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Steiner, Felix Martin Julius (Waffen SS)

    Date of birth:
    May 23rd, 1896 (Stallupönen, Ebenrode/Eastern Prussia, Germany)
    Date of death:
    May 12th, 1966 (Munich/Bavaria, Germany)
    Buried on:
    Friedhof am Perlacher Forst
    Service number:
    SS-Nr.: 253.351 // NSDAP-Nr.: 4.264.295
    Nationality:
    German

    Biography

    Felix Steiner was de commandant van de SS-Standarte Deutschland, SS-Division (mot.) Germania, SS Division Wiking and III SS Panzerkorps. He reached the rank of SS-Obergruppenführer und General der Waffen-SS.

    Promotions:
    16.03.1914: Fahnenjunker
    01.06.1914: Fahnenjunker-Gefreiter
    01.08.1914: Fahnenjunker-Unteroffizier
    11.11.1914: Fähnrich
    27.01.1915: Leutnant
    18.10.1918: Oberleutnant
    01.12.1927: Hauptmann i.G.
    00.12.1933: Major i.G.
    00.01.1934: Major der Landespolizei
    01.01.1934: SA-Anwärter
    01.02.1934: SA-Sturmführer
    00.01.1935: SS-Sturmbannführer
    24.04.1935: SS-Obersturmbannführer
    01.06.1936: SS-Standartenführer
    24.01.1940: SS-Oberführer
    09.11.1940: SS-Brigadeführer und Generalmajor der Waffen-SS
    01.01.1942: SS-Gruppenführer und Generalleutnant der Waffen-SS
    01.07.1943: SS-Obergruppenführer und General der Waffen-SS

    Career:
    00.03.1914: Fahnenjunker, 5. Ostpreussisches Infanterie-Regiment 'von Boyen' Nr. 41, Tilsit
    14.11.1914: severely WIA
    00.00.1915: Kriegsakademie, II. Armee-Korps, Königsberg
    00.01.1916-00.05.1916: Leutnant, Ersatz Bataillon, Infanterie-Regiment 41 «von Boyen»
    00.06.1916-00.08.1916: Leutnant, Infanterie-Regiment 376
    00.09.1916: Leutnant, Kdr, MG/Scharfschützetruppen Nr 97
    00.10.1916: Lt, Kdr, MG/Scharfschützetruppen Nr 46
    00.11.1918: Olt, Kdr, 3. Ersatz MG-Kompanie, 17. Armee-Korps
    00.00.1919: Oberleutnant, Kompanie-Führer, Freikorps 'von Weiss', Memel
    15.03.1919: Freikorps integrated in the Reichswehr as Olt, Kdr, 2. (MG) Kompanie, Schützen-Regiment 2
    00.10.1920-20.09.1923: Olt, Kdr, 8. (MG) Kompanie, Infanterie-Regiment 1
    00.09.1923-00.03.1924: Olt, MG-Offizier, Stab, Infanterie-Regiment 1
    00.00.1924: Olt, Führergehilfenausbildung, Kriegsakademie-Ersatz der Reichswehr
    00.10.1929: Hptm, Adjutant, Infanterie-Regiment 1
    00.10.1933-00.12.1933: Offizier z.b.V.
    00.00.1933: retired as Major - Landespolizei
    00.02.1933: joined the NSDAP and the SA
    01.01.1934: Referent, Chef, Ausbildungswesen
    00.00.1935: joined the SS
    12.06.1935: SS-Ostubaf, Kdr, III. Sturmbann, SS-Standarte 'Deutschland', SS-VT, Ellwangen am Jagst
    01.07.1936: SS-Staf, Kdr, SS-Standarte 'Deutschland', SS-VT
    00.10.1936: SS-Staf, Ausbilder, SS-Junkerschule Bad Tölz
    15.03.1939: SS-Ofu, Kdr, SS-Standarte 'Deutschland', SS-VT - campaign in the Sudetes
    01.09.1939: campaign in Poland
    10.05.1940: campaign in France
    01.12.1940: SS-Brif, Kdr, SS-Division 'Wiking'
    22.06.1941-00.11.1941: campaing in Russia - Tarnopol, Jitomir, Tcherkassy
    00.04.1942: Caucasus, Terek
    00.11.1942-01.05.1943: SS-Gruf, Kdr, SS-Panzergrenadier-Division « Wiking » - Don River, Ukraine, Zolotchiv, Mius River
    00.01.1943: Manych, Izym
    10.05.1943-30.10.1944: SS-Gruf, Kdr, III. (germanischen) SS-Panzer-Korps - Yugoslavia
    00.11.1943: Leningrad, Battle of Narva, Battle of Tannenberg Line, Courland
    30.10.1944: SS-Ogruf, evacuated for illness
    26.11.1944: SS-Ogruf, Oberbefehlshaber, SS-Panzer-Armee-Oberkommando 11, AOK 11 Heeresgruppe Weichsel - Pomerania
    25.02.1945: Operation Sonnenwende - Stettin, Oder
    05.03.1945-08.05.1945: SS-Ogruf, Kdr, III. (germanischen) SS-Panzer-Korps, 3. Panzer-Armee - Battle of Seelow Heights
    21.04.1945-27.04.1945: SS-Ogruf, Kdr, Kdr, Armee-Abteilung 'Steiner' - Finow, East Berlin, Werneuchen, Eberswalde
    03.05.1945: captured on the Elbe by US troops then British POW
    27.04.1948: released
    00.00.1951: founding member of the HIAG - Hilfsgemeinschaft auf Gegenseitigkeit der Angehörigen der ehemaligen Waffen-SS / Mutual aid association of former Waffen-SS members
    00.00.1953: recruited by the US Central Intelligence Agency to found the Gesellschaft für Wehrkunde
    00.00.1958: author of the book "Die Freiwilligen der Waffen-SS: Idee und Opfergang"
    00.00.1963: author of the book "Die Armee der Geächteten"

