User:Reguyla\Kurt Bischof

[link label/Photo of Kurt Bischof]

Kurt Bischof (* December 16th, 1924 in Winterstein-Gotha - † January 11th, 2013 in Winterstein) was a German Obergefreiter der Reserve in the Wehrmacht during World War II. Kurt Bischof was born on the 16.12.1924 in Wangen in the District of Gotha, son of Fritz and Margarete Bischoff. He was the third of four children. After visiting the school, he received an apprenticeship as a toolmaker at the company Otto & co. in Schmerbach from 1938. Statement his father, Bishop was allowed to join the young people nor of the Hitler youth. In the summer of 1942, he received a notification to a training course at a military training camp in Bad Berka, and joined the eight-week initiative. After four of the scheduled eight weeks he was called back home, because there existed the call-up orders for the 15.10.1942 to Kassel. Bishop came to the Infantry Regiment (mot.) 15, which now was made after it went down in Stalingrad. In the Liège barracks his he heals a training on the MG 34, until he was then transferred to a March battalion to Erfurt. The evacuation took place with target Shistra Zhitomir on the eastern front, where Bishop of 337 of the 208 infantry regiment was assigned to Infantry Division, army group Centre. The cruise company was hit directly in the front area and became an artillery assault, as well as an air-raid, during which they had suffered the first losses. After new spare on the different companies was divided, followed the first weeks at the front. There quickly proved himself Bishop and acquired class late March 1943 for some reconnaissance patrol company and hold a position for a longer period the iron cross II. Mid-1943 the Division was at Orel on the Oka River. While Bishop of free field went he got into an artillery attack. Wounded severe on both legs, and below the belt line. Bishop ran back even one kilometer to the ditch and then to the Sanitätssammelpunkt so garbled. A Sanka moved the ride about 20 km went to Bolchow. In the hospital, Bishop kept all night to be powered on the next day at last. Because he could no longer walk, came only a transport train in question, which took him to East Prussia. On the road resulted in partisan attacks and blasting bridges. After several months to patch together the doctors Bishop and succeeded to make it ready for use. This refers not only to the military aspect, but also on which he 2 children in the world could put after the war. After 14 days of vacation, Bishop comes to the reserve battalion after Salazar and returned a short time later to his infantry regiment 337 on the front. In the next twice wounded grenade launcher splitter on the head, with fragments of a hand grenade and a 3 cm big. This prompted him to wear a steel helmet from now on. After the opponent in Silesia collapsed and took Lauban and Striegau in February 1945, it came the major transport hub Striegau and Lauban to regain. Striegau the 208 was applied for Infantry Division, with 337 under the leadership of Colonel Lieutenant Albinus confessed to a central role the Grenadier Regiment. After the attack began on the night of 8th on the 09.03.1945 without artillery preparation, managed to trap the town the attackers quickly. But started now heaviest road and shelled. The lack of Nahkampfmitteln became noticeable here. On the 09.03 you repelled enemy attacks on the mountain line off, as well as more tests used with tank support opponent Striegau zurückzuerbobern. Lieutenant-Colonel Albinus succeeded repeatedly with the last reserves to keep the positions. After the Soviet air force bombed their own troops, demoralized withdrew, relief joined for the first time significantly. In the town of Striegau itself, the soldiers were forced to watch the massacre of enemy civilians with my own eyes what strengthened the will to fight. Bishop 5th company was located near Striegau in the Järischauer mountains. In the course of the morning, enemy infantry attacked after Artillery preparation. The preparation fire, two MG-stands in the company of and Lieutenant Schmidt fell granted Bishop the command to look up why the MG were silent. IN the first position, shooter dead 1 and 2 was gone of MG, also the ammunition was fired almost. Bishop occupied the position gun ammunition and jumped to the second abandoned position and fired about 30 minutes on the enemy until his attack could be repelled. Bishop held the position until the arrival of a relief group and then went back to her, after enemy tanks announced itself. Bishop tried to shoot down a tank yet, but failed. After a few weeks in front of everyday life, Bishop was ordered for the purpose of awarding a prize to prepare. The rear Troops were in the square on a village green. After Maj. Piekenbrock exclaimed him, he put the Knights cross around his neck Bishop. A Bishop unknown Lieutenant had proposed him to the Knight's cross, which was endorsed at the 14.04.1945. As a result, journalists and PK photographer, e.g. by the front newspaper 'sword in the East, reported to photograph him. Also field marshal Ferdinand Schörner sent him a box with the inscription "to the recent Knight's cross winner of the XVII. Corps", included were each three bottles of sparkling wine, liquor and wine. On the 10.05.1945, Bishop at Mladá Boleslav laid down the weapons with his comrades. Czech armed wanted to massacre the soldiers, but this prevented Soviet soldiers. Bishop had hidden one of his Knight's cross photos under the felt lining of his bottle, which the only image on the Bishop wore the Knight's cross today remained. Initially, the men in an army barracks in Zittau worked until then you passed 40,000 to Poland, which they were transported to Bytom in the agglomeration area of stone coal. Kurt Bischof of one of the youngest Knight's cross winners at all joined on the 06.09.1995 of the order of the Knight's cross holder.

Awards

 * Nahkampfspange in Bronze


 * Verwundetenabzeichen (1939) in Silber


 * Verwundetenabzeichen (1939) in Schwarz


 * Eisernes Kreuz 2. Klasse on March 1943


 * Eisernes Kreuz 1. Klasse on December 22nd, 1944


 * Ritterkreuz des Eisernen Kreuzes on April 14th, 1945 as Obergefreiter in the 5./Grenadier-Regiment 337