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Reichel, Erwin (Waffen SS)

Date of birth:
March 11th, 1911 (Vienna, Austria)
Date of death:
February 28th, 1943 (Dnjepropetrowsk, Kharkov, Ukraine, Soviet Union)
Buried on:
Soviet War Cemetery Dnipro
Plot: 5. Row: 1. Grave: 15.
Service number:
SS-Nr.: 202.925 // NSDAP-Nr.: 4.263.109
Nationality:
Austrian (1938-1945, Reichsgau)

Biography

Some sources indicate SS-Nr.: 58.074 which is the one of Walter Reder
Some sources indicates NSDAP-Nr.: 5.020.865
Promotions:
20.04.1936: SS-Untersturmführer
00.04.1940: SS-Obersturmführer
00.04.1941: SS-Hauptsturmführer
09.11.1941: SS-Sturmbannführer

Career:
00.00.1929: Freikorps 'Oberland', Thuringia
00.00.1934: entered the SS-VT and the NSDAP
00.00.1935: SS-Junker, 2 Friedens-Junkerlehrgang, SS-Junkerschule Braunschweig
00.00.1936: Stab, SS-RuSHA
00.03.1938: campaign in Austria
00.00.1938: campaign in the Sudetes
00.03.1939: annexation of Bohemia and Moravia
00.09.1939: campaign in Poland
00.05.1940: campaign in France
00.05.1940: Adjutant, SS-Regiment 'Deutschland', SS-Verfügungs-Division
00.03.1941-00.09.1941: SS-Hstuf, Ib, Stab, SS-Division 'Wiking'
0.09.1941-00.00.1942: SS-Hstuf, Ia, Stab, SS-Division 'Wiking'
12.01.1943-28.02.1943: SS-Stubaf, Kdr, SS-Panzergrenadier-Regiment 10 'Westland', 5. SS-Panzergrenadier-Division 'Wiking'
28.02.1943: SS-Stubaf, WIA, DOW in SS-Lazarett Dnjepropetrowsk

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Awarded on:
February 1934
Ehrenwinkel der Alten Kämpfer
Awarded on:
1939
Medaille zur Erinnerung an den 13. März 1938
Awarded on:
1939
Medaille zur Erinnerung an den 1. Oktober 1938
Awarded on:
1939
Medaille zur Erinnerung an den 1. Oktober 1938 mit Spange
Period:
Second World War (1939-1945)
Awarded on:
October 1st, 1939
Eisernes Kreuz 2. Klasse
Period:
Second World War (1939-1945)
Awarded on:
May 29th, 1940
Eisernes Kreuz 1. Klasse
Period:
Second World War (1939-1945)
Rank:
SS-Sturmbannführer (Major)
Awarded on:
June 16th, 1942
with swords
Vapaudenristin 3.luokka (VR 3)
Period:
Second World War (1939-1945)
Rank:
SS-Sturmbannführer (Major)
Awarded on:
August 1942
Medaille
Period:
Second World War (1939-1945)
Rank:
SS-Sturmbannführer (Major)
Unit:
Führer, SS-Panzergrenadier-Regiment 10 "Westland", 5. SS-Panzergrenadier-Division "Wiking", Waffen-SS
Awarded on:
February 28th, 1943
Reichel’s Knight’s Cross recommendation reads as follows…

"The Division recommends SS-Sturmbannführer Reichel (commander of the SS Panzer Grenadier Regiment Westland) for the Knight's Cross.

SS-Sturmbannführer Reichel played a decisive role in halting the thrust of the Russian 4th Guards Tank Corps against Krassnoarmeiskoje. He did so by immediately deciding to launch an attack with his Regiment on the 11.02.1943, and by doing this the enemy was firmly cut off to the northeast. He also delivered decisive results during the fighting around Krassnoarmeiskoje itself, where he eliminated major elements of the enemy’s powerful armoured force.

His bold and ruthless actions here contributed to resolving the acute crisis that had presented itself when the Russian tank forces carried out their deep flanking thrust.

SS-Sturmbannführer Reichel has distinguished himself as a battlegroup commander during all the combat before Ssalsk and south of Rostov. In all his battles he has displayed great courage and bravery. He was badly wounded during the contemporary attack against Aleksandrowka.

SS-Sturmbannführer Reichel succumbed to his wounds on the 28.02.1943. [This last note was likely penned after the award had been passed up the chain of command]”
Ritterkreuz des Eisernen Kreuzes

Sources

Photos