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Schulz-Streeck, Karl-Heinz (s.SS-Pz-Jäger-Abt.11)

Date of birth:
January 21st, 1909 (Berlin-Wilmersdorf/Brandenburg, Germany)
Date of death:
September 1st, 1978 (Westerstede/Lower Saxony, Germany)
Service number:
SS Nr.: 280.837
Nationality:
German (1933-1945, Third Reich)

Biography

ca.1933 : NSDAP member
1934 : Reserveoffizieranwärter (ROA) - Reichswehr
1940 : Leutnant d.R. and Zugführer - 1. Batterie - Sturmartillerie-Abteilung 192
1st February 1942 : Oberleutnant d.R. and Führer der Stabsbatterie - Sturmgeschütz-Abteilung 184
March 1943 : Chef 2. Bie - leicht. Sturmgeschütz-Abteilung 912 (Jüterbog)
- Kommandant Artilleriebatterie - 912. Sturmgeschütz (Sturmgewehr, StuG) Bataillon.
Spring 1943 : Hauptmann and severely WIA in Ostfront by shell shrapnell
Fall 1943 : instructor in the 11. SS-Sturmgeschütz-Bataillons Nordland - 11. SS-Freiw. Pz.gren.-Div. Nordland
21st January 1944 : Bataillonskommandeur SS-Stug-Abt.11 after SS Stubaf Alwin Ernst Röntzsch was sevrely WIA.
Entered at this point the Waffen-SS as SS-Hauptsturmführer d. R.
August 1944 : awarded the Deutsche Kreuz in Gold.
9 November 1944 : promoted SS-Sturmbannführer d.R. - Major d.R. - Kommandeur der SS-Sturmgeschütz-Abteilung 11 - 11. SS-Freiwilligen-Panzergrenadier-Division "Nordland"
February 1945 : Chief of a mixed Kampfgruppe of the Einsatz-Division 402 - Operation „Sonnenwende"
9. May 1945 : US POW and awarded the Ritterkreuz in a Lazarett in Timmendorfer Strand, Schleswig-Holstein.
1956 : Prof. and Dr. phil. in the Philipps-Universität in Marburg

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Period:
Second World War (1939-1945)
Rank:
SS-Hauptsturmführer der Reserve (Captain of Reserves)
Unit:
schwere SS-Panzer-Jäger-Abteilung 11, 11. SS-Freiwilligen-Panzergrenadier-Division "Nordland"
Awarded on:
August 19th, 1944
Deutsches Kreuz in Gold
Period:
Second World War (1939-1945)
Rank:
Leutnant der Reserve (2nd Lieutenant of Reserves)
Unit:
Zugführer in der 1. Batterie - Sturmgeschütz-Abteilung 192
Awarded on:
November 1st, 1941
Eisernes Kreuz 1. Klasse
Period:
Second World War (1939-1945)
Rank:
Leutnant der Reserve (2nd Lieutenant of Reserves)
Awarded on:
September 3rd, 1941
Eisernes Kreuz 2. Klasse
Period:
Second World War (1939-1945)
Rank:
Leutnant der Reserve (2nd Lieutenant of Reserves)
Unit:
Sturmgeschütz-Abteilung 192
Awarded on:
September 3rd, 1941
in silver
(Allgemeines) Sturmabzeichen (ohne zahlen), I.Stufe
Period:
Second World War (1939-1945)
Rank:
Oberleutnant der Reserve (1st Lieutenant of Reserves)
(Allgemeines) Sturmabzeichen
Period:
Second World War (1939-1945)
Rank:
Oberleutnant der Reserve (1st Lieutenant of Reserves)
Unit:
Chef - Stab.Bie/ Sturmgeschütz-Abteilung 184
Awarded on:
September 5th, 1942
Medaille
Period:
Second World War (1939-1945)
Rank:
Leutnant der Reserve (2nd Lieutenant of Reserves)
Verwundetenabzeichen 1939 in Schwarz
Period:
Second World War (1939-1945)
Rank:
Oberleutnant der Reserve (1st Lieutenant of Reserves)
Unit:
Chef der 2. Batterie der leichten Sturmgeschütz-Abteilung 912
Awarded on:
1943
Verwundetenabzeichen 1939 in Silber
Period:
Second World War (1939-1945)
Rank:
Hauptmann der Reserve (Captain of Reserves)
Awarded on:
August 17th, 1944
Verwundetenabzeichen 1939 in Gold
Period:
Second World War (1939-1945)
Rank:
SS-Hauptsturmführer der Reserve (Captain of Reserves)
Awarded on:
1944
Ehrenwinkel der Alten Kämpfer
Period:
Second World War (1939-1945)
Awarded on:
April 12th, 1944
Nahkampfspange in Bronze
Period:
Second World War (1939-1945)
Rank:
SS-Sturmbannführer der Reserve (Major of Reserves)
Unit:
Kampfgruppenführer und Kommandeur der SS-Stug-Abt.11 - 11. SS-Freiw.-Pz.gren.-Div. „Nordland“
Awarded on:
May 2nd, 1945
Schulz-Streeck’s Knight’s Cross recommendation reads as follows…

