Friedrich Pein

Friedrich Pein
Born	(1915-10-20)20 October 1915 Spitz in Radkersburg District, Styria (Austria)
Died	Mureck in Radkersburg District, Styria (Austria)
Allegiance	Nazi Germany
Years of service	1938–45
Rank	Oberjäger
Unit	Jäger-Regiment 227
Battles/wars	World War II
Awards	Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross

Friedrich Pein (20 October 1915 – 14 February 1975) was a renowned Austrian sniper with the German army during World War II, and one of two to have been awarded the Ritterkreuz, the other being Matthias Hetzenauer. (Josef Allerberger is also referred to as a Knight's Cross recipient, however no evidence sustaining his claim has been located.)

The son of a farmer, Pein enlisted in the Wehrmacht in October 1938. His first combat role came as a sniper in the 12th Company, III Battalion, Gebirgsjäger-Regiment 143, 6th Mountain Division, serving in the Soviet Union.

At the start of 1944, he was transferred to the 2nd Company, I Battalion, Jäger-Regiment 227, 100th Jäger Division, where he served in the Adolf Grubinger Group. He was awarded the Iron Cross 2nd Class on December 1, and eight days later was awarded the 1st Class.

On February 28, 1945, he was awarded the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross marking his 200th kill as a sniper, and that Spring also saw him awarded the Close Combat Clasp.

Over the course of the war, he was wounded three times before being captured and held as a POW.

Awards

• Iron Cross (1939)
  • 2nd Class (1 December 1944)
  • 1st Class (9 December 1944)
• Wounded badge in Black and Silver
• Sniper's Badge in Gold
• Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross on 28 February 1945 as Oberjäger and sniper in the 2./Jäger-Regiment 227