Fritsch, Heinz

Date of birth:: December 22nd, 1920 (Luckenau/Sachsen, Germany)
Date of death:: July 5th, 1945 (Lazerett Sankt Johann, Austria)
Nationality:: German

Biography

Heinz Fritsch died on July 5th, 1945 of wounds received during the Second World War. He finally reached the rank of Oberfeldwebel.

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Ritterkreuz des Eisernen Kreuzes

Period:: Second World War (1939-1945)
Rank:: Unteroffizier (Junior Officer)
Unit:: Zugführer 2. / Pionier-Bataillon 37 / 1. Panzer-Division
Awarded on:: October 18th, 1941

Awarded for his actions during Operation Barbarossa. During the fighting of Heeresgruppe Nord he boldly captured a heavy naval gun and then rolled up the adjacent trenches that served as a bulwark for a strong Soviet defensive system which secured the commanding Hill 167 (located east of Duderhof). This success was of great importance for the further advance of the main German assault Bataillon and the eventual occupation of the hill. The fall of Hill 167 deprived the Soviet artillery and leadership of a vital observation post in the area, and the importance of this act was not lost on Fritsch’s commanding officers either.