Date of birth:

May 17th, 1911 (Munich/Bavaria, Germany)

Date of death:

January 21st, 1949 (Hamelin/Lowersaxony, Germany)

Service number:

SS-Nr.: 87.881 // NSDAP-Nr.: 157.016

Nationality:

German

Fritz Knöchlein was after the war convicted and executed by hanging for war crimes committed on May 27th, 1940 at Le Paradis.

Promotions:
19.06.1934: SS-Mann
24.04.1935: SS-Junker
25.02.1936: SS-Standarten-Oberjunker
01.04.1936: SS-Untersturmführer
20.04.1937: SS-Obersturmführer;
08.01.1939: SS-Hauptsturmführer;
21.04.1942: SS-Sturmbannführer;
14.03.1944: SS-Obersturmbannführer

Career:
20.04.1934: SS-Ustuf, Rasse- und Siedlungshauptamt - RuSHA
19.06.1934: SS-Mann, Ausbildung, Polizeibereitschaft - Ellwangen
24.04.1935-25.02.1936: SS-Junker, SS-Junkerschule Braunschweig
01.04.1936: SS-Ustuf, Zugführer, 1. Kompanie, III. Bataillon, SS-Standarte 'Deutschland'
01.10.1936: IV. Bataillon, SS-Standarte 'Deutschland'
24.09.1938-26.11.1938: SS-Ostuf, V. A.K., Stuttgart
16.06.1939: SS-Ostuf, SS-Aufklärungs-Abteilung, SS-VT
01.07.1939: SS-Ostuf, Adjutant, 18. SS-Standarte
01.11.1939: SS-Hstuf, Kompanieführer, SS-Totenkopf-Division
02.11.1939: 3. Kompanie, SS-Totenkopf-Regiment 2 (mot.), SS-Division Totenkopf;
?: 5. Kompanie, SS-Totenkopf-Regiment 2 (mot.), SS-Division Totenkopf;
00.04.1941: Führer, Batterie, SS-Flak-Abteilung 3;
29.11.1943: SS-Stubaf, Kommandeur, III. Bataillon, SS-Panzergrenadier-Regiment 36, 16. SS-Panzergrenadier-Division „Reichsführer SS";
00.04.1944: Kommandeur, 23. SS-Panzergrenadier-Regiment „Norge", 11. SS-Freiwilligen-Panzergrenadier-Division „Nordland";
10.02.1945-08.05.1945: Kommandeur, SS-Freiwilligen-Panzergrenadier-Regiment 49, 23. SS-Freiwilligen-Panzergrenadier-Division „Nederland"
11.10.1948: his trial began in Rotherbaum, Hamburg - charged with committing a war crime in that he in the vicinity of Paradis, Pas-de-Calais, France, on or about 27 May 1940, in violation of the laws and usages of war, was concerned in the killing of about ninety prisoners-of-war, members of The Royal Norfolk Regiment and other British Units
found guilty and sentenced to death by hanging
21.01.1949: hanged

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Awarded on:

1935

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Awarded on:

May 31st, 1940

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Awarded on:

June 15th, 1940

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Awarded on:

1941

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Awarded on:

June 2nd, 1942

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Awarded on:

June 15th, 1942

in Bronze

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Awarded on:

July 19th, 1942

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Rank:

SS-Sturmbannführer (Major)

Unit:

Chef, I. Bataillon, SS-Infanterie-Regiment 3 "Totenkopf", SS-Division 'Totenkopf' (mot.)

Awarded on:

November 15th, 1942

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Rank:

SS-Obersturmbannführer (Lieutenant-colonel)

Unit:

Kommandeur, SS-Freiwillige-Panzergrenadier-Regiment 23 "Norge", 11. SS-Freiwilligen-Panzergrenadier-Division "Nordland"

Awarded on:

November 16th, 1944

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

“On the night of the 29./30.10.1944 strong Russian forces launched a surprise enveloping attack towards the west with the aim of bypassing the road junction at Preekuln. By doing this they would break out of a decisively important frontline sector.

Recognizing the significance of this move, SS-Obersturmbannführer Knöchlein made the decision to confront this danger on his right wing with a small number of cobbled-up men along with a concentration of his mobile anti-tank units.

By launching a surprise night attack the oncoming crisis was rectified. The enemy also suffered such heavy losses that they were unable to execute a similar maneuver in this sector during the entirety of the following day.

During this time SS-Obersturmbannführer Knöchlein (a hard and determined SS man and regimental commander) repeatedly demonstrated the highest willingness to do his duty. He provided the leadership during this decisive 24 hour period, overseeing all the necessary countermeasures.

I thereby would like to submit SS-Obersturmbannführer Knöchlein for the high award of the Knight’s Cross to the Iron Cross.”

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Rank:

SS-Obersturmbannführer (Lieutenant-colonel)

Unit:

Kdr, SS-Panzer-Grenadier-Regiment 23 'Norge'

Awarded on:

November 25th, 1944

• Photo 1: Wilco Vermeer
• Photo 2:
• - FELLGIEBEL, W.P., Elite of theThird Reich, Helion & Company Limited, Solihull, 2003.
  - PATZWALL, K. & SCHERZER, V., Das Deutsche Kreuz 1941-1945, Verlag Klaus D. Patzwall, Norderstedt, 2001.
  - Die Ordensträger der Deutschen Wehrmacht (CD), VMD-Verlag GmbH, Osnabrück, 2002
  - Axis Biographical Research
  - Microfilm Publication A3343. US National Archives.