Franz Kleffner
Encyclopedia
Franz Kleffner was a Obersturmbannführer
(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.
Franz Kleffner was born on the 2 July 1907 at Altena
. He was one of the early members of the SS joining in December 1930 (SS service number 7.939).
He was selected to become an office and promoted to Untersturmführer
(Second Lieutenant) in April 1935 and Hauptsturmführer
(Captain) by the start of World War II, when he was given command of the 13th Company, SS Totenkopf Infantry Regiment in the newly formed SS Totenkopf Division.
He was awarded the Knight's Cross, while in command of the SS Motorcycle Battalion, SS Totenkopf in February 1942, while fighting on the Eastern Front
during Operation Barbarossa
.
In early February, the Soviets captured Bjakowo, cutting off the Totenkopf, from the main German force, II. Armeekorps, encircled around Demyansk
.
Sturmbannführer Franz Kleffner took over the command at Bjakowo and on February 19, he led the survivors in an assault which resulted in a breakthrough to the main force, an action for which he was awarded the Knight's Cross on 21 February.
He was killed on 16 March 1945 during the Soviet offensive north of Lake Velence in Hungary when the armoured personnel carrier he was travelling in was hit by a Soviet shell.
Obersturmbannführer
Obersturmbannführer was a paramilitary Nazi Party rank used by both the SA and the SS. It was created in May 1933 to fill the need for an additional field grade officer rank above Sturmbannführer as the SA expanded. It became an SS rank at the same time...
(Lieutenant Colonel) in the Waffen SS during World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
who was awarded the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross
Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross
The Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross was a grade of the 1939 version of the 1813 created Iron Cross . The Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross was the highest award of Germany to recognize extreme battlefield bravery or successful military leadership during World War II...
. Which was awarded to recognize extreme battlefield bravery or successful military leadership by Nazi Germany
Nazi Germany
Nazi Germany , also known as the Third Reich , but officially called German Reich from 1933 to 1943 and Greater German Reich from 26 June 1943 onward, is the name commonly used to refer to the state of Germany from 1933 to 1945, when it was a totalitarian dictatorship ruled by...
during World War II.
Franz Kleffner was born on the 2 July 1907 at Altena
Altena
Altena is a town in the district of Märkischer Kreis, North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany. The town's castle is the origin for the later Dukes of Berg. Altena is situated on the Lenne river valley, in the northern streches of the Sauerland.-History:...
. He was one of the early members of the SS joining in December 1930 (SS service number 7.939).
He was selected to become an office and promoted to Untersturmführer
Untersturmführer
Untersturmführer was a paramilitary rank of the German Schutzstaffel first created in July 1934. The rank can trace its origins to the older SA rank of Sturmführer which had existed since the founding of the SA in 1921...
(Second Lieutenant) in April 1935 and Hauptsturmführer
Hauptsturmführer
Hauptsturmführer was a Nazi rank of the SS which was used between the years of 1934 and 1945. The rank of Hauptsturmführer was a mid-grade company level officer and was the equivalent of a Captain in the German Army and also the equivalent of captain in foreign armies...
(Captain) by the start of World War II, when he was given command of the 13th Company, SS Totenkopf Infantry Regiment in the newly formed SS Totenkopf Division.
He was awarded the Knight's Cross, while in command of the SS Motorcycle Battalion, SS Totenkopf in February 1942, while fighting on the Eastern Front
Eastern Front (World War II)
The Eastern Front of World War II was a theatre of World War II between the European Axis powers and co-belligerent Finland against the Soviet Union, Poland, and some other Allies which encompassed Northern, Southern and Eastern Europe from 22 June 1941 to 9 May 1945...
during Operation Barbarossa
Operation Barbarossa
Operation Barbarossa was the code name for Germany's invasion of the Soviet Union during World War II that began on 22 June 1941. Over 4.5 million troops of the Axis powers invaded the USSR along a front., the largest invasion in the history of warfare...
.
In early February, the Soviets captured Bjakowo, cutting off the Totenkopf, from the main German force, II. Armeekorps, encircled around Demyansk
Demyansk
Demyansk is an urban locality and the administrative center of Demyansky District of Novgorod Oblast, Russia, located along the Yavon River. Population:...
.
Sturmbannführer Franz Kleffner took over the command at Bjakowo and on February 19, he led the survivors in an assault which resulted in a breakthrough to the main force, an action for which he was awarded the Knight's Cross on 21 February.
He was killed on 16 March 1945 during the Soviet offensive north of Lake Velence in Hungary when the armoured personnel carrier he was travelling in was hit by a Soviet shell.
Commands
- 13th Infantry Company, SS Totenkopf Infantry Regiment
- I.Battalion, SS Schutz Regiment, SS Totenkopf
- SS Motorcycle Battalion, SS Totenkopf
- 10th SS Panzer Regiment, 10th SS Panzer Division Frundsberg
- 6th SS Panzer Grenadier Regiment Theodor Eicke 3rd SS Panzer Division Totenkopf