Obergefreiter Fritz Faust, RKT

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Michael Miller
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Obergefreiter Fritz Faust, RKT

#1

Post by Michael Miller » 05 Apr 2005, 18:46

Seeking additional biographical data on the following RKT:

Thanks in advance,
~ Mike Miller


Faust, Fritz
Obergefreiter (final rank unknown)



Born: 23.10.1910 in Gilge / Kreis Labiau / Ostpreußen.

Promotions:
00.00.194_ Obergefreiter


Decorations & Awards:
20.08.1942 Ritterkreuz des Eisernen Kreuzes as Obergefreiter in 3.Kompanie / Füsilier-Regiment 26 / 30.Infanterie-Division.
1939 Eisernes Kreuz I. Klasse
1939 Eisernes Kreuz II. Klasse
Infanterie-Sturmabzeichen in Silber
Attachments
faustf[1].jpg
Photo from http://www.das-ritterkreuz.de
faustf[1].jpg (5.19 KiB) Viewed 1625 times

harmel
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Obgfr Fritz Faust

#2

Post by harmel » 06 Apr 2005, 02:15

Many thanks, harmel!

A couple questions:
On 7th was wounded while serving with 7th Coy 26th Fus Regt.
In what month and year was he wounded?
10th March was declared missing in action.(Kurland)
I assume this was 10th March 1945?

Thanks again.

Best,
~ Mike


harmel
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Obgfr F Faust RKT

#3

Post by harmel » 09 Apr 2005, 21:41

Sorry Michael -he was wounded 7/1/45 7/26 fus Regt.

Mia-near Brunci(Kurland) -10/3/45.
Regards Harmel :oops:

nopoop
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#4

Post by nopoop » 14 Apr 2005, 08:30

Thanks to you Michael for your effort !!

I have a copy of the RK award announcement of Faust among other items. Have a research request with Deutsche Dienststelle (WASt) and am awaiting their findings.

Here's a translation of the document. It's a good read.

The Führer and Befehlshaber of the Wehrmacht gave Obergefreitem Faust, 3. Kompanie, the Knights Cross of the Iron Cross, which was given him yesterday in ceremonial form in presence of all attendant in the winter campaign between Lowatj and Pola. It was given to him by the Divisionskommandeur.

The Obergefreite Faust got this high award for his outstanding bravery and fight successes in the time of 4th to 7th of February(this year). Again and again he standed the test in these days as a sedulous M.G. Schütze 1. He fought long hours indefatigable against the highly outnumbered enemy, outnumbered in material and soldiers and attacking. When a standing wasn´t any longer defendable, he covered the withdrwal of his unit.

On the 6th of feb. between 24.00 and 0200 an attack of 80 men began, against the eastern part of the city Saoßtrowje, in which Faust was placed. The whole staff was working on the building of an assignment, while the enemy was rolling hundreds of bombs during bomb attacks, even heavy calibers and pauseless pak-fire. This detained the posts of watching the enemy in their perimeters. But in spite of the darkness, Faust recognized the enemy, who was trying to approach in cover of darkness and bomb attacks. Because in this highly fragile situation no higher rank was available in a descent time, he decided immediately to take the leadership during this defence fight. In a great hurry he gained the last three men of his crew and put them and himself under the command of circa 15 Artilleristen in his near environment. In their head he repelled in an acrimonious fight the enemy attack. Because of his intelligent way of fighting, his strong will and his enormous bravery he not only prevents the enemies plan, but also destroyed main parts and puts the enemy to flight.

Because of the hardy handling of Faust, we owe him the averting of a great defeat of the battalion, which was in this time strongly weakened and not ready for actions of fight, but he turned this situation to a considerable success.

In spite of the immense tension of the preceding days, which caused a heavy psychological and physical exhaustion,-hours of defending in heaviest enemy fire and in icier cold, heavy losses, days without food-, Faust allowed himself no rest for the rest of the night. He worked sedulous on the improvement of his fightingstand and in addition to it he gave his comrades with lesser experience in their weapons instructions to improve their fightingstands. He also encouraged them through example and words of comfort to energetic work for recovering defence condition.

When the enemy attacked again during the 7th of feb., after heavy enemy fire, supported by 7,62cm guns, in a capacity of 2 batallions, attacking Saoßtrowje from east and northeast, again it was Faust who sedulous fired in the flowing masses. To his left and to his right, the positions had to be evacuated, because they were shot on fire. Though he noticed he was bypassed by the enemy, he was not misled and continued his unrelentingly fight. Even after the command of evacuating his position, he sustained. He had to fight his way to back to his Kompanie through the village, now infiltrated by the enemy.

On these days it is owed his outstanding bravery and his holding out to the last to his ordered post, that a small amount of Offizieren and Mannschaften melted together to a battalion, which succeded in disengaging from the enemy and retreat in good order.

In this heavy defence fights on 4th to 7th.2, Faust gave an outstanding example of bravery and loyalty. Because of his independent decision on the 6th of feb., the Obergefreite Faust crowned his actions with a proud success, which was of huge importance to the fight and his comrades. This allowed the rest of the battalion to go on their fighting. Though blooded a small amount he continued to direct the deadly defense for the containment that for the entire Northern Front of the calamitous Russian breakthrough south of the Jimen Lake.

The Obergefreite Faust is the first Mannschaftsdienstgrad in the division, indeed the first Mannschaftsdienstgrad of a Schützenkompanie of the infantry ever, who received a KC. This well deserved honour counts also to all men serving and giving their lives in this hard winter campaign. This award counts to all those who contributed with their loyalty and bravery in these fateful fights. In spite of the bitter attacks of the enemy they enforced a success. With the 3. Kompanie, the whole battalion is proud to know such a soldier among their own.


Distributor:
Jm.Xentwurf.

nopoop

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Daniel L
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#5

Post by Daniel L » 14 Apr 2005, 13:50

Nopoop,

do you have other photos of Faust as well?

Best regards/ Daniel

nopoop
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#6

Post by nopoop » 15 Apr 2005, 20:02

Daniel here's some scans of the photos I have

Presentation photo

Image

Grouping of other photos

Image

Same facial features but he looks tall in these photos ?? Or the other guys are really short.

These the photos in the RK thread look like him also. And he has the appropriate awards.

Image

Image


I'm looking foreward on the information from Germany.

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Daniel L
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#7

Post by Daniel L » 15 Apr 2005, 20:07

Nice photos nopoop. I was just curious if you had them since I've seen them being sold ona militaria site. You must be the lucky buyer then.

Best regards/ Daniel

nopoop
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#8

Post by nopoop » 16 Apr 2005, 09:14

LOL I was. Have collar litzens, IAB, IK2 with envelope, wound badge, shooting lanyard crest, breast eagle, Feldmützen-Kokarde, the photos and the copy of the award announcement.

You have a good memory. That was about 10 months ago 8)

nopoop

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