List of Knight's Cross recipients 2nd SS Panzer Division Das Reich
Encyclopedia
The SS Division Das Reich (germ. 2.SS-Panzer-Division Das Reich) was one of the thirty-eight division
s fielded by the Waffen-SS
during World War II
.
It served from the invasion of France and took part in several major battles on the Eastern Front, before it was pulled back to France and took part in the fighting in Normandy, the Battle of the Bulge and the last, fighting in Hungary and Austria.
The Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross and its higher grades were based on four separate enactments
. The first enactment Reichsgesetzblatt I S. 1573 of September 1, 1939 instituted the Iron Cross
and the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross. As the war progressed some of the recipients distinguished themselves further and a higher grade, the Oak Leaves to Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross was instituted. The Oak Leaves, as they were commonly referred to, were based on the enactment Reichsgesetzblatt I S. 849 of June 3, 1940. In 1941 two higher grades of the Knight's Cross were instituted. The enactment Reichsgesetzblatt I S. 613 of September 28, 1941 introduced the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross with Oak Leaves and Swords and the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross with Oak Leaves, Swords and Diamonds. At the end of 1944 the last and final grade, the Knight's Cross with Golden Oak Leaves, Swords, and Diamonds, based on the enactment Reichsgesetzblatt 1945 I S. 11 of December 29, 1944 concluded the variants of the Knight's Cross.
First Class, though the Iron Cross I Class was awarded concurrently with the Knight's Cross in rare cases.
Unit commanders could also be awarded the medal for exemplary conduct by the unit as a whole.
:
SS Sturmgeschütz
Panzerjäger
in May 1945 ; on his own account Dietrich was authorized to award KCs and higher grades up to swords by a personal authority he got from Adolf Hitler
in May 1944 ; this is questionable and his "eidesstattliche Erklärung" about this issue is either not existent or at least not confirmed ; what is published in von Seemen and Krätschmer is a letter containing a statement which is open to interpretation ; it is very likely this passage is misinterpretated ; as a matter of fact there has been made many promotions (backdated 20.04.1945) and awards by 6. SS-Pz.Armee, announced on 06.05.1945 to the troops ; all these awards made their way from staff 6. SS-Pz.Armee to Berlin offices as well as to SS-Obersturmbannführer Wilhelm Kment [Verbindungs-Offz des Reichsführers SS zum OKH/HPA and "Sachbearbeiter W-SS" im HPA P 5 a 1. Staffel, at that time in Austria] and back beneath the ordinary proposal system and awarding procedere ; "06.05.1945" = day of announcement, is the award date for all these awards ; -> called "Dietrich award" furtheron ; are all illegal according to Scherzer
Division (military)
A division is a large military unit or formation usually consisting of between 10,000 and 20,000 soldiers. In most armies, a division is composed of several regiments or brigades, and in turn several divisions typically make up a corps...
s fielded by the Waffen-SS
Waffen-SS
The Waffen-SS was a multi-ethnic and multi-national military force of the Third Reich. It constituted the armed wing of the Schutzstaffel or SS, an organ of the Nazi Party. The Waffen-SS saw action throughout World War II and grew from three regiments to over 38 divisions, and served alongside...
during World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
.
It served from the invasion of France and took part in several major battles on the Eastern Front, before it was pulled back to France and took part in the fighting in Normandy, the Battle of the Bulge and the last, fighting in Hungary and Austria.
The Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross and its higher grades were based on four separate enactments
Coming into force
Coming into force or entry into force refers to the process by which legislation, regulations, treaties and other legal instruments come to have legal force and effect...
. The first enactment Reichsgesetzblatt I S. 1573 of September 1, 1939 instituted the Iron Cross
Iron Cross
The Iron Cross is a cross symbol typically in black with a white or silver outline that originated after 1219 when the Kingdom of Jerusalem granted the Teutonic Order the right to combine the Teutonic Black Cross placed above a silver Cross of Jerusalem....
and the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross. As the war progressed some of the recipients distinguished themselves further and a higher grade, the Oak Leaves to Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross was instituted. The Oak Leaves, as they were commonly referred to, were based on the enactment Reichsgesetzblatt I S. 849 of June 3, 1940. In 1941 two higher grades of the Knight's Cross were instituted. The enactment Reichsgesetzblatt I S. 613 of September 28, 1941 introduced the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross with Oak Leaves and Swords and the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross with Oak Leaves, Swords and Diamonds. At the end of 1944 the last and final grade, the Knight's Cross with Golden Oak Leaves, Swords, and Diamonds, based on the enactment Reichsgesetzblatt 1945 I S. 11 of December 29, 1944 concluded the variants of the Knight's Cross.
Prerequisites
To qualify for the Knight's Cross, a soldier had to already hold the 1939 Iron CrossIron Cross
The Iron Cross is a cross symbol typically in black with a white or silver outline that originated after 1219 when the Kingdom of Jerusalem granted the Teutonic Order the right to combine the Teutonic Black Cross placed above a silver Cross of Jerusalem....
First Class, though the Iron Cross I Class was awarded concurrently with the Knight's Cross in rare cases.
Unit commanders could also be awarded the medal for exemplary conduct by the unit as a whole.
Grades
The Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross was divided into five grades, excluding the Grand Cross of the Iron CrossGrand Cross of the Iron Cross
The Grand Cross of the Iron Cross was a decoration intended for victorious generals of the Prussian Army and its allies. It was the highest class of the Iron Cross. Along with the Iron Cross 1st and 2nd Class, the Grand Cross was founded on March 10, 1813, during the Napoleonic Wars. It was...
