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Phoenix, Harry Hermann Albert (Waffen SS)

Date of birth:
December 21st, 1912 (Szagarren/Lithuania, Russian Empire)
Date of death:
December 21st, 1999 (Kirchheim unter Teck/Baden-Württemberg, Germany)
Service number:
SS-Nr.: 423.683 // NSDAP-Nr.:
Nationality:
German (1933-1945, Third Reich)

Biography

SS-Hauptsturmführer der Reserve

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Period:
Second World War (1939-1945)
Awarded on:
October 2nd, 1940
Eisernes Kreuz 2. Klasse
Period:
Second World War (1939-1945)
Awarded on:
June 11th, 1941
(Allgemeines) Sturmabzeichen (ohne zahlen), I.Stufe
Period:
Second World War (1939-1945)
Awarded on:
August 4th, 1941
Eisernes Kreuz 1. Klasse
Period:
Second World War (1939-1945)
Awarded on:
March 10th, 1943
Verwundetenabzeichen 1939 in Schwarz
Period:
Second World War (1939-1945)
Rank:
SS-Obersturmführer (Lieutenant)
Unit:
Chef, 5. Batterie, II. Abteilung, SS-Artillerie-Regiment 8, 8. SS-Kavallerie-Division, Waffen-SS
Awarded on:
January 16th, 1944
Deutsches Kreuz in Gold
Period:
Second World War (1939-1945)
Awarded on:
1944
Verwundetenabzeichen 1939 in Silber
Period:
Second World War (1939-1945)
Awarded on:
1944
Nahkampfspange in Bronze
Period:
Second World War (1939-1945)
Awarded on:
1944
Nahkampfspange in Silber
Period:
Second World War (1939-1945)
Rank:
SS-Hauptsturmführer (Captain)
Unit:
Kommandeur, II. Abteilung, SS-Artillerie-Regiment 8, 8. SS-Kavallerie-Division "Florian Geyer", Waffen-SS
Awarded on:
February 21st, 1945
Nahkampfspange in Gold
Period:
Second World War (1939-1945)
Rank:
SS-Hauptsturmführer (Captain)
Unit:
Kommandeur, II. Abteilung, SS-Artillerie-Regiment 8, 8. SS-Kavallerie-Division "Florian Geyer", Waffen-SS
Awarded on:
February 21st, 1945
Phönix’s Knight’s Cross recommendation reads as follows…

“SS-Hauptsturmführer Phönix commanded the remnants of the friendly artillery in Fortress Budapest. Here his tireless devotion to duty ensured the continuation of friendly artillery support for the infantry elements despite the most difficult of operating circumstances. Although the Batterie positions had to be consolidated into a very small area (from which they were forced to fire at very close ranges), he nonetheless fended off numerous attacks (sometimes via direct fire).

During the ordered breakout from the pocket SS-Hauptsturmführer Phönix led a Kampfgruppe consisting of about 400 men. He led this group in an exemplary fashion, taking it through the heart of enemy territory and overcoming 5 hostile security lines over the course of multiple combat days. In the end he managed to break through the Russian frontline and reach friendly territory during the morning hours of the 14.02.1945 following a great final effort.”

Name is incorrectly written as Phönix in Fellgiebel.
Note by Bernd R at Awardholders / unit: "I recently was in touch with W-SS KC holder Harry Phoenix, which is spelled "Phönix" in many official documents and in the literature; it is secure that his name from birth and throughout all the times was Phoenix , he and his wife signed like that".
Ritterkreuz des Eisernen Kreuzes

Sources

Photo