Allegiance Nazi Germany Battles/wars World War II Battles and wars World War II Rank Untersturmfuhrer | Years of service 1939–45 Name Fritz Henke Service/branch Waffen-SS | |
Awards Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross
Iron Cross 1st Class
Iron Cross 2nd Class
Tank Destruction Badge
Eastern Front Medal Died November 15, 1999, Moisburg, Germany Unit 1st SS Panzer Division Leibstandarte SS Adolf Hitler | ||
Fritz Henke (21 June 1921 – 15 November 1999) was a Untersturmfuhrer (Second Lieutenant) in the Waffen SS who was awarded the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross.
Henke was born on the 21 June 1921 in Oldendorf, in Lower Saxony. After school he had planned on being a Master craftsman, then on the 4 September 1939 he volunteered to join the SS.
Henke was posted to the 2nd Reserve Company of the SS Regiment Germania stationed at Langenhorn, Hamburg where he received training as a basic infantryman.
In May 1940 Henke started training as a Radio Operator and upon completion was posted to the Sturmgeschutz (StuG) Battery of the Leibstandarte SS Adolf Hitler Regiment and participated in Operation Marita the Balkans Campaign.
In 1942, for his actions in fighting around Zhytomyr, Henke was awarded the Knight's Cross and promoted to Oberscharfuhrer (Staff Sergeant). He was given command of a platoon in the 3rd Battery, 1st SS Sturmgeschutz Battalion.
In September 1943 he was sent to the SS officers training school and promoted to Untersturmfuhrer. He was wounded on 20 April 1945, just prior to surrendering to the Allies.
Henke died on 15 November 1999 and is buried at Moisburg.