Obfw. Alfred Töpfer
Hauptfeldwebel Alfred Töpfer was one of the early members of Germany’s newly formed Fallschirmjäger arm. Born in Bremen in 1921, he initially served with the elite Fallschirm-Maschinengewehr-Bataillon 7 and took part in the airborne assault on Crete in May 1941.
His service in Crete earned him both the EKII and the Ärmelband Kreta, placing him among the veteran paratroopers who had participated in one of the defining early operations of the Fallschirmjäger. After the disbandment of Fallschirm-Maschinengewehr-Bataillon 7, Töpfer transferred into Fallschirmjäger-Regiment 4, where he would continue to see heavy combat in the Mediterranean theater.
In 1943, Töpfer fought during the defense of Sicily before withdrawing to mainland Italy. He later served on the Gustav Line during the Battle of Monte Cassino, where he was awarded the EKI and the Erdkampfabzeichen der Luftwaffe for his continued front-line service.
As Germany’s military situation deteriorated in 1945, Töpfer was transferred away from the 1. Fallschirmjäger-Division and into the newly formed 10. Fallschirmjäger-Division. Serving with 7. Kompanie / Fallschirmjäger-Regiment 28, he was sent north toward Czechoslovakia during the final defense against the Soviet advance. Remarkably, despite service in Crete, Sicily, Monte Cassino, Italy, and the final battles of 1945, Töpfer appears to have survived the war without being wounded.
- 7.1939 - Awarded Schützenabzeichen 1. Klasse
- 09.10.1940 - Awarded Fallschirmschützenabzeichen
- 1940 - Oberjäger with 2./Fallschirm-Maschinengewehr-Bataillon 7
- 20.05.1941 - Attack on Crete
- 06.1941 - Awarded EKII
- 20.05.1943 - Awarded Ärmelband Kreta
- 30.05.1943 - 8. Kp. / Fallschirmjäger-Regiment 4
- 07.1943 - Defence of Sicily
- 01.1944 - Monte Cassino
- 14.01.1944 - Awarded EKI
- 04.04.1944 - Replacement Soldbuch issued by 8. Kp. / Fallschirmjäger-Regiment 4
- 07.04.1944 - Awarded Erdkampfabzeichen der Luftwaffe
- 01.10.1944 - Promotion to Hauptfeldwebel
- 05.12.1944 - 11. Kp. / Fallschirmjäger-Regiment 4
- 10.04.1945 - 7. Kp. / Fallschirmjäger-Regiment 28
- 05.1945 - Fallschirmjäger-Regiment 28 surrenders to Russian forces
EKI award document signed by Generalmajor Hans Korte.
- Christensen, Ben. The 1st Fallschirmjäger Division in World War II, Volume Two: Years of Retreat. Atglen, PA: Schiffer Publishing.
- Franz, Kurowski. German Paratroops in World War II. Atglen, PA: Schiffer Publishing.
- Online resource: Gliederung und Stellenbesetzung — 2./Fallschirm-Maschinengewehr-Bataillon 7
- Online resource: Lexikon der Wehrmacht — Fallschirmjäger-Regiment 4
- Online resource: Lexikon der Wehrmacht — Fallschirmjäger-Regiment 28
Fsch. M.G. Btl. 7 - Fallschirmjäger Rgt. 1, 4, & 28
Kreta, Sicily, & Italy
EKII, EKI, Ärmelband Kreta, & Erdkampfabzeichen der Luftwaffe