Bernhard Dietsche

Bernhard Dietsche
Born	3 February 1912 Singen, Germany
Died	Kaiserslautern, Germany
Allegiance	Nazi Germany
Service/branch	Waffen SS
Years of service	1934–45
Rank	Obersturmbannführer
Unit	SS-VT 7th SS Gebirgs Division Prinz Eugen
Battles/wars	World War II
Awards	Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross Iron Cross 1st Class Iron Cross 2nd Class Infantry Assault Badge in Bronze Wound Badge in Gold Sudetenland Medal with Prague castle bar

Bernhard Dietsche (3 February 1912 – 28 January 1975) was an Obersturmbannführer (Lieutenant Colonel) in the Waffen SS during World War II. He 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 during World War II.

Early life

Bernhard Dietsche was born on the 3 March 1912 in Singen in the south of Baden-Württemberg in southern Germany. He volunteered to join the SS-Verfügungstruppe (SS number 13.578) in 1934 and was then posted to the SS-Junkerschule in Bad Tölz as a lecturer in tactics, with the rank of Unterscharführer (Corporal). By 1936, he had been selected to become an officer and promoted to Standartenjunker (Officer Candidate). After graduation he was promoted to Untersturmführer (Second Lieutenant) in 1937 and was assigned to III./SS-VT-Standarte "Germania", Radolfzell, in 1938/39. He participated in the occupation of the Sudetenland in 1938, the annexation of Bohemia and Moravia on the 15 March 1939.

World War II

During World War II he was awarded the Iron Cross 2nd class during the Polish Campaign in October 1939 and the Iron Cross 1st class in June 1941, during Operation Barbarossa, the invasion of the Soviet Union.

He was awarded the Knight's Cross while in command of the II.Battalion, 2nd SS Gebirgsjäger Regiment, 7th SS Gebirgs Division Prinz Eugen, which was fighting against the partisans in Croatia and Serbia. It was awarded for his personal bravery and leadership of the Battalion.

Post war

Bernhard Dietsche survived the war and died in Kaiserslautern on the 28 January 1975.

Awards

• Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross on 17 July 1943 as SS-Sturmbannführer and commander of the II./SS-Gebirgsjäger-Regiment 2