Oskar Drexler
| Oskar Drexler | |
|---|---|
| Born |
9 March 1911 Nuremberg, Germany |
| Died | 28 January 1982 (aged 70) |
| Allegiance |
.svg.png){kind=small} Nazi Germany |
| Service/branch |
 Waffen-SS |
| Years of service | 1934–1945 |
| Rank | Obersturmbannführer |
| Unit |
2nd SS Panzer Division Das Reich 12th SS Panzer Division Hitlerjugend |
| Battles/wars | World War II |
| Awards |
Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross Iron Cross I Class Iron Cross II Class German Cross in Gold Sudetenland Medal Anschluss Medal |
Oskar Drexler (9 March 1911 – 28 January 1982) was an Obersturmbannführer (Lieutenant Colonel) in the Waffen SS during World War II. He 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
Drexler was born on 9 March 1911, in Nuremberg, Germany. He volunteered to join the SS-VT and was selected to become an officer getting his commission in 1935. He took part in the Anschluss of Austria and the occupation of the Sudetenland in 1938.
World War II
In World War II he served in the SS Das Reichh Division eventually becoming the commander of the II.Battalion, 2nd SS Panzer Artillery Regiment, he was transferred to the 12th SS Panzer Division Hitlerjugend in command of the 12th SS Panzer Artillery Regiment.
He was awarded the Knight's Cross near the end of the war on 6 May 1945, an immediate award by the commander of the 6th SS Panzer Army Sepp Dietrich.
Post war
Drexler survived the war and died on 28 January 1982.
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.
- Mitcham, Samuel W (2007). Retreat to the Reich : the German defeat in France, 1944. Mechanicsburg, PA: Stackpole Books. ISBN 978-0-8117-3384-7.
- Henschler Henri & Fay Will, Armor Battles of the Waffen-SS, 1943-45 Stackpole Books, 2003. ISBN 0-8117-2905-2
- Mitcham Samuel, The German Defeat in the East, 1944-45,Stackpole Books, 2007. ISBN 0-8117-3371-8
- Meyer Hubert, The 12th SS: The History of the Hitler Youth Panzer Division, Stackpole Books, 2005.ISBN 0811731987
- Reynolds, Michael (1997). Steel Inferno: I SS Panzer Corps in Normandy. Spellmount. ISBN 1-873376-90-1