Schönfelder, Manfred (Waffen SS)
- Date of birth:
- March 18th, 1912 (Hellerau-Dresden/Saxony, Germany)
- Date of death:
- March 4th, 1983 (Bad Liebenzell/Baden-Württemberg, Germany)
- Service number:
- SS-Nr.: 59.781 // NSDAP-Nr.: 1.135.901
- Nationality:
- German (1933-1945, Third Reich)
Biography
Promotions:
00.00.1934: SS-Mann
00.00.1935: SS-Standartenoberjunker
20.04.1936: SS-Untersturmführer
09.11.1937: SS-Obersturmführer
20.04.1939: SS-Hauptsturmführer
09.11.1942: SS-Sturmbannführer
09.11.1943: SS-Obersturmbannführer
Career:
00.00.1930: joined the SS
00.00.1934: SS-Junker, SS-Junkerschule at Bad Tölz
00.05.1934: SS-Ustuf, SS-Standarte 'Deutschland'
00.00.1935: SS-Ustuf, Adjutant, III. Sturmbann, SS-Standarte 'Deutschland'
00.09.1939: SS-Hstuf, Chef, 12. (MG) Kompanie, SS-Regiment 'Deutschland', SS-VT - campaign in Poland
00.05.1940: campaign in France
04.02.1941-00.09.1942: SS-Hstuf, Führer, III. Bataillon, SS-Infanterie-Regiment 'Germania'
00.06.1941: SS-Hstuf, campaign in Russia
00.09.1942-00.01.1943: SS-Stubaf, Ia, Stab, 5. SS-Panzer-Division 'Wiking' - fighting at the Cherkassy pocket, prevented the loss of the entire division's artillery, which enabled them to hold out for a further 24 hours and then made it possible for the division to withdraw over the rough terrain
10.10.1943-17.10.1943: SS-Stubaf, Führer, SS-Panzergrenadier-Regiment 10 "Westland", SS-Panzergrenadier-Division "Wiking"
23.02.1944: awarded the RK
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SS-Ehrenring
- Awarded on:
- 1939
- Awarded on:
- 1939
- Period:
- Second World War (1939-1945)
- Awarded on:
- October 3rd, 1939
- Period:
- Second World War (1939-1945)
- Period:
- Second World War (1939-1945)
- Awarded on:
- June 18th, 1940
- Period:
- Second World War (1939-1945)
- Awarded on:
- 1941
- Period:
- Second World War (1939-1945)
- Rank:
- SS-Hauptsturmführer (Captain)
- Unit:
- Führer, III. Bataillon, SS-Infanterie-Regiment "Germania"
- Awarded on:
- June 11th, 1942
- Period:
- Second World War (1939-1945)
- Awarded on:
- 1942
Vapaudenristin 3.luokka (VR 3)
- Period:
- Second World War (1939-1945)
- Awarded on:
- June 7th, 1943
- Period:
- Second World War (1939-1945)
- Period:
- Second World War (1939-1945)
- Rank:
- SS-Obersturmbannführer (Lieutenant-colonel)
- Unit:
- Ia, Stab, 5. SS-Panzer-Division “Wiking”, 8. Armee, Heeresgruppe Süd
- Awarded on:
- February 23rd, 1944
"SS-Obersturmbannführer Schonfelder has since December 1942 been the la (first staff officer) of the SS-Pz. Div. Wiking, and in this time he has delivered excellent general staff work. Through his decisiveness and firmness, he has contributed in various ways during all of the crises of the division. At any time he has delivered against the highest demands placed upon him.
His decisiveness was particularly evident in the fighting at Gorodishtche from 08. to 09.02.1944. After thorough rainfall, the roads had become groundless and almost impassable. The planned withdrawals could, therefore, only be carried out in sections preceded by timely measures, so they could figure out positions in the mud for the heavy vveapons. The orders for the movement from position "Green" to position "Red" came late, so they only had four hours to do this. Since it was in this crucial moment that there was a breach in the southern positions at Petropavlovka, Schonfelder had to decide whether to go back to the "Red" line or remain for another twenty-four hours with the heavy weapons and secure the gap in the front line created by the displacement of his neighbours to the right. He made the decision to remain after a breach occurred at Hof Skiti, and to hold between there and the main battle line (Black). Through this, the opportunity to move the heavy weapons from their positions at Mleyevo to Gorodischtsche was made possible, since there was no other street or road present to move to the new "Red" position. He held open the gap in the front via security and alarm units.
Thus, and only by the personal intervention of SS-Obersturmbannführer Schonfelder, was it possible for all of the heavy weapons to be taken through to Gorodischtsche. This was significant to successfully securing the new position.
I therefore consider SS-Obersturmbannführer Schonfelder, due to his demonstrated resolve, worthy of being awarded the Knight's Cross."
Sources
- Photo 1: Willi Schumacher Collection
- Photo 2:
- - FELLGIEBEL, W.P., Elite of theThird Reich, Helion & Company Limited, Solihull, 2003.
- MOONEY, PETER, Waffen-SS Knights and their Battles, Schiffer Military History, 2016.
- PATZWALL, K. & SCHERZER, V., Das Deutsche Kreuz 1941-1945, Verlag Klaus D. Patzwall, Norderstedt, 2001.
- SCHNEIDER, J.W., Their Honor Was Loyalty!, Bender (R.James) Publishing, 1993.
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