Hauptsturmführer Ribbentrop v., Rudolf
* 11.05.1921 Wiesbaden
Ritterkreuz am: 15.07.1943 als Obersturmführer und Führer 6./SS-PzRgt 1 "LSSAH"
At 9th July 1943, north of Bjelgorod near Teterewino he drove ahead of his unit when he noticed in a gully a collum of 40 T34's. Quickly taking positions his unit destroyed 6 of them without own losses and a surprise attack was avoided.
12th July, he and 7 other were ready for action again, supporting infantry. Just there a russian tank attack was on its way starting with 2 collums of 150 T34's in a front of only 500m! The company lost 4 panzer immediatly at ranges down to 200m. The massive russian attack broke through the lines and penetated about 1000m deep into german lines were the remaining panzers drove through the russian "tank-packs", firing at distances of 10-30m
For his brave actions (and the remaining panzers of his company), and after his company found its way back to the Abteilung, it already was advancing in an counter-attack almost completely destroying the russians.
For his actions and destroying 14 T34's Ostuf Rudolf von Ribbentrop was awarded the RK at 15th July 1943.
+ Joined the SS-Verfügungstruppe and took part at the western campaign in the 11./Rgt 'Deutschland' and was awarded EK2 and promoted to SS-Sturmmann.
+ SS-Junkerschüle Braunschweig and promoted to SS-Standartenoberjunker and late to SS-Untersturmführer at 20.4.41.
+ Service as Zugführer A.A. SS-Kampfgruppe 'Nord' in Finland where he was wounded again.
+ Transferred in February 1942 to the new panzerabteilung 'LAH'.
+ During the battle of Charkow in Feb/March '43 served as Zugführer in the 6. and 7./PzAbt he recieved his 3rd wound and EK1.
+ Before the battle of Kursk he took command over the 6th company. After the battle he was transferred to the Pz.Rgt. 12 'Hitlerjugend' in France.
+ He commanded 3./ during the invasion battles, sustained his 4th injury and was awarded the Deutschen Kreuz in Gold. In September became Regiments Adjutant SS-Pz.Rgt. 12.
+ After the death of Stubaf. Jürgensen (CO I. Abteilung Pz.Rgt. 12) during the Battle of the Bulge, he took over I. Abt. Pz.Rgt. 12 where he was wounded again and recieved the Verwundetenabzeichen in Gold.
+ During 1945 he commanded I. Abt. Pz.Rgt. 12 in Hungary and eventually surrendering 8th May.
+ Son of the Reichsaussenministers of Germany.
Source:
Ritterkreuzträger der Waffen-SS, E.G. Krätschmer
http://www.das-ritterkreuz.de/index_sea ... wert1=5156