Josef Niemietz – Panzerjäger-Abteilung 332

Knight’s Cross Awarded for: (via Traces of War)

On 06.07.1943, during a supporting action on the left wing of the 4. Panzerarmee’s attack towards Kursk, Niemietz took over the 3.(Flak)/Panzerjäger-Abteilung 332. With 5 self-propelled 2 cm AA guns he captured the so-called “Nierenwald” near Bubny and in doing so secured the left flank of his whole Division. With 2 guns Niemietz then launched a surprise attack on his own initiative that managed to occupy the 3 km distant village of Krassny-Potschitok, following the elimination of an enemy bunker. In the process Niemietz and his men captured 1 officer and 80 men.

Later, on 08.07.1943, Niemietz captured an important height with 3 AA guns. On the following night the Soviets launched an attack with 30 tanks that managed to take a village. This was recaptured in the morning by the Germans, during which Niemietz and his Kompanie provided invaluable support.

Over the course of these three days Niemietz and his Kompanie also destroyed 3 enemy aircraft. For the sum of his actions he would be decorated with the Knight’s Cross.