Günther Wisliceny

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Günther Wisliceny
Günther Wisliceny Vb.JPG
Birth name Günther-Eberhardt Wisliceny
Birth date 5 September 1912(1912-09-05)
Place of birth Estate Regulowken near Mosdzehnen, Kreis Angerburg, Province of East Prussia, Kingdom of Prussia, German Empire
Death date 25 August 1985 (aged 72)
Place of death Hanover, Lower Saxony, West Germany
Resting place Bothfeld district cemetery (section 43, grave M 62), Hanover, Germany; The gravestone has since been removed after the contract expired.
Allegiance  National Socialist Germany
Service/branch Flag Schutzstaffel.png Schutzstaffel
Flag Schutzstaffel.png Waffen-SS
Years of service 1933–1945
Rank SS-Obersturmbannführer
Service number NSDAP #1,187,703
SS #41,043
Battles/wars World War II
Awards Iron Cross
German Cross in Gold
Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross with Oak Leaves and Swords
Relations ∞ 1937 Luise Kühl
Dieter Wisliceny (brother)

Günther-Eberhardt Wisliceny (1912–1985) was a German officer the SS, finally SS-Obersturmbannführer of the Waffen-SS and one of only 159 recipients of the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross with Oak Leaves and Swords as well as one of only 98 recipients of the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross with the Close Combat Clasp in Gold in World War II.

Life

Officers of the SS Panzer-Grenadier-Division "Das Reich" shortly after a Knight's Cross award ceremony; From left to right: SS Hauptsturmführer Helmuth Schreiber, SS Standartenführer Heinz Harmel and SS Sturmbannführer Günther Wisliceny. The picture was taken near the settlement of Stepanovka, on the so-called "Mius Front" (Mius Front: fortified defensive line of the Wehrmacht on the western bank of the Mius River).
Günther Wisliceny Va.jpg
Günther-Eberhardt Wisliceny.jpg
Günther Wisliceny (1).png
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Günther Wisliceny and Hanns-Heinrich Lohmann during a meeting of the Association of Knight's Cross Recipients in 1984

After finishing school (Middle School in Beuthen und Breslau), he became a miner and worked for three years in a mine pit in Beuthen. In March 1933, he volunteered for the SS-Stabswache—the precursor of the Leibstandarte—in Berlin. In 1938, he transferred to the SS-Standarte “Der Führer”. On 1 December 1937, he became a member of the Lebensborn Society.

  • 18 March 1933 Volunteered for service, assigned to SS-Stabswache Berlin (the later Leibstandarte Adolf Hitler)
    • Sworn in on 9 November 1933 with the LAH in Munich
    • September/October 1934 Attended poison gas defense course at Oranienburg
  • 10 March 1935 Adjutant of II. Sturmbann/Leibstandarte Adolf Hitler (LAH)
  • 1 June 1937 Platoon leader (Zugführer) in 8. (Maschinengewehr-)Kompanie/LAH
  • 1 February 1938 MG. (Machine Gun) Platoon leader training course at Infanterie-Schule Döberitz
  • 1 June 1938[1] Platoon leader in 8. Kompanie/SS-Standarte "Der Führer" (SS-Verfügungstruppe) in Vienna
  • 1 September 1939 Adjutant of 2nd Battalion/SS-Regiment "Der Führer"
  • 1 November 1939 Leader of the 4. Kompanie/SS-Totenkopf-Standarte "Ostmark" (SS-Totenkopfverbände)
  • 6 December 1939 Leader of the 8. Kompanie/II. Bataillon/SS-Totenkopf-Infanterie-Regiment 11
    • wounded 7 August 1941
  • 25 October 1941 Transferred to the 3rd Battalion/SS-Regiment "Der Führer"
    • severely wounded in November/December 1941
  • 1 February 1942 After military hospital and recuperation, assigned to the Infanterie-Ersatz-Bataillon/SS-Regiment "Der Führer"/SS-Division „Reich“
  • 23 March 1942 Commander of the 8. Kompanie/II. Bataillon/SS-Regiment "Der Führer"
  • 8 June 1942 to 15 March 1944 Leader, later Commander of the 3rd Battalion/SS-Panzer-Grenadier-Regiment "Deutschland"/SS-Division „Das Reich“
  • 16 March 1944 Transferred to the staff of the SS-Panzer-Grenadier-Regiment 3 "Deutschland"
  • 10 April 1944 Commander of the SS-Panzer-Grenadier-Regiment 3 "Deutschland"/2. SS-Panzer-Division "Das Reich"
    • In June 1944, when the US-British steamroller got a foothold in Normandy and made life difficult for Generalfeldmarschall Erwin Rommel’s Heeresgruppe B, the completely reconstituted division, under SS-Brigadeführer Heinz Lammerding, was dispatched to the new front. Leading a powerful Kampfgruppe in the sector of the Panzer-Lehr-Division during the bitter fighting in the vicinity of St. Lô, Wisliceny and his men were able to prevent an American breakthrough north of the city. Between 9 and 19 July, Kampfgruppe Wisliceny reported a total of 53 armor and 11 infantry attacks of the enemy, in the process of which the most-forward positions had to be evacuated 30 times. The US forces were forced back every time in immediate counterattacks, however. As a result, the important crossroads at La Platriere could be held. After this round of fighting, SS-Obersturmführer Heinz Macher, one of Wisliceny’s company commanders, received the Oakleaves to the Knight’s Cross (No. 554). Macher had already received the Close Combat Clasp in Gold. By then, Wisliceny had received the Close Combat Clasp in Silver, as well as a second Individual Tank Destruction Badge. In August, elements of the division were employed in the area of the Falaise Pocket. After some 50,000 men of the seven encircled corps had been able to break out—although they had to leave behind all of their heavy equipment, as well as most of their vehicles—British tanks cut the only available escape route (to the west) on 20 August. A few days later, a few more columns were able to make it out of the pocket when a final lane was created, but then the pocket was closed for good.

Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross with Oak Leaves and Swords

Knight's Cross

Wisliceny's Knight's Cross recommendation reads as follows:

"During the assault on 5 July 1943 the III./SS-Pz.Gren.Rgt. 'Deutschland' (commanded by SS-Sturmbannführer Wisliceny) had the mission of seizing the enemy combat outposts in the village of Jachontoff. From there they would then assemble for a continued onslaught. SS-Sturmbannführer Wisliceny and his grenadiers eliminated the combat outposts in a bold strike, captured the positions and readied themselves for a subsequent attack. This latter attack was to proceed after the arrival of friendly Sturmgeschütze. The plan was for the III./SS-Pz.Gren.Rgt. 'Deutschland' to attack with the support of these vehicles as well as that from Stuka attacks and friendly artillery fire. It was intended that the battalion would be able to penetrate into the enemy's deeply echeloned defensive network (reinforced by an anti-tank ditch) and wrest control of it from the foe. However, a spell of torrential rain during the previous night resulted in a delay of 2 hours for the Sturmgeschütze. They were thus not immediately available to support the attack after the artillery and Stuka bombardments according to the original plan. Meanwhile, strong enemy artillery fire struck our own positions, threatening the success of the whole operation. In this situation, Wisliceny made the bold decision to nevertheless prosecute the attack and break into the enemy's defensive network in the face of the opposing artillery and infantry fire.
Although he was himself suffering from a severe knee injury, he still placed himself at the head of his grenadiers and attacked with magnificent drive. Fighting from position to position, he and his men ultimately were able to penetrate into the hostile anti-tank ditch. This bold action by SS-Sturmbannführer Wisliceny (executed with minimal friendly losses) created a breach in the enemy's defenses that the remainder of the SS-Panzer-Grenadier-Division Das Reich would be able to exploit. He himself carried on the assault from here and was able to reach the day's attack objective on the afternoon of the same day, and this despite the prevailing unfavorable circumstances that included some very strong hostile resistance. The significance of SS-Sturmbannführer Wisliceny's successful offensive operation is indicated by the fact that the bulk of the II. SS-Panzer-Korps would continue its assault through the breach that he created. These elements were unable to advance forwards in their own sectors due to the strong enemy resistance encountered. SS-Sturmbannführer Wisliceny is the paragon of a fearless and aggressive commander. His heroic devotion to duty is model behavior for his troops in all circumstances, and his unshakeable optimism never fails to inspire them forwards. It is also to his credit that he is consistently able to achieve his successes with minimal losses even with his aggressive style of combat."[2]

Oak Leaves

Wisliceny's Oakleaves' recommendation reads as follows:

"The SS-Pz.Gren.Rgt. 3 'Deutschland' assembled north of Elbeuf following its withdrawal from the Bernay sector. Reconnaissance units sent out towards Elbeuf and Chambois de Elbeuf revealed that strong enemy tank and motorized formations were advancing towards Elbeuf itself. SS-Obersturmbannführer Wisliceny was aware of the massive importance of Elbeuf for continued friendly withdrawal movements, and so on the 25 August 1944, he made the decision to attack and take Elbeuf (which was overrun by terrorists at the time) in order to facilitate the retreat of major friendly elements across the Seine. Although no artillery support was at hand the Regiment immediately commenced its attack against Elbeuf. Following bitter urban combat (during which the commander was in the thick of the action) the Regiment was able to reach the southeastern edge of Elbeuf and establish a strong security line. The swift success of this operation is attributable to the energy and extraordinary bravery of the regimental commander.
It was not long before incoming enemy forces launched major attacks against Elbeuf itself, and in the afternoon hours they managed to achieve a penetration that made it as far as the bank of the Seine. SS-Obersturmbannführer Wisliceny at once struck these enemy forces with a handful of men from his regimental command post, and he managed to throw them back and restore the old frontline via an energetic attack. In the process, SS-Obersturmbannführer Wisliceny received his third wartime battle wound. The decisiveness, leadership and bravery displayed here by the regimental commander meant that strong American forces were successfully held off for 48 hours whilst sustaining heavy losses. This in turn thwarted the enemy's goal of launching a surprise thrust into the Seine bend at Rouen. Three friendly infantery and Panzer divisions were thereby able to pull back to the Seine's eastern bank without any great difficulty. SS-Obersturmbannführer Wisliceny held Elbeuf under the most difficult of combat conditions until the friendly withdrawal movement was completed. His example on the battlefield in turn motivated his unit to achieve the seemingly impossible. Wisliceny is worth of being awarded the Oakleaves to the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross."

