Germany – Third Reich: A Battle of Vyazma Iron Cross 2nd Class and Desna River Iron Cross 1st Class Document Group to Hauptmann Fritz Meyerdierks, 1st Battalion, 42nd Artillery Regiment, 6th Infantry Division, then 3 Fahnrich Regiment, Markisch-Friedland Division and finally School for Fahnenjunkers of the Artillery, known as Brigade Wiechec, he was wounded during Operation Citadel and again at the Desna River, he finished the war fighting in a small unit in Bohemia in Czechoslovakia, where he was taken prisoner by the American Army.
An interesting bravery document group consisting of 6 award certificates 32 documents, which belonged to a former officer in the German Field Artillery in WW2.
Award Certificates:
The German Sports Badge in Bronze awarded in Berlin on 25thSeptember 1931 (Certificate Number: 177716), as a Kanonier, Training Battery, 6th(Prussian) Artillery Regiment.
There is a good photo of Fritz Meyerdierks in the uniform of a Kanonier with the number 6 on his shoulder straps on page 2 of this document.
The Armed Forces 4 Year Service Decoration awarded in Bielefeld on 2ndOctober 1936 as an Unteroffizier, 1/42ndArtillery Regiment (6thArtillery Regiment). Signed for correctness by Schmid-Dankward as Oberst and Commander, 6thArtillery Regiment.
The German Defence Wall Decoration awarded in Munster on 30thMarch 1940 as a Hauptwachtmeister, 6thArtillery Regiment. Signed for correctness by Schopper as Oberst and Commanding Officer.
Schopper was awarded the Knights Cross on 30.4.1943 as Generalleutnant and General Officer Commanding 81st Infantry Division, and the German Cross in Gold on 26.12.1941 as Generalmajor and Artillery Commander 137 (motorised).
The Iron Cross 2ndClass awarded in the field on 14thOctober 1941 as an Oberwachtmeister, 1/42ndArtillery Regiment (6thArtillery Regiment). Signed by Auleb as Generalleutnant and General Officer Commanding 6thInfantry Division.
Auleb was awarded the German Cross in Gold on 26.12.1941 as Generalleutnant and General Officer Commanding 6th Infantry Division.
The Iron Cross 1stClass awarded in the field on 16thOctober 1943 as Oberleutnant, 2/42ndArtillery Regiment (6thArtillery Regiment). Signed by Grossmann as Generalleutnant and General Officer Commanding 6thInfantry Division.
Grossmann was awarded the Knights Cross on 23.8.1941 as Oberst and Commanding Officer 84th Infantry Regiment, 8th Infantry Division, the 292nd Oakleaves on 4.9.1943 as Generalleutnant and General Officer Commanding 6th Infantry Division, and the German Cross in Gold on 11.2.1943 as Generalmajor and General Officer Commanding 6th Infantry Division.
The Black Wound Badge awarded in St. Wendel on the 17thSeptember 1943 for a wound received on 29thJuly 1943 as an Oberleutnant, 2/42ndArtillery Regiment. (6thArtillery Regiment). Signed by Gadomski is Oberstabsarzt and Chief Doctor of the Reserve Hospital St. Wendel.
Promotions, Certificates and Extracts from Regimental Orders of the Day:
Minden, 28.7.1936, An A4 size promotion certificate from Unteroffizier to Wachtmeister with effect from 1stAugust 1936 whilst serving in No.1 Battery, 42ndArtillery Regiment. The certificate is signed by his Commanding Officer Schmid-Dankward as Oberst and Commanding Officer 6thArtillery Regiment.
Osnabruck, 19.12.1938 – An A4 size promotion certificate from Wachtmeister to Hauptwachtmeister with effect from 1stDecember 1938 whilst serving in the 6thArtillery Regimental Signals Platoon. The certificate is signed by his Commanding Officer Schopper as Oberst and Commanding Officer 6thArtillery Regiment.
Schopper was awarded the Knights Cross on 30.4.1943 as Generalleutnant and General Officer Commanding 81st Infantry Division and the German Cross in Gold on 26.12.1941 as Generalmajor and Artillery Commander 137 (motorised).
