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Fischer, Dr.phil., Walther (KM-Vorposten)

Date of birth:
September 25th, 1893 (Kiel/Schleswig-Holstein, Germany)
Date of death:
June 26th, 1988 (Rosenhof Großhansdorf/Schleswig-Holstein, Germany)
Nationality:
German (1933-1945, Third Reich)

Biography

Promotions:
01.04.1912: Seekadett
12.04.1913: Fähnrich zur See
22.03.1915: Leutnant zur See
25.12.1917: Oberleutnant zur See
20.04.1938: Kapitänleutnant der Reserve
01.09.1940: promoted to Korvettenkapitän der Reserve

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Period:
First World War (1914-1918)
Awarded on:
August 3rd, 1915
Eisernes Kreuz 2.Klasse (1914)
Period:
First World War (1914-1918)
Awarded on:
November 11th, 1916
Eisernes Kreuz 1.Klasse (1914)
Period:
First World War (1914-1918)
Awarded on:
1934
Ehrenkreuz für Frontkämpfer
Period:
Second World War (1939-1945)
Awarded on:
December 7th, 1939
1939 Spange zum Eisernes Kreuz 2er Klasse 1914
Period:
Second World War (1939-1945)
Awarded on:
May 14th, 1940
1939 Spange zum Eisernes Kreuz 1er Klasse 1914
Period:
Second World War (1939-1945)
Rank:
Korvettenkapitän der Reserve (Lieutenant-Commander of Reserves)
Unit:
Flottillenchef, 13. Vorpostenflottille
Awarded on:
April 30th, 1942
Deutsches Kreuz in Gold
Period:
Second World War (1939-1945)
Rank:
Korvettenkapitän der Reserve (Lieutenant-Commander of Reserves)
Unit:
Chef, 13. Vorpostenflottille
Awarded on:
May 8th, 1943
The following press article (dated 13.05.1943) describes why Fischer would be awarded the Knight’s Cross…

“Fregattenkapitän Walther Fischer (born on the 25.09.1893 in Kiel) has achieved outstanding successes as the commander of a Vorpostenflottille, one which he has built up and led since the start of the war. Fischer is a fearless and prudent leader who has distinguished himself in the convoy escort role. The ships of his flotilla have so far successfully escorted 2530 merchant ships (totalling around 6300000 GRT), and sunk a total of 10 enemy MTBs in numerous naval engagements. Furthermore his unit alone has destroyed 20 aircraft (out of 65 air attacks) in the previous years.”

A particular success that led Fischer to receive this high award was his escorting of a westbound convoy from Cuxhaven to Rotterdam on the 27./28.02.1943, an operation in which his ships fended off attacks from English MTBs with losses to the attackers.
Ritterkreuz des Eisernen Kreuzes

Sources

Photo