Knight Gunner : The Memoirs of Leutnant Alfred Regniter, 3rd Battery, Sturmgeschutz-Brigade 276, East and West Prussia, 1944-45 Book

Very little literature exists on the men of the Artillery arm, almost all volunteers, who manned the assault guns (Sturmgeschutz) compared with their more glamorous counterparts in the Panzertruppe—despite the fear they aroused in their opponents as their original infantry support role was supplemental and even supplanted by that of tank destroyer. The actions described are those of Lt. Alfred Regeniter, covering the 6 months between his first and last combats as commander of an assault gun unit from early August 1944, when the collapse of Army Group Centre undermined the German hold on the Baltic States, exposing East Prussia itself to invasion, up to 10 February 1945 when Regeniter was wounded. During August 44 Regeniter led his troop in Lithuania in the infantry support role, fighting down every infantry and Pak at the behest of the commander of the Infantry Divisions to which his battery was attached, while September was a lull. Following a major Russian onslaught on the 16th October, the Brigade was forced out of Lithuania into East Prussia and in a continuous three day engagement (21-23 Oct) Regeniter demonstrated his proficiency in tank destruction, claiming nine kills mostly in the night fighting and winning his Iron Cross, first class. An even higher award was sought on his behalf by one of the Divisional Commanders, but turned down—as he found in 1986! November and December were largely uneventful and Regeniter took some leave. On the 15th Jan 45, all hell broke loose as the Russians powered out of the Bridgehead
the Brigade simply fled westward, losing its guns. After a harrowing escape on foot Regeniter again found himself in action, doubling his kills to 18 andthe battery receiving no less than 77 Iron Crosses! After a few days break, on the 10th February 1945, Regeniter made a fatal error of judgement, leaving the cover of a forest and making himself a clearly visible target for a Russian anti-tank gun. Regeniter's assault gun received a direct hit which killed two of his crew and severely wounded him. Narrowly escaping capture by the Russians he surrendered to the Americans and, after the war, resumed his medical career. For his cool headed dash and determination to carry out the missions assigned to him, he was awarded the Knights Cross—something he only learned of in 1974!