Josef Swientek
| Josef Swientek | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Born |
1 February 1912 Oppeln, Schlesien |
| Died |
29 June 1991 (aged 79) Königstein im Taunus |
| Allegiance |
.svg.png){kind=small} Nazi Germany |
| Service/branch |
 Waffen SS |
| Years of service | 1939–45 |
| Rank | Standartenführer |
| Unit | 3rd SS Panzer Division Totenkopf |
| Battles/wars | World War II |
| Awards |
Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross German Cross in Gold Iron Cross 1st Class Iron Cross 2nd Class General Assault Badge in Silver Anschluss Medal Sudetenland Medal with Prague Castle Bar [1] |
Josef Swientek (1 February 1912 – 29 June 1991) was a Standartenführer (Colonel) 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
Josef Swientek was born in Oppeln in Schlesien on February 1, 1912. He volunteered to join the SS and was issued the SS Service number 176.183; his NSDAP party number was 4.490.574. As a member of the SS-VT he participated in the Anschluss of Austria, the occupation of the Sudetenland and the annexation of Bohemia and Moravia.
World War II
He took part in the Polish Campaign and was awarded the Iron Cross 2nd class in September 1939 and the 1st class award in July 1940 during the Battle of France.[1]
He joined the newly formed SS Division Totenkopf and became the commander of the II. Battalion, 3rd SS Artillery Regiment in August 1940.
Swientek was given command of the 3rd SS Artillery Regiment in May 1943 and was awarded the German Cross in Gold in July 1942, while serving on the Eastern Front in Russia.[1]
His award of the Knight's Cross was in June 1944 while serving in the Ukraine.[1]
Josef Swientek died on the 29 June 1991.[1]
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.
- Scherzer, Veit (2007). Die Ritterkreuzträger 1939–1945 Die Inhaber des Ritterkreuzes des Eisernen Kreuzes 1939 von Heer, Luftwaffe, Kriegsmarine, Waffen-SS, Volkssturm sowie mit Deutschland verbündeter Streitkräfte nach den Unterlagen des Bundesarchives [The Knight's Cross Bearers 1939–1945 The Holders of the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross 1939 by Army, Air Force, Navy, Waffen-SS, Volkssturm and Allied Forces with Germany According to the Documents of the Federal Archives] (in German). Jena, Germany: Scherzers Miltaer-Verlag. ISBN 978-3-938845-17-2.
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