Period:

First World War (1914-1918)

Period:

First World War (1914-1918)

Period:

First World War (1914-1918)

Period:

First World War (1914-1918)

Period:

First World War (1914-1918)

Awarded on:

1918

Period:

First World War (1914-1918)

Awarded on:

1935

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Rank:

SS-Obersturmbannführer (Lieutenant-colonel)

Unit:

Kommandeur, II. Bataillon, SS-Regiment "Der Führer", SS-Verfügungstruppe

Awarded on:

May 17th, 1940

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Rank:

SS-Obersturmbannführer (Lieutenant-colonel)

Unit:

Kommandeur, II. Bataillon, SS-Regiment "Der Führer", SS-Verfügungstruppe

Awarded on:

May 29th, 1940

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Rank:

SS-Standartenführer (Colonel)

Unit:

Kommandeur, SS-Regiment "Nordland", SS-Division "Wiking"

Awarded on:

November 22nd, 1941

Award 17/34.

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Rank:

SS-Oberführer (Brigade General)

Unit:

Kommandeur, SS-Regiment "Nordland", SS-Division "Wiking"

Awarded on:

January 18th, 1942

Scholz’s Knight’s Cross recommendation reads as follows…

“For his performance during the heavy defensive battles at the Dnepropetrovsk bridgehead, in which his Regiment held a critical position, SS-Oberführer von Scholz was recommended for the Knight’s Cross and awarded the German Cross in Gold on the 29.11.1941.

In the time since then SS-Oberführer von Scholz has once again heavily influenced the course of his Gefechtsgruppe’s many and varied battles while sparing himself nothing.

During the fighting north of Rostov in the time period 17.-20.11.1941, the Gefechtsgruppe von Scholz covered the flank of the Panzerarmee in a critical area and held its ground against heavy enemy attacks.

From midday on the 17.11.1941 to the evening of the 20.11.1941, 5 Russian divisions supported by a tank brigade launched continual attacks against Scholz’s positions. Supported by heavy tanks, Katyushas and bombers/ground attack aircraft, they did all in their power to overrun the positions of the Gefechtsgruppe along a 24 km front. These offensive actions were well prepared and intended to be of great operational importance.

This single Gefechtsgruppe was able to resist the massive attacks of the Russian 37th Army (aimed at the deep flank of the Panzerarmee) and ensure that the attempted drive to Rostov came to nothing.

The achievements of SS-Oberführer von Scholz’s Gefechtsgruppe, achieved over 4 days against attacks of enormous power, would not have been possible without the intervention of SS-Oberführer von Scholz, who was present at the most threatened positions day and night. On the 18.11.1941, he personally led the defense of Dobropolje with a weapon in hand against the massive attacks set against it, even as enemy tanks had broken into the rear of our infantry positions.

He stood in the forward line as his III. Bataillon defended the village of Tuslowo against the furious attacks of the 99th (Caucasian) and 253rd rifle divisions. The enemy tanks could not be stopped and drove into the village, however the following Russian infantry could not do the same in the face of the soldiers of the SS-Regiment Nordland.

During these days he was able to fix the arising crises through his personal intervention. Each evening he was able to report to the Division that all enemy armoured attacks against his front had been repulsed and that all infantry attacks had also been defeated with heavy losses.

By the evening of the 20.11.1941 the frontline was again restored despite repeated enemy deployment of Katyushas and the uninterrupted tank/infantry assaults. On this day the tactical retreat from the enemy, as ordered by the higher commands, was carried out smoothly and according to plan.

During the afternoon of the 21.11.1941 the Division conducted a successful defense against the new enemy attacks from an intermediate position. On this day he would swiftly take advantage of an opportunity presented by the sally of the Panzer-Regiment 2 against Balabanow, personally leading weak elements of his Gefechtsgruppe in his own riposte that managed to bring in 400 prisoners.”

818th Award.

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Rank:

SS-Oberführer (Brigade General)

Awarded on:

June 16th, 1942

Awarded with swords.

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Rank:

SS-Brigadeführer / Generalmajor der Waffen-SS (Brigadier)

Unit:

Kommandeur, 11. SS-Freiwilligen-Panzergrenadier-Division "Nordland"

Awarded on:

March 12th, 1944

Scholz’s Oakleaves recommendation reads as follows…

“During the fighting in the northern sector of the Eastern front from the 16.01.1944 to the present day, SS-Brigadeführer Fritz von Scholz has continuously done very well both as a divisional commander and an example of soldierly virtue for his men.

