RITTERKREUZE VORSCHLAG TO EVENTUAL SWORDS WINNERSS-STBF. WISLICENY

Signed by Deutschland Rgt.Kommandeaur Swords winner SS-Stdf. Harmel !
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."

Code: 6435