Walter von Wietersheim
| Walter von Wietersheim | |
|---|---|
| Born |
29 November 1917 Barzdorf, Lower Silesia (Poland) |
| Died |
19 January 2002 (aged 84) Bielefeld, North Rhine-Westphalia |
| Allegiance |
.svg.png){kind=small} Nazi Germany |
| Service/branch | Heer |
| Years of service | 1936–45 |
| Rank | Major |
| Commands held | II. Company/Panzer Regiment Großdeutschland |
| Battles/wars | |
| Awards | Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross |
Walter von Wietersheim, (29 November 1917 - 19 January 2002), was an officer of the German Army during World War II.
InMay 1944, when Germany was heavily involved in defensive actions on the Eastern Front, Wietersheim served as commander of the 2nd Company of the Grossdeutschland Panzer Division with the rank of captain. Still a very powerful formation, despite gruelling years of war and heavy losses, the Division was being used in rearguard actions to cover the withdrawal of retreating units. It carried out its tasks so successfully that it was even able to counter-attack Soviet forces in some areas.
As the Soviets closed in on the Romanian town of Iaşi, the Großdeutschland Division found itself in a perfect position for a flank attack on the enemy. This was a great success, and the Soviets were forced back through the town of Targul Frumos and beyond. This was only be a temporary respite though, and strong Soviet forces were eventually able to push back the Grossdeutschland and gather for a massed offensive. Aware of this, German tanks pre-empted the Soviet attack with a surprise attack which resulted in the destruction of much Soviet equipment. A further Soviet attack was launched in late April, but after a few days of fighting, it was halted with the Soviets being destroyed by the Grossdeutschland's Panther and Tiger tanks.
On 2 May, a further Soviet attack was launched. Again the German forces were waiting. As the Soviets attacked, their infantry were defeated by the waiting German grenadiers. This left the Soviet Armour with no infantry support and it fell prey to Grossdeutschland's hidden 88 mm guns, Tigers and Sturmgeschütz guns.
Wietersheim was personally responsible for the destruction of fourteen enemy tanks, six anti-tank guns and two artillery pieces. For this achievement he was awarded the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross on 15 May 1944.[1]
He died on 19 January 2002, at the age of 84.
Awards
- Iron Cross 2nd Class on 26 May 1940[1]
- Iron Cross 1st Class on 10 July 1940[1]
- German Cross in Gold on 11 February 1943[1]
- Honour Roll Clasp of the Army on 27 December 1943[1]
- Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross on 15 May 1944 as Hauptmann and commander of II./Panzer-Regiment Großdeutschland[1]
See also
References
Citations
Bibliography
- Fellgiebel, Walther-Peer (2000) [1986]. Die Träger des Ritterkreuzes des Eisernen Kreuzes 1939–1945 — Die Inhaber der höchsten Auszeichnung des Zweiten Weltkrieges aller Wehrmachtteile [The Bearers of the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross 1939–1945 — The Owners of the Highest Award of the Second World War of all Wehrmacht Branches] (in German). Friedberg, Germany: Podzun-Pallas. ISBN 978-3-7909-0284-6.
- Patzwall, Klaus D.; Scherzer, Veit (2001). Das Deutsche Kreuz 1941 – 1945 Geschichte und Inhaber Band II [The German Cross 1941 – 1945 History and Recipients Volume 2] (in German). Norderstedt, Germany: Verlag Klaus D. Patzwall. ISBN 978-3-931533-45-8.
- Scherzer, Veit (2007). Die Ritterkreuzträger 1939–1945 Die Inhaber des Ritterkreuzes des Eisernen Kreuzes 1939 von Heer, Luftwaffe, Kriegsmarine, Waffen-SS, Volkssturm sowie mit Deutschland verbündeter Streitkräfte nach den Unterlagen des Bundesarchives [The Knight's Cross Bearers 1939–1945 The Holders of the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross 1939 by Army, Air Force, Navy, Waffen-SS, Volkssturm and Allied Forces with Germany According to the Documents of the Federal Archives] (in German). Jena, Germany: Scherzers Miltaer-Verlag. ISBN 978-3-938845-17-2.
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