Knight Gunner: The Memoirs of Leutenant Alfred Regeniter, 3rd Battery, Sturmgeschutz, Brigade 276, East and West Prussia, 1944-45

During August 1944 Regeniter led his troop in Lithuania in the infantry support role, fighting down every infantry and anti-tank gun at the behest of the commander of the Infantry Divisions to which his battery was attached, while September was a lull. Following a major Russian onslaught on the 16th October, the Brigade was forced out of Lithuania into East Prussia and in a continuous three day engagement, Regeniter demonstrated his proficiency in tank destruction, claiming nine kills mostly in the night fighting and winning his Iron Cross, first class. An even higher award was sought on his behalf by one of the Divisional Commanders, but turned down - as he found in 1986! November and December were largely uneventful and Regeniter went on leave. On the 15th January 1945, all hell broke loose as the Russians poured out of the bridgehead; the Brigade simply fled westward, losing its guns. After a harrowing escape on foot, Regeniter again found himself in action, doubling his kills to 18 and the battery receiving no less than 17 Iron Crosses! After a few days break, on the 10th February 1945, Regeniter made a fatal error of judgement, leaving the cover of a forest and making himself a clearly visible target for a Russian anti-tank gun. Regeniter's assault gun received a direct hit which killed two of his crew and severely wounded him. Narrowly escaping capture by the Russians (his was the last hospital train to make it out of the impending encirclement) he surrendered to the Americans and, after the war, resumed his interrupted medical career. For his cool headed dash and determination to carry out the missions assigned to him, he was awarded the Knight s Cross - something he only learned of in 1974!

Alfred Regeniter, Richard Leadbetter (Translator)
Softcover large format 70pp Shelf Books 1999

 

Near Fine

Book Code:  SH2228