Rudolf von Ribbentrop
Encyclopedia
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
.
, 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.
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.
Germany
Germany , officially the Federal Republic of Germany , is a federal parliamentary republic in Europe. The country consists of 16 states while the capital and largest city is Berlin. Germany covers an area of 357,021 km2 and has a largely temperate seasonal climate...
Waffen-SS
Waffen-SS
The Waffen-SS was a multi-ethnic and multi-national military force of the Third Reich. It constituted the armed wing of the Schutzstaffel or SS, an organ of the Nazi Party. The Waffen-SS saw action throughout World War II and grew from three regiments to over 38 divisions, and served alongside...
officer (Captain) who served in 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...
. He is the son of the German diplomat who later became Foreign Minister
Foreign Minister of Germany
The Federal Minister for Foreign Affairs is the head of the Federal Foreign Office and a member of the Cabinet of Germany. The current office holder is Guido Westerwelle...
Joachim von Ribbentrop
Joachim von Ribbentrop
Ulrich Friedrich Wilhelm Joachim von Ribbentrop was Foreign Minister of Germany from 1938 until 1945. He was later hanged for war crimes after the Nuremberg Trials.-Early life:...
. Ribbentrop distinguished himself in the Continuation War
Continuation War
The Continuation War was the second of two wars fought between Finland and the Soviet Union during World War II.At the time of the war, the Finnish side used the name to make clear its perceived relationship to the preceding Winter War...
.
Early life
Ribbentrop spent a year at Westminster SchoolWestminster School
The Royal College of St. Peter in Westminster, almost always known as Westminster School, is one of Britain's leading independent schools, with the highest Oxford and Cambridge acceptance rate of any secondary school or college in Britain...
, London
London
London is the capital city of :England and the :United Kingdom, the largest metropolitan area in the United Kingdom, and the largest urban zone in the European Union by most measures. Located on the River Thames, London has been a major settlement for two millennia, its history going back to its...
while his father was Ambassador
Ambassador
An ambassador is the highest ranking diplomat who represents a nation and is usually accredited to a foreign sovereign or government, or to an international organization....
to Britain
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
. The British diplomat Brian Urquhart
Brian Urquhart
Sir Brian Urquhart, KCMG, MBE is a former Undersecretary-General of the United Nations. He is also a World War II veteran and an author.-Early life:...
, 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
Peter Ustinov
Peter Alexander Ustinov CBE was an English actor, writer and dramatist. He was also renowned as a filmmaker, theatre and opera director, stage designer, author, screenwriter, comedian, humourist, newspaper and magazine columnist, radio broadcaster and television presenter...
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 Times
The Times is a British daily national newspaper, first published in London in 1785 under the title The Daily Universal Register . The Times and its sister paper The Sunday Times are published by Times Newspapers Limited, a subsidiary since 1981 of News International...
. 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.
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.
Awards
- Iron CrossIron CrossThe Iron Cross is a cross symbol typically in black with a white or silver outline that originated after 1219 when the Kingdom of Jerusalem granted the Teutonic Order the right to combine the Teutonic Black Cross placed above a silver Cross of Jerusalem....
II: 19 June 1940 - Infantry Assault BadgeInfantry Assault BadgeThe Infantry Assault Badge was a German war badge awarded to Waffen SS and Wehrmacht Heer soldiers during WWII. This decoration was instituted on December 20th 1939 by the Oberstbefehlshaber des Heeres, Generalfeldmarschall von Brauchitsch...
Bronze: 1 October 1940 - Wound BadgeWound BadgeWound Badge was a German military award for wounded or frost-bitten soldiers of Imperial German Army in World War I, the Reichswehr between the wars, and the Wehrmacht, SS and the auxiliary service organizations during the Second World War. After March 1943, due to the increasing number of Allied...
in Black: 18 April 1940 - Finnish Cross of LibertyOrder of the Cross of LibertyThere are three official orders in Finland: the Order of the Cross of Liberty , the Order of the White Rose of Finland and the Order of the Lion of Finland. The President of Finland is the Grand Master of the two orders, and usually of the Order of the Cross of Liberty as well, Grand Mastership of...
IV: 1 October 1941 - Iron CrossIron CrossThe Iron Cross is a cross symbol typically in black with a white or silver outline that originated after 1219 when the Kingdom of Jerusalem granted the Teutonic Order the right to combine the Teutonic Black Cross placed above a silver Cross of Jerusalem....
I: 18 March 1943 - Wound Badge in Silver: 1 May 1943
- Knight's Cross of the Iron CrossKnight's Cross of the Iron CrossThe 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...
: 15 July 1943 - German CrossGerman CrossThe German Cross was instituted by Adolf Hitler on 17 November 1941 as an award ranking higher than the Iron Cross First Class but below the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross respectively ranking higher than the War Merit Cross First Class with Swords but below the Knight's Cross of the War Merit...
in Gold: 25 August 1944 - Wound Badge in Gold:
Commissioned Ranks
- Commissioned SS-UntersturmführerUntersturmführerUntersturmführer 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...
: 20 April 1941 - SS-ObersturmführerObersturmführerObersturmführer was a paramilitary rank of the Nazi party that was used by the SS and also as a rank of the SA. Translated as “Senior Assault Leader”, the rank of Obersturmführer was first created in 1932 as the result of an expansion of the Sturmabteilung and the need for an additional rank in...
: 20 April 1943 - SS-HauptsturmführerHauptsturmführerHauptsturmführer 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...
: 30 January 1945
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