short combat translated

Mark C. Yerger

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#1

short combat translated

09-30-2012, 12:43 AM

In the course of writing my Waffen-SS and Polizei German Cross series I've read hundreds of German Cross and Knight's Cross Vorschlag and Vorschlagsliste. Upper ranks are generally for tactical leadership of larger formations.

Those at, for the most part, at Standartenführer (Oberst) and under regards officers are normally a combination of leadership of a unit in the engagement combined with the specifics of their individual actions in a given combat. Significant compared to modern military tactics in the "in the hole with them" leading style they were trained. But I always note the physical position and movement of the officer separately from the men of his command whom he led. motivated, etc.

I was taking a break from working on a volume (if it's a break) and was reading another unit's material. Thought this might be of interest for those who can visually and physically grasp a situation along with the reaction (physically and mentally) that happens to men in times of war. This briefly recorded combat was 1 of 7 detailed to get his award.

 The individual was an Untersturmführer (2nd Lieutenant) and battalion adjutant when Russian tanks broke through the main line in a surprise attack. He survived the encounter. Note not only the situation, but size of weapon involved:

"One T-34 tank stopped directly in front of the command headquarters. X, who was alone as the last man in the evacuated command post, remained on the field telephone nonetheless to report to the regiment that tanks had broken through and were directly ahead of the headquarters.

It was only after relaying the message that he left the command post and worked his way under heavy fire to a Russian 7.62cm heavy anti-tank gun that had been captured earlier the same day. X operated the gun single handed, aimed by looking through the barrel with an open breech, and knocked out the T-34 that had stopped ahead of the evacuated command post. The tank was ablaze after the first shot.

Despite intense and constant fire from other enemy heavy weapons, X remained at the gun and shortly thereafter knocked out another T-34 that was rolling into the town. In order to do this, he swung the heavy weapon around with just his physical strength."

Beyond what's real, fake, or what it's worth, we should remember the actions of regular men from all countries in all wars who do simply amazing things.

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juoneen

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#2

09-30-2012, 01:24 AM

Its called fear, and adrenaline. http://www.wisegeek.com/what-is-adrenaline.htm
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Mark C. Yerger

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#3

10-02-2012, 01:21 PM

Originally posted by juoneen View Post

Its called fear, and adrenaline. http://www.wisegeek.com/what-is-adrenaline.htm

I call it not instinctively just running away but having the opposite reaction
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WEISNER

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#4

10-02-2012, 10:38 PM

Courage? Adrenaline? What ever it was I would guess He was scared $*!&less!

Thanks for sharing this Mark!

Kevin
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