Friedrich Pein

Friedrich Pein (October 20, 1915 - February 14, 1975) was a renowned Austrian sniper with the German army during World War II, and one of two to have been awarded the Ritterkreuz (the other being Matthias Hetzenauer; sometimes Josef Allerberger is also referred to as a Knight's Cross recipient, however no evidence sustaining his claim prevailed World War II).

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.

Awards

 * Iron Cross (1939)
 * 2nd Class (1 December 1944)
 * 1st Class (9 December 1944)
 * Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross on 28 February 1945 as Oberjäger and sniper in the 2./Jäger-Regiment 227