Schönberger, Georg (SS-Panzer-Regiment 1)
- Date of birth:
- February 21st, 1911 (Munich/Bavaria, Germany)
- Date of death:
- November 20th, 1943 (Hauptverbandplatz-2.San.Kp.L.SS A.H., Ssolowjewka/Ukrain, Soviet Union)
- Buried on:
- German War Cemetery Kiev
Plot: 8. - Service number:
- SS-Nr.: 1.351 // NSDAP-Nr.: 103.004
- Nationality:
- German
Biography
Georg Schönberger probably lies buried as an unknown soldier at the German War Cemetery Kiev.
Promotions:
April 20th, 1934: SS-Sturmführer (SS);
April 20th, 1936: SS-Obersturmführer;
October 27th, 1939: SS-Hauptsturmführer;
May 9th, 1941: SS-Sturmbannführer (Waffen-SS);
April 20th, 1942: SS-Obersturmbannführer;
November 28th, 1943 SS-Standartenführer (posthumously, as from November 9th, 1943).
Career:
November 2nd, 1928: NSDAP;
February 12th, 1929: SS;
?: 1. Batterie, Sturmgeschütz-Battalion LSSAH;
?: I. SS Panzer-Battalion LSSAH;
?: SS Panzer-Regiment LSSAH.
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Deutsche Lebens-Rettungs-Gesellschaft Abzeichen in Bronze
- Awarded on:
- 1935
- Awarded on:
- 1937
- Awarded on:
- 1937
- Period:
- Second World War (1939-1945)
- Rank:
- SS-Hauptsturmführer (Captain)
- Unit:
- Führer, Panzerspähzug, Infanterie-Regiment (motorisiert) „Leibstandarte SS Adolf Hitler“
- Awarded on:
- 1939
- Period:
- Second World War (1939-1945)
- Rank:
- SS-Hauptsturmführer (Captain)
- Unit:
- Führer, Panzerspähzug, Infanterie-Regiment (motorisiert) „Leibstandarte SS Adolf Hitler“
- Awarded on:
- November 8th, 1939
- Period:
- Second World War (1939-1945)
- Rank:
- SS-Sturmbannführer (Major)
- Unit:
- Kdr, Sturmgeschütz-Abteilung "Leibstandarte SS Adolf Hitler", Infanterie-Regiment "Leibstandarte-SS Adolf Hitler" (motorisiert), Waffen-SS
- Awarded on:
- December 26th, 1941
- Period:
- Second World War (1939-1945)
- Awarded on:
- 1942
Voenen Orden "Za Hrabrost" IV stepen, 1 klas
- Period:
- Second World War (1939-1945)
- Awarded on:
- 1942
- Period:
- Second World War (1939-1945)
- Awarded on:
- 1942
- Period:
- Second World War (1939-1945)
- Awarded on:
- 1942
- Period:
- Second World War (1939-1945)
- Period:
- Second World War (1939-1945)
- Period:
- Second World War (1939-1945)
- Rank:
- SS-Obersturmbannführer (Lieutenant-colonel)
- Unit:
- Kommandeur, SS-Panzer-Regiment 1 "Leibstandarte SS Adolf Hitler", 1. SS-Panzer-Division "Leibstandarte-SS Adolf Hitler", Waffen-SS
- Awarded on:
- December 20th, 1943
"The reason for this message concerns a proposal for the award of the Knight's Cross for SS-Obersturmbannführer Schonberger, killed 20.11.1943.
During Operation `Zitadelle', the armoured group (consisting of SS-Pz.Rgt. 1, Roem 3 (gep.), SS-Pz.Gren.Rgt. 2, SS-Pz.Aufkl.Abt. 1) of the Division was on the 06.07.1943 under the command of SS-Obersturmbannführer Schonberger. They attacked Hill 243.2 and positions eastwards of Jakolewo. After the infantry had overcome the tank ditch, the armoured group moved forwards and pushed towards this Hill, creating a crossing through it. In a 75 minute fight led with decisiveness, Hill 243.2 was taken. Then the Russians began to advance again with a Tank Brigade from Jakowlewo for their counter attack.
During a two hour tank battle the armoured group were attacked and took losses under fire from the enemy tanks. After reorganizing and a short march, they were ordered to push further forward to the north and pursue the enemy despite the threat still existing to their right flank.
Under the leadership of SS-Obersturmbannführer Schonberger, the Kampfgruppe attacked with momentum and took two further positions at Lutschki and the school at Teterewino and then captured Hill 258.2, northeastwards of Teterewino. Thus the armoured group stood 60km deep within enemy territory.
The Russians now pushed all of the available armoured reserve towards this furthest point of penetration and tried to smash the German units. However, all of the attacks were repelled and many tanks were destroyed, owing to the outstanding leadership of the SS-Obersturmbannführer (Schonberger) being shown here.
After the Russians advanced with their operational reserve from the area of Voronezh, there began on the 12.07.1943 a large-scale attack from Prokhorovka. In an impetuous drive the Russians advanced with 148 tanks and fought against our own lines and the marshalling area of the Regiment, moving regardless of their own safety. They were trying to capture the tank ditch.
With rapid resolve, the Regiment organized to stop this attack. Fighting on three sides during a three hour tank battle, the Soviet attack was smashed perfectly. Forty fighting vehicles of the Regiment were lost, but in turn our tanks shot up 117 Russian fighting vehicles. The others were destroyed by our frontline infantry and the artillery of the Division. This success was further proof of the steadfastness of the Regiment under the leadership of SS-Obersturmbannführer Schonberger.
Altogether the SS-Pz.Rgt. 1 has, under the leadership of Obersturmbannführer Schonberger, destroyed 514 tanks and 395 Pak, as well as numerous light and heavy infantry weapons."
Awarded posthumously
Sources
- Photo: Georg Schönberger - Wikipedia, la enciclopedia libre
- Awardholders / unit - Axis History Forum - - FELLGIEBEL, W.P., Elite of theThird Reich, Helion & Company Limited, Solihull, 2003.
- MOONEY, PETER, Waffen-SS Knights and their Battles, Schiffer Publishing, Ltd., 2012.
- PATZWALL, K. & SCHERZER, V., Das Deutsche Kreuz 1941-1945, Verlag Klaus D. Patzwall, Norderstedt, 2001.
- Grave photo (Neville O'Connell).
- Volksbund
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