The last piece...

[Giel VW]

Eric, incredable piece, just no words for such items. I think major plm, the French militaria site has the heeres para badge of Witzig...

[Eric Queen]

I think major plm, the French militaria site has the heeres para badge of Witzig...

No, I don't think so.

Thanks to everyone for the kind comments and thanks to Rob for allowing me to be the next caretaker of the document.

EQ

[Maus]

Eric ,I Would be proud to take your relieve if this day ever comes Again congratulations and enjoy.

[WalterB]

Stunning! Absolutely great historical document. Wow!!!

[Jack]

.

Could not think of a better home for those pieces than yours.
Cheers Rob (jack)

[Tyler Ramsey]

Could not think of a better home for those pieces than yours.
Cheers Rob (jack)

I couldn't agree more. I am glad you have this, it will surely have a safe home from now on.
The action that he carried out to get his RK, was absolutely amazing. One of the best examples of Military tactics I have ever seen.

[Kurt Barickman]

VF document

To Eric,

Holy ****!

Kurt Barickman

[Darrell]

Awesome piece Eric

Just dug up a bit of info about Herr Witzig ...

Oberst a.D. Rudolf Witzig
Born - 14th August 1916, Westphalia, Germany
Died - 3rd October 2001



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Rudolf Witzig was born into a working class family on 14th August 1916, Westphalia, Germany. He joined the post war 100 000 man army at the age of 18 in April 1935. He was an officer candidate and by the beginning of 1938 had attained the rank of Leutnant. Also that year (August) he joined the fledgling Fallschirmtruppe and served in a battalion commanded by Major (later General) Richard Heidrich.
By the start of the second world war he had been promoted to Oberleutnant and was serving as the commander of the Fallschirm-Pioneer Kompanie of the 2nd Battalion, 1st Parachute Regiment. His Kompanie was amalgamated with the 1st Battalion, 1st Parachute Regiment under the command of Hauptmann Walter Koch in May 1940 for the assault on Eben Emael, the fortress on the Albert Canal. This was his most famous action. Witzig was in command of Group Granite who were to land on top of the fortress in gliders. The rest of Para assault detachment Koch was to take the 3 bridges over the Albert Canal. Witzig’s glider came down in Germany after the tow broke. He rejoined the group a couple of hours later when he commandeered a new tow. The assault was a complete success and he was awarded the Knights Cross personally by Hitler for his exploits.
In May 1942 he was given command of the 7th Airborne Divisions Pioneer Battalion and in August of that year was promoted to Major. He next saw action in North Africa when he and his Pioneers were airlifted into Tunis in November 1942 to help in the defence line around the city from the allied advance. After being in action with the spearhead units of the allied forces heading eastwards into Tunisia, his pioneers were pulled out of the line for special training. In December 1942, the 3rd Kompanie of the Pioneer Battalion was air dropped behind the British lines to disrupt supply lines by destroying airfields and bridges. This was an unsuccessful mission and most were killed or captured. The remnants of Witzig’s Battalion were removed from Afrika before the general surrender in May 1943.
In June 1944, as the Allies were pouring ashore in Normandy he was given command of the 21st Fallschirm-Pioneer Regiment. Their next action would be in July 1944 when they were sent to Lithuania. They took up positions around the Dunaburg-Kovno road and awaited the Soviet advance. They took heavy casualties during this action but they succeeded in destroying many Russian tanks in the process and inflicting heavy casualties on the enemy infantry.
They were forced to withdraw from their positions and were eventually returned to Germany in October 1944 to regroup.
Rudolf Witzig was then given command of the 18th Regiment, 6th Parachute Division stationed in Holland.On November 25th he was awarded the Oakleaves to his Knights Cross and his name was placed on the Luftwaffe roll of honour.
The 18th Regiment saw heavy action in the Reichswald Forest between February and March against stronger British and Canadian forces. His regiment withdrew to defend the Rhine in March but due to allied armour was forced to withdraw ever deeper into Germany. With his Regiment fragmented by the allied advance the survivors of the 18th Regiment surrendered to the allies on the 8th May 1945.
After the war he settled in Western Germany. In the fifties he re-joined the armed forces of the post war Bundeswehr where he rose to the rank of Colonel in the Pioneers.
Rudolf Witzig passed away in October 2001.

[Darrell]

Picture of him receiving his RK from Hitler:

More info on the Eban Emael assault:

http://www.eagle19.freeserve.co.uk/belgium.htm

[nellyp51]

Congratulations Eric.

[nellyp51]

Awsome story of history and fantastic photos you must be very proud.

[Ben]

Eric,

I'm gobsmacked.

[August von Mackensen]

found no words Eric to comment this......

Mathias

[DaveJ]

Great Item,

Many years ago I had a ground jacket with a hand sewn name tag in the collar reverse "Witzig", it was what looked about his size, but I sold it in the early 90s. It had no documentation.
dave

[JamesM]

Congrats!!

Eric,

WOW! Very nice indeed - I can understand why you are considering a semi-retirement status

-James