Wilhelm Bach

Wilhelm Bach (5 November 1892 – 22 December 1942) was a highly decorated Oberstleutnant der Reserve in the Wehrmacht during World War II. He was also a recipient of the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross. The Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross was awarded to recognise extreme battlefield bravery or successful military leadership. His defence of Halfaya Pass gave rise to his nickname (alluding to his peacetime occupation as a Lutheran minister), 'the Pastor of Hellfire Pass'. Wilhelm Bach was captured by British troops in Libya and was taken to South Africa and later Canada. He died after cancer surgery at Chorley Park military hospital in Toronto and was posthumously promoted to the rank of Oberstleutnant der Reserve.

Awards and decorations

 * Iron Cross (1914)
 * 2nd Class
 * 1st Class
 * Wound Badge (1914)
 * in Black
 * Honour Cross of the World War 1914/1918
 * Iron Cross (1939)
 * 2nd Class
 * 1st Class
 * Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross on 9 July 1941 as Hauptmann der Reserve and commander of I./Schützen-Regiment 104