- Period:
- Second World War (1939-1945)
- Rank:
- Funkmaat
- Unit:
- Kampfschwimmer, Marineeinsatzkommando 60, Kommando der Kleinkampfverbände, Kriegsmarine
- Awarded on:
- October 6th, 1944
Bretschneider received the DKiG for his part in the action against the Nijmegen bridges on September 29th 1944. During this action, 12 men, in three groups of four, were ordered to blow up the bridges. The frogmen managed to destroy one and damage the other bridge. As far as known, three of them were killed and seven captured. Only two (Bretschneider en Walter Jäger) managed to excape.