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~SOLD~BREMER Gerhard
Bremer, Gerhard "Gerd"
*July 25th, 1917 (Düsternthal, Germany)
+October 29th, 1989 (Denia/Las Rotas, Spain)
Knights Cross: October 30th, 1941
As: SS-Obersturmführer Führer, 1.(Kradschützen), Aufklärungs-Abteilung 1, 1. SS-Division "Leibstandarte Adolf Hitler, XXX. Armeekorps, II. Armee, Heeresgruppe Süd
Gerhard Bremer would receive the Knight’s Cross for his distinguished performance during the latter stages of Operation Barbarossa while serving as a Kompanie commander in the LSSAH’s Aufklärungs-Abteilung. Following the sealing and destruction of a Russian pocket in southern Ukraine, the LSSAH began to pursue the Soviets eastwards along the coast of the sea of Azov with Bremer’s Abteilung in the lead. As with other pursuit operations, it was a race to see how far the Germans could go while the Russians were still disorganized.
Bremer’s Kompanie first secured the village of Fredowka on the 05.10.1941. Then his Kompanie charged a bridge that was full of retreating Russians, which engineers promptly blew while their men were still on it. Despite this Bremer was able to find a crossing point over the river less than an hour later. His Kompanie continued the dash, seizing multiple villages and even capturing the staff of the Soviet 9th Army on the 06.10.1941. As the Division drew closer to Berdjansk, Bremer’s Kompanie intercepted a Russian column of 2,000 men and scattered it, while capturing 500 men in the process. Finally, Bremer’s company led the way into Mariupol on the 08.10.1941, which was secured a few days later.
It can be assumed that this approximately five-day dash (03.-08.10.1941) was the main justification for Bremer’s award of the Knight’s Cross.
633rd award.
Oakleaves: November 26th, 1944
As: SS-Sturmbannführer Kommandeur, SS-Panzer-Aufklärungs-Abteilung 12, 12. SS-Panzer-Division „Hitlerjugend“, 6. SS-Panzer-Armee, Oberbefehlshaber West
Bremer’s Oakleaves’ recommendation reads as follows…
“During the first days of the Invasion the SS-Pz.Aufkl.Abt. 12 conducted a flank protection mission along the line Audrieu—Tilly sur Seulleswith great and far-reaching success. However the unit sustained heavy losses throughout both this operation and in the subsequent fighting around Caen (in which it served as a ready reserve). The understrength Abteilung was thus dispatched to the area around Rugles (10 km northeast of Laigle) on the 28.07.1944 to partially refit.
While in this area the commander of the Abteilung, SS-Sturmbannführer Bremer, received word from routing friendly troops about a thrust by strong enemy tank forces from the Laval area in the direction of Chartres. Upon hearing this he immediately dispatched all available forces to reconnoiter this enemy force. By doing this the higher commands learned of enemy transmissions that were sent in the clear. The hostile advance was consistently delayed by the reconnaissance patrols that remained in constant contact with the enemy.
After friendly blocking formations had occupied the line Laigle—Verneuil the Abteilung was ordered to move to the Evreux area by the Division on the 15.08.1944 so as to resume an accelerated refitting. As a result of independently dispatched reconnaissance at the line Dreux—Houdan—Mantes the Abteilung spotted a northward thrust by enemy armoured forces along both sides of the Eure river at a relatively early time. The available weak forces, together with the support of Kampfgruppe Wahl, subsequently occupied a blocking line at the Eure river. The tireless and skillfully executed reconnaissance brought about a clear understanding of the enemy situation and significantly delayed their forward advance.
These measures were taken by SS-Sturmbannführer Bremer on his own initiative and in an unclear situation. They decisively contributed to the prevention of the enemy’s intent to cut off major friendly forces while they were still withdrawing on the western side of the Seine. He and his weak forces tied down much larger enemy forces, delayed their advance and inflicted significant losses. He personally applied himself to the combat on a continual basis in a ruthless and exemplary fashion.
I hold Bremer as worthy of being awarded the Oakleaves to the Knight’s Cross of the Iron Cross on account of his unconditional readiness for duty and the bravery that he has repeatedly demonstrated while in difficult situations.”
668th Award
Postwar signed index card with UNSIGNED PHOTO
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