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    Period:
    First World War (1914-1918)
    Awarded on:
    October 9th, 1914
    Eisernes Kreuz 2.Klasse (1914)
    Period:
    First World War (1914-1918)
    Awarded on:
    September 3rd, 1917
    Verwundetenabzeichen in Schwarz (1918)
    Period:
    First World War (1914-1918)
    Awarded on:
    November 3rd, 1917
    Eisernes Kreuz 1.Klasse (1914)
    Awarded on:
    February 1934
    Ehrenwinkel der Alten Kämpfer
    Period:
    First World War (1914-1918)
    Awarded on:
    1934
    Ehrenkreuz für Frontkämpfer
    Awarded on:
    December 1935
    Julleuchter der SS
    Awarded on:
    October 1936
    Dienstauszeichnung der Wehrmacht 4.Klasse, 4 Jahre
    Awarded on:
    December 1st, 1936
    Ehrendegen des Reichsführers-SS
    Awarded on:
    December 1st, 1937
    SS-Ehrenring
    Rank:
    SS-Oberführer (Brigade General)
    Unit:
    Kdr, SS-Standarte 'Deutschland', SS-VT
    Awarded on:
    1939
    Medaille zur Erinnerung an den 13. März 1938
    Rank:
    SS-Oberführer (Brigade General)
    Unit:
    Kdr, SS-Standarte 'Deutschland', SS-VT
    Awarded on:
    1939
    Medaille zur Erinnerung an den 1. Oktober 1938 mit Spange
    Period:
    Second World War (1939-1945)
    Rank:
    SS-Oberführer (Brigade General)
    Unit:
    Kdr, SS-Standarte 'Deutschland', SS-VT
    Awarded on:
    September 17th, 1939

    Had already received the Iron Cross 2nd Class on 9th October 1914.
    1939 Spange zum Eisernes Kreuz 2er Klasse 1914
    Period:
    Second World War (1939-1945)
    Rank:
    SS-Oberführer (Brigade General)
    Unit:
    Kdr, SS-Standarte 'Deutschland', SS-VT
    Awarded on:
    September 26th, 1939

    Had already received the Iron Cross 1st Class on 3rd November 1917.
    1939 Spange zum Eisernes Kreuz 1er Klasse 1914
    Period:
    Second World War (1939-1945)
    Rank:
    SS-Oberführer (Brigade General)
    Unit:
    Kommandeur, SS-Standarte “Deutschland”, “SS-Verfügungsdivision”,18.Armee, Heeresgruppe B
    Awarded on:
    August 15th, 1940
    Steiner's Knight's Cross recommendation reads as follows...

    "SS-Oberführer Steiner's regiment "Deutschland" was the only infantry regiment of Kampfgruppe Hausser that took part in capturing the island group Seeland from French troops. SS-Oberführer Steiner's superior leadership was instrumental in the Regiment's swift, three day thrust to Vlissingen and the storming of two powerful defensive positions. He distinguished himself personally throughout this endeavor and employed his Battalions and Stuka support against heavy enemy fixe at the Beveland Canal and the causeway to Walcheren Island. This swift success had far reaching influence upon the fighting in Belgium, especially at Antwerp, which was now accessible from the Schelde. SS-Oberführer Steiner also distinguished himself during the fighting in northern France, at La Bassee Canal, at the Lys and the southern front."