Minden, 1.6.1942 – This is a copy of Fritz Meyerdierk’s promotion details from Oberwachtmeister to Leutnant which were sent to him for information by the HQ Recruiting District Minden.
RHQ, 11.6.1942 – An A5 size page with details of Fritz Meyerdierk’s promotion taken from the Regimental Order No 11/42. The extract is signed for correctness by Nahrwold as Oberleutnant and his Battery Commander in 6thArtillery Regiment.
RHQ, 28.11.1942 – An A5 size page with details of Fritz Meyerdierk’s promotion taken from the Regimental Order No20/42. He was promoted from Leutnant to Oberleutnant with effect from 1.11.1942. The extract is signed for correctness by an Oberleutnant and his Battery Commander in 6thArtillery Regiment.
Rokitzan, 7.3.1945 – This certificate is a certified copy, dated 26.9.1950 in Welsede, of the original extract from Headquarters Order No.17 with details of Fritz Meyerdierk’s promotion from Oberleutnant to Hauptmann with effect from 1.12.1944. His unit at the time was – School for Artillery Fahnenjnukers, Instruction Staff III – XIII Inspectorate.
Documents:
Bremen, 31.3.1931 – An official typed letter signed by G. Wernicke to Fritz Meyerdierks from Wernicke’s Private Business School stating:
‘Mr Fritz Meyerdierk’s from Falkenberg took part from 1st November 1930 until 31st March 1941 in an educational course in Stenography. Typing and German. He followed the lessons with diligence and attentiveness; his results were Stenography and German – good and Typing – almost good.
Hannover, 8.4.1931 – Fritz Meyerdierk’s enlistment certificate into the German Army with a 12 year commitment to 7thApril 1943. It is signed by himself and Heidrich as Oberstleutnant and Commander of II Battalion, 6th(Prussian) Artillery Regiment.
Minden, 3.5.1932 – A certificate issued by the Army Technical College for Administration and Commerce (II Battalion, 6th(Prussian) Artillery Regiment, Minden) to Kanonier Fritz Meyerdierks (6/6 Artillery Regiment) who attended Class X12 of the lower grade from 7thOctober 1932 to 19thMay 1933. The course covered German, Mathematics and Geography. The certificate lists the standards he achieved in each subject and states that he transferred to Class X2.
Minden, 26.6.1933 – A certificate issued by the Army Technical College for Administration and Commerce (II Battalion, 6th(Prussian) Artillery Regiment, Minden) to Kanonier Fritz Meyerdierks (6/6thArtillery Regiment) who attended Class X2 of the lower grade from 7thOctober 1932 to 19thMay 1933. The course covered German, Mathematics and Geography. The certificate lists the standards he achieved in each subject and states that he was transferred to Class IX.
Osnabruck, 15.1.1937 – A certificate stating that Wachmeister Fritz Meyerdierks, of No.1 Battery, 42ndArtillery Regiment is entitled to wear the marksman’s lanyard Class 4 – signed by de Ondarza as Hauptmann and Battery Commander.
De Ondurza was awarded the Knights Cross on 2.9.1944 as Oberst and Commanding Officer 2nd Panzer Artillery Regiment, 12th Panzer Division. He was killed in an accident on 21.4.1945 near Meyenburg (Ostprignitz).
Osnabruck, 9.10.1937. A certificate stating that Wachtmeister Fritz Meyerdierks of No.1. Battery, 42ndArtillery Regiment is entitled to wear the Marksman’s lanyard Class 5 – signed by de Ondarza as Hauptmann and Battery Commander.
Osnabruck, August 1939 – A fascinating rare combination of a leave pass and a telegram recalling Fritz Meyerdierks from leave just prior to the outbreak of WW2 as follows:
a) A leave pass issued to Hauptwachtmeister for the period from 14th August to 18th September 1939
b) A telegram sent to Meyerdierks on 27th August from his Regiment stating ‘immediate return to troops – Rgt Signals Platoon, 6th Artillery Regiment.’
