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Botsch, Walter (Generalleutnant)

    Date of birth:
    February 27th, 1897 (Braunsbach/Württemberg, Germany)
    Date of death:
    January 7th, 1969 (Schwäbisch-Gmünd/Baden-Württemberg, Germany)
    Nationality:
    German

    Biography

    Promotions:
    20.04.1915: Fahnenjunker
    07.08.1915: Fahnenjunker-Gefreiter
    25.10.1915: Fahnenjunker-Unteroffizier
    05.09.1916: Fähnrich
    05.01.1917: Leutnant - Patent 27.01.1917
    31.07.1925: Oberleutnant - RDA 01.04.1925
    01.06.1932: Hauptmann
    01.03.1936: Major (50a)
    20.03.1939: Oberstleutnant im Generalstab - RDA 01.04.1938 (1b)
    01.04.1941: Oberst im Generalstab (3)
    01.09.1943: Generalmajor (20)
    01.09.1944: Generalleutnant (3)

    20.04.1915: Fahnenjunker, Ersatz-Bataillon, Infanterie-Regiment „König Wilhelm I." (6. Württembergisches) Nr. 124
    00.07.1915: Fahnenjunker-Lehrgang, Döberitz
    15.11.1915: Fahnenjunker, Infanterie-Regiment „König Wilhelm I." (6. Württembergisches) Nr. 124
    09.08.1916: WIA in the Somme and evacuated to a Lazarett
    00.09.1916: Ersatz-Bataillon, Infanterie-Regiment „König Wilhelm I." (6. Württembergisches) Nr. 124
    15.10.1916: Infanterie-Regiment „König Wilhelm I." (6. Württembergisches) Nr. 124
    15.11.1916: Stab, 53. Infanterie-Brigade (3. Königlich Württembergische)
    24.11.1916: severely WIA and evacuated to a Lazarett
    05.01.1917: promoted to Leutnant - Patent 27.01.1917
    28.02.1917: Ersatz-Bataillon
    00.03.1917: Granatwerfer-Kurs in Münsingen
    29.04.1917: Lt., Bataillonsadjutant, Infanterie-Regiment „König Wilhelm I." (6. Württembergisches) Nr. 124
    23.03.1918: severely WIA in the Somme
    24.06.1918: Ersatz-MG-Kompanie, XIII. Armeekorps
    00.07.1918: Lt., Führer 3. MG-Kompanie, 6. Württembergisches Infanterie-Regiment "König Wilhelm I" Nr. 124
    20.10.1918: Lt., Adjutant, II. Bataillon, Infanterie-Regiment „König Wilhelm I." (6. Württembergisches) Nr. 124
    15.03.1919-29.09.1919: Lt., "Freiwilligen-Abteilung Haas"
    00.00.1920: Lt., Reichswehr-Schützen-Regiment 26
    00.00.1921: Lt., Kompanieoffizier, 13. (Württ.) Infanterie-Regiment
    00.00.1923: Lt., Kompanieoffizier, 15. Kompanie, Ausbildungs-Bataillon, 13. (Württ.) Infanterie-Regiment, Gmünd
    01.10.1924: Lt., 16. Kompanie, Ausbildungs-Bataillon, 13. (Württ.) Infanterie-Regiment, Gmünd
    00.00.1926: Olt., Artillerie-Regiment 5
    01.10.1926: Olt., Führergehilfenausbildung, Stab, 5. Division
    01.10.1927: Olt., Führergehilfenausbildung, Stab, 7. Division
    01.10.1928: Olt., 6. Eskadron, 4. (Preuß.) Reiter-Regiment, Potsdam
    01.10.1929: Olt., MG-Offizier, Regimentsstab, 13. (Württ.) Infanterie-Regiment, Ludwigsburg
    00.00.1933: Hptm., Regimentsadjutant, 13. (Württ.) Infanterie-Regiment, Ludwigsburg
    01.08.1934: Hptm., Stab, 5. Division, Stuttgart
    01.10.1934: Hptm., Stab, Befehlshaber Wehrkreis V
    00.00.1935: Hptm., Generalstab, Generalkommando, V. Armee-Korps
    06.10.1936: Maj., Kompaniechef, Infanterie-Regiment 35
    10.09.1937: Maj., Wehrwirtschaftsstab, Wehrmachtsamt
    00.02.1938: Maj., Rüstungswirtschaftliche Abteilung (W Rü), Oberkommando der Wehrmacht (OKW)
    09.09.1939: Oberstleutnant i.G., 1. Generalstabsoffizier, Ia, Generalstab, XXX. Armee-Korps
    25.10.1940-31.05.1943: Oberstleutnant i.G., Chef des Generalstabes, XXX. Armee-Korps
    01.06.1943: Oberst i.G., Führerreserve
    20.06.1943: Oberst i.G., Chef des Generalstabes, Armeegruppe "Felber"
    26.08.1943-31.12.1944: Oberst i.G., Chef des Generalstabes, XIX. Armee-Korps, France
    01.01.1945: Generalleutnant, Führerreserve, Heeresgruppe D
    26.01.1945: Generalleutnant, Divisionskommandeur, Heeresgruppe G
    05.02.1945-05.03.1945: Generalleutnant, Kommandeur, 18. Volksgrenadier-Division
    06.03.1945-23.03.1945: Generalleutnant, Kommandierender General, LIII. Armee-Korps
    24.03.1945: Generalleutnant, Kommandierender General, LVIII. Panzer-Korps
    16.04.1945: US POW
    00.11.1947: released

