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Grenadier Regiment 980
Berlin. 20. September 1944
272 Infanterie Division
Generalleutnant Friedrich August v. Schack
Report for actions taken by Kampfgruppe Schüßler in Italy 20 September, 1944 in and around Hill 11.
Starting from the initial positions occupied by 1. Kompanie / Grenadier Regiment 980 / 1 Zug / Gruppe 2 on the Eastern edge of Hill 11.
Upon receiving information of a flanking enemy formation Obergefreiter Klaus Schüßler immediately mobilized and lead his Gruppe in a successful counterattack against the enemy on the Western edge of Hill 11. In the action Schüßler received a severe leg wound. The actions of Schüßler and his Gruppe halted the enemy advance and prevented the capture of the unit command post.
After ensuring the success of the assault Schüßler only then allowed himself to be evacuated from the main battle line and removed to the Feldlazaret. Gruppe 2 command was then passed to Truppenführer Otto Müller.
Shortly after his arrival at the Feldlazaret, information came in via field phone that the unit was under heavy enemy artillery fire and without the ability to defend itself. Ignoring the orders of the field doctor, Schüßler immediately mobilized a Kampfgruppe composed of other wounded soldiers and rear element Italian forces. Ignoring his pain and wounds, and after applying a field expedient splint to his leg that allowed him limited mobility the small force immediately moved back to the front line. Schüßler was noted having said that the mission was expected to be suicidal but something must be done to assist his men.
Once at the front line Schüßler reported in and informed the local commander of the mission. The local SS commander on the front refused to help due to the suicidal nature of the operation.
Kampfgruppe Schüßler immediately crossed no-mans-land and encountered a deploying enemy mortar battery. After a brief firefight the battery was destroyed without casualties and the battery captured.
Kampfgruppe Schüßler then found themselves under attack by enemy infantry and Schüßler turned the mortar battery around for firing upon the enemy assault. Both the Italian element and Feldlazaret force were destroyed in the ensuing assault. Schüßler then found himself alone and surrounded.
Observing the unexpected success of the attack, the SS element finally moved out of position to assist. This move very narrowly prevented the death or capture of Herr Schüßler. The remaining enemy forces were then destroyed.
Schüßler with the assistance of the SS then located the enemy artillery battery and found that it had been destroyed by the routed Allied forces in fear that it would be captured and used against themselves.
Having then accomplished his objective Schüßler then returned to the mortar battery and with the assistance of the SS the captured heavy weapons were removed and carried back to friendly lines.
Upon arrival to the Vorposten with the captured equipment, another message was received that enemy forces had outflanked the dominant position and captured the entire hill. Without a second thought Schüßler again mobilized a counterattack force composed of the remaining SS elements, an FJ MG team, Italian and Field hospital patients.
Again without regard to his own personal safety and previous wounds Schüßler spearheaded the diverse force skillfully and rapidly up the hill outflanking the enemy forces and drawing considerable fire and attention in the process. The Western half of the hill that contained the command post was then retaken and the position secured.
During the assault by Kampfgruppe Schüßler, considerable allied attention was placed upon the attack in order to prevent its success. Because of the attack several captured German men took the opportunity to turn on their captures and caused considerable damage to the remaining enemy forces. Unfortunately the Englanders ruthlessly eliminated the prisoners. Because of the action of these brave men the attack lead by Schüßler was greatly assisted.
Seeing an opportunity to complete the capture of the entire position, Herr Schüßler immediately regrouped and reformed cohesion of the remaining elements of the Kampfgruppe. Despite exhaustion from the previous engagements and his wounds he again spearheaded the final attack and retook the eastern portion of the hill. Despite the swift attack the Kampfgruppe did not arrive in time to save the lives of the captured Soldaten. Although his friends and Kameraden were now dead he immediately ordered the final security of the hill.
Schüßler was the only surviving member of the initial force.
Due to the individual initiative, leadership and actions taken by Obergefreiter Klaus Schüßler, the integrity of the front was secured and disaster averted by enemy capture of the dominant position and the great advantage it would have afforded them. Due to his actions the enemy had suffered a severe blow with many casualties including the loss of heavy equipment.
Obergefreiter Klaus Schüßler should be placed under consideration for award of the Iron Cross 2nd Class.
Signed,
Ewald Burian
Oberst u. Regimental Kommandeur
Grenadier Regiment 980
272 Infanterie Division
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