Date of birth:

July 3rd, 1896 (Niedernetphen/Westphalia, Germany)

Date of death:

August 8th, 1945 (POW-Camp Auschwitz, Poland)

Nationality:

German (1933-1945, Third Reich)

Paul Scheuerpflug entered military service on August 4th, 1914 as Fahnenjunker in the Königlich Preußische Heer. He was posted to 4. Großherzoglich Hessisches Infanterie-Regiment "Prinz Carl" Nr. 118 and served with this unit during the First World War.
After the First World War Scheuerpflug remained in the army. He was posted to the Reichswehr-Infanterie-Regiment 22 on October 1st, 1919 and later on Paul Scheuerpflug was transferred to the 15. Infanterie-Regiment. He married Erika Wöllwarth on October 5th, 1922. From 1924 onwards, he served in this regiment as Führer 4. (MG.) Kompanie in Gießen. In 1927 Scheuerpflug was appointed Adjutant I. (Hess.) Bataillon / 15. Infanterie-Regiment to be taken up in its staff in 1928.
In 1931 he was appointed Chef 2. Kompanie / 15. Infanterie-Regiment, again to be taken up in the staff in the spring of 1932.
At the time of conversion of the Reichswehr to the Wehrmacht in October 1934, he was appointed Kompaniechef in the Infanterie-Regiment 28 on October 15th, 1935. After having been promoted to Major, he was appointed IIa 35. Infanterie-Division on March 1st, 1936.
At the outbreak of World War Two, Scheuerpflug still served with the 35.l Infanterie-Division, but on February 1st, 1940, he was appointed IIa Generalkommando I. Armeekorps. From September 1940 onwards he served as its Chef des Generalstabes for a while. March 1st, 1941, Scheuerpflug was appointed Kommandeur Infanterie-Regiment 116 and with this unit he took part in the campaign against the Soviet-Union. December 27th, 1942, followed his appointment to IIa Heeresgruppe A. Between July 20th, to October 21st, 1943, Paul Scheuerpflug served in the Führerreserve des OKH, taking part in the 7. Divisionsführerlehrgang in Döberitz-Elsgrund between September 5th to October 1st. October 27th, another operational posting followed and he was put in command of 68. Infanterie-Division. On January 1st, 1944, he was also appointed Kommandeur 68. Infanterie-Division.
May 8th, 1945, Paul Scheuerpflug was wounded near Jägerndorf and was made a prisoner of war by the Soviets. He finally succumbed to his injuries on August 8th in the PoW camp in Auschwitz.

Promotions:
August 4th, 1914: Fahnenjunker;
July 14th, 1915: Leutnant (in 1919 RDA September 1st, 1915);
July 31st, 1925: Oberleutnant (RDA 1 april 1925);
February 1st, 1931: Hauptmann;
January 1st, 1936: Major;
February 1st, 1939: Oberstleutnant;
January 1st, 1942: Oberst;
January 1st, 1944: Generalmajor;
August 1st, 1944: Generalleutnant.

Career:
August 4th, 1914: Fahnenjunker 4. Großherzoglich Hessisches Infanterie-Regiment "Prinz Carl" Nr. 118;
?: Zugführer 4. Großherzoglich Hessisches Infanterie-Regiment "Prinz Carl" Nr. 118;
?: Kompanieführer 4. Großherzoglich Hessisches Infanterie-Regiment "Prinz Carl" Nr. 118;
?: Regimentsadjutant 4. Großherzoglich Hessisches Infanterie-Regiment "Prinz Carl" Nr. 118;
1919: Reichsheer;
October 1st, 1919: Reichswehr-Infanterie-Regiment 22;
?: Kompanieoffizier 15. Infanterie-Regiment;
1924: 4. (MG.) Kompanie 15. Infanterie-Regiment, Gießen;
1927: Adjutant I. (Hess.) Bataillon / 15. Infanterie-Regiment, Gießen;
1928: Stab I. (Hess.) Bataillon / 15. Infanterie-Regiment;
1931: Chef 2. Kompanie / 15. Infanterie-Regiment;
1932: Stab I. (Hess.) Bataillon / 15. Infanterie-Regiment;
October 1st, 1934: Chef 2. Kompanie / 15. Infanterie-Regiment;
October 15th, 1935: Kompaniechef Infanterie-Regiment 28;
March 1st, 1936: IIa 35. Infanterie-Division;
February 1st, 1940: IIa Generalkommando I. Armeekorps;
September 1940 - ?: Chef des Generalstabes I. Armeekorps;
March 1st, 1941: Kommandeur Infanterie-Regiment 116 / 9. Infanterie-Division;
December 27th, 1942: IIa der Heeresgruppe A;
July 20th, 1943 - October 21st, 1943: Führerreserve OKH;
September 5th, 1943 - October 1st, 1943: 7. Divisionsführerlehrgang, Döberitz-Elsgrund;
October 27th, 1943: put in command of the 68. Infanterie-Division;
Januaryi 1st, 1944: Kommandeur 68. Infanterie-Division;
May 8th, 1945: taken prisoner of war, wounded;
August 8th 1945: died in PoW Camp Auschwitz.

