Date of birth:

May 24th, 1914 (Borsdorf/Saxony, Germany)

Date of death:

September 18th, 1944 (Arnhem/Gelderland, the Netherlands)

Buried on:

German War Cemetery Ysselsteyn
Grave: UNK.

Service number:

SS-Nr.: 247.812 // NSDAP-Nr.:

Nationality:

German (1933-1945, Third Reich)

00.06.1934: SS-Mann, entered the SS and the Heer
01.11.1935: entered the NSDAP
01.11.1935-04.10.1937: Freiwilliger, Reiter-Regiment
20.04.1938: promoted to Wachtmeister
05.07.1938: promoted to Leutnant der Reserve
25.08.1939: reactivated as Leutnant der Reserve
00.06.1941: campaign in Russia - Barbarossa
01.10.1941: promoted to Oberleutnant der Reserve, Chef, 2. Kompanie, Aufklärungs-Abteilung 256, 256. Infanterie-Division - Battle of Moscow
00.05.1942: Battle of Rzhev, his unit was detached to SS-Regiment 'Der Führer' led by Otto Kumm
13.01.1943: transferred to the Waffen SS as SS-Obersturmführer der Reserve - RDA 01.10.1941, SS-Kavallerie-Ersatz-Abteilung
15.03.1943: promoted to SS-Hauptsturmführer der Reserve
20.03.1943: Division-Kampfschule, 9. SS-Panzer-Division 'Hohenstaufen'
00.04.1943: SS-Hstuf, Chef, 1. Kompanie, SS-Panzer-Aufklärungs-Abteilung 9, 9. SS-Panzer-Division 'Hohenstaufen'
00.06.1944: Battle for Caen, Normandy
01.07.1944: SS-Hstuf, Kdr, SS-Panzer-Aufklärungs-Abteilung 9, 9. SS-Panzer-Division 'Hohenstaufen'
06.08.1944: proposed for the RK by Friedrich-Wilhelm Bock and approved by Wilhelm Bittrich
17.09.1944: Operation Market Garden - Battle of Arnhem : awarded the RK
18.09.1944: KIA during the assault to retake Arnhem bridge

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Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Rank:

Leutnant der Reserve (2nd Lieutenant of Reserves)

Awarded on:

May 19th, 1940

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Rank:

Leutnant der Reserve (2nd Lieutenant of Reserves)

Awarded on:

July 7th, 1940

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Rank:

Leutnant der Reserve (2nd Lieutenant of Reserves)

Awarded on:

August 19th, 1941

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Rank:

Oberleutnant der Reserve (1st Lieutenant of Reserves)

Unit:

Chef, 2. Kompanie, Aufklärungs-Abteilung 256, 256. Infanterie-Division, Heer

Awarded on:

February 18th, 1942

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Rank:

Oberleutnant der Reserve (1st Lieutenant of Reserves)

Unit:

Chef, 2. Kompanie, Aufklärungs-Abteilung 256, 256. Infanterie-Division, Heer

Awarded on:

May 13th, 1942

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Rank:

Oberleutnant (1st Lieutenant)

Unit:

Chef, 2. Kompanie, Aufklärungs-Abteilung 256, 256. Infanterie-Division, Heer

Awarded on:

August 2nd, 1942

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Rank:

SS-Hauptsturmführer der Reserve (Captain of Reserves)

Unit:

Chef, 1. Kompanie, SS-Panzer-Aufklärungs-Abteilung 9, 9. SS-Panzer-Division "Hohenstaufen"

Awarded on:

July 25th, 1944

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Rank:

SS-Hauptsturmführer der Reserve (Captain of Reserves)

Unit:

Führer, SS-Panzer-Aufklarung-Abteilung 9, 9.SS-Panzer-Division "Hohenstaufen", II. SS-Panzer-Korps, Heeresgruppe B

Awarded on:

August 23rd, 1944

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

“On the 16.07.1944 the Pz.-A.A. 9, under the command of SS-Hauptsturmführer Gräbner, was subordinated to Grenadier-Regiment 989. The Abteilung had the mission of supporting the I./989 in its ongoing attack that aimed to retake the old defensive line and, additionally, establish firm control over the village of Noyers.

However the I./989 was pushed back by the enemy while the Abteilung was still in the process of being brought up for the attack. Noyers was captured by the English.

SS-Hauptsturmführer Gräbner made a new decision. He deviated from his original mission and launched a bold attack against the enemy with his Abteilung, driving them back in turn and bringing Noyers firmly back into German hands.

In the following days Noyers would repeatedly stand at the focus of the fighting. The enemy tried to capture the village and thereby force a penetration by any means necessary, and had strong tank and artillery forces available for this purpose. However they were fought off every time, and in the process SS-Hauptsturmführer Gräbner would distinguish himself through both outstanding leadership as well as inspiring bravery.

The Division points to the combat report of the SS-A.A. 9 as well as the letters of commendation for the SS-A.A. 9 that were written by the commander of the 277. Infanterie-Division and the commander of Grenadier-Regiment 989 as further evidence of Gräbner’s achievements.”

To this was added an informative comment by the commander of the II. SS-Panzer-Korps…

“SS-Hauptsturmführer Gräbner has distinguished himself through particularly notable bravery and prudent leadership. His deed was decisive for holding the positions of the 277. Division at its important boundary with the left neighbouring Korps. I thereby particularly approve of this recommendation.”

• Photo 2:
• - PATZWALL, K. & SCHERZER, V., Das Deutsche Kreuz 1941-1945, Verlag Klaus D. Patzwall, Norderstedt, 2001.
  - Die Ordensträger der Deutschen Wehrmacht (CD), VMD-Verlag GmbH, Osnabrück, 2002
  - Fellgiebel, Walther-Peer, Elite of the Third Reich - The Recipients of the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross 1939-45: A Reference, Helion & Company Limited, England, 2003
  - Tieke, W., In the firestorm of the last years of the war – II SS.–Panzerkorps with the 9. and 10. SS–Divisions "Hohenstaufen" and "Frundsberg", J.J. Fedorowicz Publishing Inc., Winnipeg, Canada, 1999
  - Axis Biographical Research
  - Microfilm Publication A3343. US National Archives. - Viktor-Eberhard Gräbner | Gräbersuche-Online
  

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