Rudolf Sauerbrei

Rudolf Sauerbrei
Birth date	18 May 1919(1919-05-18)
Place of birth	Eisfeld, Free State of Saxe-Meiningen, German Reich
Death date	22 July 2007 (aged 88)
Place of death	Gießen, Hesse, Germany
Allegiance	National Socialist Germany
Service/branch	Heer
Years of service	1937–1945
Rank	Major
Battles/wars	World War II Western Campaign Operation Barbarossa Courland Pocket
Awards	Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross

Rudolf Walter Erich Sauerbrei (18 May 1919 – 22 July 2007) was a German officer of the Wehrmacht and recipient of the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross in World War II. He once refused the award of the Close Combat Clasp in Gold so that he could stay with his men at the front.

Life

After attending school and achieving his Abitur, Rudolf Sauerbrei joined the Wehrmacht in 1937 (one source states 1938) as an officer candidate. He served with the Infanterie-Regiment 47 in Lüneburg. The regiment was subordinated to the 22. Infanterie-Division.

The division was partially trained for airborne operations. On 15 August 1939, the division was mobilized. The division received the 22nd Field Replacement Battalion and the 22nd Reconnaissance Detachment. The division took up border security positions on the West Wall between Monschau and Prüm. [...] At the end of October 1939, the division was relocated to the Sennelager training area to receive training for airborne operations. At the beginning of the Western Campaign, the division was deployed to airborne operations (Luftlande) as part of the 7th Air Division (de). The 16th Infantry Regiment landed in the Waalhaven area, the 47th Infantry Regiment in the Katwijk-Valkenburg area, and the 65th Infantry Regiment in the Ypenburg area. The division suffered heavy losses during these operations.

The young Sauerbrei was deployed to "Fortress Holland" in May 1940. When the men of the "Koch" assault detachment (Sturm-Abteilung „Koch“) accomplished the sensational capture of the Belgian Fort Eben Emael (Sturm auf die Festung Eben-Emael) on 10 May 1940, Sauerbrei, as a member of the 22nd Airborne Division (with motorcycle units and infantry), participated in the airborne landings in Valkenburg, Rotterdam, and The Hague with his comrades landing in Ju 52s of the Luftwaffe.

On 10 May 1940, a few months before the completion of Valkenburg Airport, German Fallschirmjäger and more than 50 Junkers Ju 52s landed on the field. During the ensuing fighting, the Dutch army managed to recapture the terrain and destroy or severely damage many stranded German aircraft. After the surrender of the Netherlands on 14 May 1940, the German occupiers completed and put the airfield into operation for the Luftwaffe. Katwijk Airfield became the home base for fighter aircraft such as the Messerschmitt Bf 109, Messerschmitt Bf 110 and Focke-Wulf Fw 190. They were withdrawn east in 1943 because the airfield was too vulnerable to Allied air raids due to its location on the Katwijk coast.

Later, he went to the Eastern Front with the 405th Infantry Regiment of the 121st Infantry Division during Operation Barbarossa. He was wounded a total of seven times and, at the age of 25, received the Knight's Cross and promotion to major. Sauerbrei's division was reinforced on March 17, 1944, by the shadow division "Mielau" and, as part of the X. Army Corps, was taken prisoner by the Russians in the Courland Pocket in May 1945. Battalion commander Sauerbrei was severely wounded in February 1945, transported west, and escaped the horrors of Bolshevik captivity.

Sauerbrei reports

As the Adjutant of the "Führerreserve Nord," in the beautiful East Prussian city of Insterburg, I could have been very comfortable with my soldier fortune. However this was not the case! After my promotion to Leutnant, my ensuing transfer to Insterburg came as a complete surprise. I was suddenly deprived of my previous military life at home with the Infanterie-Regiment 47 in Lüneburg. It was painful for me when I had to take leave of the comrades from the unit's original cadre, with whom I survived our baptism of fire during the airborne operations in the West.

At the onset of the Eastern Campaign on 22 June 1941, my longing for a new home of record intensified, which I could not satisfy at the "Führerreserve." It was unbearable for me at 22 years of age to send older officers and family fathers to the front. By way of my compassionate commander, I succeeded in having my name placed on a "front-bound" list. During the first few days of July 1941, I was transferred to the East Prussian 121. Infanterie-Division and assumed the duties as commanding officer of the Bicycle Company/Infanterie-Regiment 405. The concept of a bicycle company was the invention of the regimental commander and was primarily employed for reconnaissance and special combat missions. The division, originating from East Prussia, was on the advance since the beginning of the campaign and had proved itself on numerous occasions through extraordinary achievements.

