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| Oberstleutnant FRANZ MEDICUS Ultimate rank: Oberstleutnant (Major) |  |
Medicus as the leader of Rommel's Kampfstaffel or Combat Echelon was always at the forefront of the action. On several occasions he had to save Rommel's skin when the field marshal ventured too far to the front. Several times he was placed in command of a battle group, for example in the assault on the French-manned fortress of Bir Hacheim.
Medicus distinguished himself several times in the El Alamein area. He held one position near El Alamein for a week against superior enemy forces.
Following the retreat from Libya, Medicus saw action in Tunisia. Once again he held a decisive position, the Maknassy Pass, for a week, this time with only slightly more than a hundred men. With him was Oberleutnant Harro Brenner.
The German infantrymen, pioneers and a few still-operational antitank guns held off two American regiments. Major Medicus ran from foxhole to foxhole, encouraging his soldiers. An incursion on the left flank was eliminated. The next day the enemy broke in on the right flank. The defenders used rifles, hand grenades and anti-tank mines to repel heavy assaults by enemy armor and infantry. After seven days and nights, reinforcements finally arrived to secure the important position. Medicus and Brenner were both awarded the Knight's Cross.
After the end came in Africa Medicus took over the 1st Anti-tank Battalion in Russia. There he was promoted to Oberstleutnant. Until his death, Medicus commanded the 543rd Anti-tank Battalion, with which he achieved several significant defensive successes.
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Bibliography
Knights Cross Holders of the AFRIKAKORPS by Franz Kurowski, Schiffer
François de Lannoy also has a list of the NA Knights Cross winners in his book AFRIKAKORPS from Heimdal
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