Gerhard Walther

Updated on Dec 23, 2023

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Allegiance Nazi Germany Rank Major (Posthumously) Name Gerhard Walther Unit Zerstorergeschwader 76		Years of service 1938–44 Commands held II./SG 4 Service/branch Luftwaffe
Battles/wars World War II Battle of Britain Battle of Crete Operation Barbarossa Defense of the Reich Italian Campaign Died May 18, 1944, Rieti, Italy Awards Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross Battles and wars Battle of Britain, Battle of Crete, Operation Barbarossa, Defence of the Reich, Italian Campaign, World War II

Gerhard Walther (17 June 1920 – 18 May 1944) was a highly decorated Major in the Luftwaffe during World War II and a recipient of the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross. The Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross was awarded to recognise extreme battlefield bravery or successful military leadership.

After service with I./ZG 76, he became Adj. of II./SKG 10 in 1943, before transferring to II/SG 4.

As Kommandeur I./SG 4 on 18 May 1944 he was shot down by British Spitfires over Rieti, Italy. After downing one Spitfire, he was shot down, but during his bail out struck the tailfin, thus his chute did not open. He was posthumously promoted to Major in September 1944.

Awards and decorations

Flugzeugfuhrerabzeichen

Front Flying Clasp of the Luftwaffe in Gold

Ehrenpokal der Luftwaffe (5 March 1942)

Iron Cross (1939)

2nd Class (26 September 1940)

1st Class (9 August 1941)

German Cross in Gold (28 January 1944)

Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross on 24 October 1944 as Hauptmann and Gruppenkommandeur of II./Schlachtgeschwader 4

Mentioned in the Wehrmachtbericht (24 March 1944)

References

Gerhard Walther Wikipedia

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