Draft:Josef Portsteffen
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|  |
Josef Portsteffen | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Born | 4 October 1913 |
| Died | 21 June 1974 (aged 60) |
| Allegiance |  Nazi Germany |
Branch | Army (Wehrmacht) |
Rank | Oberfeldwebel |
| Unit | 1./ Pionier-Bataillon 51 (Motorized) |
Conflicts | World War II |
| Awards | Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross |
Josef Portsteffen (04 October 1913 – 21 June 1974) was a German Army noncommissioned officer during the Second World War and a recipient of the Knight’s Cross of the Iron Cross. He served as an Oberfeldwebel and Stoßtruppführer with 1./Pionier-Bataillon 51 (mot.) during the 1940 campaign in Belgium.[1][2]
Portsteffen’s birth and death dates are listed in award-recipient references as 4 October 1913 and 21 June 1974. TracesOfWar lists his places as Paderborn and Lippstadt, respectively[1].
Military Service
Portsteffen served in the Heer, or German Army, during the Second World War. At the time of his Knight’s Cross award, he held the rank of Oberfeldwebel and served as a Stoßtruppführer, or assault detachment leader, in 1./Pionier-Bataillon 51 (mot.)[2].
Pionier-Bataillon 51 was formed on 12 October 1937 as a Korps-Pionier-Bataillon, with its peacetime station at Roßlau. Personnel used to form the battalion came from Pionier-Bataillon 13 of the 4th Infantry Division, Pionier-Bataillon 19 of the 19th Infantry Division, and Pionier-Bataillon 16 of the 16th Infantry Division[3].
The battalion was later renamed Panzer-Pionier-Bataillon 51 on 21 May 1942, after incorporating a Panzer-Pioneer Company formed for the 23rd Panzer Division. This later designation should not be used for Portsteffen’s 1940 Knight’s Cross action, where the appropriate unit designation was Pionier-Bataillon 51 (mot.)[3].
Knight’s Cross Action
Portsteffen was awarded the Knight’s Cross of the Iron Cross on 21 May 1940. Sources identify his rank at the time as Oberfeldwebel and his unit as 1./Pionier-Bataillon 51 (mot.)[1][2].
His award was connected with the fighting at Fort Eben-Emael in Belgium during the German campaign in the West. After the German airborne assault on the fortress, ground troops needed to link up with the airborne forces. According to TracesOfWar, initial crossing attempts by Pionier-Bataillon 51 over the Albert Canal near Kanne were stopped by Belgian defensive fire[1].
During the evening, Portsteffen led an assault team across the canal under cover of darkness. His team reached the northwest side of the fortress, climbed the hill, and attacked Belgian fortifications. This action helped open the route for additional German troops to move onto the fortress area and link up with the airborne troops[1].
Awards
- Iron Cross 2nd Class
- Iron Cross 1st Class
- General Assault Badge
- Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross
- Knight's Cross on 21 May 1940
References
Citations
- ^ a b c d e "Portsteffen, Josef - TracesOfWar.com". www.tracesofwar.com. Retrieved 2026-05-14.
- ^ a b c "Knights Cross Bio: Josef Portsteffen". www.feldgrau.com. Retrieved 2026-05-14.
- ^ a b "Pionier-Bataillon 51". www.lexikon-der-wehrmacht.de. Retrieved 2026-05-14.
Bibliography
- Crain's Militaria. ""Knight's Cross Winner Josef Portsteffen - Hoffmann Postcard"". Crain's Militaria. Retrieved May 14, 2026.
- Feldgrau. ""Knight's Cross Holder Biography: Josef Portsteffen."". Feldgrau. Retrieved May 14, 2026.
- Lexikon der Wehrmacht. ""Pionier-Bataillon 51."". Lexikon der Wehrmacht. Retrieved May 14, 2026.
- TracesOfWar. ""Portsteffen, Josef."". TracesOfWar. Retrieved May 14, 2026.
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