Awarded on:

April 1938

Rank:

SS-Obersturmführer (Lieutenant)

Awarded on:

March 2nd, 1939

Rank:

SS-Obersturmführer (Lieutenant)

Awarded on:

1939

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Rank:

SS-Obersturmführer (Lieutenant)

Awarded on:

November 15th, 1939

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Rank:

SS-Obersturmführer (Lieutenant)

Awarded on:

July 15th, 1940

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Rank:

SS-Hauptsturmführer (Captain)

Awarded on:

September 4th, 1941

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Rank:

SS-Hauptsturmführer (Captain)

Awarded on:

October 21st, 1941

Bronze version.

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Awarded on:

April 1942

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Rank:

SS-Hauptsturmführer (Captain)

Awarded on:

January 31st, 1943

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Rank:

SS-Sturmbannführer (Major)

Unit:

Kommandeur, SS-Panzer-Aufklärungs-Abteilung 2 „Das Reich“

Awarded on:

August 19th, 1943

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Rank:

SS-Sturmbannführer (Major)

Unit:

Kommandeur, SS-Panzer-Aufklärungs-Abteilung 2 „Das Reich“

Awarded on:

August 1943

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Rank:

SS-Sturmbannführer (Major)

Unit:

Kdr, SS-Panzer-Aufklärungs-Abteilung 2, 2. SS-Panzer-Division "Das Reich"

Awarded on:

November 26th, 1943

Award 485/38.

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Rank:

SS-Sturmbannführer (Major)

Unit:

Kommandeur, SS-Panzer-Aufklärungs-Abteilung 2 "Das Reich", 2. SS-Panzer-Division 'Das Reich'

Awarded on:

April 21st, 1944

Weidinger's Knight's Cross recommendation reads as follows...

“During the major defensive battles in the area east of Zhitomir the SS-Pz.Aufkl.Abt. 2 ‘Das Reich’ repeatedly distinguished itself whilst under the bold and flexible leadership of SS-Sturmbannführer Weidinger.

On the 22.11.1943 the Abteilung was involved in the fierce defensive battle around Negrebowka. Along the northern front the Abteilung stood opposite 2 enemy regiments, while along the western front a strong hostile Pakfront shielded their breakthroughs towards the south in the direction of Sabelotsche. When the enemy achieved penetrations in the positions of the Aufklärungs-Abteilung at two locations it was Weidinger who eliminated them via personally conducted counterthrusts.

During the afternoon the enemy succeeded in achieving a major penetration in the sector of the right neighbouring unit, and following this success they pivoted to the right and thereby encircled the Aufklärungs-Abteilung. However Weidinger did not lose his nerve, and he employed his own weak reserves for an immediate counterattack. Although he had to guard a 5 km deep open flank in the west, he pulled out reserves from this sector in order to launch a nocturnal counterthrust with elements of his 2. and 3. Kompanien. The aim was to eliminate the new hostile penetration. Weidinger personally led a force of 17 men against an enemy grouping that had entered into the northeastern part of Negrebowka, and by doing so he managed to bring their advance to a halt. This counterthrust ultimately succeeded in pushing back the enemy group across the original frontline whilst inflicting heavy losses.

Although Weidinger’s orders at the time were to fall back in the face of strong enemy activity, he was instead able to hold his position successfully until being relieved by the armoured Gruppe ‘Stadler’.

The initiative, decisiveness and bravery that he displayed here enabled the Negrebowka bridgehead to be held. This in turn facilitated the subsequent execution of the successful offensive operation that would be launched from this area by the 1. SS-Pz.Div. ‘LSSAH’ and the 2. Fallschirmjäger-Division.

SS-Sturmbannführer Weidinger is worthy of receiving this high award on account of his personal bravery, prudent leadership and great decisiveness.”

2994th Award.

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Rank:

SS-Sturmbannführer (Major)

Unit:

Kommandeur, SS-Panzer-Aufklärungs-Abteilung 2, 2. SS-Panzer-Division „Das Reich"

Awarded on:

April 30th, 1944

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Rank:

SS-Obersturmbannführer (Lieutenant-colonel)

Unit:

Kommandeur, SS-Panzer-Grenadier-Regiment 4 "Der Führer", 2. SS-Panzer-Division “Das Reich”, Oberbefehlshaber West

Awarded on:

December 26th, 1944

Weidinger’s Oakleaves’ recommendation reads as follows…

“At 23:45 on the 19.08.1944 the SS-Pz.Gren.Rgt. 4 ‘Der Führer’ received orders from the Division to thrust westwards along the road Trun—St. Lambert. The objective of the Regiment was to establish contact with the almost completely closed pocket of German troops at Falaise/Argentan and support their withdrawal towards the east.

On the 20.08.1944 SS-Obersturmbannführer Weidinger and his Regiment (with a combat strength [Kampfstärke] of 11 officers, 53 NCOs and 366 men) set out in the direction of Champosoult. The regimental commander led from the ranks of his foremost Kompanie, and under his inspirational leadership the Regiment reached the road junction near the U-Curve 1 km NE of Coudehard by 12:00.

At this time the Regiment had an open flank extending 6 km (the right neighbouring unit was still located east of Camenbert). Nonetheless, by around 12:15 the spearhead of the Regiment had already made contact with the lead elements of the encircled troops. However up until 13:00 the enemy pressure from the north continued to increase, and eventually they launched an attack with 12 tanks plus infantry support.

In response SS-Obersturmbannführer Weidinger immediately made the bold decision to attack northwards with all available troops in order to permit the continued withdrawal of our forces from the pocket. SS-Obersturmbannführer Weidinger led from the foremost line, and his brave Regiment was able to capture the Hill St. Leger. His unceasing boldness and skillful leadership repeatedly invigorated his troops to give the best that they had. The Hill was taken in bitter combat, 7 tanks were destroyed and the hostile attack was smashed. The regimental commander then decided to hold his attained position with all available forces in order to prevent the pocket from closing once again. All subsequent enemy attacks (launched with overwhelming force) were crushed following brutal combat that saw 4 more Sherman tanks being destroyed. SS-Obersturmbannführer Weidinger personally led the counterthrust and brought the enemy heavy losses.

At 18:15 the Regiment could report to the Division that the road was open, and that friendly formations were streaming out of the pocket. During the night more than 4000 soldiers from all branches (including over 300 officers and 3 generals) as well as 800 vehicles of all kinds were able to march eastwards along the road the Regiment had opened.

This outstanding achievement by the severely understrength Regiment ‘Der Führer’ was first and foremost due to the extraordinary bravery and decisiveness of the regimental commander. His willingness to demand the utmost of himself likewise inspired his men to achieve the highest standard of merit, dutifulness and élan.”

Weidinger is worthy of being awarded the Oakleaves to the Knight’s Cross of the Iron Cross.”

688th Award.