Walter Kniep
Encyclopedia
Walter Kniep was a Sturmbannführer
(Major), 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 the 13 December 1909, he volunteered to join the SS and was selected to become an officer.
His first command was the 3rd Company, SS Panzer Grenadier Regiment Der Führer in 1941.
He went on to command the III. Battalion, SS Panzer Grenadier Regiment Deutschland
both part of the Das Reich Division.
In 1942 he then took over command of the 2nd SS Sturmgeschütz
(assault gun) Battalion and was noted for being the most notable Waffen SS Stug commander. From July 5 of 1943 to January 17 of 1944, his unit claimed the destruction of some 129 Russian tanks, while losing two Stugs. For these actions, Kniep was awarded the Knight’s Cross.
He was given command of the 17th SS Panzer Regiment, 17th SS Panzer Grenadier Division Götz von Berlichingen.
Walter Kniep was killed in an accident on the 22 April 1944 at Thouars
in France
, when he was accidentally shot during training when a soldier was unloading a Luger pistol.
Sturmbannführer
Sturmbannführer was a paramilitary rank of the Nazi Party equivalent to major, used both in the Sturmabteilung and the Schutzstaffel...
(Major), in the Waffen SS 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...
who was awarded the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross
Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross
The Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross was a grade of the 1939 version of the 1813 created Iron Cross . The Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross was the highest award of Germany to recognize extreme battlefield bravery or successful military leadership during World War II...
. 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 the 13 December 1909, he volunteered to join the SS and was selected to become an officer.
His first command was the 3rd Company, SS Panzer Grenadier Regiment Der Führer in 1941.
He went on to command the III. Battalion, SS Panzer Grenadier Regiment Deutschland
both part of the Das Reich Division.
In 1942 he then took over command of the 2nd SS Sturmgeschütz
Sturmgeschütz
Sturmgeschütz 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...
(assault gun) Battalion and was noted for being the most notable Waffen SS Stug commander. From July 5 of 1943 to January 17 of 1944, his unit claimed the destruction of some 129 Russian tanks, while losing two Stugs. For these actions, Kniep was awarded the Knight’s Cross.
He was given command of the 17th SS Panzer Regiment, 17th SS Panzer Grenadier Division Götz von Berlichingen.
Walter Kniep was killed in an accident on the 22 April 1944 at Thouars
Thouars
Thouars is a commune in the Deux-Sèvres department in western France.It is on the River Thouet. Its inhabitants are known as Thouarsais.-History:...
in France
France
The French Republic , The French Republic , The French Republic , (commonly known as France , is a unitary semi-presidential republic in Western Europe with several overseas territories and islands located on other continents and in the Indian, Pacific, and Atlantic oceans. Metropolitan France...
, when he was accidentally shot during training when a soldier was unloading a Luger pistol.