Since that time, 3.5 years had past and I remained with the regiment where, as a Thüringer, I felt at home with the East Prussians. Over the course of several years, that are now behind us, I was always able to convince myself of their dependability and other soldierly qualities that were exhibited during our advance from Leningrad to the forested and swampy areas south of the Ladoga Sea and to the Volkhov Front. We did not have to surrender our positions and withdraw into the combat area of Kurland, the western half of Latvia, until after the Soviets broke through the lines of Heeresgruppe Mitte. With the exception of a few weeks for refitting and training, just behind the front lines, the regiment was continuously engaged along the front and suffered significant loses against a determined enemy. Throughout those years, we exhibited patience and wearily had to "stick our necks out" when no end was in sight. After I had suffered three wounds that were treated at the main dressing station, I returned to my East Prussians comrades.

In the interim, I led a rifle company and in November 1943 assumed command of the II. Battalion with which I was engaged in the Courland Front at Preekuln. After Christmas 1944, the Third Courland Battle (21 to 31 December 1944) came to an end after the enemy of substantial numerical superiority attacked our positions with heavy artillery barrages and strong tank forces. The Soviets tried to overrun our positions and throw us into the freezing cold Baltic Sea that lay only 30 km away from our position. He did not succeed! However, only the stars could tell how long we, the forgotten Heeresgruppe Nord, could hold off the enemy pressure. It was a matter of survival!

On the morning of 20 January 1945, my worries were calmed by the rattle of our field phone. The regimental adjutant advised me of a visit by the divisional commander, which does not happen very often. After a warm welcome and some discussion about the engagements, he told me that he had endorsed the regiment's recommendation to award me the Close Combat Clasp in Gold. Calm and collected I responded with a certain degree of joy. But then came the

hammer! The General explained that in accordance with the Führer's orders the decorated soldier was to be withdrawn from his combat line unit and placed in a clerical billet in the rear. In a disrespectful manner, I asked if this was some kind of a joke. But the General insisted on following the Führer's orders. I did not give up and suggested that the award be postponed and placed in a drawer for a more appropriate time. I explained that a large number of older soldiers that belonged to the battalion would not understand my sudden disappearance, especially in the face of the coming defensive battles. However, my objections fell on deaf ears and I had to take leave of my battalion. I said goodbye to my brave East Prussians and no longer understood the world. The following day I reported to the division staff for "special duty." Early that morning, as I rode off with a horse handler from the battalion supply, I could already hear enemy artillery fire, coming from the nearby front line, that grew into a heavy barrage. The Fourth Courland Battle (24 January to 3 February 1945) had begun and my thoughts were with my men in the forward-most positions.

After I reported to the divisional commander, Generalleutnant Werner Ranck, I did not attempt to deny the fact that a hectic and critical situation was at hand. Not surprisingly, the Fourth Courland Battle had been launched against the division's entire front and the first reports of enemy penetrations along our defensive lines were being received. Naturally, I was most concerned with the situation at my Grenadier-Regiment 405, where suddenly all

communications were lost and I feared the worst. At once, I suggested to General Ranck that I dispatch to the critical area and take command of the uncertain situation. Having obviously forgotten why I was here, he agreed to my proposal. In a full gallop, I rode in direction main battle line. Nearing the regimental command post, I heard the alarm. I sent the horse handler with the horses to the rear and carefully approached the bunker complex. I managed to reach the regimental commander and report my presence. With a handful of men from the Regimental Staff Company, we made or way to the II. Battalion's sector, with which I was well familiarized. Along the way, we absorbed a number of soldiers from battered units who were without their leadership. I recognized the fact that the enemy had occupied our positions and apparently remained there without much concern (about us).

In order to exploit the attacking enemy's moment of weakness, we counterattacked with full vigor and fury and caught the unsuspecting enemy completely off guard. In close combat, we succeeded in driving the enemy forces to full flight from our old positions and at a heavy cost. Even in the I. Battalion's sector, we succeeded in clearing the area that had been breached, organized a weak defensive line, cared for our wounded comrades and ensured for

their evacuation to the dressing station (Verbandsplatz). After the I. Battalion commander was incapacitated, I assumed command of both combat sectors, and we succeeded in holding our positions against further enemy attacks throughout the battle. During this critical situation, the defensive line of the Grenadier-Regiment 405 was closed and the greater threat to the Courland Front was eradicated. However, there was no lengthy respite along the Courland Front. When there was a lull in the fighting, the need for improving our emplacements and conducting reconnaissance missions were priorities. Reconnaissance and shock-troop activity was unrelenting. It was not long before dark clouds blanketed the front. The atmosphere in the forward most fighting positions was tense and appropriate for the seriousness of the situation. We were cut off from our homeland with the cold Baltic See to our backs and we faced an enemy of numerical superiority whose only goal was to destroy us. How long could we bear this pressure?

