Gerhard Walther

Gerhard Walther
Born 17 June 1920
Cottbus
Died 18 May 1944(1944-05-18) (aged 23)
Rieti, Italy
Allegiance  Nazi Germany
Service/branch Luftwaffe
Years of service 1938–44
Rank Major (Posthumously)
Unit ZG 76
SG 4
Commands held II./SG 4
Battles/wars

World War II

Awards Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross

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

References

Citations

  1. Fellgiebel 2000, p. 353.

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. 
  • Obermaier, Ernst (1976). Die Ritterkreuzträger der Luftwaffe 1939–1945 Band II Stuka- und Schlachtflieger [The Knight's Cross Bearers of the Luftwaffe 1939–1945 Volume II Dive Bomber and Attack Aircraft] (in German). Mainz, Germany: Verlag Dieter Hoffmann. ISBN 978-3-87341-021-3. 
  • 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. 

External links

Military offices
Preceded by
None
Commander of II. Schlachtgeschwader 4
18 October 1943 - 18 May 1944
Succeeded by
Hauptmann Friedrich-Wilhelm Strakeljah
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