Franz Kleffner
| Franz Kleffner | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Born |
2 July 1907 Altena, Germany |
| Died |
16 March 1945 (aged 37) Hungary |
| Allegiance |
.svg.png){kind=small} Nazi Germany |
| Service/branch |
 Waffen SS |
| Years of service | 1930–45 |
| Rank | Obersturmbannführer |
| Unit |
3rd SS Panzer Division Totenkopf 10th SS Panzer Division Frundsberg |
| Battles/wars | World War II |
| Awards |
Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross Iron Cross 1st Class Iron Cross 2nd Class Eastern Front Medal 1941/42 Demyansk Shield |
Franz Kleffner (2 July 1907 – 16 March 1945) was an Obersturmbannführer (Lieutenant Colonel) in the Waffen SS during World War II who was awarded the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross. This was awarded to recognize extreme battlefield bravery or successful military leadership by Nazi Germany during World War II.
Franz Kleffner was born on the 2 July 1907 at Altena. He was one of the early members of the SS joining in December 1930 (SS service number 7.939). [1]
He was promoted to an officer rank of Untersturmführer (Second Lieutenant) in April 1935 and Hauptsturmführer (Captain) by the start of World War II, when he was given command of the 13th Company, SS Totenkopf Infantry Regiment in the newly formed SS Totenkopf Division.
He was awarded the Knight's Cross, while in command of the SS Motorcycle Battalion, SS Totenkopf in February 1942, while fighting on the Eastern Front.
In early February, the Soviets captured Bjakowo, cutting off the Totenkopf, from the main German force, II. Armeekorps, encircled around Demyansk. Kleffner took over the command at Bjakowo and on February 19, he led the survivors in an assault which resulted in a breakthrough to the main force, an action for which he was awarded the Knight's Cross on 21 February. [2]
He was killed on 16 March 1945 during the Soviet offensive north of Lake Velence in Hungary when the armoured personnel carrier he was travelling in was hit by a Soviet shell.
Commands
- 13th Infantry Company, SS Totenkopf Infantry Regiment
- I.Battalion, SS Schutz Regiment, SS Totenkopf
- SS Motorcycle Battalion, SS Totenkopf
- 10th SS Panzer Regiment, 10th SS Panzer Division Frundsberg
- 6th SS Panzer Grenadier Regiment Theodor Eicke 3rd SS Panzer Division Totenkopf [3]
References
Further reading
- Fellgiebel, Walther-Peer (2000) [1986]. Die Träger des Ritterkreuzes des Eisernen Kreuzes 1939–1945 — Die Inhaber der höchsten Auszeichnung des Zweiten Weltkrieges aller Wehrmachtteile [The Bearers of the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross 1939–1945 — The Owners of the Highest Award of the Second World War of all Wehrmacht Branches] (in German). Friedberg, Germany: Podzun-Pallas. ISBN 978-3-7909-0284-6.
- Henschler, Henri; Fey, Willi (2003). Armor Battles of the Waffen-SS, 1943–45. Mechanicsburg, PA: Stackpole Books. ISBN 978-0-8117-2905-5.
- Mitcham, Samuel W (2007). Retreat to the Reich : the German defeat in France, 1944. Mechanicsburg, PA: Stackpole Books. ISBN 978-0-8117-3384-7.
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