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Harry Phönix
Born (1913-01-03)January 3, 1913
Died 21 December 1999(1999-12-21) (aged 86)
Place of birth Žagarė, Lithuania
Place of death Nürtingen
Allegiance Flag of German Reich (1935–1945) Nazi Germany
Service/branch Flag Schutzstaffel Waffen-SS
Years of service 1939–1945
Rank Hauptsturmführer
Unit
8th SS Cavalry Division Florian Geyer
Battles/wars World War II
Awards Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross
German Cross in Gold
Iron Cross 1st Class
Iron Cross 2nd Class
Close Combat Clasp in Gold
Other work Teacher

Harry Phönix (3 January 1913 — 21 December 1999) was a Hauptsturmführer (Captain) in the Waffen-SS during World War II. He 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. He was also one of only 631 men to be awarded the very rare Close Combat Clasp in Gold for 50 days of close combat or hand to hand fighting.[1] Harry Phönix was awarded the Knight's Cross on the 21 February 1945, while in command of the II. Battalion, 8th SS Artillery Regiment, 8th SS Cavalry Division Florian Geyer. The Division was fighting on the Hungarian Front at the time and attempting to break out of the encirclement at Budapest (Siege of Budapest).

Commands[]

  • II. Battalion, 8th SS Artillery Regiment
  • I. Battalion, 8th SS Artillery Regiment
  • 8th SS Artillery Regiment

Awards[]

References[]

Citations
  1. Berger 2004, p. 6.
  2. Berger 2004, p. 357.
  3. Patzwall and Scherzer 2001, p. 351.
  4. Scherzer 2007, p. 593.
Bibliography
  • Berger, Florian (2004). Ritterkreuzträger mit Nahkampfspange in Gold (in German). Selbstverlag Florian Berger. ISBN 3-9501307-3-X.
  • Fellgiebel, Walther-Peer (2000). Die Träger des Ritterkreuzes des Eisernen Kreuzes 1939-1945 (in German). Friedburg, Germany: Podzun-Pallas, 2000. ISBN 3-7909-0284-5.
  • Mitcham, Jr.Samuel (2007). Retreat to the Reich. Stackpole books. ISBN 0-8117-3384-X.
  • Mitcham, Samuel (2007). The German Defeat in the East, 1944-45. Stackpole Books. ISBN 0-8117-3371-8.
  • Patzwall, Klaus D. and Scherzer, Veit (2001). Das Deutsche Kreuz 1941 - 1945 Geschichte und Inhaber Band II (in German). 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.


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