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    Period:
    First World War (1914-1918)
    Awarded on:
    August 10th, 1916
    Eisernes Kreuz 2.Klasse (1914)
    Period:
    First World War (1914-1918)
    Awarded on:
    November 16th, 1917
    Goldene Militär-Verdienstmedaille
    Period:
    First World War (1914-1918)
    Awarded on:
    July 6th, 1918
    Eisernes Kreuz 1.Klasse (1914)
    Period:
    First World War (1914-1918)
    Awarded on:
    August 8th, 1918
    WIA 09.08.1916 + 24.11.1916 + 23.03.1918
    Verwundetenabzeichen in Silber (1918)
    Period:
    First World War (1914-1918)
    Awarded on:
    January 21st, 1935
    Ehrenkreuz für Frontkämpfer
    Awarded on:
    October 2nd, 1936
    Dienstauszeichnung der Wehrmacht 4.Klasse, 4 Jahre
    Awarded on:
    October 2nd, 1936
    Dienstauszeichnung der Wehrmacht  3.Klasse, 12 Jahre
    Awarded on:
    October 2nd, 1936
    Dienstauszeichnung der Wehrmacht  2. Klasse, 18 Jahre
    Awarded on:
    October 2nd, 1939
    Medaille zur Erinnerung an den 1. Oktober 1938
    Awarded on:
    October 2nd, 1939
    Medaille zur Erinnerung an den 1. Oktober 1938 mit Spange
    Period:
    Second World War (1939-1945)
    Awarded on:
    1940
    Deutsches Schutzwall-Ehrenzeichen
    Period:
    Second World War (1939-1945)
    Awarded on:
    April 20th, 1940

    Had already received the Iron Cross 2nd Class on August 10th, 1916.
    1939 Spange zum Eisernes Kreuz 2er Klasse 1914
    Period:
    Second World War (1939-1945)
    Awarded on:
    June 19th, 1940

    Had already received the Iron Cross 1st Class on July 6th, 1918.
    1939 Spange zum Eisernes Kreuz 1er Klasse 1914
    Period:
    Second World War (1939-1945)
    Rank:
    Oberst im Generalstab (Colonel to the General Staff)
    Unit:
    Ia, Chef des Generalstabes, Stab, XXX. Armeekorps
    Awarded on:
    May 8th, 1942
    Königlichen Dekrets Nr. 1362
    Ordinul Mihai Viteazul Clasa 3
    Period:
    Second World War (1939-1945)
    Awarded on:
    1942
    Voenen Orden
    Period:
    Second World War (1939-1945)
    Awarded on:
    July 30th, 1942
    Medaille
    Period:
    Second World War (1939-1945)
    Rank:
    Oberst im Generalstab (Colonel to the General Staff)
    Unit:
    Ia, Stab, XXX. Armee-Korps, Heer
    Awarded on:
    June 22nd, 1942
    Deutsches Kreuz in Gold
    Period:
    Second World War (1939-1945)
    Awarded on:
    September 9th, 1942
    Krimschild (Stiftungs ausführing)
    Period:
    Second World War (1939-1945)
    Rank:
    Generalleutnant (Major-general)
    Unit:
    Kommandierender General, LIII. Armee-Korps
    Awarded on:
    May 8th, 1945
    Botsch’s Knight’s Cross recommendation reads as follows…

    “Generalleutnant Botsch succeeded in leading the encircled Kampfgruppe of the LIII. A.K. in a breakthrough to the eastern Rhine bank through a combination of personal bravery, prudent leadership and stern control over his unit’s cohesion. On the 25.-26.03.1945 Generalleutnant Botsch managed to prevent a breakthrough by overwhelming enemy tank forces in the Siegburg—Hennef sector by providing a brave personal example and ruthlessly employing all available forces (in particular the various splinter groups). He also ultimately succeeded in restoring the previously lost contact with the left neighbour.

    He is a decisive, energetic and brave General who always provides an ideal example for his men. I therefore wish to recommend him for the award of the Knight’s Cross to the Iron Cross.”

    Unofficial award.
    Walter Botsch was recommended for the Ritterkreuz (Eisernes Kreuzes), which recommendation was entered with the Heerespersonalamt (HPA) on October 27th, 1944. This recommendation was forwarded for approval on November 3rd, 1944 but apparently denied. A second nomination entered the HPA on April 5th, 1945. No formal approval can be found. Probably this was kept on halt beceause Botsch was reported missing in action on April 16th, 1945. The recommendation was entered in the HPA files with number 5082. According to the Ordensgemeinschaft Deutschen Ritterkreuzträger the Ritterkreuz was awarded to him unde rthe so-called "Dönitz Erlass". According to the Deutsche Dienststelle (WASt), there is no formal confirmation of this. Up till now, no formal confirmation of the awarding has been found.
    Ritterkreuz des Eisernen Kreuzes

    Sources

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