Friedrich Pein

Who was Friedrich Pein?

Friedrich Pein was a renowned Austrian sniper with the German army during World War II, and one of two to have been awarded the Ritterkreuz.

The son of a farmer, he enlisted in the Wehrmacht in October 1938. His first combat role came as a sniper in the 12th company Gebirgsjägerregiment 143 serving in the Soviet Union.

At the start of 1944, he was transferred to the 2nd Company Jäger-Regiment 227 where he served in the Adolf Grubinger Group. He was awarded the Iron Cross 2nd Class on December 1, and eight days later was awarded the 1st Class.

On February 28, 1945, he was awarded the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross marking his 200th kill as a sniper, and that spring also saw him awarded the Close Combat Clasp.

Over the course of the war, he was wounded three times before being captured and held as a POW.