#6
Post
by fgopper » 15 Jul 2002, 17:47
SS Das Reich - Ostubaf. vom Reitzenstein's suicide
Posted by Matt on July 07, 2001 at 06:07:31 from 198.142.83.182 / adlax4-182.dialup.optusnet.com.au
Can anyone tell me why Reitzenstein committed suicide? I am aware that he did it after being charged with off-duty misconduct. Something about a Russian Hiwi. What were the circumstances of his crime exactly? Any help appreciated.
Posted by Dr. Sandy Mitcham on July 07, 2001 at 11:05:52 from 209.209.197.27 / max2-p27.bayou.com
In Reply to: Re: SS Das Reich - Ostubaf. vom Reitzenstein's suicide posted by Chris on July 07, 2001 at 09:38:15:
I heard a very interesting story about that from a man who spent a lot of time researching the 2nd SS Panzer Division--especially Christian Tychsen. He even had the gas mask of SS Corporal Lemke, who was Tychsen's driver and was killed with him. I will not personally vouch for the accuracy of this story, except to say that I believe it has the ring of truth. Draw your own conclusions.
Some of the kitchen Hiwis were Ukrainian females. One was quite attractive, had a good personality, and was liked by everybody. According to the story, Reitzenstein raped her. This was a crime under the Nazi racial laws, even if the sex was voluntary. She was a Slav, an Untermensche (subhuman), and even voluntary sex with her would have been a serious offense, especially for an SS officer. Christian Tychsen was particularly outraged--or perhaps he was just angling for promotion and Reitzenstein was in the way. According to the investigator, the survivors of the 2nd SS he spoke with were divided on this issue. In any case, an official investigation was launched. Reitzenstein shot himself to keep from being court-martialled and disgraced. The investigation, of course, was then quietly dropped. Reitzenstein's friends, of course, never forgave Tychsen.
SS Das Reich - Ostubaf. vom Reitzenstein's suicide
Posted by Mark Yerger on July 10, 2001 at 10:57:06 from 205.188.198.38 / spider-wj043.proxy.aol.com
In Reply to: SS Das Reich - Ostubaf. vom Reitzenstein's suicide posted by Matt on July 07, 2001 at 06:07:31:
Story related by Dr Mitcham is accurate per my own contact with persons involved.
Apparently, there was a feud between Christian Tychsen and Reitzenstein that lead to Reitzenstein's suicide in November of 1943. I have tried to find more info on this incident but I can't find anything. Would anybody be able to help? Thanks in advance!
, does anybody remember the excellent Wheels Of Terror: The Leibstandarte Tigers site? It disappeared about a year or so ago. Anybody know why?