Fritz Klingenberg
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Fritz Paul Heinrich Otto Klingenberg (17 December 1912 – 23 March 1945) was a German officer in the Waffen-SS who served with the SS Division Das Reich and was a commander of the SS Division Götz von Berlichingen. He was best known for his role in the capture of the Yugoslavian capital, Belgrade, for which he was awarded the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross.
Fritz Klingenberg | |
---|---|
Nickname(s) | Ball Hunter |
Born | 17 December 1912 Rövershagen, German Empire |
Died | 23 March 1945(1945-03-23) (aged 32) Herxheim, Nazi Germany |
Allegiance | Nazi Germany |
Service/ | Waffen-SS |
Years of service | 1935–1945 |
Rank | SS-Standartenführer |
Unit | SS Division Das Reich |
Commands held | SS Division Götz von Berlichingen |
Battles/wars | World War II |
Awards | Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross |
In April 1941, the German Army invaded Yugoslavia and then Greece. Klingenberg, a company commander in the Das Reich division, led his unit to the capital, Belgrade, where a small group in the vanguard accepted the surrender of the city on 13 April. A few days later, Yugoslavia surrendered.[1][2]