Hans Christian Schulze
| Hans Christian Schulze | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Born |
15 July 1893 Schwarzenbeck, Germany |
| Died |
13 September 1941 (aged 48) Leningrad, Russia |
| Allegiance |
.svg.png){kind=small} Nazi Germany |
| Service/branch |
 Waffen-SS |
| Years of service | 1939–1944 |
| Rank | Brigadeführer and Generalmajor of the Polizei (Brigadier General) |
| Unit | 4th SS Polizei Panzergrenadier Division |
| Battles/wars | World War II |
| Awards |
Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross Iron Cross 1st Class 1914 & 1939 Iron Cross 2nd Class 1914 & 1939 [1] |
Hans Christian Schulze was a Brigadeführer (Brigadier General) and Generalmajor of Polizei in the Waffen-SS during World War II, who was awarded the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross, which was awarded to recognize extreme battlefield bravery or successful military leadership by Nazi Germany during World War II.
Early life
Hans Christian Schulze was born in Schwarzenbeck on the 15 July 1893.[2] In 1912 he joined the army high school at Metz as a Fahnenjunker (Officer Candidate) and upon graduation was made a Leutnant in the Imperial German Army.[1]
World War I
In August 1914, Hans Christian Schulze now a platoon commander was sent to the front. He quickly rose through the ranks, becoming a Company, Battalion and Regiment commander and finishing the war as an Brigade Adjutant and was awarded the Iron Cross 1st and 2nd class.[1]
Between wars
After the war he joined the national police force and was stationed in Hamburg as a section commander, until 1935 when he joined the 47th Infantry Regiment as the Regimental Major and was promoted to Oberstleutnant (Lieutenant Colonel) before returning to the police force.[1]
World War II
In September 1939, Schulze was given command of the 2nd Polizei Schützen Regiment (Infantry), which was the divisional reserve during the Battle of France and stationed on the Luxembourg border.[1][2]
In June 1940, the division advanced onto the Aisne Canal. Schulze and his Regiment were involved in the fighting at the Forest of Argonne, and capturing an important bridge. Schulze was often found at the front of his Regiment and was awarded the Iron Cross 2nd and 1st class for his bravery. From August 1940 until June 1941 Schulze and the rest of the Division were stationed as an occupying force in the Paris region.[1]
In June 1941 the division was moved to the Eastern Front to take part in Operation Barbarossa, the invasion of the Soviet Union. They were part of the Army Group North which advanced througth the Baltic States towards Leningrad.[1]
In August 1941 the regiment was the focus of the fighting around the town of Luga, with Schulze again leading from the front, and through his efforts the city of Luga was quickley captured, for which Schulze was awarded the Knight's Cross in September 1941.[1][2]
In the advance towards Leningrad, Schulze was badly wounded on 13 September 1941, and died of his wounds. He was then posthumously promoted to Brigadeführer and Generalmajor of Polizei.[1][2]
References
Further reading
- Fellgiebel, Walther-Peer (2000). Die Träger des Ritterkreuzes des Eisernen Kreuzes 1939–1945 – Die Inhaber der höchsten Auszeichnung des Zweiten Weltkrieges aller Wehrmachtsteile [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] (in German). Friedberg, Germany: Podzun-Pallas. ISBN 978-3-7909-0284-6.
- Williamson Gordon, German Military Police Units 1939-45, Osprey Publishing, 1989. ISBN 0-85045-902-8
- Huseman, Friedrich. In Good Faith: The History of 4. SS-Polizei-Panzergrenadier-Division: Volume 1, 1939-1943. J.J. Fedorowicz, 2003 ISBN 0-921991-74-6
- Mitcham, Jr.Samuel, Retreat to the Reich, Stackpole books 2007. ISBN 0-8117-3384-X
- Henschler Henri & Fay Will, Armor Battles of the Waffen-SS, 1943-45 Stackpole Books, 2003. ISBN 0-8117-2905-2
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