:
- Knights Cross
- Knights Cross with Oak Leaves
- Knights Cross with Oak Leaves and swords
- Knights Cross with Oak Leaves, Swords and Diamonds
- Knights Cross with Golden Oak Leaves, Swords and Diamonds
Knight's Cross with Swords
- Otto BaumOtto BaumOtto Baum, was an SS-Oberführer of the Waffen-SS. He was also a recipient of the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross with Oak Leaves and Swords...
, 02.09.1944 SS-StandartenführerStandartenführerStandartenführer was a Nazi Party paramilitary rank that was used in the so-called Nazi combat-organisations: SA, SS, NSKK and the NSFK...
Commander 2nd SS-Pz.Div Das Reich - Otto WeidingerOtto WeidingerOtto Weidinger was a member of the German Waffen-SS and a commander of SS-PzGrenRgt 4 "Der Führer" during World War II and was involved in the massacre of Oradour-sur-Glane in France in June 1944. He held the rank of SS-Obersturmbannführer...
, 06.05.1945 SS-ObersturmbannführerObersturmbannführerObersturmbannführer was a paramilitary Nazi Party rank used by both the SA and the SS. It was created in May 1933 to fill the need for an additional field grade officer rank above Sturmbannführer as the SA expanded. It became an SS rank at the same time...
Commander 4th SS-Pz.Gren.Rgt Der Führer [Dietrich award]* - Günther WislicenyGünther-Eberhardt WislicenyGünther-Eberhardt Wisliceny was a German Waffen-SS officer. He was also a recipient of the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross with Oak Leaves and Swords...
, 06.05.1945 SS-Obersturmbannführer Commander 3rd SS-Pz.Gren.Rgt Deutschland [Dietrich award]*
Knight's Cross with Oakleaves
- Heinz HarmelHeinz HarmelHeinz Harmel was a German Waffen-SS General during World War II. He was also a recipient of the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross with Oak Leaves and Swords...
, 07.09.1943 SS-StandartenführerStandartenführerStandartenführer was a Nazi Party paramilitary rank that was used in the so-called Nazi combat-organisations: SA, SS, NSKK and the NSFK...
Commander SS-Pz.Gren.Rgt Deutschland - Karl KloskowskiKarl KloskowskiKarl Kloskowski was a Hauptsturmführer in the Waffen-SS who was awarded the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross with Oak Leaves . The Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross and its higher grade Oak Leaves was awarded to recognise extreme battlefield bravery or successful military...
, 11.08.1944 SS-ObersturmführerObersturmführerObersturmführer was a paramilitary rank of the Nazi party that was used by the SS and also as a rank of the SA. Translated as “Senior Assault Leader”, the rank of Obersturmführer was first created in 1932 as the result of an expansion of the Sturmabteilung and the need for an additional rank in...
Führer 7th company 2nd SS Panzer Rgt Das ReichDas ReichDas Reich is the name of:* a German SS-division, see 2nd SS Panzer Division Das Reich* a national socialist newspaper, see Das Reich * the main work of German right-wing intellectual Friedrich Hielscher... - Ernst KragErnst KragErnst August Krag was a Sturmbannführer in the Waffen SS who was awarded the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross with Oakleaves.Krag joined the SS-Verfügungstruppe in 1935 and was assigned to the 5th Company Germania Regiment....
, 28.02.1945 SS-SturmbannführerSturmbannführerSturmbannführer was a paramilitary rank of the Nazi Party equivalent to major, used both in the Sturmabteilung and the Schutzstaffel...
Commander 2nd SS Panzer Reconnaissance Battalion Das Reich - Karl KreutzKarl KreutzKarl Kreutz was a Standartenführer in the Waffen-SS who was awarded the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross with Oak Leaves...
, 06.05.1945 SS-Standartenführer Commander 2nd SS Panzer Artillery Regiment Das Reich [Dietrich award]* - Walter KrügerWalter Krüger (SS officer)Walter Krüger was an SS Obergruppenführer. He was also a recipient of the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross with Oak Leaves and Swords...
, 31.08.1943 SS-GruppenführerGruppenführerGruppenführer was an early paramilitary rank of the Nazi Party, first created in 1925 as a senior rank of the SA.-SS rank:...
und Generalleutnant der W-SS Commander SS Panzer Gren Div Das Reich - Otto KummOtto KummOtto Kumm, was an SS-Brigadeführer and Generalmajor of the Waffen-SS. He was also a recipient of the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross with Oak Leaves and Swords...
, 06.04.1943 SS-Obersturmbannführer Commander SS-Pz.Gren.Rgt Der Führer - Rudolf LehmannRudolf Lehmann (SS officer)Rudolf Lehmann was a Standartenführer in the Waffen SS who was awarded the Knight's Cross with Oak Leaves.Lehmann was trained as a SS officer at the Waffen SS officers school in Bad Tölz in April 1935....
, 06.05.1945 SS-Standartenführer Commander 2nd SS Panzer Div Das Reich [Dietrich award]* - Heinz MacherHeinz MacherHeinz Macher was an SS-Sturmbannführer and Nazi official. He was born in Chemnitz, Germany and joined the Nazi party in the early 1940s....
