Träger des Ritterkreuz und des Eichenlaube
Leutnant der Reserve Otto Carius

As the 2nd platoon leader in the Army heavy Tiger (Panzerkampfwagen VI) Tank Detachment 502, Leutnant der Reserve Otto Carius, led an attack with five Tigers against large Soviet armored formations during the hard fought German withdrawals near Narwa on the Eastern Front in March 1944. Through skillful maneuver Leutnant Carius quickly managed to overrun and destroy three Soviet anti-tank positions. Minutes later, Leutnant Carius and the two other Tigers succeeded in destroying thirteen heavy Soviet tanks, while the remaining tanks of the Soviet armored formation hastily withdrew. Albeit the main thrust of the Soviet attacks were directed against the positions of Leutnant Carius and his 2nd platoon of Tigers, they managed to contain the front along the Finnish coastline and prevented a break in the German lines. During the two days that followed, Leutnant Carius destroyed an additional fifteen Soviet tanks, raising the total number of Soviet tanks destroyed within a 3-day period to twenty-eight. On 4 May 1944, Leutnant Carius was awarded the Knight's Cross. On 22 June 1944, Leutnant Carius and two other Tigers from his company stood before seventeen heavy Soviet tanks that had broken through the most forward German lines northeast of Dünaburg. At an approximate total strength of two tank companies, the Soviet objective was to attack and seize Dünaburg. Grossly outnumbered, Leutnant Carius and his comrades threw themselves against the mechanized Soviet advance. Personally led by Leutnant Carius, the three Tigers attacked immediately. In a brief but intense engagement, Leutnant Carius and his men managed to destroyed ten Soviet tanks, thereby preventing the complete collapse of the German lines at Dünaburg, and providing the basis for the establishment of a new defensive line. The small detachment did not suffer any casualties. In the face of overwhelming Soviet armored numerical superiority and for exceptional bravery, Leutnant Otto Carius was awarded Oak Leaves (recipient 535) to the Knight's Cross on 27 July 1944. Leutnant Carius was also the recipient of the Tank Assault Badge for 50 days of accumulated combat action. Furthermore, suffering his fourth wound he was awarded the Wound Badge in silver.

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