Otto Mauz – Pionier-Bataillon 671

In October 1944, in the area SE of Libau, Oberfeldwebel Mauz received the order to form a rearguard with 12 men in order to protect the retreat of the Division. As he was doing so a bridge to his rear was blown up a few hours earlier than planned, resulting in his isolation on the wrong side of the river. Nonetheless Mauz led his troops over the remains of the blasted bridge, eliminated a group of 50 Red Army soldiers in close combat, destroyed 3 vehicles and was able to make his way back to friendly positions under almost hopeless circumstances, and without losing any men at that. Later, near Ginuzi in the area around Vartaja, Oberfeldwebel Mauz heard engine noises that he immediately recognized as belonging to Soviet tanks. As the Division continued its retreat along the road, Mauz snuck towards the source of the noise with 3 men in support. At the section of road where the tanks were, Mauz worked his way up to within a few metres of them. He then destroyed a Soviet heavy tank with a Panzerfaust, which caused the truck immediately behind it to also be knocked out by the blast. With a second and third Panzerfaust he also destroyed two more fully loaded trucks. A Soviet heavy tank right behind these tried to turn around but got bogged down in a swamp; its bailed out crew was eliminated and Mauz blew up the tank with two hand grenades. The following 12 Soviet tanks turned around and fled.