Shutze Martens
Name; Martens, Steffen
Born; 1921, Hannover
Civilian Occupation; Clothing manufacturer
The son of a clothing manufacturer, Steffen was born in Hannover on
20th November 1921. Since his family was quite well off, he and his younger
sister enjoyed a rich childhood and he was a modest achiever at School.
As he came of age, he often helped his father run the family business
winning lucrative uniform contracts from the ever expanding Wehrmacht,
before he was called up in December 1942 to the 5th. (Kradschtz.) / Inf.
Ers. Regt. "Großdeutschland". This was the replacement
unit for the Panzergrenadier-Division "Großdeutschland".
He could have remained at home since he would have been classed as an
essential war worker; however Steffen felt it was his duty to serve his
beloved Fatherland and so without further ado Steffen set out for war.
He remained with his training unit until February 1943 when he was transferred
to X. (schwere)/ Ersatz.-Kompanie. batallion a replacement training unit
for the Großdeutschland Division.
After a month here Steffen departed for the Russian Front with a transfer
unit. Upon arriving at 'Großdeutschland' in April 1943 he was assigned
to 2/Kp.Pz.Aflu.Abt.GD Aufklärungs-Abteilung GD, the divisional
recon battalion. Steffen's company was equipped with Sd.Kfz 222 & Sd.Kfz
223 amongst other vehicles such as motorcycles and staff cars. At this
time 'Großdeutschland' was refitting in the Akhtyrka region in
the Ukraine preparing for Operation Citadel. After the completion of
(Citadel) 'Großdeutschland' along with Steffen's unit were withdrawn
from the front and rushed north to the Orel salient. Here the Soviet
counter-offensive, that began on 12th July, had broken through the German
defences and threatened to cut the vital Bryansk-Orel railway. 'Großdeutschland'
arrived just in time to halt the Soviet advance that was only ten kilometres
from the railway.
Throughout the next few days the Soviets threw division after division
into the attack in an attempt to breakthrough to Karachev. However the
German defences held up to the onslaught.