    166th Award.
    Ritterkreuz des Eisernen Kreuzes
    Period:
    Second World War (1939-1945)
    Rank:
    SS-Gruppenführer / Generalleutnant der Waffen-SS (Lieutenant General)
    Unit:
    Kommandeur, SS-Panzer-Grenadier-Division “Wiking”, Heersgruppe A
    Awarded on:
    April 22nd, 1942
    Deutsches Kreuz in Gold
    Period:
    Second World War (1939-1945)
    Rank:
    SS-Gruppenführer / Generalleutnant der Waffen-SS (Lieutenant General)
    Unit:
    Kommandeur, SS-Panzer-Grenadier-Division “Wiking”, Heersgruppe A
    Awarded on:
    June 16th, 1942

    Awarded with swords.
    Vapaudenristin 1.luokka (VR 1)
    Period:
    Second World War (1939-1945)
    Awarded on:
    1942
    Medaille
    Period:
    Second World War (1939-1945)
    Rank:
    SS-Gruppenführer / Generalleutnant der Waffen-SS (Lieutenant General)
    Unit:
    Kommandeur, SS-Panzer-Grenadier-Division “Wiking”, Heeresgruppe A
    Awarded on:
    December 23rd, 1942
    Awarded for his successes on the Eastern front as commander of the SS-Pz.Gren.Div. "Wiking", especially in the fighting along the Terek river. He particularly distinguished himself through the relief of the 13. Panzer-Division near Gisel, as well as the smashing of a Soviet Guards division that was trying to disrupt the only road into the Korps area near Tschikola (specifically this deed was undertaken by the III./SS-Nordland-Regiment, the so-called Finnish battalion).

    159th Award.
    Ritterkreuz mit Eichenlaub
    Period:
    Second World War (1939-1945)
    Awarded on:
    1943
    SS-Dienstauszeichnung 3.Stufe (8 Jahre)
    Period:
    Second World War (1939-1945)
    Rank:
    SS-Obergruppenführer / General der Waffen-SS (General)
    Awarded on:
    July 6th, 1943

    Awarded with swords.
    Vapaudenristin 1.luokka rintatähtineen (VR 1 rt)
    Period:
    Second World War (1939-1945)
    Rank:
    SS-Obergruppenführer / General der Waffen-SS (General)
    Unit:
    Kommandierende General, III. SS-Panzer-Korps
    Awarded on:
    August 10th, 1944
    Awarded for the following command achievements...

    1) Overseeing the creation of the Division "Nordland" and the Brigade "Nederland", and their organization under the banner of the III. (germanisches) SS-Panzerkorps.

    2) The successful defence by these units against enemy breakout attempts from the Oranienbaum pocket.

    3) Keeping his forces intact during the retreat from Leningrad and in their redeployment along the Narva front.

    4) The epic defense of his units along the Tannenberg line in July of 1944. Despite overwhelming enemy force his soldiers held their ground against all the odds, during which heavy enemy casualties (including 1020 tanks claimed destroyed) were inflicted.

    86th Award.
    Ritterkreuz mit Eichenlaub und Schwertern
    Period:
    Second World War (1939-1945)
    Rank:
    SS-Obergruppenführer / General der Waffen-SS (General)
    Awarded on:
    August 1st, 1944
    Wehrmachtbericht

    Sources

    • Photo 1: Willi Schumacher Collection
    • Photo 2:
    • Photo 3:
    • - MOONEY, PETER, Waffen-SS Knights and their Battles, Schiffer Pub Ltd, 2008.
      - THOMAS, FRANZ & WEGMANN, GÜNTER, Die Eichenlaubträger 1940-1945, Biblio-Verlag, 1998.
      - Die Ordensträger der Deutschen Wehrmacht (CD), VMD-Verlag GmbH, Osnabrück, 2002
      - Kwasny A., Kwasny G., Die Eichenlaubträger 1940-1945 (CD), Deutsches Wehrkundearchiv, Lage-Waddenhausen, 2001
      - Fellgiebel W.P., Elite of the Third Reich, The recipients of the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross 1939-1945: A Reference, Helion & Company Limited, Solihull, 2003, ISBN 1-874622-46-9
      - Patzwall K., Scherzer V., Das Deutsche Kreuz 1941-1945, Geschichte und Inhaber Band II, Verlag Klaus D. Patzwall, Norderstedt, 2001, ISBN 3-931533-45-X
      - Schneider J.W., Their Honor was Loyalty!, R. James Bender Publishing, 1977

    Photos