Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Rank:

Unteroffizier

Unit:

II. / Lehrgeschwader 2

Awarded on:

January 13th, 1942

According to the Vorschlag of the Ritterkreuz awarded on 17-1-1942.

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Rank:

Feldwebel (Sergeant)

Unit:

Flugzeuführer 1. / Schlachtgeschwader 1

Awarded on:

December 23rd, 1942

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

“Feldwebel Tritsch has acted commendably over the course of flying 400 sorties (of which over 200 were flown as an independent Schwarm leader). Throughout this time he has demonstrated an exceptional degree of fearlessness and aggression. His particular talent for recognizing battlefield conditions on the ground has enabled him to recognize and appropriately respond to numerous critical situations. Such abilities already began to make themselves apparent in the summer and autumn campaigns of 1941, however they have undoubtedly become even more refined during the offensive battles of this year [1942].

On the 05.08.1942 the Schlachtgruppe was dispatched to support our hard-pressed ground troops near Skworin. Here the Russians attempted to cut off the German wedge that had made it to the Don river through a massive employment of tanks, artillery and infantry. Feldwebel Tritsch conducted a solo attack against an AA battery that was hindering the Gruppe’s overall low-level attack, and he was able to knock it out with several direct hits. Despite a fierce defense from determined hostile flak (reinforced by MGs and infantry weapons), Tritsch executed his low-level attacks with great ruthlessness until all his bombs and ammunition had been expended. Thanks to his heroic actions here the Gruppe was able to knock out several batteries and Katyusha rocket launchers. This in turn enabled our ground troops to hold their position and later use it as a springboard to launch the decisive attack that would lead to the encirclement battle west of Kalatsch.

On the same day he eliminated 3 enemy tanks via a low-level horizontal bombing attacks (a tactic that he had become particularly adept at whilst flying the Bf 109). Undeterred by the strong enemy infantry fire, Tritsch conducted these attacks at an altitude of 3-5 metres, only releasing his bombs at a horizontal distance of 30-50 metres from each tank in order to achieve maximum effect. The effectiveness of such attacks was repeatedly confirmed by reports from the Heer.

On the 22.08.1942 Feldwebel Tritsch attacked 2 bridges over the Don river that were heavily protected by Flak. The Russians were using these structures to try and escape in the direction of Stalingrad. Feldwebel Tritsch immediately recognized that the enemy was in a very precarious position at the time, and so despite the presence of effective hostile defensive fire he led his Schwarm in a strike against the bridges and destroyed them. This courageous attack by Feldwebel Tritsch trapped multiple Bolshevik columns on the wrong side of the river, and these were pummelled in subsequent airstrikes.

That day also saw the enemy attack the German bridgehead over the Don river at Nihs Akatoff. Those weak friendly infantry forces stationed there desperately fought to keep the tank-supported attackers at bay. Feldwebel Tritsch immediately understood the critical situation for what it was, and so he attacked the tanks from an extremely low-altitude despite the presence of a powerful defensive screen consisting of 2 cm AA guns and AA machine-guns. He flew towards the tanks and only released his bombs at the very last moment. 3 heavy tanks were left with either wrecked tracks or mangled side armour. The remaining tanks pulled back.

This supreme display of offensive spirit by Feldwebel Tritsch helped our infantry out of their plight and effectively supported them in the bitter fighting.

The heroic devotion to duty and outstanding bravery that Feldwebel Tritsch exhibits (which are also seen in aerial battles, over the course of which he has shot down 12 enemy aircraft) are an inspiring example for all ground-attack pilots. He is therefore a prime candidate for being awarded the Knight’s Cross of the Iron Cross.”

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Awarded on:

July 23rd, 1941

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Awarded on:

May 17th, 1941

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Rank:

Oberfeldwebel (Warrant Officer)

Awarded on:

February 13th, 1945

awarded with '500' pennant

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Awarded on:

August 22nd, 1941

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Awarded on:

September 28th, 1941