Oberst Wilhelm Stenzel (1892-1945)

[CNE503]

Hello,
I'm looking for information about this officer, who commanded the Höherer Nachrichtenführer zbV 651 until late September 1940 and became early October Nachrichtenführer der Deutsche Militärmission in Rumänien. Has someone pieces of information about him?
Thank you for any help provided.
Regards,
CNE503

[Stauffenberg II]

Yes, I have. I am currently business travelling and will be able to post details tomorrow. Details can be found in the NARA Kartei Card rolls of Nachr. Tr. officers in T 78.

Wilhelm Stenzel - a former Police officer being transferred to Army to the prestigeous post of Kdr. Nachr. Abt. 1 on 15.10.1935 - went on to be appointed to the even more prestigeous post of Armeenachrichtenführer AOK 6 in 1941, after being ANF HM Rumänien.

He had so severe problems to coop with the problems of winter war 1941/42 that he was arrestested and condemned as Oberst and Armeenachrichtenführer AOK 6. So this was the last substantial and highest position he reached.

If I recall correctly he died in Munich 1945.

Jürgen

[CNE503]

Whenever you want, Jürgen, it is very kind of you to answer the call! Anything would be valuable concerning this officer in 1940 and 1941. Regards,
CNE503

[Stauffenberg II]

Dear CNE503,

Wilhelm ("Willy") Stenzel was born 08.01.1892 in Karlsruhe.

After WW1 he was transferred to Landespolizei, from which he was transferred again to Armed Forces (Heer) on 15.10.1935. He was appointed Kdr. Nachrichtenabteilung 1 (transferred from Königsberg to Insterburg) as Major 01.09.1935 (22).

He got promoted Oberstleutnant 01.06.1938 (5).

On 05.01.1940 he was appointed Kdr. Nachr. Abt. 50 (X. Armeekorps). He was consequently further appointed to Kdr. Armeenachrichtenregiment 511 on 04.06.1940.

Upon set up of the Germany Military Mission to Romania he was appointed Nachrichtenführer H. Miss. Rumänien. Receiving a 01.07.1940 (9a) seniority he was promoted to Oberst.

Replacing Ernst Gerke he was further appointed prestigeous Armeenachrichtenführer 4. Armee on 10.10.1941 (not 6. Armee given by me above). In this position he had severe problems during the winter war 1941/1942 with condemnations and suspensions so that the Oberbefehlshaber (Gen. Heinrici) badly disqualified him (see below). This is the reason why he was not promoted to Gen. Maj. in line with his seniority comrades and stayed in unimportant positions further unpromoted the rest of the war.

He died on 05.07.1945.

Hope this helps
Jürgen

[CNE503]

Hello Jürgen,

Thank you for that, very interesting. Do you think it was linked to the severe situation in which was engulfed the 4. Armee in late Winter and early Spring 1942? The situation was so tense that only the most composed and solid officers retained their nerves and didn't suffer nervous breakdowns.

Though, I read that Stenzel took command of Höherer Nachrichtenführer zbV 651 in Dresden as of late August 1940 (20th?) until he was appointed Deutsche Militärmission in Rumänien Nachrichten-Offizier on September 30th, 1940 (as Wehrmacht-Nachrichten-Offizier WNO when it became a Wehrmachtmission on October 3rd, 1940). Have you something about this or does it appear to be false?
The Höherer Nachrichtenführer zbV 651 was disbanded on October 4th, 1940, to give birth to the Lehr-Nachrichten-Abteilung "R II", later Korps-Nachrichten-Abteilung 454 of LIV. Armeekorps (as of June 1st, 1941).

Regards,
CNE503

[Stauffenberg II]

Sorry, I dont have sources and documentation re Nachr. Fü. zbV 651.

Jürgen

[CNE503]

Reading again my sources, I'm unable to find where I could have found that Stenzel was Höherer Nachrichtenführer zbV 651 prior to his assignment as Nachrichtenführer der Deutsche Militärmission in Rumänien. So I may have overinterpreted what I read.
My mistake. Regards,
CNE503

[Stauffenberg II]

I have found the PV in which Stenzel´s transfer to Romania is included. Until 09.10.1940 he was Kdr. of Nachrichtenregiment 511, being transferred on 10.10.1940.