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Otto Weidinger enlisted in the SS-''Verfügungstruppe'' [[SS-VT]] (precursor to the [[Waffen-SS]]) in April 1934. His first duty assignment was as a concentration camp guard at SS-Wachsturmbann (camp guard detachment) [[Dachau concentration camp |Dachau]]. He volunteered for officer training and entered the SS-[[Junker (SS rank)|Junkerschule]] in [[Braunschweig]] in May of 1935. After graduating from Junkerschule, he completed platoon leader training back in Dachau and was commissioned as an SS-[[Untersturmführer]] (Second Lieutenant) in April 1936<ref>http://www.oradour.info/appendix/weidgr10.htm</ref>.
Otto Weidinger enlisted in the SS-''Verfügungstruppe'' [[SS-VT]] (precursor to the [[Waffen-SS]]) in April 1934. His first duty assignment was as a concentration camp guard at SS-Wachsturmbann (camp guard detachment) [[Dachau concentration camp |Dachau]]. He volunteered for officer training and entered the SS-[[Junker (SS rank)|Junkerschule]] in [[Braunschweig]] in May of 1935. After graduating from Junkerschule, he completed platoon leader training back in Dachau and was commissioned as an SS-[[Untersturmführer]] (Second Lieutenant) in April 1936<ref>http://www.oradour.info/appendix/weidgr10.htm</ref>.


Weidinger's first command was the 3. Kompanie of the SS-Standarte "Deutschland" ([[2nd SS Division Das Reich]]) in [[Ellwangen]]. Shortly after he underwent training as a combat engineer with the SS-Pioniere Battalion, as well as attending the Kampfschule (combat school) in [[Au]].{{dn}}
Weidinger's first command was the 3. Kompanie of the SS-Standarte "Deutschland" ([[2nd SS Division Das Reich]]) in [[Ellwangen]]. Shortly after he underwent training as a combat engineer with the SS-Pioniere Battalion, as well as attending the Kampfschule (combat school) in [[Munich]].

Promoted to SS-[[Obersturmführer]] (Platoon Commander) in 1938, Weidinger first saw combat in the 1939 Nazi [[Invasion of Poland|invasion of Poland]], earning an Iron Cross 2nd Class. After subjugating Poland, his unit then participated in the [[Battle of the Netherlands]], where Weidinger continued to distinguish himself, earning a Iron Cross 1st Class and a promotion to Division Adjutant.

At the end of 1940, Weidinger was promoted to SS-Captain and his unit was sent to subdue [[Occupation of the Baltic states|insurgents in Lithuania]]. Weidinger commanded a heavy (anti-tank) company of the motorcycle rifle battalion of the SS-Reconnaissance-Detachment until the onset of [[Operation Barbarossa]]. He was subsequently promoted to SS-[[Hauptsturmführer]] and transferred to the Divisional Staff of the SS-Division "Das Reich". Following a tour of duty in Russia, Weidinger returned to the Braunschweig Junkerschule as a tactics instructor for officer candidates until 1943.


==Post war==
==Post war==

Revision as of 21:24, 15 November 2010

Otto Weidinger
AllegianceNazi Germany Nazi Germany
Service/branch Waffen-SS
Years of service1934-1945
RankObersturmbannführer
UnitSS-PzAufklAbt 2 "Das Reich"
SS-PzGrenRgt 4 "Der Führer"
Battles/warsWorld War II
AwardsKnight's Cross of the Iron Cross with Oak Leaves and Swords

Otto Weidinger (27 May 1914 – 11 January 1990) was a member of the German Waffen-SS and a commander of SS-PzGrenRgt 4 "Der Führer" (2nd SS Division Das Reich) during World War II and was involved in the massacre of Oradour-sur-Glane in France in June 1944. He held the rank of SS-Obersturmbannführer (Lieutenant Colonel). He was also a recipient of the Ritterkreuz des Eisernen Kreuzes mit Eichenlaub und Schwertern(Knight's Cross).