, 19.08.1944 SS-Obersturmführer Commander 16th Company, 3rd SS-Pz.Gren.Rgt Deutschland - Werner OstendorffWerner OstendorffWerner Ostendorff, was an SS-Gruppenführer and one of the youngest divisional commanders in the Waffen-SS...
, 06.05.1945 SS-Gruppenführer und Generalleutnant der W-SS Commander 2nd SS-Pz.Div Das Reich [Dietrich award]* - Anton Bessolo, 06.04.1945 SS-untersturmführerUntersturmführerUntersturmführer was a paramilitary rank of the German Schutzstaffel first created in July 1934. The rank can trace its origins to the older SA rank of Sturmführer which had existed since the founding of the SA in 1921...
commander 10th Company,III./4th SS Panzer Grenadier regiment Der Führer - Heinrich SchmelzerHeinrich SchmelzerHeinrich Schmelzer was a Hauptsturmführer in the Waffen SS who was awarded the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross with Oak Leaves during World War II....
, 28.02.1945 SS-HauptsturmführerHauptsturmführerHauptsturmführer was a Nazi rank of the SS which was used between the years of 1934 and 1945. The rank of Hauptsturmführer was a mid-grade company level officer and was the equivalent of a Captain in the German Army and also the equivalent of captain in foreign armies...
commander 1st Company, 2nd SS Panzer Pioneer Battalion Das Reich - Sylvester StadlerSylvester StadlerSylvester Stadler was a SS-Brigadeführer and Generalmajor of the Waffen-SS, a commander of the 2nd SS Division Das Reich, 9th SS Panzer Division Hohenstaufen and a winner of the Knight's Cross with Oakleaves and Swords...
, 16.09.1943 SS-Obersturmbannführer Commander SS-Pz.Gren.Rgt Der Führer - Christian TychsenChristian TychsenNot to be confused with the governor of the Danish Gold Coast of the same nameChristian Tychsen was a Obersturmbannführer in the Waffen SS who was awarded the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross with Oak Leaves...
, 10.12.1943 SS-Sturmbannführer Commander II./2nd SS Panzer Rgt Das Reich - Otto WeidingerOtto WeidingerOtto Weidinger was a member of the German Waffen-SS and a commander of SS-PzGrenRgt 4 "Der Führer" during World War II and was involved in the massacre of Oradour-sur-Glane in France in June 1944. He held the rank of SS-Obersturmbannführer...
, 26.12.1944 SS-Obersturmbannführer Commander 4th SS-Pz.Gren.Rgt Der Führer - Heinz WernerHeinz WernerHeinz Werner was a Sturmbannführer in the Waffen SS who was awarded the Knight's Cross with Oakleaves during World War II. The Knight's Cross was awarded to recognize extreme battlefield bravery or successful military leadership by Nazi Germany during World War II...
, 06.05.1945 SS-Sturmbannführer Commander III./4th SS-Pz.Gren.Rgt Der Führer [Dietrich award]* - Günther WislicenyGünther-Eberhardt WislicenyGünther-Eberhardt Wisliceny was a German Waffen-SS officer. He was also a recipient of the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross with Oak Leaves and Swords...
, 26.12.1944 SS-Obersturmbannführer Commander 3rd SS-Pz.Gren.Rgt Deutschland
HQ Staff
- Paul HausserPaul HausserPaul "Papa" Hausser was an officer in the German Army, achieving the high rank of lieutenant-general in the inter-war Reichswehr. After retirement from the regular Army he became the "father" of the Waffen-SS and one of its most eminent leaders...
, 08.08.1941 SS-Gruppenführer und Generalleutnant der W-SS Commander SS Division Reich - Matthias KleinheisterkampMatthias KleinheisterkampMatthias Kleinheisterkamp was an SS Obergruppenführer and a Heer officer who served in both World War I and World War II. During World War II, Kleinheisterkamp commanded the 3. SS-Division Totenkopf, 6. SS-Gebirgs-Division Nord, 2. SS-Division Das Reich, III. SS-Panzerkorps, VII. SS-Panzerkops,...
, 31.03.1942 SS-BrigadeführerBrigadeführerSS-Brigadeführer was an SS rank that was used in Nazi Germany between the years of 1932 and 1945. Brigadeführer was also an SA rank....
und Generalmajor der W-SS Commander SS-Division Reich - Werner OstendorffWerner OstendorffWerner Ostendorff, was an SS-Gruppenführer and one of the youngest divisional commanders in the Waffen-SS...
, 13.09.1941 SS-Sturmbannführer Ia SS-Div Reich - Herbert-Ernst VahlHerbert-Ernst VahlHerbert Ernst Vahl was a Brigadeführer and Generalmajor in the Waffen-SS during World War II. He was the commander of the 2nd SS Panzer Division Das Reich and the 4th SS Polizei Division, who was awarded the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross, which was awarded to recognize extreme battlefield...
, 31.03.1943 SS-OberführerOberführerOberführer was an early paramilitary rank of the Nazi Party dating back to 1921. Translated as “Senior Leader”, an Oberführer was typically a Nazi Party member in charge of a group of paramilitary units in a particular geographical region...
Commander SS-Panzer Grenadier Division Reich
Panzer Kampfgruppe Das Reich
- Heinrich Lammerding, 11.04.1944 SS-Oberführer Commander SS-Pz.Kgr Das Reich
SS Panzer Grenadier Regiment 3 Deutschland
- Heinrich BastianHeinrich BastianHeinrich Bastian was a Obersturmführer , in the Waffen SS during World War II who was awarded the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross....
