Josef Diefenthal

Josef Diefenthal (5 October 1915 – 13 April 2001) was a mid-ranking commander in the Waffen-SS of Nazi Germany and a war criminal during World War II. He was a recipient of the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross on 5 February 1945 for his actions during the Ardennes Offensive, while in command of the 3rd Battalion, 2nd SS Panzer Grenadier Regiment, SS Division Leibstandarte.[1]

Diefenthal watches American soldiers of the U.S. 119th Infantry Regiment, 30th ID, as they surrender in Stoumont, Belgium on 19 December 1944.
Josef Diefenthal
Born5 October 1915
Euskirchen, German Empire
Died13 April 2001(2001-04-13) (aged 85)
Euskirchen, Germany
Allegiance Nazi Germany
Service/branch Waffen-SS
Years of service1939–45
RankSturmbannfuhrer
UnitSS Division Leibstandarte
Battles/warsWorld War II
AwardsKnight's Cross of the Iron Cross

Diefenthal was found guilty of war crimes at the Malmedy massacre trial committed during the Battle of the Bulge. He was found guilty of issuing illegal orders, and personally approving the murder of at least one American prisoner of war.

"He reported to the speech to his company that he had heard at Diefenthal's battalion command post, which included statements that enemy resistance was to be broken by terror and that no prisoners of war were to be taken."[2]

Diefenthal was sentenced to death, which was later changed to life imprisonment in 1951. He was released in 1956.[3]

References

Citations
  1. The 1st SS Panzer Division in the Battle of the Bulge By Steve Kane p.149
  2. "United States vs Valentin Bersin, et al". October 20, 1947.
  3. The 1st SS Panzer Division in the Battle of the Bulge By Steve Kane p.149

Bibliography
  • 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.
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