Willy Simke

Willy Simke
Born 26 January 1914
Belgern, Germany
Died 20 August 1964 (aged 50)
Ennigerloh, Oelde
Allegiance Nazi Germany Nazi Germany
Service/branch Waffen SS
Years of service 1939–45
Rank Obersturmführer
Unit 2nd SS Panzer Division Das Reich
Battles/wars World War II
Awards Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross
Iron Cross 1st Class
Iron Cross 2nd Class

Willy Simke (26 January 1914 – 20 August 1964) was an Obersturmführer (First Lieutenant), 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.

Willy Simke was born in Belgern on the river Elbe on the 26 January 1914. He volunteered to join the SS and was part of the SS-VT, which became the Das Reich Division. He was awarded the Iron Cross 2nd class in February 1942 and the 1st class award in May 1942.

In 1943 Simke was a platoon commander in the 5th Company, 2nd SS Panzer Regiment at Uljaniki. His platoon was being held in reserve, when they were called upon to deal with an attack by 20 Russian T-34 tanks, which has broken through the Das Reich line.

Simke launched an immediate counterattack with his platoon and destroyed 17 of the Russian tanks. For his action on this day he was promoted to Hauptscharführer (Master Sergeant) and awarded the Knight's Cross.

Willy Simke survived the war and died in West Germany on the 28 August 1964.

References

    • Mattson, Gregory SS-The realm. The History of the Second SS division, 1939-45. Staplehurst 2002, ISBN 1-86227-144-5
    • 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.
    • 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