Michael Pössinger
Encyclopedia
Michael Pössinger was a German
bobsledder who competed in the early 1950s. He won a complete set of medals in the four-man event at the FIBT World Championships
with a gold in 1951
, a silver in 1954
, and a bronze (tied with Sweden
) in 1953
. During World War II
he was a highly decorated Gebirgsjäger
and one of only 98 soldiers to have been awarded both the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross
and Close Combat Clasp in Gold
.
Pössinger also finished sixth in the four-man event at the 1956 Winter Olympics
in Cortina d'Ampezzo
.
. He participated in the Invasion of Poland as commander (Zugführer) of the Panzerjägerzug of the 16th Company. On April 20, 1940 he was promoted to Leutnant and took part in the Battle of France
. On June 6, 1940 he distinguished himself when during the course of a French counteroffensive he destroyed seven enemy tanks and damaged another four within 40 minutes. For this action he was awarded the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross
on July 19, 1940. Promoted to Oberleutnant
on October 1, 1940 he fought in the Balkans Campaign. From June 1941 he was part of the invasion force in Operation Barbarossa
.
In 1941 Michael Pössinger participated in the FIS Alpine World Ski Championships 1941
at Cortina d'Ampezzo
in Italy
and won a Silver Medal.In 1946, the results were cancelled by the FIS
because of the limited number of participants from only German-friendly countries during World War II
. Shortly after the Ski Championships Pössinger got himself into trouble with Nazi officials. At a bar he and another officer came to the aid of a leg-amputated fellow soldier who was being harassed. A fistfight broke out which Pössinger ended by drawing his side-arm. It turned out that one of the Nazis was the local NSDAP Gauleiter
. The affair ended with a three year promotion ban for Pössinger.
At the end of 1941 he received an order from the Commanding Officer of the 1st Mountain Division to form a Ski
company. For two months he operated behind Russian lines, attacking supply positions and other vital strong points, returning to his own lines in February 1942. He continued leading his company in the Caucasus
until he was severely wounded in the summer of 1942.
After a period of convalescence he returned to his company. He received the order to conduct a flanking maneuver against the Russian lines in the Kulchor pass (part of the Kodori Valley
). His company became separated from the rest of the German forces. After three days of bitter fighting he managed to return to the German lines. On February 16, 1943 he was awarded the German Cross
in Gold. Promoted to Hauptmann
on October 1, 1943 he was put in command of the I. Batallion of the 98th Gebirgsjäger-Regiment.
In late 1944 Pössinger got into trouble again with his superiors when he received an order from Generalleutnant Walter Stetter to attack a Russian strongpoint. Pössinger refused to carry-out the order on the grounds of not having any artillery
support, too many and well concealed enemy fortifications and the approach for his battalion was too steep. Relieved of his command, his successor also refused to carry out the order. Stetter then ordered another battalion to attack. The attack failed badly, the replacement battalion taking heavy casualties, justifying Pössinger's assessment.
he continued leading the battalion until promoted to Major
on October 1, 1944. At the same time he was put in charge of the II. Battalion of the Grenadier-Regiment 1123.
For his autonomous counter-attack and break through at Allenstein
, (now Olsztyn in Poland), he was awarded the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross with Oak Leaves
. In May 1945 he received the Close Combat Clasp in Gold
. At the end of hostilities he surrendered Garmisch-Partenkirchen
to the American forces and was taken prisoner of war
. He was released from captivity on May 12, 1945.
After World War II he initially worked as a business man. On 26 April 1956 he joined the Bundeswehr
with the rank of Major
. From October 1961 to October 1965 he was commander of the Mountain and Winter Combat School in Mittenwald
. He commanded the VKK 653 (Verteidigungskreiskommando—District Defense Command of the German Army) in Murnau
until March 1975 and retired from the Bundeswehr on March 31, 1975.
