Bittrich was born in Wenigerode in the Harz mountains.
He saw action in World War I as an army officer and then he qualified as a pilot. He joined the SS-Verfungungstruppe in 1934.
In 1939 he joined the "Leibstandarte". He was in command of the 'Deutschland" Regiment during the fighting in Poland (1939) and France (1940).
He commanded the 2nd SS Panzer Division "Das Reich" and
the II SS Panzer Armee ( 'Hohenstaufen' & Frundsberg Divisions).
Rank |
Born |
Died |
Award |
SS-Obergruppenfuhrer
und |
February
26, 1894 |
April
19, 1979 |
Knight's
Cross |
|
|||
