During World War II Walther fought over much of Europe as a paratroop officer. In April 1940 he participated in the
Norwegian Campaign as a
captain. In May 1940 Walther participated in the
airborne attack in the Netherlands and was promoted to the rank of
major. In May 1941 he participated in an
airborne attack on the island of Crete. Since September 1941 Walther fought on the eastern front,
fighting near Leningrad. In January 1942 he was promoted to a
lieutenant colonel. In July 1943 Walther fought on the island of
Sicily, later in mainland
Italy. In September 1944 Walther became battle group (
Kampfgruppe) commander, fighting in the south of
the Netherlands during
operation Market Garden and its aftermath. Mid-October 1944 he became Commander in the Eastern Front, fighting in
East Prussia. From January 1945 until he became a Soviet
Prisoner of war on May 8 the same year, Walther was ranked
Generalmajor. ==Awards==