Fritz Klingenberg

Infobox Military Person
name=Fritz Klingenberg
lived=17 December, 1912 - 22 March, 1945


caption=Fritz Klingenberg
placeofbirth=Rövershagen
placeofdeath=Herxheim
nickname=
allegiance=Germany
serviceyears=1935-1945
rank=Standartenführer
commands= 17.SS- Panzergrenadier-Division "Götz von Berlichingen", SS-Junkerschule at Bad Tölz
unit=2.SS-Division "Das Reich"
battles=World War II
awards=Ritterkreuz des Eisernes Kreuz
laterwork=

SS-Standartenführer Fritz Klingenberg (1912 - 1945) was a legendary German Waffen-SS officer who served with the 2.SS-Division "Das Reich" and was a commander of the 17.SS- Panzergrenadier-Division "Götz von Berlichingen". He was best known for his unorthodox and audacious capture of the Yugoslavian capital, Belgrade for which he was awarded the Ritterkreuz des Eisernen Kreuzes.

Early Life - Pre-War SS Service

Fritz Klingenberg was a son of dairy owner and was born in Rövershagen in Mecklenburg on December 17, 1912. After successfully completing his high-school education, he began studying science and history at the University of Rostock. In 1934 however, he interrupted his university studies and joined the SS-Verfügungstruppe, becoming one of the first ever graduates of the new SS-Junkerschule at Bad Tölz. After his graduation he was assigned to SS-Standarte "Germania" and up until the outset of World War II, Klingenberg served on an inspection team of the SS-VT.

Götz von Berlichingen

On December 21, 1944, Fritz Klingenberg was promoted to SS-Standartenführer and two weeks later (on January 12, 1945) was ordered to take command of the 17.SS- Panzergrenadier-Division "Götz von Berlichingen". The Division was attached to General Max Simon's XIII SS Corps, defending the area between Neustadt and Landau, southeast of Saarbrücken against the XV Corps of the U.S. Seventh Army. When resistance finally collapsed on March 22, 1945 SS-Oberführer Klingenberg was among the casualties. He had died leading his division near Herxheim and is buried at the German War Cemetery in Andilly, France.

ummary of SS career

Dates of rank

* SS-Untersturmführer: April 20, 1935
* SS-Obersturmführer: December 12, 1937
* SS-Hauptsturmführer: June 30, 1939
* SS-Sturmbannführer: September 01, 1941
* SS-Obersturmbannführer: December 21, 1943
* SS-Standartenführer: December 21, 1944

Notable decorations

* German Cross in Gold (1944)
* Eastern Front Medal (1942)
* Iron Cross Second (1940) and First (1940) Classes
* SS-Honour Ring (?)
* Sudetenland Medal (?)
* Anschluss Medal (?)
* Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross (1941)
* Wound Badge in Black (?)
* Infantry Assault Badge(?)

References

*"SS-Das Reich: The History of the Second SS Division, 1941-1945" by Gregory L. Mattson (Zenith Press, (March 22, 2002), ISBN-10: 0760312559, ISBN-13: 978-0760312551).
*"The SS: Hitler's Instrument of Terror: The Full Story From Street Fighters to the Waffen-SS " by Gordon Williamson (Motorbooks International, (March 1994), ISBN-10: 0879389052, ISBN-13: 978-0879389055).
*"Invasion of Yugoslavia: Waffen SS Captain Fritz Klingenberg and the Capture of Belgrade During World War II" by Colin D. Heaton [http://www.historynet.com/historical_conflicts/3033041.html?page=1&c=y]
* Patzwall, Klaus D. and Scherzer, Veit. "Das Deutsche Kreuz 1941 - 1945 Geschichte und Inhaber Band II". Norderstedt, Germany: Verlag Klaus D. Patzwall, 2001. ISBN 3-931533-45-X.