Koch, Willi (Fallschirmjäger-Regiment 1)

Date of birth:: December 1st, 1916 (Breslau, Germany)
Date of death:: February 25th, 1996 (Wuppertal, Germany)
Nationality:: German (1933-1945, Third Reich)

Biography

00.11.1936: IV. Bataillon, Fallschirmjäger-Regiment 'General Göring'
01.04.1938: transferred to the Fallschirmjäger, I. Bataillon, Fallschirmjäger-Regiment 1, 7. Flieger-Division, Stendal
00.11.1938: Jäger, 3. Kompanie, Fallschirmjäger-Regiment 1, 7. Flieger-Division, Stendal
00.09.1939: Jäger, campaign in Poland
00.04.1940: Oberjäger, campaign in Narvik, Norway
00.05.1940: Oberjäger, campaign in Holland
00.07.1940: Unteroffizier-Lehrgang, Unteroffizierschule
00.05.1941: Unteroffizier, 3. Kompanie, Fallschirmjäger-Regiment 1, 7. Flieger-Division - campaign in Crete
00.06.1941: Unteroffizier, campaign in Russia
00.01.1944: Oberfeldwebel, Zugführer, 3. Kompanie, Fallschirmjäger-Regiment 1, Battle of Monte Cassino, Hill 593, Calvary Hill battle
00.05.1944: Offizier-Lehrgang, Offizierschule
01.06.1944: promoted to Leutnant
01.10.1944: promoted to Oberleutnant
01.05.1945: promoted to Hauptmann, Chef, 3. Kompanie, Fallschirmjäger-Regiment 1

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Fallschirm-Jäger Rgt. 1 Ärmelband

Fallschirmschützenabzeichen der Luftwaffe

Eisernes Kreuz 2. Klasse

Period:: Second World War (1939-1945)
Awarded on:: 1940

Eisernes Kreuz 1. Klasse

Period:: Second World War (1939-1945)
Awarded on:: 1940

Narvikschild in Silber

Period:: Second World War (1939-1945)
Awarded on:: 1941

Ärmelband Kreta

Period:: Second World War (1939-1945)
Awarded on:: 1943

Ritterkreuz des Eisernen Kreuzes

Period:: Second World War (1939-1945)
Rank:: Oberfeldwebel (Flight Sergeant)
Unit:: Zugführer, 3. Kompanie, Fallschirmjäger-Regiment 1, 1. Fallschirmjäger-Division
Awarded on:: June 9th, 1944

Awarded for majorly contributing to the defeat of the attack of the 1/2 Gurkhas between Abbey and Calvary Hill early on the 18.02.1944, during the battle of Cassino. Despite the difficult brush-covered terrain, in which visibility was limited to 5-7 metres, all attacks of these elite Allied troops were repulsed. This success was even more remarkable given the Gurkhas’ fearsome reputation in close combat, and is a testament to the equally reputable fighting qualities of the Fallschirmjäger.