Birk, Walter

Date of birth:: October 31st, 1913 (Nagold/Württemberg, Germany)
Date of death:: July 24th, 1967 (Tamm/Baden-Württemberg, Germany)
Nationality:: German

Biography

Promotions:
April 1st, 1937: Leutnant (RDA: -318-);
August 1st, 1939: Oberleutnant (RDA: -342-);
February 1st, 1942: Rittmeister (RDA: -478a-);
February 1st, 1944: Major (RDA: -6g-).

Career:
October 28th, 1934: Reiter-Regiment 18;
September 3rd, 1939: Schwadronchef, Aufklärungs-Abteilung 44;
January 1st, 1943: Kommandeur, Radfahr-Lehrabteilung, Schule für schnelle Truppen;
August 26th, 1943: Generalstabsausbildung, 328. Infanterie-Division;
December 6th, 1943 - May 6th, 1944: Kriegsakademie.

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Eisernes Kreuz 2. Klasse

Period:: Second World War (1939-1945)
Rank:: Oberleutnant (1st Lieutenant)
Unit:: Chef, 2. Schwadron, Aufklärungs-Abteilung 44, 44. Infanterie-Division, Heer
Awarded on:: September 23rd, 1939

Eisernes Kreuz 1. Klasse

Period:: Second World War (1939-1945)
Rank:: Oberleutnant (1st Lieutenant)
Unit:: Chef, 2. Schwadron, Aufklärungs-Abteilung 44, 44. Infanterie-Division, Heer
Awarded on:: October 6th, 1939

(Allgemeines) Sturmabzeichen (ohne zahlen), I.Stufe

Period:: Second World War (1939-1945)
Rank:: Oberleutnant (1st Lieutenant)
Unit:: Chef, 2. Schwadron, Aufklärungs-Abteilung 44, 44. Infanterie-Division, Heer
Awarded on:: September 24th, 1940

Ritterkreuz des Eisernen Kreuzes

Period:: Second World War (1939-1945)
Rank:: Oberleutnant (1st Lieutenant)
Unit:: Chef, 2. Schwadron, Aufklärungs-Abteilung 44, 44. Infanterie-Division, Heer
Awarded on:: November 2nd, 1941

The following wartime excerpt describes why Birk was awarded the Knight’s Cross…

“Rittmeister Walter Birk… has proven himself to be a brave and outstanding soldier during the fighting in Poland, France and the Soviet Union. During the combat around Szkoptzy, Oberleutnant Birk took over command of a Vorausabteilung after its previous commander was wounded in action. In this capacity he mastered the situation in his battle sector up until when our side achieved a total breakthrough.”