Guys,
I just picked up this awesome little set of EK citations which belonges to a Leutnant and includes an EK1 document with Begründung!
Leutnant Karkoschka was a menber of schwere Artillerie-Abteilung 557 in early 1944 and earned his EK2 while fighting in Italy (Frosinone/Cassino area) under command of Panzerkorps XIV. The document is signed by General der Panzertruppe Fridolin von Senger und Etterlin.
Towards the end of 1944 Leutnant Karkoschka was transferred to I. Abteilung [antitank, as far as I am informed] of the newly formed Volksartillerie-Korps 388 which exclusively saw action on the Western Front (Ardennes, Rhineland). Here, Karkoschka distinguished himself numerous times and finally was awarded the EK1 about two months before the end of the war! The reasons for the awarding are noted on the back of the citation and give a very good idea about Karkoschkas character as an officer. I took the time to translate it for you as I could imagine some of you find it just as interesting as myself ([ ] = comments made by me):
"During the American attack on Lindern north of Linnich on Nov 21st 1944 Leutnant Karkoschka and his crew effectively fought against and pinned down the in superior numbers approaching enemy infantry with small arms until it was possible to fetch a gun [I assume artillery of antitank] left behind in no man´s land.
2. On Feb 27th 1945 he led the defensive infantry combat against the approaching Americans at Chur [near Mönchengladbach] under heavy fire until the combat vehicles of the staff could carry out the ordered change of position.
3. On March 6th 1945 he directed the fire of a gun as an observer in such a way that the observation point in the tower of the railway bridge Oberkassel [near the city of Düsseldorf] and a heavy machine gun in it were neutralized."
These statements do not only allow us to follow the way of Volksartillerie-Korps 388 through the Rhineland area precisely, but they also show Karkoschka as a very energetic, determined and brave frontline officer.
The EK1 document itself is signed by Oberst Wolf Ewert, Kommandeur of 338. ID, to which the Korps obviously was subordinated to in the time. The Begründung on the back is signed/confirmed by Abteilungskommandeur Hauptmann Werner Timm.
To me a VERY special grouping that fits into my collection perfectly!
Best,
Matthias
I just picked up this awesome little set of EK citations which belonges to a Leutnant and includes an EK1 document with Begründung!
Leutnant Karkoschka was a menber of schwere Artillerie-Abteilung 557 in early 1944 and earned his EK2 while fighting in Italy (Frosinone/Cassino area) under command of Panzerkorps XIV. The document is signed by General der Panzertruppe Fridolin von Senger und Etterlin.
Towards the end of 1944 Leutnant Karkoschka was transferred to I. Abteilung [antitank, as far as I am informed] of the newly formed Volksartillerie-Korps 388 which exclusively saw action on the Western Front (Ardennes, Rhineland). Here, Karkoschka distinguished himself numerous times and finally was awarded the EK1 about two months before the end of the war! The reasons for the awarding are noted on the back of the citation and give a very good idea about Karkoschkas character as an officer. I took the time to translate it for you as I could imagine some of you find it just as interesting as myself ([ ] = comments made by me):
"During the American attack on Lindern north of Linnich on Nov 21st 1944 Leutnant Karkoschka and his crew effectively fought against and pinned down the in superior numbers approaching enemy infantry with small arms until it was possible to fetch a gun [I assume artillery of antitank] left behind in no man´s land.
2. On Feb 27th 1945 he led the defensive infantry combat against the approaching Americans at Chur [near Mönchengladbach] under heavy fire until the combat vehicles of the staff could carry out the ordered change of position.
3. On March 6th 1945 he directed the fire of a gun as an observer in such a way that the observation point in the tower of the railway bridge Oberkassel [near the city of Düsseldorf] and a heavy machine gun in it were neutralized."
These statements do not only allow us to follow the way of Volksartillerie-Korps 388 through the Rhineland area precisely, but they also show Karkoschka as a very energetic, determined and brave frontline officer.
The EK1 document itself is signed by Oberst Wolf Ewert, Kommandeur of 338. ID, to which the Korps obviously was subordinated to in the time. The Begründung on the back is signed/confirmed by Abteilungskommandeur Hauptmann Werner Timm.
To me a VERY special grouping that fits into my collection perfectly!
Best,
Matthias
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