Article about: I’ve had this grouping for years but have never posted it. Mainly because I didn’t want to spend the time necessary to type enough to do it justice. In particular, writing out a translat
I’ve had this grouping for years but have never posted it. Mainly because I didn’t want to spend the time necessary to type enough to do it justice. In particular, writing out a translation of the account on how Wahl earned the Knight’s Cross felt onerous. I will provide a brief summary. The grouping contains Wahl’s commissioning certificate to Leutnant, his promotion document to Oberleutnant, his Sportabzeichen and Reiterabzeichen award booklets, an account of how he earned the RK, a letter of condolence to his widow from his regimental commander (RKT Kurt Faulhaber), his Hero’s Death document, some newspaper clippings, and a number of photos, mostly portraits. Notable is a posthumous photo studio touch-up to reflect his rank of Major but they did not airbrush in the Knight’s Cross.
In late July 1943 Wahl was commanding I. Bataillon, Grenadier-Regiment 282, 98. Infanterie-Division in the Kuban bridgehead. The Red Army launched a huge attack against the heights Northwest of Krymskaja, where Wahl’s regiment was defending. The Soviet forces were overwhelming, attacking with Infantry and about 100 heavy tanks in the sector of Wahl’s regiment after a bombardment by approx. 100 artillery batteries, 30 Katyushas (rockets), and 200 aircraft.
About 20 Soviet tanks had overrun his position and enemy infantry in regimental strength had broken into his depleted battalion’s sector. Wahl realized the threatening danger to the entire sector of his regiments’ front and knew he has to hold under all circumstances down to the last man. Wahl realized that he had to counterattack to save the situation. Ignoring the heavy enemy fire, Wahl sprang from man to man and talked courage into each of his exhausted soldiers. His example rallied his men and with “Hurrah!” his small flock stormed forwards. The sudden counterstroke surprised the Soviets and they were thrown back. Wahl immediately built a new resistance line and distributed all still-functioning weapons. As the Soviets recovered from their surprise and stormed his positions anew, he and his men “gave them a bloody head.” The grenadiers hung tough in their position against all attacks until German reinforcements could arrive and the danger of a breakthrough could be finally be averted.
Daylong stood Wahl in the forwardmost line and his shining example gave his men new strength to carry on until he himself was badly wounded. This decisive defensive success, is acknowledged through the bestowal of the Knight’s Cross.
*Wahl died on August 13th, 1943 and the RK finished its approval process and was awarded on August 29th. He never got to wear it.
Todd
Former U.S. Army Tanker.
"Best job I ever had."
Grouping to RKT Dietmar Wahl
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by TABSTABS1964
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