Otto Fretter-Pico

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Otto Fretter-Pico (2 February 1893 – 30 July 1966) was a German general in the Wehrmacht during World War II. He was born in Karlsruhe and joined the Württemberg Army in 1914, fighting on the Western Front in World War I where he was wounded and earned the Iron Cross. After the war he stayed in the army (Reichswehr) and rose through artillery commands.

In World War II he fought from Poland to France, then on the Soviet front and later in Italy. He led artillery units before taking command of the 57th Infantry Division and later the 148th Infantry Division. He received the Knight’s Cross of the Iron Cross in December 1944 for his leadership.

In 1945, while retreating in Italy, his 148th Division was blocked by Brazilian forces at Collecchio. He surrendered on 29 April 1945 and was a prisoner of war until his release by the Americans in July 1948. After the war he moved to Switzerland and died on 30 July 1966 in Flims, Graubünden. He was the younger brother of Maximilian Fretter-Pico, another German general.