“SS-Sturmbannführer Karlheinz Schulz-Streeck, born on the 21.01.1909 and the commander of SS-Panzerjäger-Abteilung 11, was recommended for the Knight’s Cross to the Iron Cross in the middle of March 1945 by the commander of the 11. SS-Freiwilligen Panzergrenadier-Division ‘Nordland’, SS-Brigadeführer und Generalmajor der Waffen-SS Ziegler. The III. (Germ.) Panzerkorps passed along this recommendation in the middle of April 1945.

SS-Sturmbannführer Schulz-Streeck was also recommended for this award by the X. SS-Armeekorps for his achievements in Pomerania during the time period 01.02.-03.03.1945.

1. Successes of the Abteilung:

In the time period 01.02.-04.03.1945 the Abteilung destroyed 85 Russian tanks and immobilized a further 21 tanks. In this time it also destroyed 67 anti-tank guns plus several infantry guns and a large number of mortars and machine-guns. During this period the Abteilung conducted 116 attacks/immediate counterattacks and repulsed over 200 enemy attacks.

In this time the Abteilung received 9 anti-tank and 20 high explosive rounds from the X. SS-Armeekorps. The remaining ammunition was taken from the store of the Tr.Übg.Bl. Gr.-Born (200 metres in front of the friendly main battle line). The Abteilung would’ve been unable to complete its missions without recovering this latter stockpile.

2. Sturmgeschütz and Pak Situation:

1. and 2. Kompanien began the fighting with 31 StuG IIIs. They lost 3 due to enemy actions and a further 2 blown up by friendly forces. 1 StuG was recovered from the main battle line, and 3 T-34s were incorporated into the unit as captured equipment.

3. Kompanie began the fighting with 12 Pak 40s. 1 was blown up by friendly forces, however a Russian anti-tank gun (7.62 cm) was captured and incorporated into the unit.

On the 02.03.1945, the day of encirclement, the Abteilung possessed the following:

27 StuG IIIs
3 T-34s
11 Pak 40s
1 Russian anti-tank gun (7.62 cm).

3. Personal Achievements:

A) SS-Sturmbannführer Schulz-Streeck had already been wounded five times by the time this time period commenced (among other things, a shell splinter in his lung, two left middle-foot bones fractured, left wrist fractured and a fracture in his right knee), and had experienced an accident due to enemy action. However, by his own wish, he was written up as conditionally fit for active service. And despite his injuries he continued to lead his Abteilung from the foremost line, mostly on foot in order to maintain contact with friendly infantry.

On the 08.02.1945 he was involved in a vehicle accident at the frontline near Ravenstein. This resulted in the fracturing of his right radial bone just above the wrist. He also broke his lower jaw while losing 6 teeth from said jaw. However, following the application of a cast and splinting his lower jaw, he left the hospital on the 10.02.1945 and continued to lead the Abteilung.

During the scattered operations of the Abteilung between Deutsch-Krone and Ravenstein, SS-Sturmbannführer Schulz-Streeck drove to the frontline on a daily basis. He personally directed important operations and thereby ensured the success of every Zug’s undertakings.

