Rare Private picture showing Fallschirmjäger Major and Knight's Cross Holder Walter Koch (I. Bataillon Luftlande-Sturmregiment-1), who was wounded in the head in the battle over Hill 107 in Kreta on the first day of "Operation Merkur".
 
"The battalion was part of the first attacking airborne waves during the Battle of Crete. Koch led the attack using 53 DFS 230 troop-carrying gliders. Their target was the village of Maleme on the western coast of Crete because its small coastal airfield, commanded by Hill 107, and the nearby Soudha bay, both close to the island's capital Chania, were ideal support bases due to the closeness to mainland Greece. The German troops faced the New Zealanders of 5 Brigade's 22nd Battalion, with other battalions close behind, under the command of Brigadier Edward Puttick. Although Koch was wounded in the head in the battle for Hill 107 on the first day, his airborne troops quickly achieved their targets."
 
size: 7 cm x 10,5 cm
 
condition: good, album removed