Rinteln, 1.6.1942. A short telegram of congratulations to Fritz Meyerdierks from his family on his promotion to Leutnant.
RHQ, 11.2.1943 – An A4 size enlistment certificate extending Fritz Meyerdierks engagement to an unlimited period of time in the Armed Forces. It is signed by him and Sommer as Oberst and his Commanding Officer.
Sommer was awarded the German Cross in Gold on 5.11.1942 as Oberst and Commanding Officer 6th Artillery Regiment
Rokitzan (Wallenstein Barracks), 22.3.1945 – A small medical certificate issued and signed by the Rokitzan Garrison Doctor as follows:
‘Hauptmann Friedrich Meyerdierk’s School for Artillery Fahnenjunkers Rokitzan XIII Inspectorate is excused from riding on the grounds of his wound on the left Thigh.’
Rokitzan is now called Rokycany, and is about 15 kilometres to the East of Pilsen in Czechia.
Lohberg, 16thMay 1945 – An A4 size page issued by the School for Artillery Fahnenjunkers (known as Brigade Wiechec, Regimental Munstermann, Battalion Arnold) as a replacement for a lost Wehrpass. It contains the information concerning his personal details, units served in, decorations, officer promotions, woundings and where he saw active service. The document is signed by Arnold as a Major and his Battalion Commander at the time.
Arnold was awarded the German Cross in Gold on 17.12.1943 as a Hauptmann and Commanding Officer II/128th Panzer Artillery Regiment, 23rd Panzer Division.
Lohberg, 24.5.1945 – An A4 size page issued by the School for Artillery Fahnenjunkers (known as Brigade Wiechec, Battalion Arnold) with information extracted from his second Soldbuch. It contains personal details, date of promotion to Hauptmann, decorations and dates of hospitalisation (1.8-1.11.1943). The document is signed by Arnold as a Major and his Battalion Commander at the time.
Lohberg, 24.5.1945. A discharge certificate issued with the following words.
‘Hauptmann Fritz Meyerdierks, member of the School for Artillery Fahnenjunkers (known as Brigade Wiechec) was discharged on 28.5.1945 in accordance with the valid regulations at the time from the unit of the Brigade to the homeland.’
This certificate was signed by Wiechec as Major and Brigade Commander.
‘Wiechec was awarded the Knights Cross on 5.4.1945 as Major and Acting Commanding Officer 3 Fahnrich Regiment (Division Markisch-Friedland), the German Cross in Gold on 1.10.1942 as Hauptmann 1/86th Artillery Regiment (112th Infantry Division) and Honour Roll Clasp of the German Army on 15.10.1943 as Major I/86th Artillery Regiment.
Lohberg, 25.5.1945 – An A5 page with details of the addresses of the officer cadre of the Arnold Battalion.
Bohmerwald, May 1945 – An A5 page certificate with the following text:
‘Hauptmann Fritz Meyerdierks fought up to the last hours of the Second World War 1939-45 in the unit of the School for Artillery Fahnenjunkers in the mountains of the Bohemian Forest (Bohmerwald). Isolated from command and without the superior strength of the enemy, members of the Brigade Wiechec, which fought in the unit of the Arms School, were forced to lay down their arms. The Oath of Allegiance was always sacred to the Brigade.
This certificate was signed by ‘Wiechec as Major, Commander of the School and Brigade Commander.
Kotzting, 27.5.1945. Hauptmann Fritz Meyerdierk’s official discharge paper from the German Armed Forces as from 27thMay 1945. His American PW camp was Kotzting near Cham in Bavaria. The document includes personal details such as the fact he was married with 2 children, his civil occupation being a farmer and that he suffered a 25% partial disability by restriction of walking ability – he had been badly wounded on the left thigh.
