SS-Obersturmbannführer Dr. Werner Knab

[Researcher]

Hi All

Can anyone help with this SS Officers biography.

I believe he was born 1908 or 1909. He served in some SS/Police capacity in Kiev 1941 - 42 and was implicated in crimes committed by Einsatzgruppe C. He was then assigned in a similar role to Lyon, France 1943 - 44.

Two sources say he was killed during the war. The Norwegian one gives 1943 but that cannot be true as he took part on a hostage shooting in June 1944. The other source (author of a book about Klaus Barbie) told me Knab died in 1945.

Thanks
Researcher

[Peter J. Hertel]

Just to elaborate on the information that you had already given on Obersturmbannführer Dr. Werner Knab.

Up to 1939, he was with the Stapo(Leit)stelle in München.

From 1941 to 1943 with Einsatzgruppe "C".

In 1943 was Leiter (Head) of Abteilung IV (Gestapo) of the office of the BdS in Kiew.

In June 1943 to August 1944 - KdS -Kommandeur der Sicherheitspolizei und des SD in Lyon.

I do have a bit more biographically information on him, but not available at this moment. Will post it later.

Regards,
Peter

[Erik E]

The Norwegian one gives 1943

May I ask which source you have??

EE

[dylan]

hi

have knab as head of abt 4 oslo 40-42
the same guy i suppose ?

dylan

[Researcher]

Hi Erik

I think this was the Norwegian site

http://www.norgeslexi.com/krigslex/alfabetet/reg_k.html - 9k

Regards
Researcher

[Peter J. Hertel]

Hi all,

Here is the rest of the bio on Werner Knab. He was born on 18 December 1908 in München. Since 1935 with the Gestapo. Comissioned to Hstuf. on 9 November 1938. NSDAP-Nr. 3 269 940, SS-Nr. 191 584. Attached to the Deutsche Botschaft in Oslo in 1939 and by February 1940 ranked as councillor of the German Legation as a 'Kulturreferat'. Became the first Gestapo chief in Oslo after the invasion of Norway. Promoted to Ostubaf. and Oberregierungsrat 26 June 1943. I don't have his promotion date to Stubaf.

That's all I have as of now.

Regards,
Peter

[Erik E]

I think this was the Norwegian site

This site is indeed a good source, but it has it`s errors too.....

Actually it says that during the trials (after the war) Hauptsturmführer Fehmer claimed that Knab died in an accident in 1943.

EE

[Georges JEROME]

KNAB Werner is not listed in books upon Einsatzgruppen officers (French Mc Lean as well Krausnick)
on the other hand,
he was Kdr der Sipo SD Lyon (France) from april 43 until august 44.
missing. reported to be killed in march 45 bu during an US air raid.
Sentenced to death by a french military trial at Lyon in 1954.


best

Georges JEROME

[Georges JEROME]

Werner Knab was ranked SS Stubaf on 20/4/39

[Peter J. Hertel]

Thanks Georges.

Regards,

Peter

[Researcher]

You've got me confused

reported to be killed in march 45 during an US air raid.
Sentenced to death by a french military trial at Lyon in 1954.

Was he sentenced to death in his absence?

Regards
Researcher

[thomas]

Dear Researcher

His death was not officially, so he could be alive. That is the reason, why a french military court sentenced him to death. Because maybe he lives somewhere. So in this case the sentence was more or less posthumely.

Greetings

thomas

[Minotauros]

SS-Obersturmbannführer und Oberregierungsrat [promoted on 21 VI 1943] Dr. jur. Werner KNAB
born on 18 XII 1908 in Frankenthal.
Member of the NSDAP from 1 V 1933 and of the SS from 1 II 1934.
Died during a US airstrike on 15 II 1945 near Weissenfels.