Maximilian Wengler

Maximilian Wengler
Born	14 January 1890(1890-01-14) Roßwein
Died	25 April 1945(1945-04-25) (aged 55) near Pillau-Neutief
Allegiance	German Empire (to 1918) Weimar Republic (to 1933) Nazi Germany
Service/branch	Heer
Years of service	1935-1945
Rank	Generalmajor of the Reserves
Commands held	227. Infanterie-Division
Battles/wars	World War II
Awards	Knight's Cross with Oak Leaves and Swords (posthumous)

Maximilian Wengler (14 January 1890 – 25 April 1945) was a German general serving during World War II and recipient of the coveted Knight's Cross with Oak Leaves and Swords. The Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross and its higher grade Oak Leaves and Swords was awarded to recognise extreme battlefield bravery or successful military leadership.

Wengler took command of the 83. Infanterie-Division on 27 March 1945 in the area of Gotenhafen. The division, after escaping the encirclement of the city, fought its way to Oxhöfter Kämpe and Pillau-Neutief. Here Wengler and numerous men of his staff were killed by an aerial bomb on 25 April 1945. His wife had also been killed by aerial bombardment in the winter of 1944/45.

Awards

• Wound Badge in Silver
• Infantry Assault Badge in Silver
• Close Combat Clasp in Bronze
• Iron Cross 2nd and 1st Class
• Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross with Oak Leaves and Swords
  • Knight's Cross on 6 October 1942 as Oberstleutnant of the Reserves and commander of Infanterie-Regiment 366^[1]
  • 404th Oak Leaves on 22 February 1944 as Oberst of the Reserves and commander of Grenadier-Regiment 366^[2]
  • 123rd Swords on 21 January 1945 as Generalmajor of the Reserves and commander of the 227. Infanterie-Division^[3]
• Mentioned in the Wehrmachtbericht on 3 August 1944

References

Citations

1. ^ Fellgiebel 2000, p. 442.
2. ^ Fellgiebel 2000, p. 79.
3. ^ Fellgiebel 2000, p. 247.

Bibliography

• Berger, Florian (2000). Mit Eichenlaub und Schwertern. Die höchstdekorierten Soldaten des Zweiten Weltkrieges. Selbstverlag Florian Berger. ISBN 3-9501307-0-5.
• Fellgiebel, Walther-Peer (2000). Die Träger des Ritterkreuzes des Eisernen Kreuzes 1939-1945. Friedburg, Germany: Podzun-Pallas. ISBN 3-7909-0284-5.
• 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 (in German). Jena, Germany: Scherzers Miltaer-Verlag. ISBN 978-3-938845-17-2.

External links

Military of Germany portal

• Maximilian Wengler @ Lexikon der Wehrmacht

Military offices
Preceded by General der Artillerie Wilhelm Berlin	Commander of 227. Infanterie-Division 7 June 1943 – 27 March 1945	Succeeded by —
Preceded by Generalleutnant Wilhelm Heun	Commander of 83. Infanterie-Division 27 March 1945 – 25 April 1945	Succeeded by Oberst Hellmuth Raaatz

Persondata
Name	Wengler, Maximilian
Alternative names
Short description
Date of birth	14 January 1890
Place of birth	Roßwein
Date of death	25 April 1945
Place of death	near Pillau-Neutief