On 20 February 1945, the enemy opened the Fifth Courland Battle with a murderous one-hour artillery barrage. Our positions were smothered in an enemy carpet of fire that consisted of artillery and Stalin organs (Stalinorgel; Katyusha rocket launcher). After the firestorm shifted beyond our positions, concentrated tank and infantry forces attacked our front lines. Bled thin and without significant strength, we were unable to make a concerted defensive effort. Although we had thwarted a major assault during the defense of my command post, we had suffered a number of casualties when the enemy overrun us. Throughout the course of that day, I had suffered four wounds and lay unable to move or fight. I explained to the five remaining soldiers near me to break through to friendly lines under the cover of darkness. I added that I would arrive later when one of the men said: "You will not stay here! Either we make it out together, or no one will!" Under the cover of darkness they packed me onto a broken sled and dragged me through enemy territory to the regimental assembly area. Presumed dead we were happily greeted at the command post and brought to the dressing station. There I learned from the flamethrower company commander that our divisional commander, Lieutenant General Ranck, led a counterattack that evening with a Pionier Company and succeeded in recapturing my old battalion command post and the news calmed my soul. Our own loses on that day were very high. Every battalion commander and one regimental commander had been either killed or wounded.

In the field hospital "Strande", located near the harbor of Libau, more medical operations followed. In March 1945, I arrived at Swinemünde, after an adventurous 11-day "cruise" aboard one of the last hospital ships. Via railroad, I continued on to Neustrelitz. Now I finally had the opportunity to think about all that had occurred during the war-years that, in the past, I could not. During the difficult years of costly fighting and bloody defensive battles, we often had to take flight, however we always managed to hold out. Committed to my solution on life: "Recognize and carry out your responsibilities", I tried to carry out my duty to my homeland. With my brave East Prussians, I was able to conquer many adverse situations. Even in the most desperate situations, we fulfilled our duties because it required our honor and we were ready to sacrifice our lives for our Vaterland. Taking responsibility and caring for the men placed under my charge determined the way I handled situations.

The fact that I survived the dangerous war with seven combat wounds and was able to return to my home is difficult for me to comprehend to this day. Was it the catch-phrased "luck of the soldier" or the luck of a "Sunday child" or simply God's good will? I do not know the answer, but I am convinced that all these factors contributed to my survival. One thing I know for sure: On 20 February 1945, five brave East Prussian comrades, despite being wounded

themselves and risking their lives in the most dangerous situation, dragged me through enemy territory and brought me safety. These men sparred me from entering Soviet captivity and surely a far worse situation. For that I thank them to this day. I would very much like to share the decoration I received with my brave East Prussian soldiers, without whom I could not have evaded certain disaster. They stood loyally next to me to accomplish our military missions. Regarding the Close Combat Clasp in Gold, I never heard or saw anything more about the award which I could not have achieved without their help (East Prussians). Comradery, that is honor; a promise without words! Blossom in this instruction: purposeful; strong; an always forward!

Post-WWII

After the war and the years of captivity (POW), Sauerbrei was initially conscripted as a lumberjack and then worked in the senior police service until he retired in 1981.

Awards and decorations

• DRL/Reich Sports Badge (Deutsches Reichssportabzeichen) in Bronze
• West Wall Medal (Deutsches Schutzwall-Ehrenzeichen)
• Iron Cross (1939), 2nd and 1st Class
  • 2nd Class on 9 May 1940
  • 1st Class on 17 September 1941
• Infantry Assault Badge (Infanterie-Sturmabzeichen) in Silver on 7 August 1941
• Winter Battle in the East 1941–42 Medal on 31 July 1942
• Close Combat Clasp in Bronze and Silver
  • Bronze on 1 August 1943
  • Silver on 20 April 1944
• Wound Badge (1939) in Black and Silver
  • Black on 24 August 1943
  • Silver on 14 October 1944
• German Cross in Gold on 25 September 1942 as 2nd Lieutenant in the 5th Company/Infanterie-Regiment 405
• Honour Roll Clasp (Ehrenblattspange des Heeres) on 6 October 1944
• Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross on 5 April 1945 as Captain and Commander of the II. Battalion/Grenadier-Regiment 405/121. Infanterie-Division