Martin Unrein

Martin Unrein (1 January 1901 – 22 January 1972) was a German general during World War II who commanded several divisions.

Martin Unrein
Born(1901-01-01)1 January 1901
Died22 January 1972(1972-01-22) (aged 71)
Allegiance Nazi Germany
Service/branchArmy (Wehrmacht)
Years of service1918–45
RankGeneralleutnant
Commands held14th Panzer Division
III SS Panzer Corps
Panzer Division Clausewitz
Battles/warsWorld War II
AwardsKnight's Cross of the Iron Cross with Oak Leaves

Career

Unrein enlisted the German army in the final stages of World War I and then joined the re-established Reichswehr, where he held various regimental posts through the 1930s. In September 1940, he was promoted to lieutenant-colonel and assigned to OKW. On 15 September 1941, he was appointed to command a motorcycle battalion in the 6th Panzer Division. The battalion was almost destroyed fighting outside Moscow, and Unrein was court-martialled, but was absolved of all blame.

On 10 September 1943, he was awarded the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross. On 29 October of that year, he was appointed to command the 14th Panzer Division, which was shortly to be sent to the Eastern Front. On 26 June 1944, he was awarded the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross with Oak Leaves. On 11 February, he was promoted to command the III SS Panzer Corps and remained with the Corps until 5 March. On 4 April he was appointed to command the newly formed Panzer Division Clausewitz.

Awards and decorations

References

Citations

  1. Thomas 1998, p. 397.
  2. Patzwall & Scherzer 2001, p. 484.

Bibliography

  • Patzwall, Klaus D.; Scherzer, Veit (2001). Das Deutsche Kreuz 1941 – 1945 Geschichte und Inhaber Band II [The German Cross 1941 – 1945 History and Recipients Volume 2] (in German). Norderstedt, Germany: Verlag Klaus D. Patzwall. ISBN 978-3-931533-45-8.
  • 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 [The Knight's Cross Bearers 1939–1945 The Holders of the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross 1939 by Army, Air Force, Navy, Waffen-SS, Volkssturm and Allied Forces with Germany According to the Documents of the Federal Archives] (in German). Jena, Germany: Scherzers Militaer-Verlag. ISBN 978-3-938845-17-2.
  • Thomas, Franz (1998). Die Eichenlaubträger 1939–1945 Band 2: L–Z [The Oak Leaves Bearers 1939–1945 Volume 2: L–Z] (in German). Osnabrück, Germany: Biblio-Verlag. ISBN 978-3-7648-2300-9.
Military offices
Preceded by
Generalleutnant Friedrich Sieberg
Commander of 14. Panzer-Division
29 October 1943 – 5 September 1944
Succeeded by
Generalmajor Oskar Munzel
Preceded by
Generalmajor Oskar Munzel
Commander of 14. Panzer-Division
1 December 1944 – 10 February 1945
Succeeded by
Oberst Friedrich-Wilhelm Jürgen
Preceded by
SS-Obergruppenführer Matthias Kleinheisterkamp
Commander of III (Germanic) SS Panzer Corps
11 February 1945 – 5 March 1945
Succeeded by
SS-Obergruppenführer Felix Steiner
Preceded by
none
Commander of Panzer Division Clausewitz
4 April 1945 – 8 May 1945
Succeeded by
disbanded
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