Träger des Ritterkreuz des Eiserne Kreuz,
Wachmeister der Reserve Heinrich Engel


by Dieter Stenger, 2000.
Unsigned, open run $15.00
Signed by Heinrich Engel, limited edition run of only twenty $35.00

Wachmeister d.R. Heinrich Engel

On 7 September 1943, southeast of Saporoshje in the Ukraine, the German 3rd Gebirgs-Division was in defensive positions when the Soviets managed to break through the German lines at Nowolaska. Counterattacking the following day during the early morning hours just north of the Sea of Azov, Unteroffizier der Reserve and Geschütz-Führer Heinrich Engel, 2nd Battery, Sturmgeschütz-Abteilung 259., was committed with six other batteries and ninety Gebrigsjäger. From a distance the small force of German tanks and infantry began to receive enemy fire. Moving forward in a southeasterly direction, Engel recognized a large number of Soviet tanks on the attack that were taken under fire. Quickly, Engel's 2nd battery accounted for three of seventeen Soviet tanks destroyed. As more Soviet tanks entered the battle, the small force became heavily outnumbered whereby the command battery and several others were hit. Under heavy fire, the disabled command battery was placed in tow as the Germans were forced to withdraw. Communication between the batteries was lost due to the hilly terrain that offered only limited visibility. After reloading, Engel moved back into position, but this time alone. Four Soviet T-34 tanks attacked at full speed as two attempted to outflank Engel's battery. A single shot from their 7.5cm Sturmkanone hit the tracks of one tank, causing it to halt. A well-placed second shot passed through the turret when the Gebirgsjäger sounded the alarm, "Tanks in the trough from the right!" Moving cautiously forward to investigate, Engel spotted fourteen more Soviet tanks supported by infantry at 700-800 meters. After making a half-right turn, the Sturmgeschütz opened fire and disabled the lead T-34 tank. Again, a well-placed second shot destroyed the lead tank whereby the remaining Soviet tanks began to hesitate and many stopped. With barely enough strength to manually load and fire the main gun, one after the other Engel's battery destroyed eleven more Soviet tanks. Two additional Soviet tanks were destroyed once they were in range by neighboring batteries as they attempted to outflank Engel's position. In a single day, Engel's battery destroyed sixteen Soviet tanks, of which twelve were destroyed within twenty minutes. The Soviet attempt to attack through the defensive line of the 3rd Gebirgs-Division was prevented by a single Sturmgeschütz. For his galant defense, Unteroffizier Engel was decorated with the Knight's Cross (Nr. 2279) and promoted to Wachmeister der Reserve on 8 November 1943.

RKT-02 $15.00 plus $5.00 S&H