Walter Botsch

Walter Hugo Botsch (27 February 1897 – 7 January 1969) was a German general during World War II who commanded the 19th Army. He was a recipient of the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross of Nazi Germany.

Walter Botsch
Born	27 February 1897 Braunsbach, German Empire
Died	7 January 1969(1969-01-07) (aged 71) Schwäbisch Gmünd, West Germany
Allegiance	Nazi Germany
Branch	Army (Wehrmacht)
Rank	Generalleutnant
Unit	19th Army
Commands	18th Volksgrenadier Division LIII. Armeekorps LVIII. Panzerkorps
Battles / wars	World War II
Awards	Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross

Awards

• Iron Cross (1914) 2nd Class & 1st Class ^[1]
• Honour Cross of the World War 1914/1918 (21 January 1935)^[1]
• Clasp to the Iron Cross (1939) 2nd Class (20 April 1940) & 1st Class (19 June 1940)^[1]
• German Cross in Gold on 22 June 1942 as Oberst im Generalstab in the XXX. Armeekorps^[2]
• Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross on 9 May 1945 as Generalleutnant and acting leader of the LVIII. Panzerkorps^{[3][Note 1][Note 2]}

Notes

1. According to Scherzer as commanding general of the LIII. Armeekorps.^[4]
2. Walter Botsch's nomination by the troop was received by the Heerespersonalamt (HPA – Army Staff Office) on 27 October 1944, forwarded for approval on 3 November 1944 and apparently deferred. The file card notes in the field for the presentation: "see folder for further leadership reports". A second nomination by the troop was received by the HPA on 5 April 1945. The book of "awarded Knight Crosses" states "deferred" because Botsch was considered missing in action on 16 April 1945. A nomination of the HPA with number 5082 was created. According to the Association of Knight's Cross Recipients (AKCR) the award was presented in accordance with the Dönitz-decree. This is illegal according to the Deutsche Dienststelle (WASt) and lacks legal justification. The presentation date was assigned by Walther-Peer Fellgiebel.^[4]