, 06.05.1945 SS-Obersturmführer Commander II./3rd SS-Pz.Gren.Rgt Deutschland [Dietrich award]* - Wilhelm BittrichWilhelm BittrichWilhelm Bittrich was an SS-Obergruppenführer and Waffen-SS General during World War II.-Overview:...
, 14.12.1941 SS-Oberführer Commander SS-Inf.Rgt Deutschland - Hans EckertHans EckertHans Eckert was a Hauptsturmführer , in the Waffen SS during World War II who was awarded the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross.Which was awarded to recognize extreme battlefield bravery or successful military leadership by Nazi Germany during World War II.Hans Eckert was born at Zailach in Middle...
, 04.05.1944 SS-Obersturmführer Commander II./3rd SS-Pz.Gren.Rgt Deutschland - Franz GrohmannFranz GrohmannFranz Grohmann was a Hauptsturmführer , in the Waffen SS during World War II who was awarded the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross.Which was awarded to recognize extreme battlefield bravery or successful military leadership by Nazi Germany during World War II.Hans Grohmann was born in Nixdorf,...
, 23.08.1944 SS-Obersturmführer Commander 1 Company 3rd SS-Pz.Gren.Rgt Deutschland - Heinz HarmelHeinz HarmelHeinz Harmel was a German Waffen-SS General during World War II. He was also a recipient of the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross with Oak Leaves and Swords...
, 31.03.1943 SS-Obersturmbannführer Commander SS-Pz.Gren.Rgt Deutschland - Alfred Koch, 06.05.1945 SS-Obersturmführer Commander 6th Company II./3rd SS-Pz.Gren.Rgt Deutschland [Dietrich award]*
- Heinz MacherHeinz MacherHeinz Macher was an SS-Sturmbannführer and Nazi official. He was born in Chemnitz, Germany and joined the Nazi party in the early 1940s....
, 03.04.1943 SS-Untersturmführer Commander 16th (Pi)/SS-Pz.Gren.Rgt Deutschland - Walter Mattusch, 06.05.1945 SS-Hauptsturmführer Commander II./3rd SS-Pz.Gren.Rgt Deutschland [Dietrich award]*
- Adolf RüdAdolf RüdAdolf Rüd was a Hauptscharführer, in the Waffen SS during World War II. He was awarded the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross, which was awarded to recognize extreme battlefield bravery or successful military leadership by Nazi Germany during World War II...
, 23.08.1944 SS-OberscharführerOberscharführerOberscharführer was a Nazi Party paramilitary rank that existed between the years of 1932 and 1945. Translated as “Senior Squad Leader”, Oberscharführer was first used as a rank of the Sturmabteilung and was created due to an expansion of the enlisted positions required by growing SA membership...
platoon commander HQ Company,3rd SS-Pz.Gren.Rgt Deutschland - Helmuth SchreiberHelmuth SchreiberHelmuth Schreiber was a Sturmbannführer , in the Waffen SS during World War II who was awarded the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross, which was awarded to recognize extreme battlefield bravery or successful military leadership by Nazi Germany during World War II...
, 30.07.1943 SS-Hauptsturmführer Commander 10th Company SS-Pz.Gren.Rgt Deutschland - Felix SteinerFelix SteinerFelix Martin Julius Steiner was a German Reichswehr and Waffen-SS officer who served in both World War I and World War II. He was also a recipient of the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross with Oak Leaves and Swords...
, 15.08.1940 SS-Oberführer Kdr SS-Standarte [Rgt (mot)] Deutschland - Alois WeberAlois WeberAlois Weber was a Untersturmführer , in the Waffen SS during World War II who was awarded the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross, which was awarded to recognize extreme battlefield bravery or successful military leadership by Nazi Germany during World War II.Weber was awarded the German Cross in...
, 30.07.1943 SS-HauptscharführerHauptscharführerHauptscharführer was a Nazi paramilitary rank which was used by the Schutzstaffel between the years of 1934 and 1945. The rank was the highest enlisted rank of the SS, with the exception of the special Waffen-SS rank of Sturmscharführer....
platoon commander 16th Company SS-Pz.Gren.Rgt Deutschland - Günther WislicenyGünther-Eberhardt WislicenyGünther-Eberhardt Wisliceny was a German Waffen-SS officer. He was also a recipient of the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross with Oak Leaves and Swords...
, 30.07.1943 SS-Sturmbannführer Commander III./SS-Pz.Gren.Rgt Deutschland - Fritz WittFritz WittFritz Witt was a German Waffen-SS officer who served with the 1.SS-Panzergrenadier-Division Leibstandarte SS Adolf Hitler before taking command of the 12.SS-Panzer-Division Hitlerjugend...
, 04.09.1940 SS-Sturmbannführer Commanderr I./SS-Standarte [Rgt (mot)] Deutschland
SS Panzer Grenadier Regiment 4 Der Führer
- Simon GrascherSimon GrascherSimon Grascher was a Unterscharführer, in the Waffen SS during World War II who was awarded the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross. Which was awarded to recognize extreme battlefield bravery or successful military leadership by Nazi Germany during World War II....
