"Teddy" Wisch - Commander LSSAH

[Mark C. Yerger]

The text for the recommendation (Vorschlagsliste) is translated and included in "Waffen-SS Commanders" volume 2. A great leader.

Mark

[markus]

Oakleaves for "Teddy" Wisch

"(...) SS-Brigadeführer Wisch (...) showed himself again as a soldierly leader with high military qualities, strong energy and hardness. with a permanent personal commitment he has led these hard offensive and defensive battles from the front lines. The success of the attack days are to be thanked to his personal intervention. The armored personal carrier of the divisional commander in the middle of the tank attacks or the attacking grenadiers, or rushing across the battlefield from command post to command post, were images constantly repeated these days. (...)

Because of his permantently proven bravery, his never-ending high proof of worth and the excellent leadership of his division, I consider SS-Brigadeführer Wisch worthy of the high aard of the Oakleaves to the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross."

(signed) DIETRICH
SS-Obergruppenführer und
Panzergeneral der Waffen-SS

[markus]

Oakleaves for "Teddy" Wisch

Der Reichsführer-SS Feld-Kommandostelle
10.2.1944

"I approve the recommendation of the award of the Oakleaves to the Knight's Cross to SS-Brigaf. u. Gen.Maj. d. Waffen-SS Wisch, Theodor"

(signed) H. Himmler

[markus]

"Sepp" sents his best wished to "Teddy"

After the recommendation was approved by A. Hitler, "Teddy" Wisch was finally awarded the Oakleaves as Germany's 393rd Oakleaves winner and Commander of the 1st SS-Panzer-Division "Leibstandarte Adolf Hitler".

Sepp Dietrich amongst many others congratulates Wisch with a teletype sent on February 14th: (received 15th)

"TO KDR /+LSSAH SS-BRIGADEFHR/+UND GENERALMAJOR DER WAFFEN-SS WISCH /+

FOR THE OAKLEAVES BEST WISHES/+
SIGNED/ SEPP DIETRICH SS OBERGRUPPENFHR/+U/+PZ+GENERAL DER
WAFFEN-SS AND THE COMPLETE CORP PERSONAL++"

[markus]

Order from the Führer to Wisch

According to the Division's chronicle on February 26th, the Wehrmacht-Adjutantur of the Führer sends an order to Brigadeführer Wisch to present himself at the Führerhauptquartier to personally receive the Oakleaves of the Knight's Cross from Hitler.

Wisch, accompanied also by "Sepp" Dietrich, Fritz Witt and Max Wünsche flew to the Obersalzberg were in a ceremony the Oakleaves were handed out to "Teddy".

From left to right: Fritz Witt, Max Wünsche, Josef "Sepp" Dietrich", Adolf Hitler and Theodor "Teddy" Wisch

[markus]

Preliminary Award document to Wisch

"Teddy" Wisch's preliminary award document for the Oakleaves, received as "Kommandeur 1. S S - Pz.Div.Leibstandarte Adolf Hitler".

(Wisch never received the formal award document, nor did he ever see a preliminary award doc. for his later-on won Swords)

[markus]

After the award ceremony...

After the award ceremony and with his shiny new oakleaves attached to his Knight's Cross, Wisch enjoys company of his fellow LAH and HJ-Div. comrades.

From left to right:
Otto Günsche, Fritz Witt, Josef Dietrich, Theo Wisch and Max Wünsche


(Seems that Dietrich was allowed to smoke on the Berghof...)

[markus]

Berghof

Later on Wisch and his wife "Hannele" enjoy a nice walk around the Berghof.

[markus]

Teddy Wisch

Theodor "Teddy" Wisch

SS-Brigadeführer und Generalmajor der Waffen-SS

- Kommandeur "Leibstandarte SS Adolf Hitler" -

- 94th winner of the Oakleaves and Swords to the Knight's Cross -

[Spanish Freiwillige]

[markus]

Wisch's satchel

I would be very interested to acquire the following item for my group still. If anyone could help me to get in contact with the current owner:

Wisch's satchel incl. canteen, pencils, drawing mtrl, map, etc.

[slayer]

Good luck in adding to your collection.

[InfanterieSammler]

Hi Markus-
From one document collector to another...Holy F#$%ing S#@t!!! That EL VB would be the pinnacle of any collection and I'm so happy to see that you've now added it to yours. Any Oakleaves document is a big deal, but to have one that belonged to such an important personality is almost beyond words!

Congrats Again!

John

[markus]

Lssah

Hi Markus-
From one document collector to another...Holy F#$%ing S#@t!!! That EL VB would be the pinnacle of any collection and I'm so happy to see that you've now added it to yours. Any Oakleaves document is a big deal, but to have one that belonged to such an important personality is almost beyond words!

Congrats Again!

John

Many thanks for your kind comments John! You know how much I appreciate your expertise, guidance and friendship throughout the years!

Here some more photos I took this morning incl. documents you have helped me to get for the group!

Enjoy!


"...VORWÄRTS LEIBSTANDARTE !!!"

From left to right:

1) Eisernes Kreuz 1. Klasse ( 1./LSSAH - Prag - Reinhardt)
2) Verw. Abzeichen Schwarz (Kdr. II / LSSAH - Dietrich )
3) Ostmedaille ( 1. SS-Pz.-Division - Dietrich )

[markus]

Wisch

The "famous" radio message, mentioned in the LAH chronicle by Rudi Lehmann, for the award of the RK, forwarded to Wisch in Sept. 1941.