Rudolf von Ribbentrop
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| Rudolf von Ribbentrop | |
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| Born | 11 May 1921 Wiesbaden, Hessen |
| Allegiance |  Germany |
| Service/branch |  Waffen-SS |
| Years of service | 1939 – 1945 |
| Rank | Hauptsturmführer |
| Unit | SS Panzer Regiment 1 1st SS Panzer Division Leibstandarte SS Adolf Hitler, 12th SS Panzer Division Hitlerjugend |
| Battles/wars | World War II |
| Awards | Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross German Cross in Gold |
| Relations | Joachim von Ribbentrop (father) |
Rudolf von Ribbentrop (born 11 May 1921) is a former German Waffen-SS officer (Captain) who served in World War II. He is the son of the German diplomat who later became Foreign Minister Joachim von Ribbentrop. Ribbentrop distinguished himself in the Continuation War.
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[edit] Early life
Ribbentrop spent a year at Westminster School, London while his father was Ambassador to Britain. The British diplomat Brian Urquhart, a student at the same school during Ribbentrop's time there, in his autobiography "A Life in Peace and War (1987)" describes the latter as being "doltish, surly and arrogant". Urquhart recalls that Ribbentrop, much to the dismay of his schoolmates, "arrived each morning in one of two plum-colored Mercedes-Benz limousines". Urquhart further recalls, "On arrival in Dean's Yard, both chauffeurs would spring out, give the Nazi salute, and shout "Heil Hitler!"
Peter Ustinov was his schoolmate at this time, as related in Ustinov's autobiography Dear Me (1971). Ustinov is also supposed to have clandestinely leaked Ribbentrop's presence at his school to The Times. The result of this was the prompt withdrawal of the younger Ribbentrop from the school as a precautionary measure for his safety, as well as for security of his father's mission in London. Though bearing the aristocratic "von" due to his father's adoption, he was not a member of the nobility. In 1960 he married Ilse-Marie Freiin von Münchhausen (1914—2010).
In 2008 Rudolf von Ribbentrop published a biography of his father, the foreign minister. It was in its original title called Joachim von Ribbentrop: Mein Vater: Erlebnisse und Erinnerungen. It has not been translated from German to any other language, although a translation into English is forthcoming.
[edit] Military career
At the start of World War II, Ribbentrop enlisted as a recruit in the Replacement Battalion of the "Deutschland" Standarte. After Poland campaign, Ribbentrop was transferred to Kompanie 11. He served in this Kompanie during the Western Campaign, winning the Iron cross second class, and was promoted to Sturmmann. He was also wounded for the first time.
After the Western Campaign, Ribbentrop was sent to the SS-Junkerschule in Braunschweig. He was commissioned on 20 April 1941 as a Untersturmführer. He was given command of a platoon in 1. Kompanie in Reconnaissance Battalion "Nord". Upon the invasion of Russia, SS-Kampfgruppe Nord was sent to Finland where Ribbentrop was to distinguish himself and was awarded the Finnish Freedom Cross, fourth class. On 2 September 1941, Ribbentrop was wounded again in his left forearm. He was sent to the SS hospital in Hohenlychen, where he stayed until February 1942. After a home leave, he was reassigned to the newly formed Panzerregiment of the LSSAH.
He was transferred to 3. Kompanie's first Platoon as Platoon leader. After serving briefly with the Regimental Staff as a Operations Officer, he was then assigned to the 6. Kompanie, II./SS-PzRgt 1, in command of the first Platoon where he went into action during the retreat from Kharkov. Ribbentrop was wounded for the third time during these battles; shot in the right shoulder blade, and left shoulder. He also had a minor lung wound. Ribbentrop was awarded the Iron Cross first class for his personal bravery in these battles.
On 13 March 1943 Ribbentrop took command of 7. Kompanie, and was the Kompaniechef during the recapture of Kharkov. After Kharkov was captured, Ribbentrop was placed as a Regimental Adjutant. One month later he was given the responsibility of training Luftwaffe members that were sent to the LSSAH. On 15 June he returned to field command, and was appointed commander of 6. Kompanie. One month later he was awarded the Knight's Cross.
On 1 August he was transferred to the newly formed 12th SS Panzer Division "Hitlerjugend", and was charged with commanding two Junior officer training courses. Four months later he was appointed commander of the 3. Kompanie, I./SS-PzRgt 12. On 3 June 1944, heading back to Le Neubourg following a training excersize, his car was attacked by a Spitfire, and von Ribbentrop was wounded for the fourth time. By 9 June, he was back in command of his Kompanie. During the defensive battles in Normandy, Ribbentrop was awarded the German Cross in Gold, and the Panzer Assault Badge. Following the breakout from Falaise, von Ribbentrop was made the Regimental Adjutant to SS-Panzerregiment 12. It was in this capacity that he saw action during Operation Wacht Am Rhein.
On 20 December he was wounded for the fifth time with a shell fragment in his mouth. He was awarded the Wound Badge in Gold, and was given command of I./SS-PzRgt 12. He commanded this Abteilung until the Division surrendered to the Americans on 8 May 1945.
[edit] Awards
- Iron Cross II: 19 June 1940
- Infantry Assault Badge Bronze: 1 October 1940
- Wound Badge in Black: 18 April 1940
- Finnish Cross of Liberty IV: 1 October 1941
- Iron Cross I: 18 March 1943
- Wound Badge in Silver: 1 May 1943
- Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross: 15 July 1943
- German Cross in Gold: 25 August 1944
- Wound Badge in Gold:
[edit] Commissioned Ranks
- Commissioned SS-Untersturmführer: 20 April 1941
- SS-Obersturmführer: 20 April 1943
- SS-Hauptsturmführer: 30 January 1945
[edit] Wounds
- Wounded: Fragment in upper right arm 30 May 1941
- Wounded: Bullet wound in left forearm 2 September 1941
- Wounded: Shot in back 5 February 1943
- Wounded: Wounded in back by strafing enemy fighter-bomber 3 June 1944
- Wounded: Shell fragment in Mouth 20 December 1944
[edit] Surrender
- Taken prisoner by Americans 8 May 1945
[edit] See also
[edit] References
- Fellgiebel, Walther-Peer (2000). Die Träger des Ritterkreuzes des Eisernen Kreuzes 1939-1945. Friedburg, Germany: Podzun-Pallas. ISBN 3-7909-0284-5.
- Kurowski, Franz (1992). Panzer Aces. New York: Ballantine Book. ISBN 0-345-44884-7.
- Patzwall, Klaus D. and Scherzer, Veit (2001). Das Deutsche Kreuz 1941 - 1945 Geschichte und Inhaber Band II. Norderstedt, Germany: Verlag Klaus D. Patzwall. ISBN 3-931533-45-X.