, 14.08.1943 SS-Unterscharführer platoon commander 9th Company SS-Pz.Gren.Rgt Der Führer - Willy GriemeWilly GriemeWilhelm "Willi" Grieme was a Hauptsturmführer , in the Waffen SS during World War II who was awarded the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross. Which was awarded to recognize extreme battlefield bravery or successful military leadership by Nazi Germany during World War II.Willi Grieme, was born on the...
, 17.09.1943 SS-Obersturmführer d.R. Commander 4th Company SS-Pz.Gren.Rgt Der Führer - Hans Hauser, 06.05.1945 SS-Sturmbannführer und Major der Schupo Commander I./4th SS-Pz.Gren.Rgt Der Führer [Dietrich award]*
- Helmut KämpfeHelmut KämpfeHelmut Kämpfe was a Sturmbannführer , in the Waffen SS during World War II. He was awarded the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross, which was awarded to recognize extreme battlefield bravery or successful military leadership by Nazi Germany during World War II...
, 10.12.1943 SS-Sturmbannführer d.R. Commander III.(gp.)/4th SS-Pz.Gren.Rgt Der Führer - Vinzenz KaiserVinzenz KaiserVinzenz Kaiser was an Obersturmbannführer in the Waffen SS during World War II who was awarded the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross...
, 06.04.1943 SS-Hauptsturmführer Commander III.(gp.)/4th SS-Pz.Gren.Rgt Der Führer - Georg KepplerGeorg KepplerGeorg Keppler was an SS-Obergruppenführer , a Heer and Polizei officer who served in both World War I and World War II. During World War II, Keppler commanded the 2. SS-Division Das Reich, 3. SS-Division Totenkopf, I. SS-Panzerkorps, III. SS-Panzerkorps and the XVIII.SS-Armee-Korps...
, 15.08.1940 SS-Oberführer Commander SS-Standarte [Rgt] Der Führer - Ludwig KepplingerLudwig KepplingerLudwig Kepplinger was a Sturmbannführer , in the Waffen SS during World War II who was awarded the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross. Which was awarded to recognize extreme battlefield bravery or successful military leadership by Nazi Germany during World War II.-Early life:Ludwig Kepplinger was...
, 04.09.1940 SS-Hauptscharführer platoon commander 11th company SS-Standarte [Rgt] Der Führer - Joachim KrügerJoachim KrügerJoachim Krüger was a Obersturmführer , in the Waffen SS during World War II who was awarded the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross...
, 24.06.1944 SS-Untersturmführer Commander 10th Company, 4th SS-Pz.Gren.Rgt Der Führer - Otto KummOtto KummOtto Kumm, was an SS-Brigadeführer and Generalmajor of the Waffen-SS. He was also a recipient of the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross with Oak Leaves and Swords...
, 16.02.1942 SS-Obersturmbannführer Commander SS-Rgt (mot) Der Führer - Josef LainerJosef LainerJosef Lainer was a Hauptscharführer in the Waffen-SS during World War II who was awarded the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross, to recognize extreme battlefield bravery or successful military leadership by Nazi Germany during World War II...
, 08.10.1943 SS-Oberscharführer platoon commander 1st Company SS-Pz.Gren.Rgt Der Führer - Günther Lange, 06.05.1945 SS-SturmmannSturmmannSturmmann was a Nazi Party paramilitary rank that was first created in the year 1921. The rank of Sturmmann was used by the Sturmabteilung and the Schutzstaffel ....
GruppenführerGruppenführerGruppenführer was an early paramilitary rank of the Nazi Party, first created in 1925 as a senior rank of the SA.-SS rank:...
16th Company 4th SS-Pz.Gren.Rgt Der Führer [Dietrich award]* - Alfred LexAlfred LexAlfred Lex was a Hauptsturmführer , in the Waffen SS during World War II who was awarded the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross, which was awarded to recognize extreme battlefield bravery or successful military leadership, by Nazi Germany during World War II.Alfred Lex was born on the 11 March 1913...
, 10.12.1943 SS-Hauptsturmführer Commander I./4th SS-Pz.Gren.Rgt Der Führer - Adolf PeichlAdolf PeichlAdolf Peichl was a Untersturmführer , in the Waffen SS during World War II who was awarded the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross; which was awarded to recognize extreme battlefield bravery or successful military leadership by Nazi Germany during World War II...
, 16.10.1944 SS-Hauptscharführer platoon commander 12th Company, 4th SS-Pz.Gren.Rgt Der Führer - Herbert SchulzeHerbert SchulzeHerbert Schulze was a Sturmbannführer , in the Waffen SS during World War II who was awarded the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross, which was awarded to recognize extreme battlefield bravery or successful military leadership by Nazi Germany during World War II...
, 16.12.1943 SS-Sturmbannführer Commander II./4th SS-Pz.Gren.Rgt Der Führer - Sylvester StadlerSylvester StadlerSylvester Stadler was a SS-Brigadeführer and Generalmajor of the Waffen-SS, a commander of the 2nd SS Division Das Reich, 9th SS Panzer Division Hohenstaufen and a winner of the Knight's Cross with Oakleaves and Swords...
, 06.04.1943 SS-Sturmbannführer Commander II./4th SS-Pz.Gren.Rgt Der Führer - Heinz WernerHeinz WernerHeinz Werner was a Sturmbannführer in the Waffen SS who was awarded the Knight's Cross with Oakleaves during World War II. The Knight's Cross was awarded to recognize extreme battlefield bravery or successful military leadership by Nazi Germany during World War II...
