Christian Tychsen

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This article is about the German military officer. For the Danish governor, see Christian Tychsen (Governor).
Christian Tychsen
Born 3 December 1910
Flensburg, Germany
Died 28 July 1944(1944-07-28) (aged 33)
Gavray, France
Allegiance Nazi Germany Nazi Germany
Service/branch Waffen SS
Years of service 1931–1944
Rank Obersturmbannführer
Unit 2nd SS Panzer Division Das Reich
Battles/wars World War II
Awards Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross with Oak Leaves
German Cross in Gold
Iron Cross 1st Class
Iron Cross 2nd Class

Christian Tychsen (3 December 1910 — 28 July 1944) was an Obersturmbannführer (Lieutenant Colonel) in the Waffen SS who was awarded the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross with Oak Leaves (German: Ritterkreuz des Eisernen Kreuzes mit Eichenlaub). The Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross and its higher grade Oak Leaves was awarded to recognise extreme battlefield bravery or successful military leadership.

Early career

Tychsen joined the SS in 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.

World War II

Tychsen (second left)is presented with the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross in Russia, April 1943.

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 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 of the Iron Cross.

Tychsen became 2nd SS Panzer Rgt commander on November 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.[1]

References

Citations
  1. ↑ "dasreich". 
Bibliography
  • Krätschmer, Ernst-Günther (1999). Die Ritterkreuzträger der Waffen-SS [The Knight's Cross Bearers of the Waffen-SS]. Coburg, Germany: Nation Europa Verlag. ISBN 978-3-920677-43-9. 
Military offices
Preceded by
SS-Gruppenführer Heinz Lammerding		 Commander of 2nd SS Division Das Reich
24 July 1944 - 28 July 1944 		Succeeded by
SS-Brigadeführer Otto Baum
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