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Zillich, Karl

Date of birth:
June 22nd, 1921 (Hainbuch, Austria)
Date of death:
April 14th, 1944 (Therkassy, Ukrain)
Nationality:
Austrian (1938-1945, Reichsgau)

Biography

Karl Zillich died on 14th April 1944 of wounds inflicted over Russia.

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Period:
Second World War (1939-1945)
Rank:
Leutnant (Pilot Officer)
Unit:
Beobachter
Awarded on:
April 12th, 1943
Luftwaffe Ehrenpokale für besondere Leistungen im Luftkrieg
Period:
Second World War (1939-1945)
Rank:
Oberleutnant (1st Lieutenant)
Unit:
Stab II. / Kampfgeschwader 27
Awarded on:
February 5th, 1944
Deutsches Kreuz in Gold
Period:
Second World War (1939-1945)
Rank:
Oberleutnant (Flying Officer)
Unit:
Beobachter Stab II. / Kampfgeschwader 27 "Boelcke"
Awarded on:
July 20th, 1944
The following newspaper excerpt (dated 19.08.1944) describes why Zillich received the Knight’s Cross…

“The Führer has awarded the Knight’s Cross of the Iron Cross to: Oberleutnant Zillich, bomber observer in a Kampfgeschwader. Oberleutnant Karl Zillich… has demonstrated high soldierly virtues over the course of 288 sorties flown on the Ostfront as a bomber observer and leader of attack formations. A major German battlegroup was saved from encirclement thanks to his bold and determined actions, with the result that numerous wounded soldiers’ lives were saved due to having been evacuated in a timely fashion. During this time Oberleutnant Zillich was badly wounded, and he succumbed to his injuries a few days later.”

Awarded posthumously.
Ritterkreuz des Eisernen Kreuzes

Sources

Photo