Walter Drexler - Florian Geyer

[keith A]

Does anyone have any more details about this highly decorated officer apart from those previously published in the Forum? I am interested in his service prior to his taking command of the reconnaissance element of the division "Florian Geyer" (in 1944?). I am also interested in knowing more about his marriage to a Jewish woman who accompanies him on campaign!

regards

Keith

[j keenan]

There is a small bio on him in Vol.4 German Cross in Gold by Mark Yerger

[freddiefro]

Does anyone have any more details about this highly decorated officer apart from those previously published in the Forum? I am interested in his service prior to his taking command of the reconnaissance element of the division "Florian Geyer" (in 1944?). I am also interested in knowing more about his marriage to a Jewish woman who accompanies him on campaign!

Below might be of some interest to you. It's from Walter Drexler's "Führerkarte." In addition to what's below, he was promoted SS-Stubaf. 11.10.1944 (it's hard to read that entry on his "Führerkarte"). He was with the Hitlerjugend from 03.02.1931 - 09.11.1933 before entering the SS on 09.11.1933, SS-Mitglieds Nr. 239 247 (also, a brief time with Arbeitsdienst 05.05.1933 - 01.09.1933 when he became an SS-Staffelmann [an SS-Anwärter]). He married Gerda Schachnowski on 17.08.1940.

Fred

[keith A]

that's great! Thanks. So he is with the standarten Brandenburg and Ostmark befor joining "Das Reich" in 1941. I can't make out his first appointment in the Das Reich.... I though it was nachrichten abteilung but there looks to be a "4" in it. Can you advise....?

best regards

Keith

[freddiefro]

that's great! Thanks. So he is with the standarten Brandenburg and Ostmark befor joining "Das Reich" in 1941. I can't make out his first appointment in the Das Reich.... I though it was nachrichten abteilung but there looks to be a "4" in it.

To me, it reads: F. Nachschubkol(onne) SS Div.Reich.

Fred

[keith A]

Brilliant Fred!

So he was a rear-echelon supply officer until he trained as a reconnaissance officer. That would make sense of his taking his wife with him on postings.

best regards

Keith

[PATRICK CHARRON]

Hello,

The assignment of Walter Drexler to Florian Geyer on June 20, 1944 leads me a question.
What was his assignment prior June 20, 1944 knowing that Heinrich Wulf already led the SS-Pz. AA 2 ?

Regards
Patrick

[j keenan]

Yerger bio
2.31-9.11.33 with the SA ?
5/SS-AA.2 4.43-w.i.a.20.9.43
Returning to Das Reich 1.44 in France with the rebuilding elements of the Division
6.44 Florian Geyer

[freddiefro]

Yerger bio
2.31-9.11.33 with the SA ?

I have the Yerger bio also. What bothes me is, if that bio is correct, Drexler joined the SA at 14 years old?? Below is from his "Führerkarte."

Fred

[j keenan]

Yes I checked the later volumes there's no correction,so I'm guessing that no ones picked up on it ?

[freddiefro]

In all fairness, all of the "German Cross in Gold" volumes by Yerger are outstanding & they keep getting better! Considering that, on the "Führerkarte," the HJ entry is immediately above the place for an SA entry, it's an easy error for Mark to make (I sure have made a few errors on this forum).

Fred

[j keenan]

Same here !!

[PATRICK CHARRON]

Hello,

In his testimony before the French justice Heinrich Wulf said he took command in mid-May 1944 in Montech (HQ SS-Pz.AA 2)
Source Cabanne Report November 27, 1947

Regards
Patrick

[freddiefro]

The assignment of Walter Drexler to Florian Geyer on June 20, 1944 leads me a question.
What was his assignment prior June 20, 1944 knowing that Heinrich Wulf already led the SS-Pz. AA 2 ?

Patrick,

Your question is not lost on me. John P. Moore's "Führerliste" has both Walter Drexler and Heinrich Wulf "Kdr.Aufkl.Abt.2, 6.44" (the "Führerliste" only tells what someone was doing at a particular time & not necessarily a start or ending date). So, I would imagine that one was leaving & the other took over. I have a document dated 25.06.1944 showing Wulf as Abt.Führer SS-Pz.Aufkl.Abt.2, whereas Drexlers "Führerkarte" shows he went to Florian Geyer on 20.06.1944 after leaving Das Reich.

My guess would be that Wulf followed Drexler sometime in mid June as Kdr.Aufkl.Abt.2, but I don't know how Wulf's testimony of being Kdr.Aufkl.Abt.2 in mid-May fits into it. It's a puzzle!

Fred

[j keenan]

Wulf was commander of a contingent of SS-Pz. AA 2 while part of Kampgruppe Das Reich returning to France late 4.44 if he went on leave coming back middle of 5.44.While Drexler was commander of SS-Pz. AA 2 in France rebuilding maybe it took a couple of weeks to hand over.Which could account for the overlap ?
Or maybe Drexler was never in command ? As there is no mention of it in Yerger's bio.