Alexander von Scheele & Fritz von Selle

AdreNaLiN · #1

Hello,

I have recently come into possesion of pictures and a around 90 page book dedicated to my Great Grandfather and his unit that served in WW2 all i know, from my grand mother was that he was an Oberleutnant, he served in the Eastern Front was apparently executed by the Gestapo for refusing to allow 16yr old's in his unit (im skeptical). My Great Aunt who, is older than my Grandmother was told (this could be false) that he was associated somehow in Hitler's assaintation attempt mainly organised by von Stauffenberg(?) and that he was un-officially promoted to the status of General. I personally am very skpetical about alot of this Information. He is the one on the right in the black standing next to Guderian

His name was Alexander von Scheele, his father in Law was Fritz von Selle who was awarded the military Pour le Merite

I would also like to know, if anyone could help me what sort of division unit he served in? he wears the black SS associated uniform and the Death head??

Any imformation is grately appreciated. Im actually flying from my residence in South Africa to Germany for various talks on Fritz von Selle and a general family re-union

Marcus · #2

If you are referring to the black uniform in the photo it is a Heer panzer uniform, not a SS uniform.

/Marcus

AdreNaLiN · #3

this is him again

AdreNaLiN · #4

this is him awarding a medal

AdreNaLiN · #5

HEER or SS???

Xavier · #6

Panzeruniform, the death's head (Totenkopfs) were used also by panzer crews.
the giveaway , for the uninitiated, would be the army style cap.
Xavier
Instandsetzungtruppführer

Reader3000 · #7

Definetly Heer. Not SS.

AdreNaLiN · #8

Thanks very much for your help!!!!! Could someone tell me a little bit about the Heer? why there are always debates about the Heer and the SS? did they commmit atrocities? were they a crack unit? any information wold be appreciated

Marcus · #9

The Heer was the Army, not a specific unit.

/Marcus

AdreNaLiN · #10

woops, sorry about that! is it because he his in the Reconnasince that he wears the black battle Tunic? I do not understand German but on the Front of the Book I have it says "Die Panzer-Aufklärungs-Abteilung 4 im Westfeldzug" then Underneath its says
"Zum Geleit!"
von
ALEXANDER VON SCHEELE
Oberstleutnant und Abteilungskommandeur

Does anyone know anything about a divison/unit he might have been in?

Christoph Awender · #11

Hello

Panzeraufklärungsabteilung 4 was element of the 1. Panzerdivision. You will find lots of information on this forum on the Axis History factbook and through google about this division.

Here the OoB from my site:
http://chrito.users1.50megs.com/kstn/gl ... llgelb.htm

\Christoph

AdreNaLiN · #12

Thank you Christoph but in the books and letters I have recieved my Great Grandfather von Scheele is listed as a Oberstletanant. Kleist and Kruger who are listed in the same abeitlung on the website are also listed, with pictures in this book i have in possesion. Could it be a mistake that von Scheele is not listed as Oberstleutant or could he have been promoted later during the course of the war?

Christoph Awender · #13

AdreNaLiN wrote:Thank you Christoph but in the books and letters I have recieved my Great Grandfather von Scheele is listed as a Oberstleutnant. Kleist and Krüger who are listed in the same Abteilung on the website are also listed, with pictures in this book i have in possesion. Could it be a mistake that von Scheele is not listed as Oberstleutnant or could he have been promoted later during the course of the war?

IN France he was still a Major which can also be seen on his shoulder straps on the photo. Of course he was promoted during the war.

\Christoph

Dubar1 · #14

Also, the breast eagle vice the eagle on the left arm would be indictative or Heer vs SS. It'll be great if you (we) can find out more about him!!!

AdreNaLiN · #15

What exactly is that eagle for? im extremely interested in my Great Grandfathers life and im actually leaving today (23rd May) to fly to Germany as a couple of talks are being held about Fritz von Selle, his father in law and himself. I'd love to find out more about him, but information on the internet is scarce. But nevertheless one of the reasons I posted my querie here is that most of the guys here know alot of information and could probably point me in the right direction as to where to look.

AdreNaLiN wrote:Hello,

Hans-Karl von Scheele is/probably my Great Grandfathers uncle or cousin he died in 1955 and recieved the Knights Cross with Oakleaves. thats all I know from the research I have done