, 23.08.1944 SS-Hauptsturmführer Commander III.(gp.)/4th SS-Pz.Gren.Rgt Der Führer
SS Panzer Regiment 2 Das Reich
- Ernst BarkmannErnst BarkmannErnst Barkmann was a German Waffen-SS soldier and panzer ace. Barkmann fought and rose to fame during World War II for his actions in command of Panther tanks.-Early life:...
, Ernst 27.08.1944 SS-Unterscharführer tank commander 4th Company 2nd SS-Pz.Rgt Das Reich - Karl Boska, 16.12.1943 SS-Obersturmführer Adjutant II./2nd SS-Pz.Rgt Das Reich
- Rudolf EnselingRudolf EnselingRudolf Enseling was a Obersturmbannführer , in the Waffen SS during World War II who was awarded the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross, which was awarded to recognize extreme battlefield bravery or successful military leadership by Nazi Germany during World War II.-Early life:Rudolf Enseling was...
, 23.08.1944 SS-Sturmbannführer Commander I./2nd SS-Pz.Rgt Das Reich - Franz FrauscherFranz FrauscherFranz Frauscher was a Hauptscharführer, in the Waffen SS during World War II who was awarded the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross. Which was awarded to recognize extreme battlefield bravery or successful military leadership by Nazi Germany during World War II....
, 31.12.1944 SS-Hauptscharführer platoon commander 4th company 2nd SS-Pz.Rgt Das Reich - Horst GresiakHorst GresiakHorst Gresiak was a Obersturmführer , in the Waffen SS during World War II who was awarded the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross. Which was awarded to recognize extreme battlefield bravery or successful military leadership by Nazi Germany during World War II.Horst Gresiak was born on the 17 February...
, 25.01.1945 SS-Obersturmführer Commander 7th Company 2nd SS-Pz.Rgt Das Reich - Friedrich HolzerFriedrich HolzerFriedrich Holzer was a Obersturmbannführer , in the Waffen SS during World War II who was awarded the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross. Which was awarded to recognize extreme battlefield bravery or successful military leadership by Nazi Germany during World War II...
, 10.12.1943 SS-Hauptsturmführer Commander 1st Company 2nd SS-Pz.Rgt Das Reich - Dieter KestenDieter KestenDieter Kesten was a Sturmbannführer , in the Waffen SS during World War II who was awarded the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross. Which was awarded to recognize extreme battlefield bravery or successful military leadership by Nazi Germany during World War II.-Early life:Dieter Kesten was born on the...
, 12.11.1943 SS-Hauptsturmführer Commander 6th Company 2nd SS-Pz.Rgt Das Reich - Karl KloskowskiKarl KloskowskiKarl Kloskowski was a Hauptsturmführer in the Waffen-SS who was awarded the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross with Oak Leaves . The Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross and its higher grade Oak Leaves was awarded to recognise extreme battlefield bravery or successful military...
, 11.07.1943 SS-Hauptscharführer platoon commander 4th Company 2nd SS-Pz.Rgt Das Reich - Fritz LangankeFritz LangankeFritz Langanke was a Obersturmführer , in the Waffen SS during World War II who was awarded the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross, which was awarded to recognize extreme battlefield bravery or successful military leadership by Nazi Germany during World War II.Langanke was born on 15 July 1919, in...
, 27.08.1944 SS-StandartenoberjunkerJunker (SS rank)Junker was a paramilitary Nazi rank that was used by the Schutzstaffel between the years of 1933 and 1945. The rank was a special position held by those aspiring for officer commissions in the armed wing of the SS, first known as the SS-Verfügungstruppe and later as the Waffen-SS.The SS rank of...
platoon commander 2nd Company 2nd SS-Pz.Rgt Das Reich - Karl MühleckKarl MühleckKarl Mühleck was a Obersturmführer , in the Waffen SS during World War II who was awarded the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross, which was awarded to recognize extreme battlefield bravery or successful military leadership by Nazi Germany during World War II.Mühleck was awarded his Knight's Cross,...
, 04.06.1944 SS-Untersturmführer platon commander 2nd Company 2nd SS-Pz.Rgt Das Reich - Adolf ReebAdolf ReebAdolf Reeb was a Obersturmführer , in the Waffen SS during World War II who was awarded the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross; which was awarded to recognize extreme battlefield bravery or successful military leadership by Nazi Germany during World War II.Adolf Reeb was born on the 22 August 1920 at...
, 23.08.1944 SS-Untersturmführer platoon commander 7th Company 2nd SS-Pz.Rgt Das Reich - Hans Albin Freiherr von ReitzensteinHans Albin Freiherr von ReitzensteinHans Albin, Freiherr von Reitzenstein was a Obersturmbannführer , in the Waffen SS during World War II who was awarded the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross, which was awarded to recognize extreme battlefield bravery or successful military leadership by Nazi Germany during World War II.Hans Albin...
13.11.1943 SS-Obersturmbannführer Commander 2nd SS-Pz.Rgt Das Reich - Emil SeiboldEmil SeiboldEmil Seibold was a Hauptscharführer, in the Waffen SS during World War II who was awarded the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross. Which was awarded to recognize extreme battlefield bravery or successful military leadership by Nazi Germany during World War II....
