Diefenthal, Josef "Jupp" (Waffen SS)
- Date of birth:
- October 5th, 1915 (Euskirchen/Rhineprovince, Germany)
- Date of death:
- April 13th, 2001 (Düren/Northrhine-Westphalia, Germany)
- Service number:
- SS-Nr.: 283.050 // NSDAP-Nr.:
- Nationality:
- German
Biography
Promotions:
09.11.1939: SS-Unterscharführer
20.04.1940: SS-Oberscharführer
01.09.1940: SS-Untersturmführer
00.06.1941: SS-Obersturmführer
20.04.1943: SS-Hauptsturmführer
30.01.1945: SS-Sturmbannführer
Career:
15.10.1935: Leibstandarte SS "Adolf Hitler"
00.12.1940: SS-Ustuf, Zugführer, 6. Kompanie, LSSAH
00.06.1941: SS-Ostuf, Adjutant, IIa, II. Bataillon, LSSAH
00.02.1943: SS-Ostuf, IIa, Stab, SS-Panzergrenadier-Regiment 2, LSSAH
08.11.1943: SS-Ostuf, 1. Kompanie, SS-Panzergrenadier-Regiment 2, LSSAH,
08.11.1943: WIA
00.06.1944: SS-Hstuf, Adjutant, IIa, 1. SS-Panzer-Division "Leibstandarte-SS Adolf Hitler"
00.07.1944-07.08.1944: SS-Hstuf, III. Bataillon, SS-Panzergrenadier-Regiment 2, 1. SS-Panzer-Division "LSSAH"
07.08.1944: WIA with hearing damages
28.03.1945: Chef, III.(gepanzerte) Bataillon, SS-Panzergrenadier-Regiment 2, 1. SS-Panzer-Division "Leibstandarte-SS Adolf Hitler"
28.03.1945: severely WIA in a counter attack west bank of Raab - lost his lower left leg
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Bronzes SA-Sportabzeichen
- Period:
- Turkish War of Independance (1919-1923)
- Awarded on:
- 1939
- Awarded on:
- 1939
- Awarded on:
- 1939
- Period:
- Second World War (1939-1945)
- Rank:
- SS- Rottenführer (Corporal)
- Awarded on:
- September 24th, 1939
- Period:
- Second World War (1939-1945)
- Awarded on:
- 1940
- Period:
- Second World War (1939-1945)
- Rank:
- SS-Oberscharführer (Staff Sergeant)
- Awarded on:
- June 8th, 1940
- Period:
- Second World War (1939-1945)
- Rank:
- SS-Oberscharführer (Staff Sergeant)
- Awarded on:
- October 3rd, 1940
- Period:
- Second World War (1939-1945)
- Awarded on:
- 1942
Cross to the Order for Bravery 4th Class
- Period:
- Second World War (1939-1945)
- Awarded on:
- 1942
- Period:
- Second World War (1939-1945)
- Rank:
- SS-Hauptsturmführer (Captain)
- Unit:
- Adjutant, SS-Panzergrenadier-Regiment 2, LSSAH
- Awarded on:
- 1943
- Period:
- Second World War (1939-1945)
- Awarded on:
- September 1st, 1943
- Period:
- Second World War (1939-1945)
- Rank:
- SS-Hauptsturmführer (Captain)
- Unit:
- Führer, III.(gepanzerte) Bataillon, SS-Panzergrenadier-Regiment 2 "Leibstandarte-SS Adolf Hitler", 1. SS-Panzer-Division
- Awarded on:
- October 29th, 1944
- Period:
- Second World War (1939-1945)
- Rank:
- SS-Hauptsturmführer (Captain)
- Unit:
- Führer, III. Bataillon, SS-Panzergrenadier-Regiment 2, "LSSAH"
- Awarded on:
- August 7th, 1944
- Period:
- Second World War (1939-1945)
- Rank:
- SS-Hauptsturmführer (Captain)
- Unit:
- Chef, III.(gepanzerte) Bataillon, SS-Panzergrenadier-Regiment 2 "Leibstandarte-SS Adolf Hitler", 1. SS-Panzer-Division
- Awarded on:
- February 5th, 1945
“SS-Hauptsturmführer Diefenthal has outstandingly distinguished himself in all previous campaigns. In all situations he was the model and champion of his Bataillon through his energy, liveliness and astonishing resilience.
Diefenthal had a major role to play in the successes of the armoured group during its thrust to the Ambleve river in the time period 16.-24.12.1944.
On the 18.12.1944, as the armoured group was located before Stoumont, a forward advance by our forces no longer seemed to be possible. The American blocking formations fought bitterly to cover their withdrawal from Malmedy, and were aided by the extremely difficult terrain. In this context the enemy launched a counterattack against elements of the armoured group that were located on the road, however they were repulsed. After this Diefenthal immediately took charge of the situation and at once decided to pursue the fleeing enemy with his Bataillon. Fighting at their head, he and his men penetrated into the hotly contested village. They utilized the existing panic to thrust through to the bridge, prevent its destruction and hold onto it despite the heavy losses incurred until help from the rear arrived.
By this decisive feat of arms Diefenthal laid the groundwork for the continued advance.
His bravery, personality and leadership have been a solid example for the entire Kampfgruppe.
In light of his singular performance I ask that Diefenthal be awarded the Knight’s Cross to the Iron Cross.”
- Period:
- Second World War (1939-1945)
- Awarded on:
- March 28th, 1945
Sources
- Photo 1:
- Photo 2:
- Photo 3:
- Photo: https://forum.axishistory.com/viewtopic.php?f=50
- - FELLGIEBEL, W.P., Elite of theThird Reich, Helion & Company Limited, Solihull, 2003.
- PATZWALL, K. & SCHERZER, V., Das Deutsche Kreuz 1941-1945, Verlag Klaus D. Patzwall, Norderstedt, 2001.
- Die Ordensträger der Deutschen Wehrmacht (CD), VMD-Verlag GmbH, Osnabrück, 2002
- Personalakte
- Microfilm Publication A3343. US National Archives.
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