Gerhard Fischer (Waffen SS)
Encyclopedia
Gerhard Fischer was an Oberscharführer
in the Waffen SS during World War II
who was awarded the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross
, which was awarded to recognize extreme battlefield bravery or successful military leadership by Nazi Germany
.
Battalion.
He was awarded the Knight's Cross during the Battle of Cherkassy when the Division was encircled by the Soviet troops.
With his platoon, only consisting of two vehicles, he forced a breach in the Soviet line which allowed the Division to withdraw.
Oberscharführer
Oberscharführer was a Nazi Party paramilitary rank that existed between the years of 1932 and 1945. Translated as “Senior Squad Leader”, Oberscharführer was first used as a rank of the Sturmabteilung and was created due to an expansion of the enlisted positions required by growing SA membership...
in the Waffen SS during World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
who was awarded the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross
Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross
The Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross was a grade of the 1939 version of the 1813 created Iron Cross . The Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross was the highest award of Germany to recognize extreme battlefield bravery or successful military leadership during World War II...
, which was awarded to recognize extreme battlefield bravery or successful military leadership by Nazi Germany
Nazi Germany
Nazi Germany , also known as the Third Reich , but officially called German Reich from 1933 to 1943 and Greater German Reich from 26 June 1943 onward, is the name commonly used to refer to the state of Germany from 1933 to 1945, when it was a totalitarian dictatorship ruled by...
.
World War II
Fischer volunteered for the SS-VT and was posted to the 5th SS Division Wiking. He served as a platoon commander in the 3rd Battery, 5th SS PanzerjägerPanzerjäger
Panzerjäger was a branch of service of the Wehrmacht during the Second World War which were the anti-tank arm-of-service who operated anti-tank artillery, and made exclusive use of the tank destroyers which were also named Panzerjäger...
Battalion.
He was awarded the Knight's Cross during the Battle of Cherkassy when the Division was encircled by the Soviet troops.
With his platoon, only consisting of two vehicles, he forced a breach in the Soviet line which allowed the Division to withdraw.