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Lex, Alfred (Waffen SS)

Date of birth:
June 10th, 1913 (Fohnsdorf, Styria, Austria)
Date of death:
March 11th, 1944 (Arakdijevzij near Shepetovka/Ukraine, USSR)
Buried on:
German War Cemetery Potylicz / Potelitsch
Grave: UNK.
Service number:
SS-Nr.: 132.147 // NSDAP-Nr.:
Nationality:
Austrian (1938-1945, Reichsgau)

Biography

00.09.1930: Hitlerjugend
00.04.1933: entered the SS
01.01.1935: SS-VT, SS-Regiment "Deutschland" then SS-Regiment "Der Führer"
00.10.1939: SS-Unterscharführer, SS-Division "Reich"
00.00.1939-00.00.1940: SS-Junkerschule
09.11.1940: promoted to SS-Untersturmführer der Reserve
Führer, III. Sturm, SS-Standarte „Der Führer", SS-Verfügungsdivision
30.01.1942: promoted to SS-Obersturmführer der Reserve
Kompaniechef, SS-Regiment (mot.) „Der Führer", SS-Division 'Das Reich'
00.02.1942: severely WIA 3 times
27.10.1942: SS-Ostuf, DKiG
00.12.1942: his brother SS-Uscha Ludwig Lex serving in the SS-Aufklärung-Abteilung 2 was KIA in Russia
20.04.1943: promoted to SS-Hauptsturmführer der Reserve
Führer, I. Bataillon, SS-Panzer-Grenadier-Regiment 4 „Der Führer"
00.12.1943: WIA for the 9th time
10.12.1943: SS-Hstuf, RK
00.01.1944: SS-Panzer-Kampfgruppe „Das Reich", Eastern Front
Führer, SS-Panzer-Grenadier-Bataillon „Das Reich" also known as III. Grenadier-Bataillon der SS-Kampfgruppe „Weidinger"
00.02.1944: SS-Hstuf, NKSiG
11.03.1944: SS-Hstuf, KIA Arakdijevzij, East of Šepetovka, Ukraine

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Period:
Second World War (1939-1945)
Rank:
SS-Unterscharführer (Sergeant)
Unit:
Zugführer, SS-VT-Standarten "Deutschland"
Awarded on:
May 30th, 1940
Eisernes Kreuz 2. Klasse
Period:
Second World War (1939-1945)
Rank:
SS-Unterscharführer (Sergeant)
Unit:
Zugführer, SS-VT-Standarten "Deutschland"
Awarded on:
July 27th, 1940
Eisernes Kreuz 1. Klasse
Period:
Second World War (1939-1945)
Awarded on:
November 23rd, 1940

Silver version.
Infanterie-Sturmabzeichen
Period:
Second World War (1939-1945)
Rank:
SS-Obersturmführer der Reserve (1st Lieutenant of Reserves)
Awarded on:
February 17th, 1942
Verwundetenabzeichen 1939 in Schwarz
Period:
Second World War (1939-1945)
Rank:
SS-Obersturmführer der Reserve (1st Lieutenant of Reserves)
Awarded on:
February 17th, 1942
Verwundetenabzeichen 1939 in Silber
Period:
Second World War (1939-1945)
Awarded on:
1942
Medaille
Period:
Second World War (1939-1945)
Rank:
SS-Obersturmführer der Reserve (1st Lieutenant of Reserves)
Unit:
Führer, 3. Kompanie, SS-Regiment "Der Führer", SS-Division (mot.) 'Das Reich'
Awarded on:
October 27th, 1942
Deutsches Kreuz in Gold
Period:
Second World War (1939-1945)
Rank:
SS-Obersturmführer der Reserve (1st Lieutenant of Reserves)
Awarded on:
March 25th, 1943
Panzervernichtungsabzeichen in Silber
Period:
Second World War (1939-1945)
Rank:
SS-Hauptsturmführer der Reserve (Captain of Reserves)
Awarded on:
July 25th, 1943
Panzervernichtungsabzeichen in Silber
Period:
Second World War (1939-1945)
Rank:
SS-Obersturmführer der Reserve (1st Lieutenant of Reserves)
Unit:
Führer, 3. Kompanie, SS-Regiment "Der Führer", SS-Division (mot.) 'Reich'
Awarded on:
August 15th, 1943
Verwundetenabzeichen 1939 in Gold
Period:
Second World War (1939-1945)
Rank:
SS-Hauptsturmführer der Reserve (Captain of Reserves)
Unit:
Kommandeur, I. Bataillon, SS-Panzer-Grenadier-Regiment 4 "Der Führer", 2. SS-Panzer Division 'Das Reich'
Awarded on:
November 1943

Winter of 1943.
Nahkampfspange in Silber
Period:
Second World War (1939-1945)
Rank:
SS-Hauptsturmführer der Reserve (Captain of Reserves)
Unit:
Kommandeur, I. Bataillon, SS-Panzer-Grenadier-Regiment 4 "Der Führer", 2. SS-Panzer Division 'Das Reich'
Awarded on:
December 10th, 1943
Lex’s Knight’s Cross recommendation reads as follows…

"During the attack of the SS-Pz.Gren.Rgt. "Der Führer" on the 12.08.1943 against Ssuchliny, the I./SS-Pz.Gren.Rgt. "DF" was only able to advance very slowly due to the heavy enemy defensive fire. The Kompanie Chef, SS-Hauptsturmführer Lex, discovered a better attack route through the forest south of Ssuchliny.

He made an independent decision to move with his Kompanie and they suddenly found themselves in the flank of the enemy, who were resisting bitterly, but they fought them and sent them into full disorder. The Russians took to a panicked flight and left behind seven KV-1s already employed there.

Lex utilized this situation towards a desirable outcome; he pushed immediately after the enemy towards Kiljany and seized a Pakfront of ten 7.62 cm guns. He used these to help him take the village of Kiljany. This violent, outstanding bravery created the ideal conditions for the armoured group on the right.

From this place, the enemy was attacked and fully smashed. The Russians left behind the following during their retreat:

460 dead
85 prisoners
10 destroyed T-34s
7 captured KV-1s
16 heavy Pak
18 light Pak
10 heavy machine-guns
18 trucks
6 cars

Pulling back after reaching Bogodukhov, the Division took the main battle line and the relevant forward line.

During this heavy defensive fighting Lex often pushed and struck against the enemy with attacks consisting of only a few men. He was repeatedly wounded, but he remained with his Kompanie. Only after his ninth wound, which was very severe, did he allow himself to be admitted to the hospital for treatment.

Since Lex has already been suggested for the Knight's Cross because of his outstanding deeds, it would appear that due to his unique achievements he is now particularly worthy of the honour of the award of the Knight's Cross to the Iron Cross."
Ritterkreuz des Eisernen Kreuzes
Period:
Second World War (1939-1945)
Rank:
SS-Hauptsturmführer der Reserve (Captain of Reserves)
Unit:
Kommandeur, I. Bataillon, SS-Panzer-Grenadier-Regiment 4 "Der Führer", 2. SS-Panzer Division 'Das Reich'
Awarded on:
February 1944

Spring of 1944.
Nahkampfspange in Gold

Sources

Photo