SS career

Otto Weidinger enlisted in the SS-Verfügungstruppe SS-VT (precursor to the Waffen-SS) in April 1934. His first duty assignment was as a concentration camp guard at SS-Wachsturmbann (camp guard detachment) Dachau. He volunteered for officer training and entered the SS-Junkerschule in Braunschweig in May of 1935. After graduating from Junkerschule, he completed platoon leader training back in Dachau and was commissioned as an SS-Untersturmführer (Second Lieutenant) in April 1936[1].

Weidinger's first command was the 3. Kompanie of the SS-Standarte "Deutschland" (2nd SS Division Das Reich) in Ellwangen. Shortly after he underwent training as a combat engineer with the SS-Pioniere Battalion, as well as attending the Kampfschule (combat school) in Munich.

Promoted to SS-Obersturmführer (Platoon Commander) in 1938, Weidinger first saw combat in the 1939 Nazi invasion of Poland, earning an Iron Cross 2nd Class. After subjugating Poland, his unit then participated in the Battle of the Netherlands, where Weidinger continued to distinguish himself, earning a Iron Cross 1st Class and a promotion to Division Adjutant.

At the end of 1940, Weidinger was promoted to SS-Captain and his unit was sent to subdue insurgents in Lithuania. Weidinger commanded a heavy (anti-tank) company of the motorcycle rifle battalion of the SS-Reconnaissance-Detachment until the onset of Operation Barbarossa. He was subsequently promoted to SS-Hauptsturmführer and transferred to the Divisional Staff of the SS-Division "Das Reich". Following a tour of duty in Russia, Weidinger returned to the Braunschweig Junkerschule as a tactics instructor for officer candidates until 1943.

Post war

After the war, Weidinger wrote the history of Regiment "Der Führer" (he was its last commander) titled "Comrades to the End," as well as a 6 volume history of "Das Reich" consisting of five text volumes and a photo compilation published by Munin Verlag in Germany. Most of the "Das Reich" volumes have been translated into English as well as the regimental history.

He died 11 January 1990, aged 75.

Awards

Notes

  1. ^ No evidence of the award can be found in the German National Archives. The award was unlawfully presented by SS-Oberstgruppenführer Sepp Dietrich. The date is taken from the announcement made by the 6. SS-Panzerarmee. The sequential number "150" was assigned by the Association of Knight's Cross Recipients (AKCR). Weidinger was member of the AKCR.[2]

References

Citations
  1. ^ http://www.oradour.info/appendix/weidgr10.htm
  2. ^ Scherzer 2007, p. 184.
Bibliography
  • Berger, Florian (1999). Mit Eichenlaub und Schwertern. Die höchstdekorierten Soldaten des Zweiten Weltkrieges. Selbstverlag Florian Berger. ISBN 3-9501307-0-5.
  • Fellgiebel, Walther-Peer (2000). Die Träger des Ritterkreuzes des Eisernen Kreuzes 1939-1945. Friedburg, Germany: Podzun-Pallas. ISBN 3-7909-0284-5.
  • 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.
  • Scherzer, Veit (2007). Die Ritterkreuzträger 1939–1945 Die Inhaber des Ritterkreuzes des Eisernen Kreuzes 1939 von Heer, Luftwaffe, Kriegsmarine, Waffen-SS, Volkssturm sowie mit Deutschland verbündeter Streitkräfte nach den Unterlagen des Bundesarchives (in German). Jena, Germany: Scherzers Miltaer-Verlag. ISBN 978-3-938845-17-2.
  • Williamson, Gordon (2006). Knight's Cross, Oak-Leaves and Swords Recipients 1941-45. Osprey Publishing Ltd. ISBN 1-84176-643-7.
  • Yerger, Mark C., "German Cross in Gold Holders of the SS and Police," volumes 1 and 2, R. James Bender Publishing corrects considerable fact errors of this article
  • Yerger, Mark C., "Otto Weidinger, Knight's Cross with Oakleaves and Swords, Commander SS-Panzer-Grenadier-Regiment 4 "Der Führer," Schiffer Publishing, is a detailed biographical study of this officer. Its text corrects the considerable personal and military career fact errors in this article.
  • Template:PND
  • "Lexikon der Wehrmacht". Otto Weidinger. Retrieved 6 March 2008.

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