Hauptmann Brunner and his men went on to repel 4 attacks against Bessedki on the following night, and the Germans remained in firm control of the village on the next day (the 15.01.1944). However the Soviets were determined to capture Bessedki and use it as a jump-off point to interdict a nearby road/railway link. On the 17.01.1944 alone they attacked the village 6 times in both day and night attacks, but the defenders held firm. On the morning of that day Hauptmann Brunner personally led a counterthrust into the flank of a Soviet attack and ejected the attackers from a housing group that was partially outside of the village."

Oakleaves: “While serving in the battle area west of Rozan, Hauptmann Brunner conducted two bold counterthrusts against the strongly attacking enemy forces, and by doing so he held a village of decisive importance for the continuation of the combat in the area. In the process a broken-in Soviet battalion and 2 tanks were destroyed. Two days later he once again served as the soul of the resistance during the defense against a renewed Bolshevik onslaught.”