WOLFGANG HARTELT - KNIGHTS CROSS - Signed Photo
Wolfgang Hartelt was part of the 'Fallschirm-Panzer- Division 'Hermann Goring', serving with the Second Kompanie equipped with the famed 'Panther' tank.
On 25 January 1945 Hartelt and a small number of Panthers were ordered to act as a rearguard of the Division as it fell back. The Soviets attacked with 25 T34/85 tanks that should have overwhelmed the five Panthers at Hartelt's disposal. However, Hartelt decided to be aggressive and counter-attacked immediately, forcing the Soviet tanks onto the defensive. The Panthers demonstrated that their superb 75mm guns were more than a match and destroyed ALL the T34's allowing the Division to retire safely. Hartelt was awarded the Knights Cross for this action.
On 20 March 1945 Hartelt was severely wounded when his Panther was struck by a 122mm round fired from a 'Josef Stalin' heavy tank.
This is a very nice signed Photo