Otto Fretter-Pico

Otto Fretter-Pico (2 February 1893 – 30 July 1966) was a German general in the Wehrmacht during World War II. A veteran of WWI and the younger brother of General Maximilian Fretter-Pico, he took part in operations from Poland to France, and from the Soviet Union to Italy. Fretter-Pico commanded artillery units before commanding the 57th Infantry Division and the 148th Infantry Division. He was a recipient of the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross of Nazi Germany. A retreat was ordered and the 148th crossed into Italy through the Alps.

On October 20, 1944, Fretter-Pico was promoted to Generalleutenant (lieutenant general). Between the end of November and the beginning of December 1944 in the Apennines, between La Spezia and Massa-Carrara, 148th men took part in the killings of numerous Italian civilians during operations. During operation Catilina (27 November–2 December 1944), men of the 148th, operating together with the RSI XXXIII Brigata Nera , operated in Fosdinovo, Sarzana and Aulla claiming 365 enemy dead and taking 20 prisoners.

Operation comprised German, Ost and RSI units: the Axis forces were surrounded and forced to surrender on 29 April 1945 in the Battle of Collecchio passing from Brazilian custody to a US POW camp some time later. He was released by US forces on July 7, 1948.

The old general then moved to Switzerland and retired there.

Fretter-Pico died at the age of 73 on July 30, 1966, in Flims, Canton of Graubünden in Switzerland.

Awards and decorations Iron Cross (1914) 2nd Class (25 March 1915) & 1st Class (8 December 1917) Knight's Cross 2nd Class of the Order of the Zähringer Lion with Swords (13 November 1916) Winter Battle in the East 1941–42 Medal General Assault Badge Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross as Generalleutnant and commander of 148th Infantry Division (12 December 1944)