Paul Senghas

Paul Senghas
Born 31 January 1916
Böttingen, Germany
Died 6 November 1996 (aged 80)
Flein, Germany
Allegiance Nazi Germany Nazi Germany
Service/branch Waffen SS
Years of service 1939–45
Rank Hauptsturmführer
Unit 5th SS Panzer Division Wiking
Battles/wars World War II
Awards Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross
German Cross in Gold
Iron Cross 1st Class
Iron Cross 2nd Class
Panzer Badge in Silver "25"
Wound Badge in Gold
Eastern Front Medal 1941/42
Sudetenland Medal with Prague Castle bar
Anschluss Medal

Paul Senghas (31 January 1916 – 6 November 1996) was a Hauptsturmführer (Captain) 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

Paul Senghas was born on the 31 January 1916, in Böttingen. In July 1935 he volunteered to join the SS-VT in Arolsen and was present during the Anschluss of Austria, the occupation of the Sudetenland and the annexation of Bohemia and Moravia.

World War II

Senghas participated in the Polish Campaign and the Battle of France and was awarded the Iron Cross 2nd class, in June 1940.

When the new SS Division Wiking was formed he was posted in as a Scharführer (Staff Sergeant) and took part in Operation Barbarossa, the invasion of the Soviet Union and was awarded the Iron Cross 1st class in December 1941.

He was awarded the German Cross in Gold in June 1943 after destroying more than 30 tanks, he was also selected to become an officer and promoted to Untersturmführer (Second Lieutenant) in July 1943.

He was awarded the Knight's Cross in December 1944 for his outstanding personal bravery in December 1944 while in command of the 1st Company, 5th SS Panzer Regiment, (5th SS Panzer Division Wiking). Finally he destroyed 49 tanks.

Senghas was severely wounded in April 1945 and evacuated to hospital at Warendorf where he was captured by the advancing American forces. He remained in captivity until June 1946 when he was released.

Post war

Paul Senghas died on 6 November 1996.

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 Wehrmachtteile [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.
    • Hamilton Charles Leaders and Personalities of the Third Reich, R James Bender Pub 1997, ISBN 0-912138-27-0
    • Kurowski Franz Panzer Aces II Stackpole Books, 2004, ISBN 0-8117-3175-8
    • Mitcham, Samuel W (2007). Retreat to the Reich : the German defeat in France, 1944. Mechanicsburg, PA: Stackpole Books. ISBN 978-0-8117-3384-7.
    • Fey, Will; Henschler, Henri (2003). Armor Battles of the Waffen-SS. Mechanicsburg, PA: Stackpole Books. ISBN 978-0-8117-2905-5.
    • Mitcham, Samuel W (2007). The German Defeat in the East, 1944–45. Mechanicsburg, PA: Stackpole Books. ISBN 978-0-8117-3371-7.