Late War
In early March 1944, Diesenhofer was finally relieved from his duties attached to the SS-Junkerschule Tölz and sent back to a combat formation, this time SS-Panzergrenadier-Regiment 21 of the 10.SS-Panzer-Division Frundsberg. Diesenhofer commanded the regiment during the Frundsberg and the 9.SS-Panzer-Division Hohenstaufen's successful attempt to relieve the encircled 1.Panzerarmee of Generaloberst Hans-Valentin Hube in what was known as the Kamenets-Podolsky Pocket. For his actions during this battle, Deisenhofer was promoted to SS-Standartenführer (Colonel).
The Frundsberg was sent to the Normandy Front to attempt to halt the advance of Field Marshal Bernard Montgomery's 21st Army Group, currently advancing on Caen. Deisenhofer led the regiment through heavy fighting including the battles on Hill 112 and the defeat of Operation Epsom.
In mid July, Deisenhofer was ordered back east to take command of the 5. SS-Panzer-Division Wiking, currently engaged in heavy fighting in the area near Modlin. In mid August, Deisenhofer was ordered back to Berlin to await his next command. At the end of the month, he took over command of the 17.SS-Panzergrenadier-Division Götz von Berlichingen, which was engaged in a fighting withdrawal towards the Saar. Deisenhofer commanded the division during the heavy fighting against the Americans on the Moselle and in the subsequent withdrawal to Metz. At the end of September, Deisenhofer was wounded in the fighting and ordered back to Berlin to rest and recuperate.
On 31 December, he was tasked with organising a Kampfgruppe from the recruits of the SS-Truppenübungsplatz to defend Bad Saarow. On 1 January, Deisenhofer was promoted to SS-Oberführer (Senior Colonel). Near the end of January, Deisenhofer was ordered to Arnswalde in Pomerania to take command of the 15.Waffen-Grenadier-Division der SS (lettische Nr.1). He began travelling north to take over his next command, but a Soviet ground attack aircraft attacked the staff car, killing Deisenhofer, his driver and his adjutant. Because evidence of Deisenhofer's death is lacking, he is classified as missing in action, rather than killed. His remains were not found.
Read more about this topic: Eduard Deisenhofer, Divisional Command
Famous quotes containing the words late war, late and/or war:
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