Germany
Germany , officially the Federal Republic of Germany , is a federal parliamentary republic in Europe. The country consists of 16 states while the capital and largest city is Berlin. Germany covers an area of 357,021 km2 and has a largely temperate seasonal climate...
bobsledder who competed in the early 1950s. He won a complete set of medals in the four-man event at the FIBT World Championships
FIBT World Championships
The FIBT World Championships, part of the Fédération Internationale de Bobsleigh et de Tobogganing , have taken place on an annual basis in non-Winter Olympic years since 1930. A two-man event was included in 1931 with a combined championship occurring in 1947...
with a gold in 1951
FIBT World Championships 1951
The FIBT World Championships 1951 took place in Alpe d'Huez, France. Germany returned to the FIBT World Championships for the first time since World War II, albeit as the separate countries of East Germany and West Germany.-Two man bobsleigh:...
, a silver in 1954
FIBT World Championships 1954
The FIBT World Championships 1954 took place in Cortina d'Ampezzo, Italy for the fourth time after previously hosting in 1937 , 1939 , and 1950.-Two man bobsleigh:Italy earned their first championship medals since World War II....
, and a bronze (tied with Sweden
Sweden
Sweden , officially the Kingdom of Sweden , is a Nordic country on the Scandinavian Peninsula in Northern Europe. Sweden borders with Norway and Finland and is connected to Denmark by a bridge-tunnel across the Öresund....
) in 1953
FIBT World Championships 1953
The FIBT World Championships 1953 took place in Garmisch-Partenkirchen, West Germany for the third time after previously hosting the four-man event of the championships in 1934 and 1938...
. During World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
he was a highly decorated Gebirgsjäger
Gebirgsjäger
Gebirgsjäger, in English Mountain Riflemen, is the German designation for mountain infantry. The word Jäger is the traditional German term for rifleman...
and one of only 98 soldiers to have been awarded both the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross
Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross
The Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross was a grade of the 1939 version of the 1813 created Iron Cross . The Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross was the highest award of Germany to recognize extreme battlefield bravery or successful military leadership during World War II...
and Close Combat Clasp in Gold
Close Combat Clasp
The Close Combat Clasp is a German military award instituted on 25 November 1942 for achievement in hand to hand fighting in close quarters. The Close Combat Clasp was worn above the upper left uniform pocket...
.
Pössinger also finished sixth in the four-man event at the 1956 Winter Olympics
1956 Winter Olympics
The 1956 Winter Olympics, officially known as the VII Olympic Winter Games, was a winter multi-sport event celebrated in Cortina d'Ampezzo, Italy. This celebration of the Games was held from 26 January to 5 February 1956. Cortina, which had originally been awarded the 1944 Winter Olympics, beat out...
in Cortina d'Ampezzo
Cortina d'Ampezzo
Cortina d'Ampezzo is a town and comune in the southern Alps located in Veneto, a region in Northern Italy. Located in the heart of the Dolomites in an alpine valley, it is a popular winter sport resort known for its ski-ranges, scenery, accommodations, shops and après-ski scene...
.
World War II
Michael Pössinger joined the 6th Company of the Gebirgsjäger-Regiment 98 on October 1, 1937. On April 1, 1939 he was promoted to UnteroffizierUnteroffizier
Unteroffizier is both a specific military rank as well as a collective term for non-commissioned officers of the German military that has existed since the 19th century. The rank existed as a title as early as the 17th century with the first widespread usage occurring in the Bavarian Army of the...
. He participated in the Invasion of Poland as commander (Zugführer) of the Panzerjägerzug of the 16th Company. On April 20, 1940 he was promoted to Leutnant and took part in the Battle of France
Battle of France
In the Second World War, the Battle of France was the German invasion of France and the Low Countries, beginning on 10 May 1940, which ended the Phoney War. The battle consisted of two main operations. In the first, Fall Gelb , German armoured units pushed through the Ardennes, to cut off and...
