Waldemar Fegelein

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Waldemar Fegelein
Born (1912-01-09)9 January 1912
Ansbach, German Empire
Died 20 November 2000(2000-11-20) (aged 88)
Berlin, Germany
Allegiance  Nazi Germany
Service/branch Waffen-SS
Years of service 1938–1945
Rank SS-Standartenführer (colonel)
Unit

SS-VT

Battles/wars World War II
Awards
Relations

Waldemar Fegelein (9 January 1912 – 20 November 2000) was a SS-Standartenführer (colonel) in the Waffen-SS during World War II. He was a recipient of the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross (German: Ritterkreuz des Eisernen Kreuzes). The Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross was awarded to recognise extreme battlefield bravery or successful military leadership.

Career

Waldemar Fegelein was born on 9 January 1912, in Ansbach, the younger brother of Hermann Fegelein. His father operated a horse riding school in Munich which was forced to close due to the worldwide economic depression of the 1920s.

He volunteered to join the SS-VT and during World War II was awarded the Knight's Cross as a SS-Sturmbannführer (major) in command of the 2nd SS Cavalry Regiment in December 1943, which was serving on the Eastern Front. He was personally presented with the medal by Heinrich Himmler.

Fegelein, like his brother, Hermann, went on to command an SS Division, the 37th SS Volunteer Cavalry Division Lützow. He survived the war, and after the war changed his name to Axel Fegelein. He died on 20 November 2000.

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 Jr (2007). Retreat to the Reich. Stackpole. ISBN 0-8117-3384-X. 
    • Mitcham, Samuel Jr (2007). The German Defeat in the East, 1944–45. Stackpole. ISBN 0-8117-3371-8. 
    • Scherzer, Veit (2007). 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 [The Knight's Cross Bearers 1939–1945 The Holders of the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross 1939 by Army, Air Force, Navy, Waffen-SS, Volkssturm and Allied Forces with Germany According to the Documents of the Federal Archives] (in German). Jena, Germany: Scherzers Miltaer-Verlag. ISBN 978-3-938845-17-2. 
    Military offices
    Preceded by
    none    		 Commander of 37th SS Volunteer Cavalry Division Lützow
    February 1945 – March 1945     		Succeeded by
    Standartenführer Karl Gesele


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