The frequently requested temporary assemblies of the Abteilung as a whole proved to be extremely valuable. The commanding General (Generalleutnant Krappe) and the chief of staff (Oberst der Polizei Goltz) declared that the Abteilung was the backbone of the X. SS-Armeekorps.

The Chief of Staff and the Ia also repeatedly recognized the role that SS-Sturmbannführer Schulz-Streeck played in maintaining contact with the neighbouring sectors. He was likewise considered the quickest and most secure means of delivering messages to the units in the sector of the Korps itself.

Bi) On the 16.02.1945, and despite his injuries, SS-Sturmbannführer Schulz-Streeck conducted terrain reconnaissance for the attack on Gutsdorf and the Gutsdorfer-Berge (located north and northwest of Callies). Afterwards he launched the attack with the armoured group (consisting his own 1./Pz.Jg.Abt. 11 as well as the 1. Pz.Jagd.Abteilung, itself composed of a Kompanie of 10 Hetzers, a Kompanie of 5 Hetzers and a Kompanie of 4 StuG IIIs).

The attack commenced on the 17.02.1945 at 07:30. SS-Sturmbannführer Schulz-Streeck accompanied the middle group and directed the assault from there. The armoured group was divided into three components that advanced in a fan-shaped formation before pivoting and taking the enemy in the flank. The ordered objectives were attained between 10:00 and 12:00.

A further advance from here was not possible, as friendly armoured elements were required to defeat a Soviet penetration in the sector of the left neighbour. SS-Sturmbannführer recommended that the Kompanie of 10 Hetzers be used for this purpose. This Kompanie had just taken the heights north of Kallies, and no attack by enemy armoured forces was expected from the lower lying city of Kallies itself. This measure proved to be the correct one. During the following night the middle group intercepted a tank-led Russian attack against Gutsdorf, which was repulsed. In the process the enemy lost several tanks to the guns of 1./SS-Pz.Jg.Abt. 11.

ii) On the 18.02.1945 SS-Sturmbannführer Schulz-Streeck arrived on the battlefield near Hassenstein. Here a friendly attack that had been supported by the 2./Pz.Jg.Abt. 11 had just been repelled. He immediately carried out a terrain reconnaissance and recommended to the Korps that the attack be launched again on the following day. This new attack on Hassendorf would consist of a thrust into the right flank of the enemy positions with the support of the 1./Pz.Jg.Abt. 11.

This proposal was accepted by the Korps. SS-Sturmbannführer Schulz-Streeck would go on to lead the attack on Hassendorf, and when radio contact was lost with the left attacking group he personally drove to it in order to ensure that its movements were in sync with the rest of the attacking force. Ultimately, the attack resulted in both the capture of Hassendorf itself as well as the high ground to the south of it. 6 Russian tanks were destroyed in this engagement, and an additional 15 fled the battlefield.

iii) SS-Sturmbannführer Schulz-Streeck has participated in 50 Sturmgeschütz attacks and 22 infantry attacks (counted as close combat days). He has sustained 6 wounds and been involved in 2 accidents directly caused by enemy action.”


He was nominated by the commander-in-chief North via teleprinter message on 11-5-1945. The Heerespersonalamt Außenstelle (HPA/A—Branch of the Army Staff Office) received the message on 13-5-1945. There is no further indication available that the nomination was processed or awarded. Schulz-Streeck is not listed on the HPA/A presentation list. The registry of rejected or deferred nominations contains his nomination file card only. According to the Association of Knight's Cross Recipients (OdR) the presentation was made in accordance with the Dönitz-decree. This is illegal according to the Deutsche Dienststelle (WASt) and lacks legal justification. The presentation date was assigned by Walther-Peer Fellgiebel. Schulz-Streeck was a member of the OdR.
Ritterkreuz des Eisernen Kreuzes
Period:
Second World War (1939-1945)
Nr. 592.997
SA-Sportabzeichen
Period:
Second World War (1939-1945)
Awarded on:
March 15th, 1945
(Allgemeines) Sturmabzeichen

Sources

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