Years of service 1914–45 Name Rudolf Sieckenius | ||
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Born 16 May 1896
Ludwigsthal, Silesia (now Proczki, Poland) ( 1896-05-16 ) Allegiance German Empire (to 1918)
Weimar Republic (to 1933)
Nazi Germany Rank Generalmajor der Panzertruppe Battles/wars World War I
World War II Died April 28, 1945, Markisch Buchholz, Germany Awards Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross Service/branch German Army, Landespolizei Commands held 16th Infantry Division, 281st Infantry Division | ||
Battles and wars World War I, World War II | ||
Generalmajor Rudolf Sieckenius (16 May 1896 – 28 April 1945) was a German general during World War II who commanded the 16 Panzer Division during Operation Avalanche (Salerno Landings) in September 1943. Despite his widely acknowledged success, which almost resulted in the Allies being pushed back into the sea, Sieckenius was made a scapegoat and sidelined until his death during the Battle of Berlin, when he commanded a security division (391 Sicherungs Division).
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World War I and inter-war period
Sieckenius was born in Schlesien (Silesia) in 1896. Sieckenius joined up immediately following the outbreak of World War I, enlisting in the 5th Foot Artillery Regiment of the 9th Silesian Infantry Division, during which time he took part in the Invasion of Lorraine. He was commissioned as a platoon commander in the 154th Infantry Regiment in 1916. He was discharged from the Army on 20 October 1919 and returned to his family home in Silesia.
On 29 April 1920, Sieckenius joined the local Silesian police where he served for fourteen years. In 1934 he transferred back to the army, as Hitler rearmed Germany. On creation of the panzer regiments in late 1935, he transferred into the panzer branch and was appointed a company commander in 2nd Panzer Regiment (which he was later to command at Stalingrad) based in Weimar, where he spent a year. After a further year as ADC/Orderly Officer to the commander of 1st Panzer Division, Generalmajor Maximilian von Weichs, he was appointed to command the first battalion of 15th Panzer Regiment at Oppeln. After a falling out with the regimental commander, Oberstleutnant Streich, in January 1939 Sieckenius was transferred to command of the 66th Panzer Battalion (2nd Light Division).
World War II
At the outset of the war Sieckenius served in the 2nd Light Division as commander of a Panzer battalion. Following the campaign in October 1939, the 2nd Light Division became the 7th Panzer Division. The new division was under the command of General Erwin Rommel. Sieckenius remained in command of a Panzer battalion, and took part in the Battle of France. The battalion remained in France until February 1941, when it was placed in reserve and returned to Germany. Here Sieckenius remained, refitting his battalion until he was transferred to the newly formed 16th Panzer Division in April, with which he took part in Operation Barbarossa, the invasion of the Soviet Union in June 1941, during which Sieckenius was awarded the Knight’s Cross.