Zingel, August (SS-Totenkopf-Inf.Reg. 1)
- Date of birth:
- January 20th, 1921 (Schortens, Heidmühle/Oldenburg, Germany)
- Date of death:
- December 22nd, 2000 (Wilhelmshafen/Lowersaxony, Germany)
- Service number:
- SS-Nr.: 490.098 // NSDAP-Nr.:
- Nationality:
- German
Biography
00.00.1935: Hitlerjugend
00.00.1938: SS-VT
00.03.1938: SS-Schütze, SS-VT - campaign in Austria
00.10.1938: campaign in the Sudetes
00.09.1939: campaing in Poland
00.10.1939: SS-Division 'Totenkopf'
00.05.1940: campaign in the West
00.06.1941: campaign in Russia
00.09.1942: SS-Uscha, Stoßtruppführer, 15. Kompanie, SS-Totenkopf-Infanterie-Regiment 1, "Kampfgruppe Krauth", SS-Division "Totenkopf", 16. Armee, Heeresgruppe Nord
10.09.1942: Robja River, destroyed 32 bunkers
02.10.1942: WIA to the lung and sent to the SS-Lazarett in Riga
00.02.1943: SS-Totenkopf-Infanterie-Ersatz-Bataillon I
21.06.1944: promoted to SS-Untersturmführer der Reserve
22.06.1944: SS-Ustuf, Ausbilder, SS-Panzer-Grenadierschule Prosetzschnitz Kienschlag
00.07.1944-01.11.1944: SS-Panzer-Aufklärungs-Ersatz-Abteilung
01.11.1944-01.02.1945: SS-Panzer-Aufklärungs-Abteilung
01.02.1945-00.05.1945: Chef, Divisions-Sturmkompanie in Hungary
00.05.1945: Soviet POW
00.00.1955: released
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Ehrenwinkel der Alten Kämpfer
- Awarded on:
- February 1934
- Awarded on:
- December 1935
- Awarded on:
- 1936
- Awarded on:
- 1939
- Awarded on:
- 1939
- Awarded on:
- 1940
- Period:
- Second World War (1939-1945)
- Awarded on:
- January 12th, 1941
- Period:
- Second World War (1939-1945)
- Awarded on:
- October 10th, 1941
- Period:
- Second World War (1939-1945)
- Awarded on:
- February 27th, 1942
- Period:
- Second World War (1939-1945)
- Awarded on:
- July 16th, 1942
- Period:
- Second World War (1939-1945)
- Awarded on:
- October 9th, 1942
- Period:
- Second World War (1939-1945)
- Rank:
- SS-Unterscharführer (Sergeant)
- Unit:
- Stoßtruppführer, Kampfgruppe "Krauth", 15. Kompanie, SS-Totenkopf-Infanterie-Regiment 1, 3. SS-Division "Totenkopf"
- Awarded on:
- October 4th, 1942
“SS-Unterscharführer Zinkel has developed into a particularly outstanding patrol and assault-troop leader during the hard winter fighting. He is exceptionally brave, spares himself nothing, is both bold and decisive and demonstrates prudent conduct even in difficult situation.
While he was deployed in the Robja sector he decided to take out a Russian observation post at Point 58. From here the enemy was delivering well-laid artillery fire on both Nowosellje and the Robja sector. Troublesome harassing fire was also directed from here against the entire road network/ferrying site at Ramuschewo, Omitschkino and Byakowo, which caused heavy friendly losses.
Following extensive personal reconnaissance, he carried out his decision in the early morning hours of the 10.09.1942. Using an inflatable boat, he and his assault troop crossed over the Robja and launch a bold surprise attack against the enemy positions. They captured these and pressed on forwards to the observation post itself, which was eliminated along with its entire garrison.
Utilizing the confusion this generated among the enemy, he boldly continued the attack on his own initiative and penetrated into the enemy bunker position located along the tree line.
In the bitter fighting which followed he and his men knocked out 10 large bunkers (which were sometimes protected by 7 layers of wood) and 22 small bunkers. Enemy losses amounted to well over 150 dead, whilst Zingel and his assault troop managed to return to friendly positions with losses of just 1 dead and a few wounded.
This decisive success is solely attributable to the heroic performance of SS-Unterscharführer Zingel, who demonstrated the highest prudence, bravery and decisiveness during this action.
I ask that this brave NCO be awarded the Knight’s Cross to the Iron Cross in recognition of his heroic devotion to duty and its associated success.”
- Period:
- Second World War (1939-1945)
- Awarded on:
- 1943
- Period:
- Second World War (1939-1945)
- Awarded on:
- 1944
Sources
- Photo 1: Igor Poul
- Photo 3:
- - FELLGIEBEL, W.P., Elite of theThird Reich, Helion & Company Limited, Solihull, 2003.
- MOONEY, PETER, Waffen-SS Knights and their Battles, Schiffer Pub Ltd, 2008.
- TRANG, C., Totenkopf Archives, Heimdal, 2011.
- ZINGEL AUGUSt.JPG2.JPG.
- Microfilm Publication A3343. US National Archives
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