Unteroffizier Erhardt Englhardt - 183. Infanterie-Division

​Operation Typhoon, launched on October 2, 1941, was an attack by three panzer groups and three infantry armies. Among them was 4. Armee, which was positioned in the middle of the attacking force and pushed across the Desna River, ultimately participating in the massive encirclement of Soviet forces at Vyazma. One of the troops engaged in this fighting was Unteroffizier Erhardt Englhardt of 13. Kompanie, Infanterie-Regiment 351. His unit was attached to 183. Infanterie-Division and subordinate to IX. Armeekorps. 13. Kompanie was typically the machine gun company, or heavy company, of a regiment and it was here that Englhardt distinguished himself as range taker for one of the machine guns. His deeds, as recorded on the reverse of his Iron Cross Second Class award document, are as follows:

Unteroffizier Engelhardt especially distinguished himself during the deployment of the regiment in Russia on 5 October 1941 during an attack at Petrowo, by acting as the R.I., and directing the fire of the platoon, during the absence of the platoon leader, in spite of heavy machine gun and rifle fire, using prudence and dash, and thereby helped III. Bataillon penetrate the enemy.

Englhardt was awarded the Iron Cross Second Class for these actions on November 1, 1941. His award was authorized by Generalmajor Richard Stempel, commander of 183. Infanterie-Division, and his actions were included on the reverse of his citation; signed off by his regimental commander. The Soviets saw looses in the hundreds of thousands at Vyazma, yet they were able to put up enough resistance to ultimately weaken the German push on Moscow. 

Englhardt went on to win the Infantry Assault Badge in Silver in March 1942 and was decorated with the Iron Cross First Class in August of the following year. ​

183. Infanterie-Division is shown above with IX. Armeekorps, on October 4, 1941. It is located just south of Smolensk as it pushed towards Vyazma. Moscow is visible on the upper right, about 250 miles to the east/northeast of Smolensk.