Heinz Schülze – Panzer-Abteilung 116 – Death Card

Original Wartime Death Card of Ritterkreuzträger Heinz Schülze (27.03.1912 † 25.03.1945), who earned the Ritterkreuz (Knight’s Cross) on August 14, 1943 as Stabsfeldwebel und Zugführer in the 2. Kompanie/ Panzer-Abteilung 116 of the 16. Panzer-Grenadier-Division. He was Killed in Action on March 25, 1945.

Recommandation for the Knight’s Cross: On 18.07.1943 Schulze led his Panzer platoon in a daring attack on a key hill held by the Soviets. Despite being wounded in the neck he continued to lead at the point of the assault, where upon reaching the hilltop they flushed the enemy troops out of their bunkers with machine pistols and hand grenades. This enabled the friendly German infantry to move in and seize this position, which was vital for containing the major enemy break-in attempt along the Mius. For this action Schulze would receive the Knight’s Cross.