Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Rank:

Gefreiten

Unit:

Schütze 7./Fallschirmjäger-Regiment 6

Awarded on:

October 29th, 1944

During the battles of Fallschirmjäger-Regiment 6 immediately following the Allied invasion, Gefreiter Peitsch proved himself to be a particularly brave and capable soldier. He managed to destroy 2 Sherman tanks while all on his own, and because of this and other actions he opened up several invaluable tactical options for his Bataillon. In the course of this fighting he was heavily wounded, and had succumbed to his injuries by the time his Knight’s Cross came through. He would be one of the most junior soldiers to receive this high award.

Awarded posthumously.