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~SOLD~WANHÖFER Günter
Hauptsturmführer
Wanhöfer Günter
* November 18th, 1916 (Berlin/Brandenburg, Germany)
+August 7th, 2015 (Iffeldorf/Bavaria, Germany)
Knights Cross: 27. August 1944
As: Pionier-Bataillon 54 / Freiwillige-Panzer-Grenadier-Brigade “Nederland” / III.Panzer-Korps / Heeresgruppe Nord
Postwar signed photo measuring 3 1/” x 5”
Wanhöfer’s Knight’s Cross recommendation reads as follows…
“After a preparation time of only 2 days, the planned evacuation of the Narva bridgehead was carried out on the night of the 24.-25.07.1944. The commander of the Pionier-Bataillon 54, Hauptsturmführer, contributed significantly to the success of this very difficult operation.
With his exceptional devotion to duty he oversaw the evacuation of all the ferries, Pionier equipment and Sturmboote. After this his task was to render all militarily important facilities in Narva useless to the enemy. Above all he was to do this with the four Narva bridges, the heavily fortified Iwangorod and the major facilities of the cloth factory.
As the detonation wires had been smashed by the enemy artillery, this mission presented the greatest of difficulties. Hauptsturmführer Wanhöfer would, however, in one case especially distinguish himself in a display of heroic military excellence.
After the suspension bridge in the south of Narva and the high towers of the cloth factory had been prepared for demolition, the planned detonation failed. In order to give the hotly pursuing Soviets no opportunity to take the bridge undamaged, Hauptsturmführer Wanhöfer personally rushed forwards to fix the smashed detonation chords. At the same moment the massive, several metre thick towers of the cloth factory collapsed on top of him.
Through his exemplary and ruthless devotion to duty the bridge was blown up at the last minute.
By this brave deed Wanhöfer prevented the enemy seizure of the bridge and contributed decisively to the planned withdrawal of the Brigade.”
Price: $40.00
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