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Pfeiffer, Franz (WH-Gebirgsjäger)

Date of birth:
October 23rd, 1907 (Munich/Bavaria, Germany)
Date of death:
November 20th, 1994 (Munich/Bavaria, Germany)
Nationality:
German (1933-1945, Third Reich)

Biography

Awards:
October 16th, 1928: Deutsches Sport-Abzeichen in Bronze.

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Period:
Second World War (1939-1945)
Awarded on:
October 2nd, 1936
Dienstauszeichnung der Wehrmacht 4.Klasse, 4 Jahre
Period:
Second World War (1939-1945)
Awarded on:
November 1st, 1936
Dienstauszeichnung der Wehrmacht  3.Klasse, 12 Jahre
Period:
Second World War (1939-1945)
Awarded on:
October 12th, 1939
Eisernes Kreuz 2. Klasse
Period:
Second World War (1939-1945)
Awarded on:
March 1st, 1940
Eisernes Kreuz 1. Klasse
Period:
Second World War (1939-1945)
Awarded on:
April 1st, 1940
Verwundetenabzeichen 1939 in Schwarz
Period:
Second World War (1939-1945)
Awarded on:
May 2nd, 1941
Wehrmachtbericht
Period:
Second World War (1939-1945)
Awarded on:
1941
Anerkennungsurkunde des Oberbefehlshabers des Heeres
Period:
Second World War (1939-1945)
Awarded on:
September 1st, 1941
Infanterie-Sturmabzeichen in Silber
Period:
Second World War (1939-1945)
Rank:
Hauptmann (Captain)
Unit:
Chef, 15. Kompanie, III. Bataillon, Gebirgsjäger-Regiment 100, 5. Gebirgs-Division, Heer
Awarded on:
June 13th, 1941

The following wartime excerpt describes why Pfeiffer received the Knight’s Cross…

“During the attack on the heavily fortified Greek strongpoints along the Rupel Pass position, which included strong bunkers and underground facilities, Hauptmann Pfeiffer participated as a leader of the bunker overwatch units. He undauntedly brought his weapons into effective firing range of the enemy MGs and did a splendid job of directing the fire of his units onto those bunkers that could not be effectively engaged by the artillery, thereby silencing them.

As a result of this support the 11. Kompanie was able to blow up a bunker, and occupy the other 10 from the outside. With this the key position blocking the way to the main enemy redoubt at Arpaluki was in our hands, and the possibility of capturing this most intractable enemy facility was created.”
Ritterkreuz des Eisernen Kreuzes
Period:
Second World War (1939-1945)
Awarded on:
June 10th, 1942
Voenen Orden
Period:
Second World War (1939-1945)
Awarded on:
October 15th, 1942
Verwundetenabzeichen 1939 in Silber
Period:
Second World War (1939-1945)
Rank:
Major
Unit:
Kommandeur, II. Bataillon, Gebirgsjäger-Regiment 100, 5. Gebirgs-Division, Heer
Awarded on:
December 13th, 1942
Deutsches Kreuz in Gold
Period:
Second World War (1939-1945)
Awarded on:
December 31st, 1942
Ärmelband Kreta

Sources

Photo