Awarded on:

1937

Awarded on:

1937

Awarded on:

1937

Awarded on:

1937

Awarded on:

1937

Awarded on:

1939

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Awarded on:

April 1st, 1940

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Awarded on:

September 1st, 1941

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Awarded on:

February 22nd, 1943

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Awarded on:

February 28th, 1943

Silver version.

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Awarded on:

September 1943

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Awarded on:

October 21st, 1943

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Rank:

SS-Hauptsturmführer (Captain)

Unit:

Chef, 8. Kompanie, II. Abteilung, SS Panzer-Regiment 2 "Das Reich", 2. SS-Panzerdivision "Das Reich", Waffen-SS

Awarded on:

December 31st, 1943

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Awarded on:

December 31st, 1943

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Rank:

SS-Sturmbannführer (Major)

Unit:

Kommandeur, I. Abteilung, SS-Panzer-Regiment 10, 10. SS-Panzer-Division "Frundsberg", Waffen-SS

Awarded on:

March 28th, 1945

Tetsch’s Knight’s Cross recommendation reads as follows…

“I recommend SS-Sturmbannführer Ernst Tetsch, commander of the I./SS-Pz.Rgt. 10, for the award of the Knight’s Cross to the Iron Cross:

On the 18.02.1945 the enemy launched an attack following strong fire preparation from anti-tank guns, mortars, tanks and aircraft. Under the ongoing cover of this fire, they launched a regimental sized infantry assault from the south, southeast and east against the village of Muscherin, a place of vital importance for the Division’s bridgehead at Blumberg-Muscherin-Sallentin.

SS-Sturmbannführer Tetsch and his Panther Abteilung were deployed along the whole position, with the task of holding Muscherin. Thanks to his clear and energetic leadership, as well as his constant intervention at the hotspots of the fighting, the Abteilung (along with the Panzer IV group of SS-Obersturmführer Quandel) provided the backbone of the German frontline. Constantly operating outside his command post while actively leading his men, he gave all the defenders a personal example of the steadfastness of an SS leader and was the soul of the resistance. In addition, he called upon his technical officer, administrative officer, communication platoon commander and Kraderkunderzugführer to assist him in an improvised manner. They helped by overseeing weaker sectors of the frontline or assembling leaderless troops into alarm units.

Furthermore he stood in the place of the commander of the whole Kampfgruppe on those occasions when he left for Hill 55 or Sallentin, taking control of the combined-arms unit whenever this happened.

SS-Sturmbannführer Tetsch consequently had a major role in the defense of Muscherin and significantly contributed to the fact that the armoured group of the Division was able to withdraw during the night as planned. The enemy suffered high losses during the battle.

SS-Sturmbannführer Tetsch is an irreproachable, knightly SS leader and commander and is by virtue of his personality worthy of wearing the Knight’s Cross.

He displayed his outstanding leadership qualities multiple times during the fighting around Muscherin. This was also the case during the combat in the Upper Rhine area, specifically in the area Hagenau-Bischweiler-Drusenheim-Herlisheim, where he led his Abteilung with distinction in both attack and defense. In earlier campaigns he led a Tiger Kompanie and a captured-Panzer Abteilung while serving with the Panzer Regiment of the ‘Das Reich’ Division during the defensive battles of the 1942/43 winter and Operation Citadel. He was heavily wounded in battle during this time, and following his recovery he continues to lead as of today despite a shattered right shoulder.”