Jentschke, Walter (Waffen SS)

Date of birth:: December 15th, 1924 (Breslau, Germany)
Date of death:: May 3rd, 1997 (Buxheim/Memmingen, Germany)
Service number:: SS-Nr.: // NSDAP-Nr.:
Nationality:: German (1933-1945, Third Reich)

Biography

Walter Jentschke or Jenschke

Brigade Nederland was also hard pressed during the Second Battle of Kurland, and almost lost the key heights around Ozoli that dominated its area. Georg Schluifelder won his RK for leading 1./De Ruyter in the fighting, while Herbert-Albert Rieth won the same decoration for leading 5./SS-AR 54. The forward observation post of Rieth's battery was overrun, but the Forward Observer, Johann Täubl, rallied his men, and for this, won the EBS. Täubl's radioman, Walter Jenschke, then led a counterattack that recaptured the observation post, and for this, Jenschke won the RK.

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Eisernes Kreuz 2. Klasse

Period:: Second World War (1939-1945)
Awarded on:: August 1st, 1944

Eisernes Kreuz 1. Klasse

Period:: Second World War (1939-1945)
Awarded on:: August 23rd, 1944

Ritterkreuz des Eisernen Kreuzes

Period:: Second World War (1939-1945)
Rank:: SS-Kanonier
Unit:: Funktruppführer, 5. Batterie, SS-Artillerie-Regiment 54, 23. SS-Freiwilligen-Panzergrenadier-Division 'Nederland'
Awarded on:: December 18th, 1944

During the Second Battle of Courland the Soviets managed to storm a hill in the sector of the SS-Artillerie-Regiment 54. Their aim was to take complete control over it and thereby possess a dominating view of the surrounding German defensive network. Among the defending German forces was the radio operator Walter Jentschke, who was stationed in an observation post on a hill.

Recognizing the situation, he decided to gather the German troops still holding out on the hill and commence a counterattack to drive the Soviets off it. He was wearing typical SS camouflage, which meant that his rank insignia was not visible. Because of this, as well as his confidence and energy, he was able to win over all the other soldiers and NCOs present to his cause. The handful of troops that comprised this ‘Kampfgruppe Jentschke’ were then able to drive the Soviets off the hill in an energetic counterattack.

Jentschke would be awarded the Knight’s Cross for his role in bringing about this victorious result.