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Simon, Max (16. SS-Panzer-Grenadier-Division)

Date of birth:
January 6th, 1899 (Breslau/Lower Silesia, Germany)
Date of death:
February 1st, 1961 (Lünen/North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany)
Service number:
SS-Nr.: 83.086 // NSDAP-Nr.: 1.350.576
Nationality:
German (1933-1945, Third Reich)

Biography

Promotions:
Obergefreiter
01.12.1924: Wachtmeister
00.00.1929: Unterfeldwebel
01.05.1933: SS-Anwärter
15.04.1934: SS-Oberscharführer
20.06.1934: SS-Hauptscharführer
09.11.1934: SS-Untersturmführer
30.01.1935: SS-Obersturmführer
16.04.1936: SS-Hauptsturmführer
15.09.1936: SS-Sturmbannführer
12.09.1937: SS-Obersturmbannführer
11.09.1938: SS-Standartenführer
01.09.1941: SS-Oberführer
01.12.1942: SS-Brigadeführer und Generalmajor der SS
20.04.1944: SS-Gruppenführer und Generalleutnant der SS

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Period:
First World War (1914-1918)
Awarded on:
August 17th, 1918
Order of Military Merit
Period:
First World War (1914-1918)
Awarded on:
July 31st, 1919
Eisernes Kreuz 2.Klasse (1914)
Awarded on:
August 13th, 1919
Schlesisches Bewährungsabzeichen 2. Stufe
Awarded on:
August 13th, 1919
Schlesisches Bewährungsabzeichen 1. Stufe
SS-Ehrenring
DRL Sportabzeichen in Silber
Bronzes SA-Sportabzeichen
Awarded on:
April 1st, 1939
Magyar Érdemrend Középkeresztje
Medaille zur Erinnerung an den 13. März 1938
Medaille zur Erinnerung an den 1. Oktober 1938
Medaille zur Erinnerung an den 1. Oktober 1938 mit Spange
Danziger Kreuz II.Klasse
Danziger Kreuz I.Klasse
SS-Dienstauszeichnung 3.Stufe (8 Jahre)
Period:
Second World War (1939-1945)
Rank:
SS-Standartenführer (Colonel)
Unit:
Kdr, SS-Totenkopf-Standarte 1 "Oberbayern"
Awarded on:
September 13th, 1939
1939 Spange zum Eisernes Kreuz 2er Klasse 1914
Period:
Second World War (1939-1945)
Awarded on:
December 6th, 1939
Ordine della Corona d'Italia - Ufficiale
Period:
Second World War (1939-1945)
Rank:
SS-Standartenführer (Colonel)
Unit:
Kdr, 1. SS-Totenkopfstandarte "Oberbayern"
Awarded on:
October 2nd, 1939
other sources give 30.05.1940
Eisernes Kreuz 1. Klasse
Period:
Second World War (1939-1945)
Rank:
SS-Oberführer (Brigade General)
Unit:
Kommandeur, SS-Totenkopf-Infanterieregiment 1
Awarded on:
October 20th, 1941
Max Simon received the Knight’s Cross while commanding the 1st Infantry Regiment of the SS-Totenkopf-Division. His award was given for multiple acts of good leadership of his regiment. Specifically, his recommendation highlights the following reasons...

1) Securing a number of villages in the area between Landrecies and Cambrai during the battle of France. His men achieved particular success at the village of Catillon, where 1300 prisoners plus other heavy weapons were captured. (May 19th 1940)

2) Clearing the flank of his division at the town of Kreslau, where his regiment defeated a strong enemy force of infantry and tanks that were twice his size through an enveloping attack. (Early July 1941)

3) Distinguished leadership during the fighting at Opotschka (July 8th 1941)

4) Accumulation of battle wounds.
Ritterkreuz des Eisernen Kreuzes
Period:
Second World War (1939-1945)
Awarded on:
December 8th, 1941
Verwundetenabzeichen 1939 in Schwarz
Period:
Second World War (1939-1945)
Awarded on:
1942
in bronze
Infanterie-Sturmabzeichen
Period:
Second World War (1939-1945)
Awarded on:
July 13th, 1942
Medaille
Period:
Second World War (1939-1945)
Awarded on:
December 31st, 1943
Demjanskschild
Period:
Second World War (1939-1945)
Awarded on:
July 21st, 1944
Wehrmachtbericht
Period:
Second World War (1939-1945)
Rank:
SS-Gruppenführer / Generalleutnant der Waffen-SS (Lieutenant General)
Unit:
Kommandeur, 16. SS-Panzer-Grenadier-Division "Reichsführer SS"
Awarded on:
October 9th, 1944
Deutsches Kreuz in Gold
Period:
Second World War (1939-1945)
Rank:
SS-Gruppenführer / Generalleutnant der Waffen-SS (Lieutenant General)
Unit:
Kommandeur, 16. SS-Panzer-Grenadier-Division "Reichsführer SS"
Awarded on:
October 28th, 1944
Four actions are mentioned in his Oakleaves recommendation as contributing to Simon receiving the award...

1) An action on 24.03.1943 at Wjasowok, between Ssamara and Orel.

2) The destruction of enemy forces east of Jeremejewka. (05.03.1943)

3) Launching a thrust towards Tschugujew, which resulted in the throwing back of enemy forces back over the Donez. (14.03.1943)

4) For the defensive battles in Italy on 30.06./01.07.1944 south of and along the Cecina, on 03./04.07. along the line Rossignano-south of Castellina, on the Blue Line (09-11.07.), the Red Position (12-16.07.), the Hildegard Position (17-19.07.) and the Heinrich Position (from 19.07.1944).

Nr. 639
Ritterkreuz mit Eichenlaub

Sources

Photo