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August Zingel

Rank: SS-Untersturmfuhrer

Unit: Stoßtruppführer i. d. 15./SS-Totenkopf-Inf.Rgt 1.

D.O.B.: 20. Jan. 1922

D.O.D.: 22. Jan. 2000

"Totenkopf" Knight's Cross Winners

awards

  • Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross
  • Iron Cross 1st Class
  • Iron Cross 2nd Class
  • Eastern Front Medal 1941/42
  • Infantry Assault Badge in Bronze
  • Wound Badge in Black
  • Demjansk Shield
  • Sudetenland Medal with Prague Castle bar
  • Anschluss Medal

promotions

  • SS-Schutze
  • SS-Oberschutze
  • SS-Sturmmann
  • SS-Rottenfuhrer
  • SS-Unterscharfuhrer
  • SS-Scharfuhrer
  • SS-Oberscharfuhrer
  • SS-Untersturmfuhrer

Picture
August Zingel was born on the 20 January 1922, at Heidmühle near Oldenburg.

 He volunteered to join the SS and took part in the Anschluss of Austria, the occupation of the Sudetenland and the annexation of Bohemia and Moravia.

He participated in the invasion of the Soviet Union, (Operation Barbarossa) and was awarded the Iron Cross 2nd Class in October 1941 and the 1st Class award in February 1942. 

His award of the Knight's Cross was in September 1942, serving in the 15. Kompanie, SS-Totenkopf-Infanterie-Regiment 1. (3.SS-Division "Totenkopf"), as part of Kampfgruppe Krauth.

Kampfgruppe Krauth was part of the remaining forces of the Totenkopfdivision left behind in Demjansk once their sector had been secured. He would be pulled off the line in late 42, and return to the division, remforming in France.

He would survive the war and die in 2000, in Wilhelmshafen.

Picture
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The images above were all taken by an SS-Kriegsberichter serving alongside "Kampfgruppe Krauth", named for it's commander, SS-Hauptsturmfuhrer Krauth.  East of Nowossija, the Soviets have an observation post which allow them to direct their batteries onto the Rollbahn. SS-Hauptsturmführer Krauth gives then, SS-Oberscharführer, August Zingel the task of eliminating the enemy position which were inflicting heavy losses on the German supply convoys. This would be the assault that would earn August Zingel the Knight's Cross.

Top Left: SS-Oberscharfuhrer August Zingel, leading his section, east of Nowossija.

Top Middle: SS-Haupsturmführer Zech (Chef. 15. Kp/SS-T.I.R.1) organizes a shock section which SS-Oberscharführer August Zingel (facing) will lead. He will have three squads led by SS-Unterscharführer Marx, Eschenbach and Kellerman.

Top Right: Zingel then receives his new instructions directly from Krauth. Krauth is wearing the German Cross in Gold won on 29. April, 1942, while serving in the Demjansk Pocket.

Bottom: SS-Haupsturmführer Heiner Krauth (Kdr.II./SS-TK.I.R.1.) talking with non-com officers from his HQ.

DISCLAIMER: 2. Kompanie is a non-political organization We do not support naziism, or fascism. We are not associated with nor do we condone the actions of the Third Reich or the actual 3.SS Division.
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DISCLAIMER: 2. Kompanie is a non-political organization. We do not support naziism, or fascism. We are not associated with nor do we condone the actions of the Third Reich or the actual 3.SS Division.

Anything posted is for educational purposes only; So that the devastating catastrophe that was the Second World War, and the atrocities committed therein never happen again. 
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