It fell to his Division to confront the overwhelming enemy forces advancing along the Kipen-Narva road and prevent them from reaching Narva itself. In the course of these major battles there were ever-present crises, however they were mastered time and again by the personal intervention and example of the divisional commander.

1.) On the 28.01.1944 the enemy succeeded in breaking through the remnants of the 10. Luftwaffe-Feld-Division and the 61. Infanterie-Division, which were positioned south of the Kipen-Narva road on both sides of Osertizy. Thereafter the Soviets continued advancing to the northwest and blocked the road near Gurlewo. This created the danger that Kampfgruppe Lohmann (of the 11. SS-Freiw.Pz.Gren.Div. Nordland), positioned near Osertizy, and the elements of the 10. Luftwaffe-Feld-Division south of here (including its divisional staff) would be encircled by the enemy. A nocturnal counterthrust, personally led by the divisional commander SS-Brigadeführer Fritz von Scholz from Ljalizy to Gurlewo, was about to take the road back under control. The same counterthrust also threw the enemy back and opened up the way for the German troops to the east (including the divisional staff of the 10. Luftwaffe-Feld-Division) towards Ljalizy.

2.) On the 01.02.1944 the 11. SS-Freiw.Pz.Gren.Div. pulled back from Jamburg towards Dubrowka. However the pursuing enemy forces were faster on both the northern and southern sides of the road and these attacked those elements of the Division that were located along the road. Fritz von Scholz was the soul of the resistance, recognizing that it was necessary to buy sufficient time for the westward moving remnants of the 61., 227. Infanterie and 10. Luftwaffe-Feld Divisionen to pull back across the Narva river. Despite strong enemy assaults with tank support, the elements of the Division present here were able to rebuff an enemy night attack on top of the numerous attacks launched in up to regimental strength.

The bitter stands along both sides of Jamburg, Dubrowka and Komarowka, as well as the prolonged defense against overwhelming enemy forces in the strength of several divisions, brought decisive results. These were the orderly occupation of the Narva bridgehead and the time necessary to assemble additional forces for the occupation of the northern Narva position.

The steadfastness of the troops and the firm leadership of the 11. SS-Freiw.Pz.Gren.Div. Nordland also bought additional time for the arrival of the Panzergrenadier-Division Feldherrnhalle and reinforcements for the 61., 227. Infanterie and 10. Luftwaffe-Feld Divisionen. These divisions could be brought back across the Narva and integrated with their replacement troops in an orderly manner with the time that was won.

This accomplishment by SS-Brigadeführer Fritz von Scholz and his men created the preconditions for a viable defense along the Narva front. It is no exaggeration to say that it was a decisive factor for this critical front.

The personal devotion to duty, toughness and example of SS-Brigadeführer Fritz von Scholz inspired his troops to give all that they had. He and his still young Division have shown themselves as shining examples of steadfastness.”

423st Award.

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Rank:

SS-Gruppenführer / Generalleutnant der Waffen-SS (Lieutenant General)

Unit:

Kdr, 11. SS-Panzergrenadier-Division "Nordland"

Awarded on:

August 8th, 1944

Scholz’s Swords recommendation reads as follows…

“On the 24.07.1944, following a two hour drumfire, the enemy attacked the sector of the Grenadier-Regiment 45 along both sides of the Lipsu road with tanks in support. They achieved a break-in that was 1 km wide and 1 km deep. More importantly, they secured a vital piece of high ground which would be crucial for a further advance.

Personally in the foremost line, SS-Gruppenführer von Scholz rallied the retreating soldiers, created a defensible line and thereby prevented a breakthrough. After being provided the 4./SS-Panzer-Abteilung 11 from the general command, he personally launched a counterattack with this Kompanie and the 2./Pionier-Kompanie against the decisive high ground. The counterattack managed to retake it and also bring the old German frontline back under firm friendly control.

Result: The intended enemy breakthrough towards the Gulf of Finland, which would have cut off our soldiers fighting along the Narva river, was prevented. The enemy 120th Rifle Division was badly bloodied and thus the conditions for the planned withdrawal of the III. SS-Panzer-Korps to the Tannenberg line were fulfilled.”

85th Award. Posthumously awarded.

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)