Träger des Ritterkreuz des Eiserne Kreuz
Leutnant der Infanterie Hans Sturm

During the second week in September 1942, Gefreiter Hans Sturm, a company runner of the Infanterie-Regiment 473, Infanterie-Division 253., was located near the Volga River along the northern edge of Rschew. After weathering two continuous days of Soviet preparatory artillery fire, a Soviet infantry assault was launched against the German regimental positions held by the 3d platoon. Ordered to assess the situation and report back to his company, Sturm made his way to 3d platoon where he found the German lines under heavy attack. Leaping from one fighting hole to another and crawling forward over dead comrades, Sturm closed on a friendly MG-34 nest in full action. Suddenly a Soviet grenade hit the position and the gun fell silent. Without hesitation Sturm jumped into the position and pushed his dead comrades aside. With the remaining belt of ammunition Sturm fired into the oncoming waves of screaming Soviet infantry. Out of ammunition he quickly hurled several Steilhandgraneten to fend off the attacking enemy. After quickly finding another belt of ammunition, Sturm resumed fire, cutting down the endless stream of oncoming Soviet infantry. The deep rumble of an approaching Soviet T-34 tank spelled trouble for the solitary machine gun, but Sturm changed his position as tank shells began falling around him. Thrown from the machine gun from the violent impact of a 76mm tank shell, the sound of battle and chaos came to a sudden stop. Badly wounded Sturm regained his conscience, but found his vision blurred and was unable to see the enemy. Nonetheless, he was resolved to fight on and recovered the machine gun, firing towards the sound of the oncoming Soviets. Saved by a German relief force that drove off the enemy, Sturm survived the battle and prevented the encirclement of the regiment. For his gallantry, Gefreiter Hans Sturm was awarded the Knight's Cross while recovering from his wounds in a in a field hospital on 4 October 1942.

 

 

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