Date of birth:

September 25th, 1893 (Kiel/Schleswig-Holstein, Germany)

Date of death:

June 26th, 1988 (Rosenhof Großhansdorf/Schleswig-Holstein, Germany)

Nationality:

German

Promotions:
01.04.1912: Seekadett
12.04.1913: Fähnrich zur See
22.03.1915: Leutnant zur See
25.12.1917: Oberleutnant zur See
20.04.1938: Kapitänleutnant der Reserve
01.09.1940: promoted to Korvettenkapitän der Reserve

Do you have more information about this person? Inform us!

Period:

First World War (1914-1918)

Awarded on:

August 3rd, 1915

Period:

First World War (1914-1918)

Awarded on:

November 11th, 1916

Period:

First World War (1914-1918)

Awarded on:

1934

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Awarded on:

December 7th, 1939

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Awarded on:

May 14th, 1940

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Rank:

Korvettenkapitän der Reserve (Lieutenant-Commander of Reserves)

Unit:

Flottillenchef, 13. Vorpostenflottille

Awarded on:

April 30th, 1942

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Rank:

Korvettenkapitän der Reserve (Lieutenant-Commander of Reserves)

Unit:

Chef, 13. Vorpostenflottille

Awarded on:

May 8th, 1943

The following press article (dated 13.05.1943) describes why Fischer would be awarded the Knight’s Cross…

“Fregattenkapitän Walther Fischer (born on the 25.09.1893 in Kiel) has achieved outstanding successes as the commander of a Vorpostenflottille, one which he has built up and led since the start of the war. Fischer is a fearless and prudent leader who has distinguished himself in the convoy escort role. The ships of his flotilla have so far successfully escorted 2530 merchant ships (totalling around 6300000 GRT), and sunk a total of 10 enemy MTBs in numerous naval engagements. Furthermore his unit alone has destroyed 20 aircraft (out of 65 air attacks) in the previous years.”

A particular success that led Fischer to receive this high award was his escorting of a westbound convoy from Cuxhaven to Rotterdam on the 27./28.02.1943, an operation in which his ships fended off attacks from English MTBs with losses to the attackers.

• Photo 1: Known to STIWOT
• - DÖRR, MANFRED, Die Ritterkreuzträger der Deutschen Wehmacht 1939–1945, Biblio Verlag, Osnabrück, 1995.
  - Die Ordensträger der Deutschen Wehrmacht (CD), VMD-Verlag GmbH, Osnabrück, 2002
  - Fellgiebel W.P., Elite of the Third Reich, The recipients of the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross 1939-1945: A Reference, Helion & Company Limited, Solihull, 2003, ISBN 1-874622-46-9
  - Patzwall K., Scherzer V., Das Deutsche Kreuz 1941-1945, Geschichte und Inhaber Band II, Verlag Klaus D. Patzwall, Norderstedt, 2001, ISBN 3-931533-45-X
  - Die Träger des Ritterkreuzes des Eisernen Kreuzes 1939-1945
  - Deutsches Marinearchiv