Waldemar Fegelein

Waldemar Fegelein
File:Waldemar Fegelein.jpg
Born	(1912-01-09)9 January 1912
Died	20 November 2000(2000-11-20) (aged 88)
Place of birth	Ansbach, German Empire
Place of death	Berlin, Germany
Allegiance	Nazi Germany
Service/branch	Waffen-SS
Years of service	1938–1945
Rank	SS-Standartenführer (colonel)
Unit	SS-VT 8th SS Cavalry Division Florian Geyer 37th SS Volunteer Cavalry Division Lützow
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 Bronze General Assault Badge in Bronze
Relations	Hermann Fegelein brother Gretl Braun sister in law Eva Braun sister in law

Waldemar Fegelein (9 January 1912 – 20 November 2000) was a SS-Standartenführer (colonel) in the Waffen-SS during World War II. He was a recipient of the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross (German language: Ritterkreuz des Eisernen Kreuzes). The Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross was awarded to recognise extreme battlefield bravery or successful military leadership.

Career

Waldemar Fegelein was born on 9 January 1912, in Ansbach, the younger brother of Hermann Fegelein. His father operated a horse riding school in Munich which was forced to close due to the worldwide economic depression of the 1920s.

He volunteered to join the SS-VT and during World War II was awarded the Knight's Cross as a SS-Sturmbannführer (major) in command of the 2nd SS Cavalry Regiment in December 1943, which was serving on the Eastern Front. He was personally presented with the medal by Heinrich Himmler.

Fegelein, like his brother, Hermann, went on to command an SS Division, the 37th SS Volunteer Cavalry Division Lützow. He survived the war, and after the war changed his name to Axel Fegelein. He died on 20 November 2000.

Further reading

• Fellgiebel, Walther-Peer (2000) [1986] (in German). Die Träger des Ritterkreuzes des Eisernen Kreuzes, 1939–1945: Die Inhaber der höchsten Auszeichnung des Zweiten Weltkrieges aller Wehrmachtteile. Friedburg, Germany: Podzun-Pallas. ISBN 3-7909-0284-5. 
• Mitcham, Samuel Jr (2007). Retreat to the Reich. Stackpole. ISBN 0-8117-3384-X. 
• Mitcham, Samuel Jr (2007). The German Defeat in the East, 1944–45. Stackpole. ISBN 0-8117-3371-8. 

Military offices
Preceded by none	Commander of 37th SS Volunteer Cavalry Division Lützow February 1945 – March 1945	Succeeded by Standartenführer Karl Gesele