. On June 6, 1940 he distinguished himself when during the course of a French counteroffensive he destroyed seven enemy tanks and damaged another four within 40 minutes. For this action he was awarded the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross
Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross
The Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross was a grade of the 1939 version of the 1813 created Iron Cross . The Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross was the highest award of Germany to recognize extreme battlefield bravery or successful military leadership during World War II...
on July 19, 1940. Promoted to Oberleutnant
Oberleutnant
Oberleutnant is a junior officer rank in the militaries of Germany, Switzerland and Austria. In the German Army, it dates from the early 19th century. Translated as "Senior Lieutenant", the rank is typically bestowed upon commissioned officers after five to six years of active duty...
on October 1, 1940 he fought in the Balkans Campaign. From June 1941 he was part of the invasion force in Operation Barbarossa
Operation Barbarossa
Operation Barbarossa was the code name for Germany's invasion of the Soviet Union during World War II that began on 22 June 1941. Over 4.5 million troops of the Axis powers invaded the USSR along a front., the largest invasion in the history of warfare...
.
In 1941 Michael Pössinger participated in the FIS Alpine World Ski Championships 1941
FIS Alpine World Ski Championships 1941
The FIS Alpine World Ski Championships 1941 were held together with the FIS Nordic World Ski Championships 1941 in February 1-9, 1941 in Cortina d’Ampezzo....
at Cortina d'Ampezzo
Cortina d'Ampezzo
Cortina d'Ampezzo is a town and comune in the southern Alps located in Veneto, a region in Northern Italy. Located in the heart of the Dolomites in an alpine valley, it is a popular winter sport resort known for its ski-ranges, scenery, accommodations, shops and après-ski scene...
in Italy
Italy
Italy , officially the Italian Republic languages]] under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages. In each of these, Italy's official name is as follows:;;;;;;;;), is a unitary parliamentary republic in South-Central Europe. To the north it borders France, Switzerland, Austria and...
and won a Silver Medal.In 1946, the results were cancelled by the FIS
International Ski Federation
The International Ski Federation, known by its name in French, Fédération Internationale de Ski is the main international organisation for ski sports...
because of the limited number of participants from only German-friendly countries during World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
. Shortly after the Ski Championships Pössinger got himself into trouble with Nazi officials. At a bar he and another officer came to the aid of a leg-amputated fellow soldier who was being harassed. A fistfight broke out which Pössinger ended by drawing his side-arm. It turned out that one of the Nazis was the local NSDAP Gauleiter
Gauleiter
A Gauleiter was the party leader of a regional branch of the NSDAP or the head of a Gau or of a Reichsgau.-Creation and Early Usage:...
. The affair ended with a three year promotion ban for Pössinger.
At the end of 1941 he received an order from the Commanding Officer of the 1st Mountain Division to form a Ski
Ski
A ski is a long, flat device worn on the foot, usually attached through a boot, designed to help the wearer slide smoothly over snow. Originally intended as an aid to travel in snowy regions, they are now mainly used for recreational and sporting purposes...
company. For two months he operated behind Russian lines, attacking supply positions and other vital strong points, returning to his own lines in February 1942. He continued leading his company in the Caucasus
Caucasus
The Caucasus, also Caucas or Caucasia , is a geopolitical region at the border of Europe and Asia, and situated between the Black and the Caspian sea...
until he was severely wounded in the summer of 1942.
After a period of convalescence he returned to his company. He received the order to conduct a flanking maneuver against the Russian lines in the Kulchor pass (part of the Kodori Valley
Kodori Valley
The Kodori Valley is a river valley in Abkhazia, Georgia's breakaway autonomous republic. The valley's upper part, populated by Svans, was the only corner of the post-1993 Abkhazia, directly controlled by the central Georgian government, which officially styles the area as Upper Abkhazia...
