Träger des Ritterkreuz des Eiserne Kreuz
Leutnant der Panzertruppe Ludwig Bauer

Overview: At only 17 years of age (class of 1923), Ludwig Bauer volunteered for service in the early part of 1940. Not yet quite of age to enter the Wehrmacht, he was ordered to return home, where upon he entered the Reichsarbeitsdienst (RAD) in August 1940. From September until the end of November 1940, Bauer completed his RAD service along the Hungarian border in Gillersdorf (near Fürstenberg), Austria. At the end of 1940, Bauer was ordered to the Panzertruppen, specifically the Panzerersatzabteilung 33, in St. Pölten. Bauer officially began service in Jan 1941.

After completing basic training, Bauer was selected for Officer Candidate School. Following additional tank training Bauer was assigned to the Feldheer (Field Army). From 1941 to March 1944, Bauer served on the Eastern Front in Russia. Bauer was assigned to the following theaters of operation:

Northern Theater; Witebsk-Smolensk-Briansk-Orel-Tula;
Southern Theater; Kursk-Charkow-Dniepropetrowsk-Odessa;
Final battles between February-March 1944 in the area of Kriwoi Rog-Wosnessensk/Bug- until Odessa.

After the fighting withdrawal against numerically superior Soviet forces, Bauer was transferred without tanks to Braila in Romainia and trasported, by rail, to the capital city of Austria, Wien. After a brief stay and de-licing he proceeded onto Nimes in southern France. In France, the 9th Panzer Division was completely refitted with men and tanks.

During the Allied invasion at Normandy, Bauer was ordered to the north were he saw action and fought a withdrawal to the city of Metz. Once again he was without any tanks. Via rail he was trained to St. Pölten where the division was refitted yet again and then transported into the Eifel. Bauer participated in the Ardennes Offensive unitl Bastogne and a fighting withdrawal through the Eifel to Köln. During the defense of the Reich he participated in the battles of Remagen-Siegtal-Wittgensteiner Land-Erndtebrück and concluding at Iserlohn. During a 4-year period, Bauer was wounded seven (7) times and his tank was "hit" nine (9) times. Ludwig Bauer's decorations include the Wound Badge in Gold, the Tank Assault Clasp 2d Class (for 25 combat engagements), and the Knight's Cross (29 April 1945).

Combat Action: The wartime experiences of Ludwig Bauer are nothing less than extraordinary and it is a miracle that he is alive today. Given the fact, it is worth reviewing each time he was "abgeschossen" or "destroyed":

16 Nov 1941: While operating on the Eastern Front around Tula in a Panzer II received a direct hit from a Soviet medium KV2 tank. Driver and radioman killed.

28 Jun 1942: During the Tim-River crossing in a Panzer III (w/ short 7,5cm KwK L/24), received an anti-tank gun hit in the turret cupola and thereby killing Leutnant Sirse.

7 Jul 1942: In the tank battle of Woronesch while operating a Panzer III (w/ short 7,5cm KwK L/24) receievd a hit from a Soviet medium KV1 tank.

24 Aug 1942: Operating a Panzer III (w/ the long 7,5cm KwK39 L/60) near Shisdra, took a direct hit from a Soviet 17,2cm artillery round. Leutnant Rocholl, Grosshammer and the driver were severly wounded.

14 Dec 1942: With the 12.Panzerdivision in the area of Bjeloi/Rshew operating a Panzer III (KwK39 L/60) received a anti-tank gun hit on the left drivers and gunners vision slots. Enke killed, Schmidt, Ewald, and Betz wounded.

10 Jan 1944: In the vicinity of Kriwoi-Rog, with a Panzer IV (7,5cm KwK40 L/43), hit by an anti-tank gun on the right side. Loader and gunner severally wounded during the attack on Wysoki-Sheltije.

12 Jan 1944: In a Panzer IV (KwK40 L/43) during the fighting at Petrowa-Dolina near Sofiefka received a hit by a 12,2cm anti-tank gun that obliterated the gunners hip.

End of March 1945: Near Eiserfeld (Siegen) operating a Sturmgeschütz III hit by an anti-tank gun. Othmar Hahn killed, gunner wounded.

10 Apr 1945: In the German village of Erndtebrück while operating a "Panther" hit by a friendly Hetzer round (7,5cm PaK39 L/48) on left side.

To be continued...

Copyright 2002 Stenger Historica