Oberfeldwebel Rudolf Krüger (Zugführer in 6.Kompanie / II.Bataillon / Infanterie-Regiment 32 / 24.Infanterie-Division) during home leave in Germany, a couple of days after he received the Ritterkreuz des Eisernen Kreuzes, October 1941.
Rudolf Krüger (4 November 1911 - 28 October 1972) received the Ritterkreuz des Eisernen Kreuzes on 5 October 1941 as Oberfeldwebel and Zugführer in 6.Kompanie / II.Bataillon / Infanterie-Regiment 32 / 24.Infanterie-Division. The following newspaper excerpt (dated 11 October 1941) describes why Krüger received the Ritterkreuz:
“On 18 August 1941 the Bataillon of Oberfeldwebel Rudolf Krüger was among the units involved in the attack against the enemy bridgehead at Cherkassy. On this day it crossed the Irdyn river/swampland at a point north of the Budki brickyard (located west of Smela) in order to establish a bridgehead. Meanwhile the right neighbouring Bataillon was tasked with carrying out a similar objective 1.5 km to the east.
Oberfeldwebel Rudolf Krüger’s mission for this day was to establish contact with the right neighbouring Bataillon with his Zug. Such an objective was an unenviable one, as fulfilling it required moving through a 1.5 km stretch of forest adjacent to the swamp, all while contending with both an unclear enemy situation and an open left flank.
While advancing through this forest Oberfeldwebel Krüger encountered strong enemy forces that had the support of both heavy weapons and built-up field positions. From these positions they had already successfully prevented the right neighbouring Bataillon from crossing the river/swamp at this location. Oberfeldwebel Krüger swiftly resolved to attack these Bolshevik positions, and he skillfully employed his Zug for a surprise strike into the flank and rear of these defenses. Within a short time he and his troops had eliminated 18 enemy resistance nests in close combat (including 1 anti-tank gun and 1 mortar position).
This bold deed by Oberfeldwebel Krüger spared his Bataillon many potential casualties that would otherwise have been incurred whilst expanding its own bridgehead, and by clearing the way for the right-neighbouring Bataillon it also paved the way for the Regiment to carry on with its general attack.”
Source :
https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Bundesarchiv_Bild_146-1970-018-54,_Rudolf_Kr%C3%BCger.jpg
https://www.tracesofwar.com/persons/79866/Kr%C3%BCger-Rudolf-Infanterie-Regiment-32.htm
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