Knights Cross Grouping of Oberstl. R. Franz Josef Maria Rubesch

German WWII > Awards and Medals > Iron Cross Series > Knights Cross

A Knights Cross of the Iron Cross 1939 by Steinhauer & Luck, magnetic core, silver frame stamped “800” on reverse top arm; a textbook S&L “A” type known amongst collectors as micro 800 version; measuring approximately 48.1mm x 48.3mm weighing 28.4g; suspension ring stamped "800"; with length of original ribbon; lightly worn with button holes. Seven piece medal bar with Austrian and German orders, unmarked zinc Luftwaffe Ground Assault Badge, pair of Austrian WWI collar tabs, single Flak piped shoulder board and a single collar tab for Major and single Flak piped shoulder board for Oberstl. Luftwaffe bullion eagle from his white summer visor cap, aluminum ID tag and photocopy of a studio portrait of Rubesch. Rubesch was born January 14th 1895 in Vienna, Austria and died September 8th 1980 (also in Vienna, Austria). He was awarded the Knights Cross on September 30th 1944as Lieutenant Colonel and Commander of the mixed Flak-Battalion 303. Lieutenant Colonel Franz Rubesch had already distinguished himself at Sedan during the French campaign. In the Eastern Campaign he went into action with his battalion in the sector of the 18th Flak Division. In June of 1944, the Flak Units of this Division formed the defensive rear guard against the Russian major offensive in the center sector. In the Bobruisk "stronghold", Flak Regiments 34 and 101 with their subordinate Units were encircled and cut off. In this situation, Lieutenant Colonel Rubesch with his Flak Group (consisting of his Unit 303 and parts of some of the Units subordinated to Flak Regiment 34) scored great success under its personally brave Commander. However, the superior strength of the Soviets - especially in Armor - was too much. Only portions of the German Units were able to get out of the Bobruisk (Belarus area near Minsk) cauldron.