Allegiance Nazi Germany Battles/wars World War II Died January 12, 1943, Russia Service/branch Waffen-SS | Years of service 1936–45 Name Harry Polewacz Battles and wars World War II Rank Obersturmbannfuhrer | |
Awards Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross
German Cross in Gold
Iron Cross 1st Class
Iron Cross 2nd Class
Infantry Assault Badge in Bronze
Wound Badge in Silver
Eastern Front Medal 1941/42 Unit 1st SS Panzer Division Leibstandarte SS Adolf Hitler, 5th SS Panzer Division Wiking | ||
Harry Polewacz (31 March 1909 – 12 January 1943) was an Obersturmbannfuhrer 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.
Harry Polewacz was born on the 31 March 1909 in Berlin. He volunteered to join the SS and was posted to the Leibstandarte SS Adolf Hitler in command of the 10th Company. He was awarded the Iron Cross 2nd class in September 1939, during the Polish Campaign and the Iron Cross 1st class in June 1940 during the Battle of France.
In late 1940 he posted to the new SS Division being formed, the SS Division (mot.) Wiking, and given command of the III. Battalion, 9th SS Panzer Grenadier Regiment Germania.
Polewacz next participated in Operation Barbarossa, the invasion of the Soviet Union, where he was awarded the German Cross in Gold in December 1941.
He was awarded the Knight's Cross in December 1942, when in command of the III. Battalion, SS Regiment Nordland. Polewacz was killed in action on the 12 January 1943, near Orlovsky, Russia.