Walter Schimana

Walter Schimana (Troppau, 12 March 1898 - Salzburg, 12 September 1948 was a German Nazi Party and SS member, who rose to General rank ("SS-Gruppenführer und Generalleutnant der Waffen-SS und Polizei") during World War II, and was "de facto" governor of occupied Greece from October 1943.

Early life

Schimana was born in Troppau, then part of Austria-Hungary, the son of a newspaper editor. In 1915, he entered the Prague cadets school, from which he graduated in December 1918. In 1920, he left the Austrian army with the rank of lieutenant, and was subsequently employed as a librarian and bank clerk.

NSDAP membership and early career

Schimana became an early member of the Nazi Party, on 17 December 1926 (Party-Nr. 49042), and joined the paramilitary SA in Munich. After the Nazis came to power, in 1934 he entered the Police ("Schutzpolizei") with the rank of Captain, and in 1936 he was transferred to the Gendarmerie as Major. After the Anschluss, he was transferred to the Police Headquarters at Vienna. On 15 August 1939 entered the SS with the rank of Standartenführer, and was transferred to the SS-Personalhauptamt in Berlin in 1941.

World War II

On 4 September 1941, he was appointed SS and Police Leader (SSPF) for the Saratov area, and later attached to the staff of the Higher SS and Police Leader (HSSPF) for Central Russia until July 1942, taking part in anti-partisan operations. From 21 July 1942 to 15 July 1943 he was SSPF of Belarussia, with headquarters at Minsk. Subsequently he underwent training as a divisional commander and was commander of the newly formed 14th "Galizien" SS Volunteers Division until October 1943. On 18 October, he was appointed HSSPF for Greece, in replacement to Jürgen Stroop, a position he held until the withdrawal of German forces from the country in September-October 1944. In that capacity he exercised control over the Greek collaborationist government, and became actively engaged in carrying out the persecution of Greek Jews and the campaign against the Greek Resistance movement. In this capacity he was instrumental in the formation of the infamous Security Battalions. After the German withdrawal, he was appointed HSSPF of the Danube Sector, with headquarters at Vienna, in which position he remained until the German capitulation.

He was captured by the Allies and imprisoned, but committed suicide before he could be brought to trial.

Awards

* Iron Cross, Second & First Class
* German Cross in Gold (7 August 1943)
* War Merit Cross with Swords, 2nd Class
* Golden Party Badge of the NSDAP
* SS Honour Ring
* SA Sports Badge in Gold

Sources

* [http://www.geocities.com/~orion47/SS-POLIZEI/SS-Gruf_O-Z.html SS-GRUPPENFÜHRER & GENERALLEUTNANT DER POLIZEI (O-Z)] , from the "Axis Biographical Research"
* [http://www.olokaustos.org/bionazi/leaders/shimana.htm Walter Schimana] , from "olokaustos.org"