JOSEF ROLLECKE - 3RD SS PANZER DIV. 'TOTENKOPF' Knights Cross - Signed card

JOSEF ROLLECKE - KNIGHTS CROSS - Signed Card

Josef Rollecke joined the 7th Kompanie of the Police Rifle Regiment 3 in 1942. Just two weeks later it was renamed 'SS Police Regiment 3', part of the 3rd SS Panzer Division 'Totenkopf'.

On 31 March 1944 the Unit had retreated to the village of Starovo in a very tired state but was immediately ordered to attack and capture some high ground but Soviet forces were already pressing through this and the village of Novoselovka.

Despite the fact that they had no artillery or tank support, the Unit decided to attack the Soviet force before it compromised the German position - it succeeded in throwing the enemy back and recapturing Novoselovka in the process. The Soviets retreated leaving machine guns, PaK guns and other useful weapons abandoned. They also left 100 horses, which the Germans were very grateful for as pack-animals! For his part in this successful action Rollecke was awarded the Knights Cross on 16 June 1944.

This is a very nice signed Card.