Oberstleutnant Dr. August Ritter von Eberlein

[USAF1986]

This officer was the subject of some discussion on the award holders / unit thread (see links). Here is an unfortunately poor quality photo of Oberstleutnant Dr. August Ritter von Eberlein, commander of the Infanterie-Ersatz-Bataillon “Feldherrnhalle,” during an oath-swearing ceremony at Güterfelde in October 1942 (from source cited below).

He can be seen displaying the following decorations/uniform distinctions:

German Cross in Gold
Possibly ribbon of the Knight’s Cross of the Bavarian Military Max Joseph Order worn in buttonhole
Romanian Order of Michael the Brave, 3rd Class
Infantry Assault Badge in Silver
Wound Badge in Silver
“Feldherrnhalle” cuff title

Of interest, he appears to be displaying a neck decoration. Any ideas? Romanian?

http://forum.axishistory.com/viewtopic. ... start=1440

http://forum.axishistory.com/viewtopic.php?p=1113026

Best regards,
Shawn

SOURCE: Escuadra Sánchez, Alfonso. Feldherrnhalle: Forgotten Elite – The Panzerkorps Feldherrnhalle and Antecedent Formations, Eastern and Other Fronts, 1942-1945 (Stahlhelm Series 166). Roberta Haigh, translator. Shelf Books, Bradford, United Kingdom, 1996.

[USAF1986]

I presume the SA-Standartenführer Ritter von Eberlein, Führer of Standarte 250, mentioned in this document is the same man discussed above. Does anyone have details of his SA service?

http://www.yale.edu/lawweb/avalon/imt/d ... 721-ps.htm

Best regards,
Shawn

[G. Trifkovic]

Hi all,

I also have a question concerning Ritter von Eberlein-is this the same man who led 639th Security Regiment in 1944/45 in the Balkans? Does anyone have his biography? I'm especially interested in the commands he held AFTER February 1945. Another question: was Korvettenkapitän M.A. Rudolf Eberlein (http://www.axishistory.com/index.php?id=11446) his son?

Any help is greatly appreciated!

Cheers,

G.

[G. Trifkovic]

Hi all,

is this the same August Ritter von Eberlein (source: http://192.68.214.70/blz/eup/02_06_themenheft/11.asp)?

[askropp]

August Adam (Ritter von) Eberlein
*07.01.1877 Kitzingen / Unterfranken
+23.05.1949 Sarajevo

xx.xx.191x Hauptmann d.R.
xx.xx.19xx Oberstleutnant d.R. z.V.
xx.xx.194x Oberst d.R. z.V.

vor dem Ersten Weltkrieg Schulleiter in Pirmasens

xx.xx.1914 Chef der 4. / Brigadeersatzbataillon 5
Bataillonsführer

soll 1914 eine Geiselerschießung in St. Dié angeordnet haben
1919-1924 Leiter der bayerischen Zentralstelle für pfälzische Angelegenheiten (Spionage- und Propagandaorganisation)
Oberregierungsrat
1923 SPD-Mitglied, später Wechsel zur DDP [according to the Zeit, although he was a fanatical rightist]
soll 1924 an der Ermordung des Separatistenführers Franz-Josef Heinz(-Orbis) beteiligt gewesen sein
SA-Oberführer, Führer der Standarte 250, beteiligt am 09.11.1938

xx.xx.194x Kommandeur des II. / Sicherungsregiment 612
xx.xx.19xx Kommandeur des Infanterieersatzbataillons 9
xx.xx.194x Kommandeur des Infanterieersatzbataillons "Feldherrenhalle"
31.08.1942 Führerreserve OKH (III)
19.04.1943 kommandiert zum Generalstab der Heeresgruppe E als Kampfgruppenführer
27.05.1944 Kommandeur des Sicherungsregiments 639
20.02.1945 bei Busovaca in jugoslawische Kriegsgefangenschaft
xx.03.1945 ausgetauscht
xx.05.1945 erneut in jugoslawische Kriegsgefangenschaft

xx.xx.191x EK II
xx.xx.191x EK I
21.12.1916 Bayerischer Militär-Max-Joseph-Orden
xx.xx.193x Ehrenkreuz für Frontkämpfer
xx.xx.19xx Spange zum EK II
xx.xx.19xx Spange zum EK I
xx.xx.19xx Verwundetenabzeichen in Schwarz
xx.xx.19xx Infanteriesturmabzeichen
01.07.1942 Deutsches Kreuz in Gold
16.07.1942 Militärorden Michael der Tapfere III. Klasse

[G. Trifkovic]

20.02.1945 bei Busovaca in jugoslawische Kriegsgefangenschaft
xx.03.1945 ausgetauscht

Hi,

von Eberlein was captured on 26 February. Although his exchange had been planned, there is no conclusive evidence that it had actually taken place; one Yugoslav document dated 31 March 1945 still lists him as being in captivity.

Best,

G.

[Nicolas7507]

Was Eberlein executed in 1949?

Best regards,
Nicolas

[luftk]

This better photo posted here by docarchiv.
viewtopic.php?p=2213389#p2213389

[graveland]

Oberst d.R. z.V. Dr. August Ritter von Eberlein

[Osli73]

August Ritter von Eberlein is (somewhat) known in Sweden because he had an affair with Swedish upper class pacifist, feminist and journalist Elin Wägner when she visited the occupied Rhineland in 1921. She was there to investigate conditions in the occupied territories and he led some kind of resistance movement. The attached article mentions how he was facing death theeats (unclear from whom) and slept with a gun under his pillow. His courtship is described as very passionate and intensive. They kept up the relationship on and off until at least 1924.

http://www.elinwagner.se/wp-content/upl ... mannen.pdf