlisted man in his division to be given the honor.

There's also a footage about him (Deutsche Wochenschau, December 1941)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KEgl0...eature=related

[PlaceOfBayonets]

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fritz_Christen

Having missed the Polish campaign, and having cut its teeth successfully in France, the Totenkopf division was heavily embroiled in combat on the Eastern front from the first days of the German invasion of the Soviet Union. On the morning of September 24, 1941, Christen and his anti-tank battery were engaging Russian targets north of the village of Lushno (Luzhno). In an initial engagement, Soviet skirmishers killed all of the other men of the battery. While exposed to artillery and small arms fire, Christen manned his 50mm cannon alone, holding on without supplies or provisions for the next three days. When a counterattack by other Totenkopf troops recaptured Lushno, Christen was credited with having knocked out 13 Soviet tanks and killed nearly 100 enemy soldiers singlehandedly. The soldiers that greeted him were baffled that a single artilleryman could hold his position against hundreds of Soviet troops and a formidable armor presence. For this stunning act of individual bravery, SS-Obergruppenführer Theodor Eicke awarded Christen with the Iron Cross, First Class and recommended him simultaneously for the Knight's Cross. Subsequently, Hitler personally awarded him the Knight's Cross, making Christen the first enlisted man in his division to be given the honor.

There's also a footage about him (Deutsche Wochenschau, December 1941)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KEgl0...eature=related

Wow nice submission. I feel that it's a good comparison even if he Christen was on the defensive and York was on the offensive.

William