Citations 263. Infanterie Division Moscow 1941 Kurland 1944

4 citations to Obergefreiter Friedrich Stephan who served (at least) from 1941 untill 1944 with 1./Infanterie Regiment 463 wich was part of the 263. Infanterie Division.

The 263. Infanterie Division was formed on 26 August 1939 with reserve unit personnel in Wehrkreis XII at Idar Oberstein as part of the 4. Welle (4th wave of mobilization).

It participated in operations on the Western Front in May 1940, advancing from the Eifel through Belgium with the 4. Army.

Then it fought in France in June 1940 first under the 6. Armee and later under the 7. Armee which it advanced towards Bordeaux, where it remained until April 1941, before being moved in Poland.

In June 1941, it participated in Operation Barbarossa in the 4. Armee under Heeresgruppe Mitte and advanced to the gates of Moscow.

Throughout 1942, it fought defensive battles in the Yukhnov, Spas-Demensk and Velizh areas until August 1943, when the division was transferred to Heeresgruppe Nord in the sector around Nevel under the 16. Armee. The division suffered serious casualties in the Battle of Nevel in Autumn 1943.

It retreated from Leningrad and throughout the Baltics to be cut off in the Kurland Pocket, resisting attacks by the Red Army. It remained there for the rest of the war and surrendered to the Soviets on 9 May 1945.

The grouping consists of;

1.  Ostmedaille, 28-7-1942. Signed by an Oberleutnant and Kompaniefuhrer.
2. Infanterie Sturmabzeichen in Silber, 20-8-1942. Signed by an Oberstleutnant and Kommandeur of Infanterie Regiment 263.
3. EK 2, 28-8-1942. Signed by Generalmajor and Kommandeur of the 263. Infanterie Division Hans Traut. (RK + Oakleaves, DkiG) Traut was taken POW by the Russians and convicted for war-crimes!
4. KvK 2 with Swords, 1-9-1944. Signed by Oberst and Fuhrer of the 263. Infanterie Division, Alfred Hermann (RK)

Both the EK 2 and ISA are unfolded but in good used condition.

code: C25352