Philipp Wild – SS-Panzer-Abteilung 11 “Hermann von Salza”

Scarce Postwar Signature of Knight’s Cross Holder Philipp Wild. Wild earned the Ritterkreuz (Knight’s Cross) with the 1./ SS-Panzer-Abteilung 11 “Hermann von Salza” of the 11. SS-Freiwilligen-Panzergrenadier-Division “Nordland”

Knight’s Cross awarded for: “Strong enemy air units bombarded the bridgehead and city of Narwa during the nights of 6./7. and 7./8.3. in unremitting attacks, each lasting ten to eleven hours. On 8.3.44 at 07:00 hours, two and half hours of intense artillery fire began, supporting an attack that was followed by the 63rd Guards Rifle Division. That attack was supported by fourteen tanks and conducted on a narrow front against the northeast pillar of the bridgehead. Twelve tanks broke through the main line of resistance and advanced as far as the positions of the heavy infantry weapons of the SS-Freiwilligen-Panzer-Grenadier-Regiment 48 ‘General Seyffardt.’ At that critical rnornent, SS-Oberscharführer Wild (1./SS-Panzer-Abteilung 11) joined the fight with his Panther and in an extremely short time destroyed all of the T-34s that had broken through. As a result of his decisive intervention, he substantially thwarted the enemy’s plans to roll up the Narwa bridgehead. The destruction of the tanks was also important. Because of their loss the ongoing Soviet infantry attacks, supported by isolated tanks, could be repulsed.”