, 06.05.1945 SS-Hauptscharführer platoon commander 8th Company 2nd SS-Pz.Rgt Das Reich [Dietrich award]* - Willy SimkeWilly SimkeWilly Simke was a Obersturmführer , in the Waffen SS during World War II who was awarded the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross, which was awarded to recognize extreme battlefield bravery or successful military leadership by Nazi Germany during World War II.Willy Simke was born in Belgern on the...
, 16.12.1943 SS-Hauptscharführer platoon commander 5th Company 2nd SS-Pz.Rgt Das Reich - Johann ThalerJohann ThalerJohann Thaler was a Oberscharführer, in the Waffen SS during World War II who was awarded the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross. Which was awarded to recognize extreme battlefield bravery or successful military leadership by Nazi Germany during World War II....
, 14.08.1943 SS-Unterscharführer Panzerfahrer in the 6th Company 2nd SS-Pz.Rgt Das Reich - Christian TychsenChristian TychsenNot to be confused with the governor of the Danish Gold Coast of the same nameChristian Tychsen was a Obersturmbannführer in the Waffen SS who was awarded the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross with Oak Leaves...
31.03.1943 SS-Sturmbannführer Commander II./2nd SS-Pz.Rgt Das Reich - Johann VeithJohann VeithJohann Veith was an Obersturmführer in the Waffen SS during World War II. He was awarded the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross for recognition of his extreme battlefield bravery or successful military leadership...
, 14.02.1945 SS-Obersturmführer Commander 3rd Company 2nd SS-Pz.Rgt Das Reich - Karl-Heinz WorthmannKarl-Heinz WorthmannKarl Heinz Worthmann was a Untersturmführer , in the Waffen SS during World War II who was awarded the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross, which was awarded to recognize extreme battlefield bravery or successful military leadership by Nazi Germany during World War II.Karl Heinz Worthman was born in...
, 31.03.1943 SS-Hauptscharführer platoon commander 6th Company 2nd SS-Pz.Rgt Das Reich
SS Panzer Artillery Regiment 2 Das Reich
- Wolfgang GastWolfgang GastWolfgang Gast was a Obersturmführer in the Waffen SS during World War II who was awarded the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross in July 1944....
, 04.06.1944 SS-Obersturmführer Commander I./2nd SS-Pz.Art.Rgt Das Reich - Karl KreutzKarl KreutzKarl Kreutz was a Standartenführer in the Waffen-SS who was awarded the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross with Oak Leaves...
, 27.08.1944 SS-Standartenführer Commander 2nd SS-Pz.Art.Rgt Das Reich - Hans SchabschneiderHans SchabschneiderHans Schabschneider was a Hauptscharführer, in the Waffen SS during World War II who was awarded the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross. Which was awarded to recognize extreme battlefield bravery or successful military leadership by Nazi Germany during World War II.Hans Schabschneider was awarded the...
, 27.08.1944 SS-Unterscharführer Munitionsstaffelführer 4th Battery 2nd SS-Pz.Art.Rgt Das Reich
SS SturmgeschützSturmgeschützSturmgeschütz is a German word for "assault gun", usually abbreviated StuG. The vehicle was a leading weapon of the Sturmartillerie, a branch of the German artillery tasked with close fire support of infantry in infantry, panzer, and panzergrenadier units...
Battalion 2 Das Reich
- Walter KniepWalter KniepWalter Kniep was a Sturmbannführer , in the Waffen SS during World War II who was awarded the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross. Which was awarded to recognize extreme battlefield bravery or successful military leadership by Nazi Germany during World War II.Walter Kniep was born in East Prussia on...
, 14.08.1943 SS-Sturmbannführer Commander 2nd SS-Stug Battalion Das Reich - Wolfgang RöhderWolfgang RöhderWolfgang Röhder was a Sturmbannführer , in the Waffen-SS during World War II who was awarded the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross, which was awarded to recognize extreme battlefield bravery or successful military leadership by Nazi Germany during World War II.Wolfgang Röhder was born on the 17...
, 01.12.1943 SS-Obersturmführer d.R. Commander 3rd Battery 2nd SS-Stug.Btn Das Reich
PanzerjägerPanzerjägerPanzerjäger was a branch of service of the Wehrmacht during the Second World War which were the anti-tank arm-of-service who operated anti-tank artillery, and made exclusive use of the tank destroyers which were also named Panzerjäger...
Battalion Reich
- Erich RossnerErich RossnerErich Rossner was a Unterscharführer, in the Waffen SS during World War II who was awarded the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross. Which was awarded to recognize extreme battlefield bravery or successful military leadership by Nazi Germany during World War II....
, Erich 25.08.1941 SS-Unterscharführer Geschützführer 2nd Battery 2nd SS-Pz.Jäg.Btn Reich
Motorcycle Battalion Reich
- Fritz KlingenbergFritz KlingenbergSS-Standartenführer Fritz Klingenberg was a German Waffen-SS officer who served with the 2.SS-Division Das Reich and was a commander of the 17.SS- Panzergrenadier-Division Götz von Berlichingen...
, Fritz 14.05.1941 SS-Hauptsturmführer Commander 2nd Company SS-KradSchtz.Btn Reich
Reconnaissance Battalion / SS-Verfügungs-Division
- Fritz VogtFritz VogtFritz Vogt was a Sturmbannführer in the Waffen SS during World War II who was awarded the Knight's Cross with Oakleaves.Vogt volunteered for the SS in April 1935 and was posted to the Germania Regiment...
