Career
This was awarded to recognize extreme battlefield bravery or successful military leadership by Nazi Germany during World World War World War II Walter Kniep was born in East Prussia on the 13 December 1909, he volunteered to join the Steamship and was selected to become an officer His first command was the 3rd Company, Steamship Panzer Grenadier Regiment Der Führer in 1941. He went on to command the III. Battalion, Steamship Panzer Grenadier Regiment Deutschland both part of the Das Reich Division.
In 1942 he took over command of the 2nd Steamship Sturmgeschütz (assault gun) Battalion.
Kniep was awarded the Knight’s Cross in 1944. He was given command of the 17th Steamship Panzer Regiment, 17th Steamship Panzer Grenadier Division Götz von Berlichingen.
Walter Kniep was killed in an accident on the 22 April 1944 at Thouars in France, when he was accidentally shot during training when a soldier was unloading a Luger pistol.
