Date of birth:

August 19th, 1907 (Zaborze, Zabrzein, Hindenburg, Silesia, Germany)

Date of death:

May 12th, 1945 (Prague, Czech Republic)

Service number:

SS-Nr.: 272.890 // NSDAP-Nr.: 4.263.094

Nationality:

German

SS-Standartenführer Wolfgang Roman Christian Theodor Joerchel / Jörchel
Promotions:
15.07.1935: Unteroffizier d. R. und Reserve-Offiziersanwärter
00.00.1935: AW-Obersturmführer
01.10.1935: SS-Obersturmführer
20.04.1938: SS-Hauptsturmführer
01.09.1941: SS-Sturmbannführer der Waffen-SS
30.01.1943: SS-Obersturmbannführer der Waffen-SS
01.09.1944: SS-Standartenführer der Waffen-SS

Career:
00.05.1934: Hitlerjugend
00.00.1934: joined the SA
01.10.1935: entered the SS-VT as SS-Ostuf
00.00.1935-00.00.1937: SS-Ostuf, MG-Lehrer, SS-Junkerschule Bad Tölz
00.00.1938: SS-Hstuf, SS-Standarte 'Deutschland' - campaign in Austria then the Sudetes
00.09.1939: SS-Hstuf, SS-Standarte 'Germania' - campaign in Poland
00.05.1940: campaign in France
00.12.1940: SS-Hstuf, Kdr, II. Bataillon, SS-Standarte 'Germania', SS-VD
10.01.1943: SS-Stubaf, Kdr., SS-Panzergrenadier-Regiment "Nordland"
01.05.1943: SS-Ostubaf, Kdr, SS-PanzergrenadierRegiment 23 'Norge'
08.01.1944: SS-Ostubaf, Kdr, SS-Freiwilligen-Panzergrenadier-Regiment 48 'General Seyffardt', 23. SS-Freiwilligen-Panzergrenadier-Division 'Nederland' - Narva Bridgehead
00.07.1944: SS-Staf, Kdr, SS-Junkerschule Prag
12.05.1945: shot himself or executed by the Czech mob

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Awarded on:

1934

Awarded on:

1935

Awarded on:

1939

Awarded on:

1939

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Awarded on:

October 3rd, 1939

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Awarded on:

July 29th, 1940

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Awarded on:

1941

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Rank:

SS-Sturmbannführer (Major)

Unit:

Führer, II. Bataillon, SS-Regiment "Germania", SS-Division 'Wiking'

Awarded on:

February 28th, 1942

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Awarded on:

1942

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Rank:

SS-Sturmbannführer (Major)

Awarded on:

March 6th, 1943

with swords

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Rank:

SS-Obersturmbannführer (Lieutenant-colonel)

Unit:

Kommandeur, SS-Freiwilligen-Panzergrenadier-Regiment 48 "General Seyffardt", 23. SS-Freiwilligen-Panzer-Grenadier-Division “Nederland”, III.(germanische) SS-Panzer-Korps, Heeresgruppe Nord

Awarded on:

April 21st, 1944

Joerchel’s Knight’s Cross recommendation reads as follows…

“After a major raid on the Narva city/bridgehead by strong enemy bomber formations, which brought about the total destruction of the city, the enemy attacked the Narva bridgehead on a broad front with numerically superior infantry and tank forces on the 08.03.1944 following an exceptionally strong drumfire barrage. The enemy’s main thrust was directed against the sector held by the SS-Frw.Pz.Gren.Rgt. ‘General Seyffardt’, commanded by SS-Obersturmbannführer Joerchel.

Although the Regiment had lost the better part of its officers and NCOs during the heavy retreat battles from the Oranienbaum front, the Soviet assault was fought off with extremely high enemy losses that included 27 tanks destroyed. This great victory was in large part due to the deliberate leadership and exemplary personal steadfastness of the Regimental commander. As the heavy bombing and drumfire had smashed all the communication links, he personally went to the most critical sections of the front and used his own example to motivate his men to offer bitter resistance. Small penetrations were cleaned up through immediate counterthrusts by swiftly assembled alarm units under his personal command.

The enemy repeatedly struck the positions of the Regiment for 5 days, but could not force a breakthrough. Yet these attempts along with the vastly more powerful enemy fire support resulted in severe losses on our own side. It was only because of the great personal merit of SS-Obersturmbannführer Joerchel that the Regiment’s positions were held without the need for substantial reinforcement. Thanks to him all enemy breakthrough attempts have so far been smashed.

He and his Regiment were praised in an OKW report on the 15.03.1944.”

based on a recommendation dated 18.03.1944

• - MOONEY, PETER, Waffen-SS Knights and their Battles, Schiffer Military History, 2016.
  - Die Ordensträger der Deutschen Wehrmacht (CD), VMD-Verlag GmbH, Osnabrück, 2002
  - Patzwall K., Scherzer V., Das Deutsche Kreuz 1941-1945, Geschichte und Inhaber Band II, Verlag Klaus D. Patzwall, Norderstedt, 2001
  - Microfilm Publication A3343. US National Archives.