Grossenbrode/Heiligenhafen in Holstein, 28.4.1950 – This is an official character reference concerning Friedrich Meyerdierks on his leaving the firm Petkin-Werke Liebenwalde when it relocated to Heiligenhafen in Holstein. It states that Friedrich Meyerdierks, who lived in Grossenwieden near Rinteln, had worked for the firm from 20.5.1946 to 31.12.1949 as a dispatch clerk. It also states that Meyerdierks left their employ because of the firm’s relocation to Schleswig-Holstein. The letter states that ‘he has carried out his service with prudence and skill, he was diligent, quick witted and showed that he was a good and useful employee in all commercial matters. With carrying out of tasks, he showed a high measure of knowledge of facts so that we can recommend him every time for a similar position.’
Welsede, 23.10.1951. An official certified handwritten copy of the above (see para 17) Pektin-Werke Liebenwalde Firm’s letter dated 28.4.1950 to Fritz Meyerdierks.
Hameln, 20.11.1956 – A typed certificate of service issued to Fritz Meyerdierks on behalf of the Oberweser-Dampfschiffahrt Company with the following words:
‘Mr Fritz Meyerdierk’s Fuhlen No.36 was employed for 5 years (1952-1956) as Purser on our Motor Ship ‘Stor’. He has always performed his responsible job to our fullest satisfaction and proved himself very well in this position of trust. He also mastered difficult situations with steady calm and level-headedness. Really dependable, keen and always ready to help, he showed a particular lucky touch in dealings with the passengers. With conclusion – and preparatory work outside of the time for the journey, he was a valuable help to us with his clear and sound powers of judgement, likewise with training of new Pursers with which he was regularly consulted. We see his departure from us with great regret and wish him all the very best for the future.’
Hameln, 4.3.1960 – A typed letter from a Herr von Boltenstern of the Oberweser-Dampfschiffahrt Company to Herr Meyerdierks regretting the fact that he was no longer able to give him his valuable support this year because of his work with the Sugar-preparation. It appears that von Boltenstern had high hopes that Meyerdierks would take on his desk. Apparently that at least three Pursers have received guidance and he hopes that Meyerdierks might once again make himself available for a few days. Von Boltenstern says that a pay package could be discussed and tells Meyerdierks that he can be reached on his telephone number 2012 daily between 9 and 12am (Except on Saturdays and not in the coming week on Monday 7.
.
A printed A4 size document – Emergency Organisation for former members of the Armed Forces and their surviving dependants – Lower Saxony Regional Association. This organisation appears to have been formed to speak up for the rights and care of former members of the Armed Forces and their surviving dependants who, after 5 years since the war had ended, were finding it difficult to obtain work – all too often paying the price for being a ‘Militarist’. This document lists the demands of the organisation. There is a handwritten entry at the bottom of the second page as follows ‘Confirmation of membership on 20.9.1950 personally gave up Dm0.80 for September to Handte who was with me.’ This document was sent to Herr Fritz Meyerdierks in Welsede by a Max Handte in Hessisch Oldendorf which is about 2 miles from Welsede.
Rinteln, 20.3.1971 – An award certificate with the following text:
‘The Gold Loyalty Pin is awarded the Herr Friedrich Meyerdierks in recognition of 20 years Membership in the ‘German Soldiers’ Association.’
Welsede, 28.9.1950 – Two official handwritten copies of the following enlistment certificates:
a) Hannover, 8.4.1931. Fritz Meyerdierks’s enlistment certificate into the German Army with a 12 year commitment to 7th April 1943
b) RHQ, 11.2.1943. An A4 size enlistment certificate extending Fritz Meyerdierks’s engagement to an unlimited period of time in the Armed Forces.
A History of the 6thArtillery Regiment.
This is a very interesting quality four A4 size page brief history of the 6thArtillery Regiment printed by Wilhelm Limpert in Berlin. It covers the period from when it was formed on 15thOctober 1935 until October 1938. It lists it commanding officers, Battalions and the Division/Corps which commanded it. It traces the way of the Regiment (field exercises, garrison locations etc.) There are six photos of the barracks in Minden, Osnabruck, Lingen and Detmold where the RHQ and its Battalions were stationed.
Fritz Meyerdierks was born on 1st June 1913 in Falkenberg near Bremen. He was married to Erika with 2 children and whose his address was in the Rinteln area during the war. In civilian life he was noted as a farmer, probably a farm labourer when considering that he was just under 18 years old when he joined the German Army.
