German WWII Signed Photo of Knights Cross Winner Werner Krieger

German WWII Signed Photo of Knights Cross Winner Werner Krieger-Kriegerwas a German Army officer who received the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross on October 31, 1944, as a Major and commander of the I.Battalion, Grenadier-Regiment 17 (31. Volksgrenadier-Division). He earned this award for securing a crucial bridgehead at the Gauja river during retreat battles.During the retreat battles of the German forces from Estonia as a Battalion commander in a Braunschweiger Grenadier regiment, Major Werner Krieger, has particularly excelled. On the 25.09.1944, after he learned that a ford had been discovered at the Gauja river, he immediately set up a bridgehead to secure the crossing site with his Battalion. He held this position against all enemy surprise attacks with anti-tank and heavy infantry weapons. It was not long however before Soviet tanks attempted to break through to the ford. Major Werner Krieger and his Grenadiers defended against this attack by far superior forces in heroic combat. By doing this he made it possible for all the other German units to pull back over the Gauja with all of their wounded. Furthermore, the self-sacrificing action of Krieger's Battalion ensured that much valuable materiel and numerous artillery pieces could also be brought over. Even after the Soviets had penetrated into the bridgehead near the end of the river crossing, the brave officer held out long enough for those weapons that could not be saved to be blown up and thereby not fall into the hands of the Soviets. Only after this was done did he give the order for his Battalion to retreat. He himself was the last to cross the river. In the process he was heavily wounded, however his men (who would do anything for their popular commander) pulled him out of the water and brought him to the main dressing station. His decisive act was recognized with the award of the Knight's Cross. He survived his wounds, stayed in the army and became Brigadier General with the Bundeswehr until 1964. This photo is signed by Krieger in blue ink at the bottom. There is a nice note attached stating he has no memorabilia left from the war. This is dated 1986.and approx. This card measures approx. 6 inches (15.24cm) tall and 4 inches (10.16 cm) wide. It is very clean and in very good condition.