Date of birth:

May 23rd, 1908 (Crossen an der Oder/Brandenburg, Germany)

Date of death:

April 21st, 1992 (Bad Pyrmont/Lowersaxony, Germany)

Nationality:

German (1933-1945, Third Reich)

Promotions:
April 1st, 1933: Leutnant (RDA: -11-);
?: Hauptmann;
February 1st, 1942: Major;
January 30th, 1945: Oberstleutant;
?: Oberstleutnant (Bundeswehr).

Career:
?: 3. (Preussischen) Pionier-Bataillon;
?: Pionier-Bataillon 39;
?: Kommandeur Panzer-Pionier-Bataillon 39.

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Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Rank:

Hauptmann (Captain)

Awarded on:

December 14th, 1939

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Rank:

Hauptmann (Captain)

Awarded on:

December 14th, 1939

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Rank:

Hauptmann (Captain)

Awarded on:

September 25th, 1939

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Rank:

Major

Awarded on:

September 8th, 1942

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Rank:

Major

Awarded on:

October 24th, 1942

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Rank:

Major

Awarded on:

March 3rd, 1943

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Rank:

Major

Unit:

Kommandeur, Panzer-Pionier-Bataillon 39, 3. Panzer-Division, Heer

Awarded on:

December 30th, 1943

Major Schwing received the Knight’s Cross for the actions of his Pionier-Bataillon on the 03.12.1943. The Bataillon came under attack at 06:00 in the morning but was able to hold its positions. Afterwards, as the Soviets reorganized, the Bataillon launched a counterattack of its own, taking the Soviets by surprise and inflicting heavy losses. Following up on their success, they proceeded to the fortified village of Kirolowka, which they captured by 15:30 on that day despite stubborn Soviet resistance. In doing so they eliminated a threat to the Division’s flank.

• Photo 1: David Lediouris
• - FELLGIEBEL, W.P., Elite of theThird Reich, Helion & Company Limited, Solihull, 2003.
  - SCHERZER, VEIT, Die Ritterkreuzträger der Deutschen Wehrmacht 1939-1945, VDM Heinz Nickel, Zweibrücken, 2015.
  - VETERANS OF THE 3RD PANZER DIVISION, Armored Bears, Stackpole Books, 2013.
  - Soldbuch.
  - Bund Deutscher Pioniere e.V. 12-04-2009