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Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Rank:

Oberstleutnant (Lieutenant-colonel)

Awarded on:

June 25th, 1940

Had already received the Iron Cross 2nd Class on 22nd September 1915 as Leutnant.

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Rank:

Oberstleutnant (Lieutenant-colonel)

Awarded on:

July 4th, 1941

Had already received the Iron Cross 1st Class on 27th January 1917 as Leutnant.

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Rank:

Oberst (Colonel)

Unit:

Kommandeur Infanterie-Regiment 116 / 9. Infanterie-Division / V.Armee-Korps / 17.Armee / Heeresgruppe A

Awarded on:

September 6th, 1942

On the 08-09.08.1942 Oberst Scheuerpflug and his men distinguished themselves through the swift capture of Krasnodar and the equally quick seizure of a bridgehead over the Kuban river, the latter being of vital importance to the continuation of German operations in the area. All of this was a result of Scheuerpflug’s independent decisions. Later, and without hesitating on account of the vast distances between his neighbours on the left and right, he launched an attack on the city of Nowotitarowska. Through his outstanding leadership he was able to wrest control of it in a battle that lasted long into the night. For his actions here he would receive the Knight’s Cross.

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Rank:

Oberst (Colonel)

Unit:

m.d.F.b. 68. Infanterie-Division

Awarded on:

November 10th, 1943

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Rank:

Oberst (Colonel)

Unit:

m.d.F.b. 68. Infanterie-Division

Awarded on:

December 14th, 1943

Dutch language mentioning available.

Mentioned in relation to the fightings near Shitomir.

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Rank:

Generalleutnant (Major-general)

Unit:

Kommandeur 68. Infanterie-Division

Awarded on:

September 19th, 1944

Dutch language mentioning available.

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Rank:

Generalleutnant (Major-general)

Unit:

Kommandeur 68. Infanterie-Division / XXXXVIII.Panzer-Korps / 4.Panzer-Armee / Heeresgruppe Mitte

Awarded on:

March 16th, 1945

Awarded for multiple successes leading the 68. Infanterie-Division in the last year of the war, which included the following…

1) The fighting at Lemberg in July 1944, where Scheuerpflug was able to seal off and prevent an enemy breakthrough.

2) The holding of the Division’s defensive front between Iwoniec and Wola Sekowa (in the area of Sanok-Krosno). During this battle, which lasted from 11-19.09.1944, over 100 enemy tanks were destroyed in the divisional sector.

3) Following a breakthrough in the neighbouring divisional sector (75. Inf.Div.) on 19.09.1944, Scheuerpflug was able to stabilize the situation by building up a strong new defensive line near Oertizne through the capture of two commanding hills. He did this with only his divisional staff and supply troops from the Feld-Ersatz-Bataillon 168.

4) On 12.01.1945 Scheuerpflug’s Division became the target of a major Soviet assault in its positions east of Busko-Chmelniek. The northern sector of the Irene-Position and Szydlow was held. Scheuerpflug then built a new defensive position near Motkowice. In the area around Zarwoniec-Rokitno a new enemy attack was defeated, and thereby it was possible to hold onto Warthenau. Following this all enemy attacks east of the city with the aim of breaking through to the industrial area of Upper Silesia were defeated.

The breakout of the Division from the Irene, Hubertus and Nidda positions and the battles around Warthenau can be credited to the leadership of Scheuerpflug. Under his inspiring command, his troops were able to destroy over 70 enemy tanks during this fighting.

791st Award.

• Photo 1: Norbert Beyerlein
• Photo: Beyerlein sammlung
  
• - FELLGIEBEL, W.P., Elite of theThird Reich, Helion & Company Limited, Solihull, 2003.
  - 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
  - Lexikon der Werhmacht