To this was added a supplementary document that further justifies his recommendation for the Oakleaves:

"SS-Obersturmbannführer Wisliceny particularly distinguished himself on the invasion front north of St. Lo whilst serving as the commander of a Kampfgruppe. Here he inflicted heavy losses on the Americans in a series of bitter engagements. He personally led successful counterthrusts against broken-in American forces on the 16/17 and 18 August 1944. The commander of the Panzer-Lehr-Division (Generalleutnant Fritz Bayerlein) wrote in one of his orders that it was solely on account of the ruthless devotion to duty displayed by SS-Obersturmbannführer Wisliceny (commander of SS-Pz.Gren.Rgt. 3) that the men of the Kampfgruppe were able to achieve such heroic feats-of-arms. The Kampfgruppe was able to knock out 35 American tanks in close combat in barely 15 days of combat."

Swords

Awarded for his achievements during the Ardennes Offensive, in Hungary and in Austria. During the fighting in Hungary, he and his regiment especially distinguished themselves near Stuhlweißenburg and between Lakes Velence and Balaton as well as in the Leitha mountains. Then the Battle of Vienna ensued. Wisliceny continued to fight at the head of his troops in the defensive engagements and received the Close Combat Clasp in Gold on 31 March 1945 after participating in a total of 50 close-combat days. During these final days, the badly weakened SS-Panzer-Grenadier-Regiment “Deutschland” was attached to the 9. SS-Panzer-Division “Hohenstaufen”, where Wisliceny encountered his old friend Sylvester Stadler, who was a SS-Brigadeführer at that point. Based on the hopeless situation, both of them made the risky decision to establish contact with the advancing US forces. As the result of personal negotiations, they received assurances that the western Allies would take the Waffen-SS soldiers into their captivity, thus sparing the SS men the revenge of the Red Army.

POW

Wisliceny surrendered with his regiment to U.S. Army troops near Ennsdorf (Lower Austria) on 8 May 1945. He was extradited to France in April 1947. The French really wanted to prove that the highly decorated German warrior had committed one or more war crimes, but without any substance. No charges were ever brought. In the end, all that was left was a preliminary accusation: He was found guilty of “voluntary membership in the Waffen-SS” and sentenced to four years by the court in Bordeaux. Not just a show trial, but also a show court ruling. On 12 July 1951, after over six years in prisoner of war and special camps, Wisliceny was finally released and returned to his family.

Family

Günther was born in 1912 as the son of the lord of the manor (Rittergut Regulowken) Major of the Reserves Erich Wisliceny (d. 1928 according to Soldbuch, other sources state March 1930) and his wife Wally, née Paul, in East Prussia. In 1919, after losing the estate, the family moved to Silesia. He was the younger brother of SS-Hauptsturmführer Dieter Wisliceny. On 26 February 1937 in Berlin-Lichetrfelde, SS-Obersturmführer Wisliceny married his fiancée Luise Kühl.

Promotions

Awards and decorations

Gallery

  • Günther Wisliceny I.jpg
  • Günther Wisliceny III.jpg
  • Günther Wisliceny II.jpg
  • Günther Wisliceny VIII.jpg
  • Günther Wisliceny VI.jpg
  • Günther Wisliceny VII.jpg
  • SS-Scharführer Günther Wisliceny.jpg
  • SS-Haupttruppführer Günther Wisliceny.jpg
  • Günther Wisliceny, Marriage 1937.jpg
  • Günther Wisliceny, Oak Leaves.jpg
  • Günther Wisliceny IV.jpg
  • Günther Wisliceny (2).png

References

  1. ↑ Wislizeny, Günther-Eberhardt
  2. ↑ Wisliceny, Günther Eberhardt (Waffen SS)
  3. ↑ Florian Berger: Ritterkreuzträger mit Nahkampfspange in Gold [Knight's Cross Bearers with the Close Combat Clasp in Gold], Vienna, 2004, p. 508
  4. ↑ The award was presented by SS-Oberst-Gruppenführer Sepp Dietrich. The date is taken from the announcement made by the 6. SS-Panzerarmee. The sequential number "151" was assigned by the Association of Knight's Cross Recipients (AKCR). Wisliceny was member of the AKCR.
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