Allegiance Nazi Germany Name Walter Wietersheim Rank Major | Years of service 1936–45 Service/branch German Army | |
 | ||
Born 29 November 1917
Barzdorf, Lower Silesia (Poland) ( 1917-11-29 ) Commands held II. Company/Panzer Regiment Grosdeutschland Battles/wars World War II
Jassy–Kishinev Offensive Died January 19, 2002, Bielefeld, Germany Awards Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross Battles and wars Jassy–Kishinev Offensive, World War II | ||
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 Iasi, the Grosdeutschland 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 Sturmgeschutz 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.
He died on 19 January 2002, at the age of 84.