SMGP-1869 Wilhelm Grieme ss Knights cross signature

Awarded on:

1938

Awarded on:

1939

Awarded on:

1939

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Awarded on:

July 25th, 1940

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Awarded on:

1941

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Awarded on:

1941

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Awarded on:

December 6th, 1941

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Awarded on:

December 25th, 1941

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Awarded on:

June 15th, 1942

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Rank:

SS-Obersturmführer der Reserve (1st Lieutenant of Reserves)

Unit:

Kommandeur, 4. Kompanie, SS-Panzergrenadier-Regiment 4 “Der Führer”, SS-Panzer-Grenadier-Division “Das Reich”, 8. Armee, Heeresgruppe Süd

Awarded on:

September 17th, 1943

Grieme’s Knight’s Cross recommendation reads as follows…

“After the armoured group and Panzergrenadier regiments were only able to achieve partial success against the doggedly defended positions at the Mius salient on the 31.07.1943, the SS-Pz.Gren.Rgt. ‘Der Führer’ was deployed on the following day to facilitate a further breakthrough.

SS-Obersturmführer Grimme, who had already distinguished himself in the campaigns of 1941/42 and in the winter fighting of 1943 through his outstanding bravery, was deployed with his 6./SS ‘DF’ as the point Kompanie.

After assembling in the Garany area, the Regiment began its attack at 08:30. Grieme had the mission of thrusting over the elongated Hill 202 and capturing the ravine located behind it, one which the opponent had been repeatedly using for assembling his own counterthrusts.

Grieme, all while skillfully using the fire of the heavy weapons, stormed forward with his Kompanie into the strongly defended hostile positions. He pushed the completely dumbfounded Russians back into the ravine and took control of the area. With this his mission was complete. However he also recognized that Hill 203, at the time under a heavy smokescreen, could now also be taken by surprise in a swift action.

Acting on his own initiative, Obersturmführer Grieme immediately carried on forwards and captured Hill 203 without particularly heavy losses (even though the Russians had fortified it for all-round defense and had defended it bitterly). Grieme’s outstanding bravery and personal daring inspired the whole Bataillon to go forwards with him, meaning that the hill was firmly in our hands within a short time.

With this the Russians lost one of the commanding heights in the area. It was only after this that attack of the II. SS-Panzer-Korps once again rolled into motion. The neighbouring Division was able to capture the previously unconquerable Hill 213.7 with support from Hill 203, and our own Division was able to reach the Mius as the first German unit to do so.

Grieme, one of the bravest Kompanie commanders of the Regiment, has a decisive share in the recapture of the old Mius position on account of his initiative, exemplary daring and skillful leadership.”

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Awarded on:

September 30th, 1943