Date of birth:

May 21st, 1913

Nationality:

German

Anton Schwanzer was born on May 21st 1913.
He joined the German Army on October 10th 1937 with Grenadier Regiment 19 in W.B.K. München I. He was called in active duty from August 26th 1939.
With his regiment, then Grenadier-Regiment 199, he was involved in the campaigns in Poland, Luxemburg, Belgium and France.
From September 1st 1939 until November 1st 1940 he fought in the Polish campaign and was stationed near the demarcation line on the San river. In this time Schwanzer was Zugführer with the Grenadier-Regiment 199 “Regiment List”. Between November 1st and May 11th 1940, he was with his unit at the home front. He then acted as Kompanie-Führer. On May 11th they were involved in the campaign in the West by marching through Luxembourg, Belgium and Northern France. From May 26th they were involved in the fighting’s near the Somme and the thrust to the Atlantic coast. This was followed by fighting’s towards the Seine river, Dieppe and St. Valery. From June 5th until June 26th they were involved in the following campaign against France. After June 26th 1940 his unit was part of the occupation forces in North-western France. On July 2nd 1940 was his unit involved with the coastal defences on the French Canal and Atlantic coasts. By then Anton Schwanzer was promoted to Oberleutnant.

He became Bataillons Führer on June 2nd 1942 and was appointed Bataillonskommandeur on August 8th 1943. Between November 23rd 1942 and December 19th 1942, then Hauptmann Schwanzer (from May 1st 1942), was appointed to the I./Grenadier-Regiment 164 and attended the Bataillonsführer Lehrgang. On January 1st 1944, the Regiment became Grenadier-Ersatz-Regiment 199 “Regiment List” and Schwanzer was until June 20th stated as Führer-Reserve. From June 21st 1944 he acted as Inspections-Chef for Wehrkreis-ROB-Lehrgang VII of the Munich Military District with the rank of Major.

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• Photo 1: Andrew Bertschik
• - Die Ordensträger der Deutschen Wehrmacht
  - Aton Schwanzer's service records obtained from Bundes-Archiv in Aachen in 2001 by Josef K.Schwanzer
  - Original documents and awards
  - Letter of authenticity from Josef K.Schwanzer