). His company became separated from the rest of the German forces. After three days of bitter fighting he managed to return to the German lines. On February 16, 1943 he was awarded the German Cross
German Cross
The German Cross was instituted by Adolf Hitler on 17 November 1941 as an award ranking higher than the Iron Cross First Class but below the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross respectively ranking higher than the War Merit Cross First Class with Swords but below the Knight's Cross of the War Merit...
in Gold. Promoted to Hauptmann
Hauptmann
Hauptmann is a German word usually translated as captain when it is used as an officer's rank in the German, Austrian and Swiss armies. While "haupt" in contemporary German means "main", it also has the dated meaning of "head", i.e...
on October 1, 1943 he was put in command of the I. Batallion of the 98th Gebirgsjäger-Regiment.
In late 1944 Pössinger got into trouble again with his superiors when he received an order from Generalleutnant Walter Stetter to attack a Russian strongpoint. Pössinger refused to carry-out the order on the grounds of not having any artillery
Artillery
Originally applied to any group of infantry primarily armed with projectile weapons, artillery has over time become limited in meaning to refer only to those engines of war that operate by projection of munitions far beyond the range of effect of personal weapons...
support, too many and well concealed enemy fortifications and the approach for his battalion was too steep. Relieved of his command, his successor also refused to carry out the order. Stetter then ordered another battalion to attack. The attack failed badly, the replacement battalion taking heavy casualties, justifying Pössinger's assessment.
The last months and post-war
Rehabilitated from insubordinationInsubordination
Insubordination is the act of willfully disobeying an authority. Refusing to perform an action that is unethical or illegal is not insubordination; neither is refusing to perform an action that is not within the scope of authority of the person issuing the order.Insubordination is typically a...
he continued leading the battalion until promoted to Major
Major
Major is a rank of commissioned officer, with corresponding ranks existing in almost every military in the world.When used unhyphenated, in conjunction with no other indicator of rank, the term refers to the rank just senior to that of an Army captain and just below the rank of lieutenant colonel. ...
on October 1, 1944. At the same time he was put in charge of the II. Battalion of the Grenadier-Regiment 1123.
For his autonomous counter-attack and break through at Allenstein
Olsztyn
Olsztyn is a city in northeastern Poland, on the Łyna River. Olsztyn has been the capital of the Warmian-Masurian Voivodeship since 1999. It was previously in the Olsztyn Voivodeship...
, (now Olsztyn in Poland), he was awarded the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross with Oak Leaves
Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross
The Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross was a grade of the 1939 version of the 1813 created Iron Cross . The Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross was the highest award of Germany to recognize extreme battlefield bravery or successful military leadership during World War II...
. In May 1945 he received the Close Combat Clasp in Gold
Close Combat Clasp
The Close Combat Clasp is a German military award instituted on 25 November 1942 for achievement in hand to hand fighting in close quarters. The Close Combat Clasp was worn above the upper left uniform pocket...
. At the end of hostilities he surrendered Garmisch-Partenkirchen
Garmisch-Partenkirchen
Garmisch-Partenkirchen is a mountain resort town in Bavaria, southern Germany. It is the administrative centre of the district of Garmisch-Partenkirchen, in the Oberbayern region, and the district is on the border with Austria...
to the American forces and was taken prisoner of war
Prisoner of war
A prisoner of war or enemy prisoner of war is a person, whether civilian or combatant, who is held in custody by an enemy power during or immediately after an armed conflict...
. He was released from captivity on May 12, 1945.
After World War II he initially worked as a business man. On 26 April 1956 he joined the Bundeswehr
Bundeswehr
The Bundeswehr consists of the unified armed forces of Germany and their civil administration and procurement authorities...
with the rank of Major
Major
Major is a rank of commissioned officer, with corresponding ranks existing in almost every military in the world.When used unhyphenated, in conjunction with no other indicator of rank, the term refers to the rank just senior to that of an Army captain and just below the rank of lieutenant colonel. ...
. From October 1961 to October 1965 he was commander of the Mountain and Winter Combat School in Mittenwald
Mittenwald
Mittenwald is a German municipality in the district of Garmisch-Partenkirchen, in Bavaria.-Geography:Mittenwald is located approx. 16 kilometers to the south-east of Garmisch-Partenkirchen...
