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| Inauguration of a SS-Gedenkstein in Kharkov Sad Shevchenko |
Photos shows the very capable regimental commander SS-Obersturmbannführer Baron Hans-Albin von Reitzenstein and the brave and highly capable Knight's Cross holder SS-Sturmbannführer
Christian Tychsen of SS-Panzer-Regiment 2
Das Reich. They were taken in the Shevchenko Park in central Kharkov during a gathering at a SS memorial site honoring the fallen comrades in June 1943. Five month after these pictures were taken von Reitzenstein was to receive the coveted Knight's Cross for his achievements during the forthcoming
battles of Kursk. Von Reitzenstein had joined the SS 1931 and transferred to Leibstandarte SS 1933. In December 1940, he was posted to the newly formed
SS-Division Wiking and assumed command of SS-Aufklärungs-Abteilung 5. In 1942, now ranked SS-Sturmbannführer, he was transferred to SS-Division Das Reich and in March 1943 he replaced SS-Oberführer Herbert-Ernst Vahl as the commander of SS-Panzer-Regiment 2. Tychsen had returned to Das Reich in Oktober 1942 after having been seriously wounded on February 12 that same year. Here he won the Knight's Cross but Tychsen route to further advancement was blocked by his regimental commander von Reitzenstein. According to various sources, the two men did not like each other. Hans Albin von Reitzenstein committed suicide on November 30 1943 aged 32, due to the events surrounding the rape of a well liked female Russian SS volunteer (mess servant), a serious offense, especially for an Waffen-SS officer. Tychsen made sure the senior SS authorities learned of the incident and an investigation was launched. Von Reitzenstein was about to face a courts-martial for misconduct at the time of his suicide. The senior battalion commander, Tychsen, was reportedly in line to testify against him. This caused a loyalty rift within the regiment, with some members sympathetic to von Reitzenstein, while others remain loyal to Tychsen. Historian Mark Yerger wrote there were considerable anger among the veterans about what had taken place, and the choice von Reitzenstein had been given. According to the notable researcher of the Waffen-SS, the former SS-Standartenoberjunker Jost Schneider, it was all over a miss-understanding that would have been sorted out. Irrefutable is that von Reitzenstein shot himself, and Tychsen immediately took command of SS-Panzer-Regiment 2. With von Reitzenstein gone Tychsen's career trajectory took off ending with his fateful temporary command of the entirety 2.SS-Panzerdivision Das Reich in Normandy 1944 at just 33 years-old. Images: photos taken by SS-Ostuf. and KB Robert Krötz.
Freiherr Hans-Albin von Reitzenstein is left as viewed, Christian Tychsen right. Sometimes a picture says a thousand words. U.S. NARA.
Amazing story and insight. Thank you for sharing.
ReplyDeleteI have been following this site for several years now and I must say I appreciate these articles for several reasons. First, I often learn something new. Second, viewing these photographs is like stepping into a time machine. They breaks the barrier between now and then. Cheers!
DeleteYes, what a great piece of history, including the pictures. Kudos!
DeleteStunning photo and an interesting read.
ReplyDeleteFreiherr von Reitzenstein was awarded the Knight's Cross for the Regiment's actions at Belgorod, the Mius, Kharkov and Kolomak, when it destroyed 839 Soviet tanks, 18 assault guns, 334 anti-tank weapons and 32 other guns. The regiment's losses during this time was quite modest; only 57 total losses. He received the Knight's Cross on 13 November 1943 and committed suicide two weeks later on 30 November 1943. Thank you for this great article.
ReplyDeleteAmazing website! This is a gem.
ReplyDeleteGreat read.
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