Rudolf Witzig
| Rudolf Witzig | |
|---|---|
Rudolf Witzig
|
|
| Born |
14 August 1916 Röhlinghausen in Wanne-Eickel |
| Died | 3 October 2001 (aged 85) Oberschleißheim |
| Allegiance |
 Nazi Germany (to 1945) West Germany
|
| Service/branch |
 Luftwaffe.svg){kind=small} German Air Force
|
| Years of service | 1935–45, 1956–74 |
| Rank |
Major (Wehrmacht) Oberst (Bundeswehr) |
| Commands held | I./Fallschirm-Pionier-Regiment 21 Fallschirmjäger-Regiment 18 |
| Battles/wars | |
| Awards | Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross with Oak Leaves |
Rudolf Witzig (14 August 1916 in Röhlinghausen, Wanne-Eickel – 3 October 2001 in Oberschleißheim) was a German Fallschirmjäger during World War II and Oberst in the Bundeswehr. He was also a recipient of the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross with Oak Leaves. The Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross and its higher grade Oak Leaves was awarded to recognise extreme battlefield bravery or successful military leadership. Witzig fought in the German attack against the Belgian fortress Fort Eben-Emael.
Witzig, the son of an engineer, was born on 14 August 1916 in Röhlinghausen, present-day a borough of Herne, at the time in the Province of Westphalia of the Kingdom of Prussia. In 1927, the family moved to Kiel where Witzig graduated from a Realgymnasium—a secondary school built on the mid-level Realschule to achieve the Abitur (university entry qualification).
Witzig volunteered for military service in the Wehrmacht on 1 April 1935, as a Fahnenjunker (officer candidate), joining Pionier-Bataillon 16 (16th Pioneer Battalion) at Höxter. Starting in February 1936, he attended the Kriegsschule (military school) at Dresden.
Witzig re-joined the military service in the newly created Bundeswehr of the Federal Republic of Germany on 16 January 1956. He retired on 30 September 1974 holding the rank of Oberst. From 1980 to 1988, he served as president of the (Association of German Paratroopers).
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