Allegiance Nazi Germany Battles/wars World War II Died November 30, 1943, Russia Service/branch Waffen-SS | Years of service 1931–43 Name Hans Freiherr Battles and wars World War II Rank Obersturmbannfuhrer | |
Awards Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross
Iron Cross 1st Class
Iron Cross 2nd Class
Eastern Front Medal
Panzer Badge
Wound Badge Unit 1st SS Panzer Division Leibstandarte SS Adolf Hitler, 5th SS Panzer Division Wiking, 2nd SS Panzer Division Das Reich | ||
Hans Albin, Freiherr von Reitzenstein (4 March 1911 — 30 November 1943) was an Obersturmbannfuhrer (Lieutenant Colonel), 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.
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Early life
Hans Albin Freiherr von Reitzenstein was born in Berlin on 4 March 1911. He joined the Allegemeine-SS in 1931 and transferred to Leibstandarte in 1933.
World War II
Von Reitzenstein was transferred to the SS-VT for the Polish Campaign in command of the 1st Company, SS Infantry Regiment Deutschland (2nd SS Division Das Reich). He was wounded during the Polish Campaign and was posted to the SS-Junkerschule at Bad Tolz to recover.
In December 1940 von Reitzenstein was posted to the newly formed SS Wiking Division that was being formed from an influx of foreign volunteers, particularly from the occupied Denmark, Belgium, the Netherlands and Norway. He was the commander of its 5th Reconnaissance Battalion. In 1942 he was transferred to the Das Reich Division and assumed command of the 2nd SS Reconnaissance Battalion, which was stationed in the Soviet Union. He remained in command of the Reconnaissance Battalion until March 1943, when he replaced Herbert Ernst Vahl as the commander of the 2nd SS Panzer Regiment.
Von Reitzenstein, promoted to Obersturmbannfuhrer, was in command of the Panzer Regiment for the Operation Citadel, during which he was awarded the Knight's Cross.
Hans Albin Freiherr von Reitzenstein committed suicide on 30 November 1943, due to the events surrounding the death of a female Russian volunteer (see Hiwi for SS volunteer system).
At the time of his death von Reitzenstein had been recommended for the German Cross in Gold.