Martin Unrein

Martin Unrein (1 January 1901 – 22 January 1972) was a German general during World War II who commanded several divisions.

Martin Unrein
Born	(1901-01-01)1 January 1901
Died	22 January 1972(1972-01-22) (aged 71)
Allegiance	Nazi Germany
Service / branch	Army (Wehrmacht)
Years of service	1918–45
Rank	Generalleutnant
Commands	14th Panzer Division III SS Panzer Corps Panzer Division Clausewitz
Battles / wars	World War II
Awards	Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross with Oak Leaves

Career

Unrein enlisted the German army in the final stages of World War I and then joined the re-established Reichswehr, where he held various regimental posts through the 1930s. In September 1940, he was promoted to lieutenant-colonel and assigned to OKW. On 15 September 1941, he was appointed to command a motorcycle battalion in the 6th Panzer Division. The battalion was almost destroyed fighting outside Moscow, and Unrein was court-martialled, but was absolved of all blame.

On 10 September 1943, he was awarded the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross. On 29 October of that year, he was appointed to command the 14th Panzer Division, which was shortly to be sent to the Eastern Front. On 26 June 1944, he was awarded the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross with Oak Leaves. On 11 February, he was promoted to command the III SS Panzer Corps and remained with the Corps until 5 March. On 4 April he was appointed to command the newly formed Panzer Division Clausewitz.

Awards and decorations

• Iron Cross (1914) 2nd Class (5 September 1918)
• Clasp to the Iron Cross (1939) 2nd Class (12 October 1939) & 1st Class (4 July 1940)
• Honour Roll Clasp of the Army (18 April 1943)
• German Cross in Gold on 28 February 1942 as Oberstleutnant in Kradschützen-Bataillon 6
• Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross with Oak Leaves
  • Knight's Cross on 10 September 1943 as Oberst and commander of Panzergrenadier-Regiment 4
  • 515th Oak Leaves on 26 June 1944 as Generalmajor and commander of 14. Panzer-Division

References

Bibliography

• Patzwall, Klaus D.; Scherzer, Veit (2001). Das Deutsche Kreuz 1941 – 1945 Geschichte und Inhaber Band II [The German Cross 1941 – 1945 History and Recipients Volume 2] (in German). Norderstedt, Germany: Verlag Klaus D. Patzwall. ISBN 978-3-931533-45-8.
• Scherzer, Veit (2007). Die Ritterkreuzträger 1939–1945 Die Inhaber des Ritterkreuzes des Eisernen Kreuzes 1939 von Heer, Luftwaffe, Kriegsmarine, Waffen-SS, Volkssturm sowie mit Deutschland verbündeter Streitkräfte nach den Unterlagen des Bundesarchives [The Knight's Cross Bearers 1939–1945 The Holders of the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross 1939 by Army, Air Force, Navy, Waffen-SS, Volkssturm and Allied Forces with Germany According to the Documents of the Federal Archives] (in German). Jena, Germany: Scherzers Militaer-Verlag. ISBN 978-3-938845-17-2.
• Thomas, Franz (1998). Die Eichenlaubträger 1939–1945 Band 2: L–Z [The Oak Leaves Bearers 1939–1945 Volume 2: L–Z] (in German). Osnabrück, Germany: Biblio-Verlag. ISBN 978-3-7648-2300-9.