Pitsch, Walter (Waffen SS)

Date of birth:: June 13th, 1920 (Saarbrücken/Rhineprovince, Germany)
Date of death:: July 29th, 2005 (Saarbrücken/Rhineprovince, Germany)
Service number:: SS-Nr.: // NSDAP-Nr.:
Nationality:: German

Biography

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Medaille zur Erinnerung an den 1. Oktober 1938

Awarded on:: 1939

Eisernes Kreuz 2. Klasse

Period:: Second World War (1939-1945)
Awarded on:: October 4th, 1941

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

Period:: Second World War (1939-1945)
Awarded on:: 1942

Eisernes Kreuz 1. Klasse

Period:: Second World War (1939-1945)
Awarded on:: October 17th, 1943

Verwundetenabzeichen 1939 in Silber

Period:: Second World War (1939-1945)

Panzervernichtungsabzeichen in Silber

Period:: Second World War (1939-1945)

Nahkampfspange in Silber

Period:: Second World War (1939-1945)

Ritterkreuz des Eisernen Kreuzes

Period:: Second World War (1939-1945)
Rank:: SS-Hauptscharführer (Sergeant Major)
Unit:: Batterieführer, 4. Batterie, SS-Flak-Abteilung 1, 1. SS-Panzer-Division “Leibstandarte SS Adolf Hitler”, I. SS-Panzer-Korps
Awarded on:: May 6th, 1945

At the end of April 1945 Walter Pitsch took over the command of his Kompanie after all of its self-propelled 3.7 cm AA guns had been lost. During this time, in which the Kompanie was now employed in the infantry role, the unit managed to thwart an enemy penetration near the Mariazell-Hohenberg (in the Alps). Pitsch, leading at the head of the Kompanie, threw the Soviets back from their gains and held the position thereafter. The retention of this position was of great importance in covering the retreat of the Division, and Pitsch would be recommended for the Knight’s Cross in recognition of his success here.

Awarded immediately by Supreme Commander of 6. Panzer-Armee (Dietrich), Southeastern Front. Confirmation is not clear.

Sources

Photo 1: Willi Schumacher
Photo 2:
Photo: Willi Schumacher collection
- GERD NIETRUG, Die Ritterkreuzträger des Saarlandes 1939-1945, VDM Heinz Nickel, 2004.
- THOMAS, FRANZ & WEGMANN, GÜNTER, Die Ritterkreuzträger der Deutschen Wehrmacht 1939-1945, Biblio-Verlag, 1991.
- Fellgiebel W.P., Elite of the Third Reich, The recipients of the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross 1939-1945: A Reference, Helion & Company Limited, Solihull, 2003, ISBN 1-874622-46-9