Germany – Third Reich: A Certificate for the Award of the Small Silver Bravery Medal of the Poglavnik to Leutnant of the Reserve Johann Stiegler, 3rd Company, 373rd (Croatian) Engineer Battalion, 373rd Infantry Division (Croatian), for fighting off a Partisan attack in Yugoslavia.
A scarce certificate for the award of the Small Silver Bravery Medal of the Poglavnik awarded to a German Engineer Officer who served in a Croatian Engineer Battalion that saw service against the Partisans in Yugoslavia
Recommendation for the Award of The Small Silver Bravery Medal of the Poglavnik:
Name: Johann Stiegler
Rank and Unit: Leutnant of the Reserve, 3rdCompany, 373rd(Croatian) Engineer Battalion.
Precise Citation. When, Where and How?
‘Lt Stiegler has from 31.8 – 6.9.1943 as Commander of Strongpoint 15 near Bosanska Gradiska fended off all Partisan attacks which was particularly led by the action of anti-tank guns and heavy mortars during the night of 31.8-1.9.1943. the Partisans were only driven off through his exemplary personal example and his command.’
Decoration awarded: The Small Silvery Bravery Medal of the Poglavnik.
Date of Award: 26.10.1943
Signed: Aldrian, Generalleutnant and Commander, 373rd(Croatian) Infantry Division.
Note: Aldrian was awarded the German Cross in Gold on 14.3.1943 as Generalmajor and Senior Artillery Commander 308.
The 373rd Infantry Division fought largely in the area around Banja Luka in Bosnia Herzegovina, it was formed with a German cadre and Croatian Personnel. Mayer’s Battalion Commander was a German, Major Johler at the time of this award.
Sadly there is no record as to which units Johann Stiegler served in for the remainder of WW2, and it also unknown if he survived WW2.
