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~SOLD~WISLICENY Günther
Wisliceny, Günther Eberhardt
*September 5th, 1912 (Rogulowken/Angerburg/Eastern Prussia, Germany)
+August 25th, 1985 (Hannover/Lower Saxony, Germany)
Knights Cross: July 30th, 1943
As: SS-Sturmbannführer Kommandeur III. / SS-Panzergrenadier-Regiment 3 “Deutschland” / SS-Panzer-Division “Das Reich” / II.SS-Panzer-Korps / Heeresgruppe Süd
Postwar signed photo measuring 4” x 6”
Wisliceny's Knight's Cross recommendation reads as follows…
"During the assault on the 05.07.1943 the III./SS-Pz.Gren.Rgt. 'Deutschland' (commanded by SS-Sturmbannführer Wisliceny) had the mission of seizing the enemy combat outposts in the village of Jachontoff. From there they would then assemble for a continued onslaught.
SS-Sturmbannführer Wisliceny and his Grenadiers eliminated the combat outposts in a bold strike, captured the positions and readied themselves for a subsequent attack. This latter attack was to proceed after the arrival of friendly Sturmgeschütze. The plan was for the III./SS-Pz.Gren.Rgt. 'Deutschland' to attack with the support of these vehicles as well as that from Stuka attacks and friendly artillery fire. It was intended that the Bataillon would be able to penetrate into the enemy's deeply echeloned defensive network (reinforced by an anti-tank ditch) and wrest control of it from the foe.
However a spell of torrential rain during the previous night resulted in a delay of 2 hours for the Sturmgeschütze. They were thus not immediately available to support the attack after the artillery and Stuka bombardments according to the original plan. Meanwhile strong enemy artillery fire struck our own positions, threatening the success of the whole operation. In this situation Wisliceny made the bold decision to nevertheless prosecute the attack and break into the enemy's defensive network in the face of the opposing artillery and infantry fire.
Although he was himself suffering from a severe knee injury, he still placed himself at the head of his Grenadiers and attacked with magnificent drive. Fighting from position to position, he and his men ultimately were able to penetrate into the hostile anti-tank ditch. This bold action by SS-Sturmbannführer Wisliceny (executed with minimal friendly losses) created a breach in the enemy's defences that the remainder of the SS-Pz.Gren.Div. 'Das Reich' would be able to exploit. He himself carried on the assault from here and was able to reach the day's attack objective on the afternoon of the same day, and this despite the prevailing unfavourable circumstances that included some very strong hostile resistance.
The significance of SS-Sturmbannführer Wisliceny's successful offensive operation is indicated by the fact that the bulk of the II. SS-Panzer-Korps would continue its assault through the breach that he created. These elements were unable to advance forwards in their own sectors due to the strong enemy resistance encountered.
SS-Sturmbannführer Wisliceny is the paragon of a fearless and aggressive commander. His heroic devotion to duty is model behaviour for his troops in all circumstances, and his unshakeable optimism never fails to inspire them forwards. It is also to his credit that he is consistently able to achieve his successes with minimal losses even with his aggressive style of combat."
1912th Award.
Oakleaves: December 26th, 1944
As: SS-Obersturmbannführer Kommandeur SS-Panzer-Grenadier-Regiment 3 “Deutschland” / SS-Panzer-Division “Das Reich” / Oberbefehlshaber West
Wisliceny's Oakleaves' recommendation reads as follows…
"The SS-Pz.Gren.Rgt. 3 'Deutschland' assembled north of Elbeuf following its withdrawal from the Bernay sector. Reconnaissance units sent out towards Elbeuf and Chambois de Elbeuf revealed that strong enemy tank and motorized formations were advancing towards Elbeuf itself.
SS-Obersturmbannführer Wisliceny was aware of the massive importance of Elbeuf for continued friendly withdrawal movements, and so on the 25.08.1944 he made the decision to attack and take Elbeuf (which was overrun by terrorists at the time) in order to facilitate the retreat of major friendly elements across the Seine.
Although no artillery support was at hand the Regiment immediately commenced its attack against Elbeuf. Following bitter urban combat (during which the commander was in the thick of the action) the Regiment was able to reach the southeastern edge of Elbeuf and establish a strong security line. The swift success of this operation is attributable to the energy and extraordinary bravery of the regimental commander.
It was not long before incoming enemy forces launched major attacks against Elbeuf itself, and in the afternoon hours they managed to achieve a penetration that made it as far as the bank of the Seine. SS-Obersturmbannführer Wisliceny at once struck these enemy forces with a handful of men from his regimental command post, and he managed to throw them back and restore the old frontline via an energetic attack. In the process SS-Obersturmbannführer Wisliceny received his third wartime battle wound.
The decisiveness, leadership and bravery displayed here by the regimental commander meant that strong American forces were successfully held off for 48 hours whilst sustaining heavy losses. This in turn thwarted the enemy's goal of launching a surprise thrust into the Seine bend at Rouen. 3 friendly Infanterie and Panzer Divisionen were thereby able to pull back to the Seine's eastern bank without any great difficulty.
SS-Obersturmbannführer Wisliceny held Elbeuf under the most difficult of combat conditions until the friendly withdrawal movement was completed. His example on the battlefield in turn motivated his unit to achieve the seemingly impossible.
Wisliceny is worth of being awarded the Oakleaves to the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross."
To this was added a supplementary document that further justifies his recommendation for the Oakleaves…
"SS-Obersturmbannführer Wisliceny particularly distinguished himself on the Invasion front north of St. Lo whilst serving as the commander of a Kampfgruppe. Here he inflicted heavy losses on the Americans in a series of bitter engagements. He personally led successful counterthrusts against broken-in American forces on the 16./17. and 18.08.1944.
The commander of the Panzer-Lehr-Division (Generalmajor Bayerlein) wrote in one of his orders that it was solely on account of the ruthless devotion to duty displayed by SS-Obersturmbannführer Wisliceny (commander of SS-Pz.Gren.Rgt. 3) that the men of the Kampfgruppe were able to achieve such heroic feats-of-arms. The Kampfgruppe was able to knock out 35 American tanks in close combat in barely 15 days of combat."
687th Award.
Swords: May 6th, 1945
As: SS-Obersturmbannführer Kommandeur SS-Panzergrenadier-Regiment 3 "Deutschland"
Awarded for his achievements during the Ardennes offensive and in Hungary. During the fighting in Hungary he and his Regiment especially distinguished themselves between Lakes Velence and Balaton as well as in the Leitha mountains.
151th Award.
According to several sources this awarding was not confirmed by the authorities. Number is according to the date of awarding. Confirmation is made on the basis of a statement under oath to the Ordensgemeinschaft der Ritterkreuzträger made by Generaloberst der Waffen-SS Sepp Dietrich.
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