. He commanded the VKK 653 (Verteidigungskreiskommando—District Defense Command of the German Army) in Murnau
Murnau
Murnau may refer to:Place names:* Murnau am Staffelsee, a town in Bavaria, Germany** Oflag VII-A Murnau, A German WW 2 POW camp located in the Bavarian town "Murnau am Staffelsee"- Other :...
until March 1975 and retired from the Bundeswehr on March 31, 1975.
Awards
- Wound BadgeWound BadgeWound Badge was a German military award for wounded or frost-bitten soldiers of Imperial German Army in World War I, the Reichswehr between the wars, and the Wehrmacht, SS and the auxiliary service organizations during the Second World War. After March 1943, due to the increasing number of Allied...
in Gold - Infantry Assault BadgeInfantry Assault BadgeThe Infantry Assault Badge was a German war badge awarded to Waffen SS and Wehrmacht Heer soldiers during WWII. This decoration was instituted on December 20th 1939 by the Oberstbefehlshaber des Heeres, Generalfeldmarschall von Brauchitsch...
in Silver - Five Tank Destruction Badges for Individual CombatantsTank Destruction BadgeThe Tank Destruction Badge was an award given to individuals of the Wehrmacht who destroyed an enemy tank single-handedly by an hand-held weapon. Anti-tank units were not eligible for this award...
- Iron CrossIron CrossThe Iron Cross is a cross symbol typically in black with a white or silver outline that originated after 1219 when the Kingdom of Jerusalem granted the Teutonic Order the right to combine the Teutonic Black Cross placed above a silver Cross of Jerusalem....
2nd and 1st Class - German CrossGerman CrossThe German Cross was instituted by Adolf Hitler on 17 November 1941 as an award ranking higher than the Iron Cross First Class but below the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross respectively ranking higher than the War Merit Cross First Class with Swords but below the Knight's Cross of the War Merit...
in Gold on 16 February 1943 as OberleutnantOberleutnantOberleutnant is a junior officer rank in the militaries of Germany, Switzerland and Austria. In the German Army, it dates from the early 19th century. Translated as "Senior Lieutenant", the rank is typically bestowed upon commissioned officers after five to six years of active duty...
in the 6./Gebirgsjäger-Regiment 98 - Close Combat ClaspClose Combat ClaspThe Close Combat Clasp is a German military award instituted on 25 November 1942 for achievement in hand to hand fighting in close quarters. The Close Combat Clasp was worn above the upper left uniform pocket...
in Gold on 1 May 1945 for 50 days in close combat - Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross with Oak LeavesKnight's Cross of the Iron CrossThe Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross was a grade of the 1939 version of the 1813 created Iron Cross . The Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross was the highest award of Germany to recognize extreme battlefield bravery or successful military leadership during World War II...
- Knight's Cross on 19 July 1940 as Leutnant of the ReservesMilitary reserve forceA military reserve force is a military organization composed of citizens of a country who combine a military role or career with a civilian career. They are not normally kept under arms and their main role is to be available to fight when a nation mobilizes for total war or to defend against invasion...
and company commander in the 16./Gebirgsjäger-Regiment 98 - 759th Oak Leaves on 28 February 1945 as MajorMajor (Germany)Major is a rank of the German military which dates back to the Middle Ages.It equates to Major in the British and US Armies, and is rated OF-3 in NATO.During World War II, the SS equivalent was Sturmbannführer....
and commander of the I./Grenadier-Regiment 1123 - Romanian Order of the CrownOrder of the Crown (Romania)The Order of the Crown is a chivalric order set up on 14 March 1881 by King Carol I of Romania to commemorate the establishment of the Kingdom of Romania...
- Cross of Merit on ribbonBundesverdienstkreuzThe Order of Merit of the Federal Republic of Germany is the only general state decoration of the Federal Republic of Germany. It has existed since 7 September 1951, and between 3,000 and 5,200 awards are given every year across all classes...
(1997)