Fritz Witt - Balkans - Barbarossa

Barbarossa

Witt, an SS-Sturmbannführer since late May 1940, was again transferred to command of the Leibstandarte's I.Battalion on 26 March 1941. The Leibstandarte was poised to take place in Operation Marita, the invasion of the Balkans and Greece. I.Battalion played a crucial role.

On 10 April, Witt's battalion was reinforced with artillery and a battery of 88mm Flak 18s and renamed Kampfgruppe Witt. The unit was tasked with clearing resistance from the Klidi Pass, just south of Vevi and opening the way to the heart of Greece. The pass was defended by a hastily-assembled Australian-British-New Zealand-Greek force, under an Australian, Maj. Gen. Iven Mackay. Witt's men were engaged in heavy fighting for three days before the pass fell. Witt's brother, Franz Witt, fell in the fighting. Witt's battalion had inflicted many casualties and captured over 520 prisoners for the loss of only 37 dead and 95 wounded.

After the conclusion of the Balkan campaign Witt remained in command of I.Battalion. The Leibstandarte, now upgraded to a division, was to take part in the advance into Russia as a part of Army Group South.

Witt's Battalion was first committed to action in August 1941, when the division was transferred to Panzergruppe 1, engaged in the encirclement of over 600,000 men near Kiev.

Witt's unit now moved south, to join the LIV.Armeekorps. On 17 September 1941, the Leibstandarte was involved in the launch of the offensive to clear the Crimean Peninsula. Witt's battalion took part in the fighting for the town of Perekop, and the later advance across the Perekop Isthmus and the assaults on the Soviet defensive positions near the Tarter Ditch.

In November, the Leibstandarte was transferred back to Panzergruppe 1 and took part in the heavy fighting for the city of Rostov on Don. After capturing the city, heavy Soviet counterattacks during the winter meant that the Germans had to fall back to defensive lines on the river Mius. Witt's battalion was engaged in several ferocious rearguard actions. Through the bitter winter battles, Witt led from the front, maintaining unit morale and showing care for his men. He was known as a sharp dresser, always seen in immaculate dress uniform resplendent with his many awards with his German Shepherd Bulli by his side. On 8 February 1942, Witt was awarded the German Cross in Gold for his bravery during the Rostov battles.