Date of birth:

March 11th, 1917 (Erlangen/Bavaria, Germany)

Date of death:

July 17th, 1943 (Orel/Orel Oblast, Soviet Union)

Nationality:

German

Walter Krauß joined the Army in 1934 as a Infantry-man and was transferred to the Luftwaffe in 1937. As an observer in the 2.(H) 21 he provided valuable information even under heavy fire. Due to his success during the French campaign he became the very first observer being awarded the Knights Cross. After the campaign he was transferred to the Stuka. Firstly as a Staffelkapitän, he later was promoted as Commander of the III StukaG 2 "Immelmann". During a russian bomb raid on his airfield he was seriously wounded and died the same night.

Promotions:
1934: Schütze;
1938: Leutnant;
1940: Oberleutnant;
1943: Hauptmann;
1944: Major (posthuum).

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

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Awarded on:

1938

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Rank:

Oberleutnant (Flying Officer)

Unit:

Flugzeugführer, 2.(H) Staffel, Aufklärungsgruppe 21, Luftwaffe

Awarded on:

July 29th, 1940

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

“Oberleutnant Krauß executed a number of masterfully-conducted reconnaissance missions at a very low flying altitude. He initially operated over the Upper Rhine front, the West Wall and the Mosel—Rhine sector before later flying missions over the Aisne, Langres Plateau and Burgundy. Throughout all this time he gathered intelligence that was of great significance for the higher commands. His exemplary and brave devotion to duty enabled him to bring about achievements that were outstanding both as a pilot and an observer.”

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Rank:

Oberleutnant (Flying Officer)

Unit:

Stabstaffel, Sturzkampfgeschwader 2 "Immelmann", Luftwaffe

Awarded on:

April 24th, 1942

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Awarded on:

August 22nd, 1942

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Rank:

Hauptmann (Captain)

Unit:

Kommandeur, III. Gruppe, Sturzkampfgeschwader 2 "Immelmann", Luftwaffe

Awarded on:

January 3rd, 1944

Awarded for his successes over the course of about 500 sorties, a number of which were Stuka sorties flown in the latter part of his career.

363rd Award.
Awarded posthumously.

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

• Photo 1: Stefan Kuess
• - FELLGIEBEL, W.P., Elite of theThird Reich, Helion & Company Limited, Solihull, 2003.
  - PATZWALL, K. & SCHERZER, V., Das Deutsche Kreuz 1941-1945, Verlag Klaus D. Patzwall, Norderstedt, 2001.
  - THOMAS, FRANZ & WEGMANN, GÜNTER, Die Eichenlaubträger 1940-1945, Biblio-Verlag, 1997.
  - das-ritterkreuz.de
  - ww2.dk
  - Die Tapfersten