Oberstürmbannführer Vinzenz Kaiser

[Woolgar]

Meet SS-Obersturmbannführer Vinzenz Kaiser holder of the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross awarded to recognize his battlefield bravery. Kaiser died on the night of April 19-20 1945 when he was beaten and shot in American captivity.

It was duringthe campaigns in Russia that Kaiser started to make a name for himself at the Jelnja Bend, in Kiev and in the Borodino, Mozhaisk position in front of Moscow.

He was in command of an independent Kampfgruppe during the defensive battles at Waluki, which held the Russians at bay until the rest of the Das Reich Division could gather its units to counterattack. It was soon after this that he received command of the SdKfz 4 (Armoured) III. Battalion of the Der Führer Regiment, which he led in the counterattacks on the Donetz and Dnjepr sectors, capturing the vital areas of Losowaja and Novaya Vodolaga in the conquest of Kharkov. It was noted that during these attacks Kaiser destroyed four Russian tanks by hand, being the only regimental commader in the Waffen-SS to do so at this time.
For these achievements he was promoted to Hauptsturmführer and awarded the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross in April 1943.

In June 1944 Kaiser was promoted to Obersturmbannführer and transferred to the 17.SS Panzer Grenadier Division Götz von Berlichingen, he took part in the battles of Normandy and the retreat across the Rhine and back to Nürnberg.

Units:
2.SS Panzer Division Das Reich
16.SS Panzergrenadier Division Reichsführer-SS
17.SS Panzergrenadier Division Götz von Berlichingen

[Paul D]

An Officer i have studied in the past Nick Zenz was one of the most well known and highly decorated Officers of Das Reich and the Waffen SS although not as well known as some of the LAH " stars ". He became an Armoured Infantry specialist ( SPW ) and commanded III (gep ) / DF for a long period especially during Third Kharkov and Kursk , their are some fantastic photos of Zenz taken during the Kursk Battles.

He was also awarded the NKiS in Gold , at 40 he was one of the oldest recipients !! When he commanded I / DF a veteran friend of mine served under him and he desctibed him as a real "Hard bastard " and a terrific front line Officer .

He went on to command SS Pz Gren Regt 38 of GVB as an SS Obersturmbannfuhrer ending up fighting in the defence of Nuremburg.

He commanded GVB for a day when Fritz Klingenberg was killed and before Jopp Fick took command in March 1945.

On 20th April 1945 he went out on a Recce with his adjutant SS Hauptsturmfurher Kukula , both were never seen again and were reported MIA , the body of Kukula was recovered in 1965 it appeared that he had been executed by a shot to the back of the head , the body of Kaiser has never been found !!

[Woolgar]

Thanks Paul

That great additional information.

He was certainly a warrior !

Nick

[Silberkreuz]

Hi Nick, a very nice and interesting read, good post.

Paul ( neck shot ) by a Nagan?

Regards SK

[Paul D]

Not the Russians here mate , at that time they were in combat against American Forces !

[Bill T]

Interesting stories. I wonder why his body was not found along with Kukula's?? You think they would have executed them both at the same time and area?? Also Interesting/saddening to hear that it was done presumably by US forces too.

[BOB COLEMAN]

Atrocities occured on all sides during the war. The historical accuracy of some of these events are still suspect. Let us not get in to a discussion in that direction or this thread will be closed.

[Paul D]

Great colouration Bill !!!

[Bill T]

Thanks Paul, and I understand Bob, trust me. Wasn't trying to start a debate about atrocities with my comment whatsoever, just thought it was an interesting story. Apologies if I stepped on any toes there Still wondering why his body was never found w/ Kukulas, unless he was taken for questioning?

[Paul D]

No one knows Bill !!