Christian Tychsen

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Christian Tychsen
Bundesarchiv Bild 101III-Zschaeckel-212-09, Christian Tychsen.jpg
Christian Tychsen
Birth date 3 December 1910
Place of birth Flensburg, Province of Schleswig-Holstein, Kingdom of Prussia, German Empire
Death date ⚔ 28 July 1944
Place of death Gavray, French State
Allegiance  National Socialist Germany
Service/branch Flag Schutzstaffel.png Allgemeine SS
Flag Schutzstaffel.png Waffen SS
Years of service 1931–1944
Rank SS-Obersturmbannführer
Unit 2nd SS Panzer Division Das Reich
Battles/wars World War II
Awards Knight's Cross with Oakleaves

Christian Tychsen (3 December 1910 – 28 July 1944) was a German officer of the SS and the Waffen SS, at last SS-Obersturmbannführer (Lieutenant Colonel) and recipient of the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross with Oak Leaves in WWII.

Life

Tychsen (second left)is presented with the Knight's Cross with Oakleaves in Russia, April 1943.
Eichenlaubträger Christian Tychsen.jpg
SS-Sturmbannführer Christian Tychsen.jpg

After studying architecture and working as a carpenter, Tychsen joined the SS on 19 December 1931 with 50. SS-Standarte. He was later transferred to the SS/VT in October 1934 and served with the Germania Regiment as a platoon leader from October 1936 until December 1938 when he became the Commander of the 1st Company 'N' Battalion.

Christian Tychsen was one of the finest Waffen SS tank commanders of World War II. Tychsen joined the SS in December 1931 with 50. SS-Standarte. He was later transferred to SS/VT in October 1934 with "Germania" (1., later 3. Sturm). Platoon leader Battalion "N" from October 1936 until December 1938 when he became the CO of 1. Kompanie of Btl. "N". When "N" was dissolved, he commanded 1.Kradschützen-Ersatz Kompanie. His command became 3/AA in April 1940 and he retained command. In February 1941, his command was absorbed by Krads Btl as 3rd Kompanie, although Tychsen still kept command. In January 1942, he took command of the Krads. Btl. He was wounded February 12th, 1942 and taught at Braunschweig during recovery until May 1942. Given command of II./Langemarck and retained this position when it became II./Pz Rgt in October 1942. Tychsen became 2. SS Pz Rgt commander on November 30th, 1943 replacing Albin Freiherr von Reitzenstein and held command until he replaced the wounded Heinz Lammerding as temporary CO of Das Reich.[1]

When 'N' Battalion was dissolved he was moved to command the 1st Motorcycle Company. In February 1941, his command was absorbed by the Motorcycle Battalion and was renamed the 3rd Company, although Schafraanek still kept command. In January 1942 he was given the command of the Motorcycle Battalion. After being wounded in February, 1942 he was posted to the SS Officers school (SS-Junkerschule) at Braunschweig until he had recovered. In May 1942, he was given the command of II./Langemarck Regiment and retained in this position when it became the II./2nd Panzer Regiment in October 1942. In April 1943, he was awarded the Knight's Cross. Tychsen became 2nd SS Panzer Regiment commander in November/December 1943, and held command until he replaced the wounded Heinz Lammerding as temporary Commanding Officer of the Das Reich Division.

Death

After being wounded more than nine times in total, he was killed in Normandy (Operation Overlord) when the Kubelwagen, which he was in with a driver and an NCO, was fired upon by an advancing American tank. He died of his wounds in American captivity. Looters took his tunic with all his decorations and all other types of identification, so he was buried as an unknown soldier, but was later identified and relocated.

Resting place

He lies on the Kriegsgräberstätte in Marigny in France; Final grave: Block 5, Reihe 24, Grab 1196.

Promotions

  • 1936: SS-Oberscharführer (NCO)
  • 30.1.1937: SS-Untersturmführer (2nd Lieutenant)
  • 1.6.1938: SS-Obersturmführer (1st Lieutenant)
  • 9.11.1939: SS-Hauptsturmführer (Captain)
  • 1.9.1942: SS-Sturmbannführer (Major)
  • 30.1.1944: SS-Obersturmbannführer (Lieutenant Colonel)

Awards and decorations

Further reading

  • Jost W. Schneider: Verleihung Genehmigt! Eine Bild- und Dokumentargeschichte der Ritterkreuzträger der Waffen-SS und Polizei 1940–1945 [in German], R. James Bender Publishing, San Jose 1977
    • English version: Their Honor Was Loyalty! An Illustrated and Documentary History of the Knight's Cross Holders of the Waffen-SS and Police 1940–1945
  • Manfred Dörr / Franz Thomas: Die Träger der Nahkampfspange in Gold – Heer ⋅ Luftwaffe ⋅ Waffen-SS 1943–1945 [in German], Osnabrück 1986
  • Ernst-Günther Krätschmer: Die Ritterkreuzträger der Waffen-SS [in German], Nation Europa Verlag GmbH, Coburg 1999
  • Thomas M. Durante: The German Close Combat Clasp of World War II, 2007
  • Walther-Peer Fellgiebel: Die Träger des Ritterkreuzes des Eisernen Kreuzes 1939–1945 — Die Inhaber der höchsten Auszeichnung des Zweiten Weltkrieges aller Wehrmachtteile (in German), Podzun-Pallas, Wölfersheim 2000
    • English: The Bearers of the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross 1939–1945 — The Owners of the Highest Award of the Second World War of all Wehrmacht Branches, expanded edition, 2000
  • Veit Scherzer: Die Ritterkreuzträger 1939–1945 – Die Inhaber des Ritterkreuzes des Eisernen Kreuzes 1939 von Heer, Luftwaffe, Kriegsmarine, Waffen-SS, Volkssturm sowie mit Deutschland verbündeter Streitkräfte nach den Unterlagen des Bundesarchives [in German], Scherzers Miltaer-Verlag, Jena 2007

References

  1. ↑ Christian Tychsen
  2. ↑ Tychsen, Christian (Waffen SS)
  3. ↑ 3.0 3.1 Thomas 1998, p. 394.
  4. ↑ Tank Destruction Award Recipients List
  5. ↑ Fellgiebel 2000, p. 427.
  6. ↑ 6.0 6.1 Scherzer 2007, p. 752.
  7. ↑ Fellgiebel 2000, p. 75.
Military offices
Preceded by
SS-Gruppenführer Heinz Lammerding 		Commander of 2nd SS Division Das Reich
July 24, 1944 - July 28, 1944 		Succeeded by
SS-Brigadeführer Otto Baum
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