Having completed a short stenographer’s course in Bremen, Meyerdierks joined the German Army as a career soldier on 8.4.1931, where he quickly was awarded the German Sports Badge in Bronze on 25th September 1931. He went on to receive the Armed Forces 4 Year Decoration on 2nd October 1936.
Clearly on leave just before the war broke out, he was called back to his unit by a telegram on 27th August 1939, to take up his role as Commander of the Regimental Signals Platoon. This recall was obviously part of the general mobilisation prior to the invasion of Poland and the outbreak of war.
In the winter of 1939-40 he served on the West Wall, for which he received the German Defence Wall Decoration on 30th March 1940, and then in May 1940 he took part in the invasion of France where it advanced through Belgium, over the Somme and finally over the Loire on the drive south before the armistice.
The 6th Infantry Division remained in France on occupation duties until March 1941 when it moved to East Prussia in preparation for the invasion of the Soviet Union. Initially crossing the border near Vitebsk, the Division continued to fight with Army Group Centre throughout the war, after the initial stages of the fighting it was involved in fighting in the Smolensk Land Bridge area which was the scene of heavy fighting and some of the first counterattacks by the Red Army during August -September 1941.
By October the Division was set to take place in Operation Typhoon the advance on Moscow, where it was involved in the initial encirclement battle at Vyazma before driving on to Kalinin, it was during the fighting in the Vyazma area to crush the encircled Russian troops, that Meyerdierks performed an act of gallantry that led to him being awarded the Iron Cross 2nd Class on 14th October 1941.
From the entitlement to the Ostmedaille given in the accompanying documents it is clear that Meyerdierks spent the winter of 1941-42 fighting off the Red Army’s winter counteroffensives in the region around Rzhev.
6th Infantry Division remained in the Rzhev area throughout 1942 and the early part of 1943 where as part of 9th Army it fought off numerous attempts by the Red Army to pinch off the salient that had been established as a result of their winter counteroffensives of 1941-42 and destroy those elements of Army Group Centre that were there. In their attempts however, the Red Army was unsuccessful and the severe fighting and massive casualties in the area earnt it the nickname the ‘Rzhev Meat Grinder’. Meyerdierks is noted as being wounded by a grenade splinter on 1st September 1942 but this clearly didn’t remove him from the front line.
Eventually the 6th Infantry Division withdrew from the salient along with the other German units in the area when it was abandoned in an attempt to shorten the line in March 1943. The Division then took part in Operation Citadel as part of the northern pincer in July 1943, attacking from the Orel area, the 9th Army was quickly entangled in the deep Russian defences built in the area. Operation Citadel was called off on 12th July, but the Red Army quickly counterattacked en masse into the Orel area, where Meyerdierks was wounded on 29th July 1943 and subsequently awarded the Black Wound Badge on 17th September 1943. Awarded the Iron Cross 1st Class on 16th October 1943 this would most likely have been for fighting around the Desna at the end of September 1943, when he was also wounded on 30th September 1943 with a grenade splinter to the left leg.
This wounding left him with a disability that restricted his walking ability and led to him being kept away from the front line for over a year. By January 1945 however he was serving with the Markisch-Friedland Division in Pomerania as part of X SS Army Corps where it was inserted into the line to plug the gaps caused by the huge Vistula-Oder Offensive that began on 12th January 1945.
He finally saw service in Bohemia as a member of Brigade Wiechec, the School for Fahnenjunkers of the Artillery where it ended the war in 1945 fighting against the Americans who took him Prisoner at the end of the conflict.
Quickly being discharged on 27th May 1945 presumably as a result of his disability and the fact he was listed as a farmer, who would desperately have been needed to sow seeds and provide a harvest later in the year. However if he was required for farming duties, this didn’t last long as by 1946 he was working as a dispatch rider, and then later between 1952-56 as a Purser aboard the Motor Ship ‘Stor’, he was also an active member of the post war German Veterans Association.
