Otto Fretter-Pico – 97. Infanterie-Division

Original Postwar Signature on a Postwar Photo of Otto Fretter-Pico. General der Artillerie Otto Fretter-Pico (2 February 1893, Karlsruhe † 30 July 1966, Flins, Switzerland) was a career officer who rose to the rank of General der Artillerie in the Wehrmacht during the Second World War. He earned both the German Cross in Gold and the Knight’s Cross of the Iron Cross for his leadership in artillery and divisional command, most notably during the Italian campaign.

Awards and Decorations:

• German Cross in Gold (Deutsches Kreuz in Gold) – 11 December 1941, as Oberst and Kommandeur of Artillerie-Regiment 297.

• Knight’s Cross of the Iron Cross (Ritterkreuz des Eisernen Kreuzes) – 12 December 1944, as Generalleutnant and Kommandeur of the 97. Infanterie-Division.

  Awarded for his skillful leadership of the 97. Infanterie-Division during a difficult withdrawal across the Maritime Alps, conducted under constant Allied pressure.

Career Highlights:

• Served in the First World War, remaining in the Reichswehr during the interwar years as an artillery officer.

• Commanded Artillerie-Regiment 297 in the early campaigns of WWII, where he distinguished himself and earned the German Cross in Gold in 1941.

• Later appointed commander of the 97. Infanterie-Division, leading it in Italy and southern France.

• Recognized with the Knight’s Cross for skillfully handling the Division’s withdrawal over the Maritime Alps in late 1944.

• Promoted to General der Artillerie, one of the senior artillery officers of the Wehrmacht.

• Captured in 1945 and held as a prisoner of war before release, later retiring to Switzerland, where he died in 1966.

Item Details:

• Authentic postwar signature of General der Artillerie Otto Fretter-Pico.

• Signed on a postwar photograph.

• Condition: Clear and well-preserved autograph.

Collector’s Note:
Fretter-Pico is notable as both a high-ranking artillery commander and a divisional commander in the Italian theater. His award of the Knight’s Cross for the withdrawal over the Maritime Alps highlights his reputation as a tactically skilled officer. Autographs of General der Artillerie rank officers are especially desirable among collectors of Heer high command.