Witschel, Kurt

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Date of birth:: March 26th, 1915 (Brieg/Silesia, Germany)
Date of death:: April 14th, 1992 (Vallendar/Rhineland-Palatinate, Germany)
Nationality:: German

Biography

Promotions:
?: Feldwebel;
1942: Oberfeldwebel;
June 1st, 1943: Leutnant;
June 1st, 1944: Oberleutnant;
1945: Hauptmann;
?: Hauptmann (Bundeswehr).

Career:
April 1st, 1934: 4. Kompanie, Infanterie-Regiment 7;
1935: 8. Kompanie, Infanterie-Regiment 28;
?: 4. Kompanie, Infanterie-Regiment 28;
1942: Zugführer, 4. Kompanie, Jäger-Regiment 28;
?: Führer, 2. Kompanie, Jäger-Regiment 28;
?: Führer, 9. Kompanie, Jäger-Regiment 28;
April 1945: Führer, III. Bataillon, Jäger-Regiment 28;
?: Bundeswehr.

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Eisernes Kreuz 2. Klasse

Period:: Second World War (1939-1945)
Awarded on:: November 15th, 1939

Eisernes Kreuz 1. Klasse

Period:: Second World War (1939-1945)
Awarded on:: July 1st, 1941

Ritterkreuz des Eisernen Kreuzes

Period:: Second World War (1939-1945)
Rank:: Oberfeldwebel (Warrant Officer)
Unit:: Führer, 2. Kompanie, I. Bataillon, Jäger-Regiment 28, 8. Jäger-Division, Heer
Awarded on:: January 4th, 1943

Awarded the Knight's Cross for the defensive successes of his Kompanie near Demyansk in November/December of 1942. The Soviets began launching a series of assaults against Witschel's parent division (8. Jäger-Division) in the area of the Ssutschan swamp on the 28.11.1942. On the 30.11.1942 Witschel's Kompanie, deployed in an sector known as the "Landzunge", bore the brunt of the Soviet attack. They were able to hold their ground, and in doing so prevented a Soviet breakthrough that would've rolled up the whole western flank of Jäger-Regiment 28 and brought the attackers to within striking distance of an important road. On the 01.12.1942 the Soviets attacked Witschel's Kompanie again in several waves. Using their last reserves, the Germans were able to eject all the attackers that had broken through and finish the battle fully in control of their main defensive line.

Ritterkreuz mit Eichenlaub

Period:: Second World War (1939-1945)
Rank:: Oberleutnant (1st Lieutenant)
Unit:: Führer, 9. Kompanie, II. Bataillon, Jäger-Regiment 28, 8. Jäger-Division, Heer
Awarded on:: March 11th, 1945

In early February 1945 the Soviets and their subordinate Romanian formations were trying to break through the high ground north of Lest. Together with a forward observer from 8. Batterie / Artillerie-Regiment 8, Feldwebel Thomas and 6 other soldiers, Witschel occupied a dominant piece of high ground (Hill 304?) and from there they smashed a large number of attacking Soviet forces. It is unclear whether it was through their own weapons, directed artillery fire or both. For this success Witschel would receive the Oakleaves.

773rd Award.

Verwundetenabzeichen 1939 in Schwarz

Period:: Second World War (1939-1945)

Verwundetenabzeichen 1939 in Silber

Period:: Second World War (1939-1945)

Verwundetenabzeichen 1939 in Gold

Period:: Second World War (1939-1945)

Infanterie-Sturmabzeichen

Period:: Second World War (1939-1945)

Medaille "Winterschlacht im Osten 1941/42" (Ostmedaille)

Period:: Second World War (1939-1945)

Demjanskschild

Period:: Second World War (1939-1945)

Sources

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