Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Rank:

Feldwebel

Awarded on:

September 7th, 1938

Nr. 974.

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Awarded on:

May 18th, 1940

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Awarded on:

May 20th, 1940

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Rank:

Feldwebel

Awarded on:

October 1st, 1942

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Rank:

Feldwebel

Awarded on:

May 20th, 1943

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Rank:

Feldwebel (Sergeant)

Unit:

Führer, 11. Kompanie, III. Bataillon, Fallschirmjäger-Regiment 1, 1. Fallschirmjäger-Division, Luftwaffe

Awarded on:

February 5th, 1944

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

"As the leader of the security Zug during the assault on Durnewo on the 21.11.1942, Wittig led a counterattack which greatly assisted the attacking force. In bitter close combat he was able to inflict heavy losses on the Russians. With his Zug he captured 18 prisoners and various enemy weapons and equipment. In the offensive and defensive battles around Velikie-Luki, he led the spearhead of the Bataillon in a breakthrough that got to within 1 km of the citadel. By destroying a sled column and several machine gun nests he brought losses to the enemy.

In a counter-attack of the Bataillon south of Gribuschino he launched an assault with his Zug to the high ground and overran the enemy in their positions. Fighting with his men in the front lines, all attacks of the enemy were fended off. In this fight he was wounded for the fourth time. Because of this outstanding bravery Wittig was awarded the German Cross in Gold.

Feldwebel Wittig participated in the fighting around Hill 250 (2 km south of Stolbezkoje) on the 16. and 18.02.1943 as a Zugführer. He distinguished himself by his leadership and exemplary enthusiasm. In this fighting 8 Russian tanks attacked with infantry escort. 4 tanks were destroyed, and the accompanying infantry suffered heavy casualties.

On the 18.-19.02.1943, after taking the place of his heavily wounded Kompanie commander, he led an attack over 3 kilometers of deep snow and brought the heights north of Nagorny into German possession. By doing this he created the conditions for the attack on the village of Nagorny. On the night of the 19./20.02.1943, he entered Nagorny from the north with his assault group, clearing the village house by house until the strong hostile resistance was broken and the enemy destroyed. Wittig's assault was a major factor in the successful capture and holding of this important village.

Through Wittig's exemplary performance here a dangerous gap in the German frontline southeast of Orel was sealed, and the enemy blocked from a further advance to Smijewka-Orel. Wittig was wounded for the fifth time in the process. During this night attack, 9 tanks were destroyed, 60 prisoners were taken and large quantities of weapons and material were captured. The enemy lost more than 100 dead.

Feldwebel Wittig is an excellent soldier, who has proven himself as a lone fighter, shock troop leader, platoon leader and also as a temporary company commander. I consider him fully worthy to receive the Knight's Cross."

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Rank:

Feldwebel

Unit:

III. Bataillon, Fallschirmjäger-Regiment 1, 7. Flieger-Division, Luftwaffe

Awarded on:

March 20th, 1943

Awarding date according to the urkunde.
According to Patzwall / Scherzer the awarding date is 20-3-1944.

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)