, 04.09.1940 SS-Obersturmführer platoon commander 2nd Company, reconnaissance Btn SS-Verfügungs-Division
I.(Motorcycle) / SS-Schtz / Pz.Gren-Regiment Langemarck (under command of Das Reich)
- Jakob Fick, 23.04.1943 SS-Sturmbannführer Commander I.(Motorcycle)/SS-Schtz-Rgt Langemarck
SS Panzer Reconnaissance Battalion 2 Das Reich
- Ernst KragErnst KragErnst August Krag was a Sturmbannführer in the Waffen SS who was awarded the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross with Oakleaves.Krag joined the SS-Verfügungstruppe in 1935 and was assigned to the 5th Company Germania Regiment....
, 23.10.1944 SS-Sturmbannführer Commander 2nd SS-Pz.Rec Btn Das Reich - Alfred SieglingAlfred SieglingAlfred Siegling was a Untersturmführer , in the Waffen SS during World War II who was awarded the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross. This award recognizes extreme battlefield bravery or successful military leadership by Nazi Germany during World War II.Alfred Siegling was born on 15 March 1918 at...
, 02.12.1943 SS-Oberscharfführer platoon commander 1st Company, 2nd SS-Pz.Rec.Btn Das Reich - Otto WeidingerOtto WeidingerOtto Weidinger was a member of the German Waffen-SS and a commander of SS-PzGrenRgt 4 "Der Führer" during World War II and was involved in the massacre of Oradour-sur-Glane in France in June 1944. He held the rank of SS-Obersturmbannführer...
, 21.04.1944 SS-Sturmbannführer Commander 2nd SS-Pz.Rec.Btn Das Reich - Hans Weiß, 06.04.1943 SS-Hauptsturmführer Commander 2nd SS-Rec.Btn Das Reich
SS Panzer Pioneer Battalion 2 Das Reich
- Siegfried BrosowSiegfried BrosowSiegfried Brosow was a Sturmbannführer , in the Waffen SS during World War II who was awarded the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross...
, 13.11.1943 SS-Hauptsturmführer Commander 1st Company 2nd SS-Pz.Pi.Btn Das Reich - Karl Gebhard, 06.05.1945 SS-Oberscharführer platoon commander 2nd Company 2nd SS-Pz.Pi.Btn Das Reich [Dietrich award]*
- Fritz Rieflin, 06.05.1945 SS-Obersturmführer Commander 2nd SS-Pz.Pi.Btn Das Reich [Dietrich award]*
- Heinrich SchmelzerHeinrich SchmelzerHeinrich Schmelzer was a Hauptsturmführer in the Waffen SS who was awarded the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross with Oak Leaves during World War II....
, 12.03.1944 SS-Obersturmführer d.R. Commander 2nd SS-Pz.Pi.Btn Das Reich [officially] [16.(Pi.)/SS-PGR 4 "DF"/SS-Pz.Kgr "DR"]
SS Flak Battalion 2 Das Reich
- Franz Joseph DreikeFranz Joseph DreikeFranz Josef Dreike was a Hauptsturmführer , in the Waffen SS during World War II who was awarded the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross. Which was awarded to recognize extreme battlefield bravery or successful military leadership by Nazi Germany during World War II.Franz Josef Dreike was born on the...
, 06.05.1945 SS-Hauptsturmführer d.R. Commander 2nd SS-Flak.Btn Das Reich [Dietrich award]* - Fritz RentropFritz RentropFritz Rentrop was a Sturmbannführer , in the Waffen SS during World War II who was awarded the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross, which was awarded to recognize extreme battlefield bravery or successful military leadership by Nazi Germany during World War II.Fritz Rentrop was born on the 19 November...
, 13.10.1941 SS-Obersturmführer Commander 2nd SS-Flak.Btn SS-Div Reich
Dietrich award
Several awards made by SS-Oberstgruppenführer Sepp DietrichSepp Dietrich
Josef "Sepp" Dietrich was a German SS General. He was one of Nazi Germany's most decorated soldiers and commanded formations up to Army level during World War II. Prior to 1929 he was Adolf Hitler's chauffeur and bodyguard but received rapid promotion after his participation in the murder of...
in May 1945 ; on his own account Dietrich was authorized to award KCs and higher grades up to swords by a personal authority he got from Adolf Hitler
Adolf Hitler
Adolf Hitler was an Austrian-born German politician and the leader of the National Socialist German Workers Party , commonly referred to as the Nazi Party). He was Chancellor of Germany from 1933 to 1945, and head of state from 1934 to 1945...
in May 1944 ; this is questionable and his "eidesstattliche Erklärung" about this issue is either not existent or at least not confirmed ; what is published in von Seemen and Krätschmer is a letter containing a statement which is open to interpretation ; it is very likely this passage is misinterpretated ; as a matter of fact there has been made many promotions (backdated 20.04.1945) and awards by 6. SS-Pz.Armee, announced on 06.05.1945 to the troops ; all these awards made their way from staff 6. SS-Pz.Armee to Berlin offices as well as to SS-Obersturmbannführer Wilhelm Kment [Verbindungs-Offz des Reichsführers SS zum OKH/HPA and "Sachbearbeiter W-SS" im HPA P 5 a 1. Staffel, at that time in Austria] and back beneath the ordinary proposal system and awarding procedere ; "06.05.1945" = day of announcement, is the award date for all these awards ; -> called "Dietrich award" furtheron ; are all illegal according to Scherzer