Hans Von Witzland

Leutnant **Hans von Witzland** was a Heer Officer serving in the Wehrmacht as a Sturmpionier (Engineer) officer in the 2nd Company, 1st Platoon as part of the 6th Army during the Battle of Stalingrad. von Witzland was first seen during a parade ceremony in Porto Cervo, Sardinia, Kingdom of Italy on August 1942. Oberleutnant Lupo, Witzland's Predecessor, is his successor as the commander of the 1st platoon. Von Witzland was later then introduced to Unteroffizier Manfred "Rollo" Rohleder and Obergefreiter Fritz Reiser during the award ceremony, Witzland then later asked about "Rollo" and Reiser's late attendance to the parade ceremony. Reiser was then given a chance and he was awarded the General Assault Badge while "Rollo" was subsequently denied as per Major Kock's order.

Leutnant von Witzland and his men were soon sent via train to fight in the battle for the Russian city of Stalingrad. Von Witzland joined a company commanded by Hauptmann Hermann Musk and the company would later lead an assault to capture a factory in the city.

During a surprise Soviet attack, Leutnant von Witzland's platoon was surrounded by the Russians. von Witzland instructed Gefreiter Wölk to hold out the upstairs building. Von Witzland, Reiser, "Rollo", Edgar Emigholz, and "GeGe" Müller go down to secure the sewers. Von Witzland was separated from the rest of his men, while von Witzland was trying to find his men, he unexpectedly met a female Soviet soldier named Irina. Irina and von Witzland made a truce with each other; However as they were about to exit the sewers, Irina pushes von Witzland into the sewer water, where he was rescued by Reiser. Reiser and von Witzland would reunite with "GeGe" Müller, Roller and Emigholz. Emigholz was later wounded by a grenade. Von Witzland and his men would later rush to a field hospital in Stalingrad. Von Witzland and his men were later arrested by Hauptmann Haller, whom von Witzland had met him during an incident where Haller's men has been mistreating Soviet POWs. They were later sent to a Penal Battalion to clear up mines.

Four Weeks later, Hauptmann Musk gave an order to von Witzland's men telling them that they would be redeemed from their penal status if they agreed to fight in-order to secure a line which is located at Marinovka.

After the battle against a few Soviet tanks and troops, von Witzland and his men were later re-instated into the ranks and was later ordered by Hauptmann Haller to execute unarmed Civilians which they were reluctant to do so.

Von Witzland, "GeGe" Müller and Reiser later deserted to Pitomnik Airfield, while on the way, they found some dead German Soldiers lying in the mist and snow, stealing some medical tags and applying some bandages on them in-order to look like they were wounded in order to catch a plane to escape from the isolated 6th Army. However, due to crowds and chaos that happened in the Airfield, the plane was filled fully and von Witzland, "GeGe" Müller and Reiser had no choice but to retreat back to their position. von Witzland and his men would later find a supply air-drop from a Junkers 52. Hoping to find food, they opened it but found only iron cross medals. They were interrupted by the arrival of Hauptmann Haller in his automobile. Hauptmann Haller approached towards von Witzland, "GeGe" Müller, Reiser, "Rollo" and Otto and pointed his Luger Pistol against them, accusing them of looting and threatening to execute them. "Rollo" then shot Haller with his MP40, however, Haller's pistol goes off and hits GeGe, killing him. Laying wounded in the snow, Hauptmann Haller begs for mercy, and tries to barter with them the location of a supply warehouse. Instead of giving him sympathy, Otto finished Haller off with his Walther pistol.

Von Witzland, Reiser,"Rollo", Otto and Musk drove off to the warehouse, and found it full supplies of food and liquor. Von Witzland would meet Irena again, tied to the dead Hauptmann Haller's bed. Later, Hauptmann Musk, who appeared to be dying due to him suffering from a trench foot, tried to rally around the men, however, Otto became hysterical and committed suicide. "Rollo", who is the only one to obey Musk's order, carried him outside and met Generalmajor Hentz surrendering with his division. However, by that time, Musk was already dead and "Rollo" just sat down there watching Hentz's division marching away.

Von Witzland, Reiser and Irina leave the warehouse in order to avoid capture, but while trudging through the snow, they met a Soviet position hidden inside a clump of trees. Irina was shot while she tried to wave at them and von Witzland was mortally wounded. Reiser and von Witzland then retreated and sat in the snow. von Witzland dies in Reiser's arms. Reiser then cradles his body as he freezes to death.