As I have received quite a few questions about some of the new Stoessi’s Heroes releases, I think it is time for another quick “meet the heroes”. Let’s start with Fritz Christen:
During the battle of Luzhno in Russia, Christen’s crew knocked out 6 attacking tanks. The next day their PaK38 (AT gun) took a hit killing all crew members and wounding Christen. He manned his cannon alone, holding on without supplies for the next three days. When his gun sight was shot out he aimed using the gun barrel. When counter-attacking German soldiers recaptured Luzhno, they found Christen: 13 destroyed tanks and about 100 killed soldiers were in front of his position . He was awarded the Knight’s Cross, making Fritz Christen the youngest in the Waffen-SS and first enlisted man in his division to be given this honor.
A few more details on Fritz can be found here: http://www.2kompanie.org/fritz-christen.html.
Fritz is now available in our shop and via our resellers.
In the meantime, join the Stoessi’s Heroes group on Facebook and possibly also our Facebook page, so that you don’t miss any announcements for new releases.
Fritz Christen was operating the 5 cm Pak 38 (L/60). Yes, he was awarded the Knights Cross for his outstanding action in Lushno. He also served with the same determined aggressive distinction in the hell-hole of the Demyansk Pocket. After a slight respite he rejoined 3rd SS Totenkopf Division and fought almost continuously until the final surrender to the Amarican 3rd Army in Vienna. The Americans handed all surviving Totenkopf forces to the Soviets in an act of disgraceful deceit and Fritz spent a further 10 years in Soviet captivity.