Nickname: No information
Date of Birth: 05.09.1912 - Regulowken, Angerburg, Ostpreussen (German Empire)
Date of Death: 25.08.1985 - Hanover, Niedersachsen (West Germany)
Battles and Operations: Polish Campaign, Western Campaign, Balkans Campaign, Operation Barbarossa, Eastern Front battles including Kursk, Normandy (invasion front), Falaise pocket / Seine withdrawal, Ardennes Offensive, Hungary and Austria 1945
NSDAP-Number: 1.187.703
SS-Number: 41.043
Religion: No information
Parents: Erich Wisliceny (lord of the manor/Rittergut Regulowken, died 1928) and Wally (Vally) Wisliceny, née Paul
Siblings: Dietrich (Dieter) Wisliceny (older brother, SS-Hauptsturmführer, involved in Holocaust deportations under Eichmann, executed 1948)
Spouse: No information
Children: No information
Promotions:
18.03.1933: SS-Mann
22.09.1933: SS-Scharführer
01.10.1933: SS-Oberscharführer
01.12.1933: SS-Hauptscharführer
10.03.1935: SS-Untersturmführer
09.11.1936: SS-Obersturmführer
02.04.1940: SS-Hauptsturmführer
20.04.1943: SS-Sturmbannführer
20.04.1944: SS-Obersturmbannführer
00.05.1945: SS-Standartenführer
Career:
00.00.1933: SS-Sturmmann, SS-Stabwache Berlin
07.10.1933: SS-Oscha, Nachrichtenzug, Leibstandarte 'Adolf Hitler'
10.03.1935-01.06.1937: SS-Ustuf, Adjutant, II. Sturmbann, LAH
01.06.1937: SS-Ostuf, Zugführer, 8.(Maschinengewehr-)Kompanie, LAH
01.02.1938: SS-Ostuf, MG.-Zugführer training course at Infanterie-Schule Döberitz
01.05.1938: SS-Ostuf, Zugführer, 8.Kompanie, SS-Standarte "Der Führer"
01.09.1939: SS-Ostuf, Adjutant, II. Bataillon, SS-Regiment "Der Führer"
01.11.1939: SS-Ostuf, Führer, 4. Kompanie, SS-Totenkopf-Standarte "Ostmark"
07.12.1939: SS-Ostuf, Chef, 8. Kompanie, SS-Totenkopf-Infanterie-Regiment 11, SS-Division 'Das Reich'
00.11.1941: SS-Hstuf, severely WIA - sent to Lazarett
01.02.1942: Infanterie-Ersatz-Bataillon, SS-Regiment "Der Führer"
23.03.1942: SS-Hstuf, Führer then Kommandeur, III. Bataillon, SS-Panzer-Grenadier-Regiment "Der Führer"
26.09.1943: hospitalized due to wounds at SS clinic Hohenlychen
15.03.1944: SS-Stubaf, Kommandeur, SS-Panzer-Grenadier-Regiment 3 "Deutschland", 2. SS-Panzer-Division "Das Reich"
18.04.1947: French POW
12.07.1951: Sentenced to 4 years imprisonment by French military court in Bordeaux (charges related to association de malfaiteurs / unit actions)
Postwar: Released and lived in West Germany until his death in 1985.
Awards and Decorations:
SS-Zivilabzeichen Nr. 23.780
SA-Sportabzeichen in Bronze
DRL-Sportabzeichen in Bronze
Goldenes Hitlerjugend Ehrenabzeichen
Ehrendegen des Reichsführers-SS
SS-Ehrenring (Totenkopfring)
Medaille zur Erinnerung an den 13. März 1938 (1939)
Eisernes Kreuz 2. Klasse (27.06.1941)
Verwundetenabzeichen 1939 in Schwarz (07.08.1941)
Eisernes Kreuz 1. Klasse (07.11.1941)
Infanterie-Sturmabzeichen in Bronze (01.12.1941)
SS-Dienstauszeichnung 3. Stufe (8 Jahre) (20.07.1942)
Medaille Winterschlacht im Osten 1941/42 (Ostmedaille) (01.08.1942)
Nahkampfspange in Bronze (20.09.1943)
Deutsches Kreuz in Gold (24.04.1943) as Ss-Hauptsturmführer, Führer Iii./Ss-Panzergrenadier-Regiment Deutschland
Ritterkreuz des Eisernen Kreuzes #1912 (30.07.1943) as SS-Sturmbannführer and Kommandeur III.Bataillon / SS-Panzergrenadier-Regiment 3 “Deutschland” / SS-Panzergrenadier-Division “Das Reich”. Wisliceny's Ritterkreuz recommendation reads as follows:
"During the assault on the 05.07.1943 the III./SS-Pz.Gren.Rgt. 'Deutschland' (commanded by SS-Sturmbannführer Wisliceny) had the mission of seizing the enemy combat outposts in the village of Jachontoff. From there they would then assemble for a continued onslaught.
SS-Sturmbannführer Wisliceny and his Grenadiers eliminated the combat outposts in a bold strike, captured the positions and readied themselves for a subsequent attack. This latter attack was to proceed after the arrival of friendly Sturmgeschütze. The plan was for the III./SS-Pz.Gren.Rgt. 'Deutschland' to attack with the support of these vehicles as well as that from Stuka attacks and friendly artillery fire. It was intended that the Bataillon would be able to penetrate into the enemy's deeply echeloned defensive network (reinforced by an anti-tank ditch) and wrest control of it from the foe.
However a spell of torrential rain during the previous night resulted in a delay of 2 hours for the Sturmgeschütze. They were thus not immediately available to support the attack after the artillery and Stuka bombardments according to the original plan. Meanwhile strong enemy artillery fire struck our own positions, threatening the success of the whole operation. In this situation Wisliceny made the bold decision to nevertheless prosecute the attack and break into the enemy's defensive network in the face of the opposing artillery and infantry fire.
Although he was himself suffering from a severe knee injury, he still placed himself at the head of his Grenadiers and attacked with magnificent drive. Fighting from position to position, he and his men ultimately were able to penetrate into the hostile anti-tank ditch. This bold action by SS-Sturmbannführer Wisliceny (executed with minimal friendly losses) created a breach in the enemy's defences that the remainder of the SS-Pz.Gren.Div. 'Das Reich' would be able to exploit. He himself carried on the assault from here and was able to reach the day's attack objective on the afternoon of the same day, and this despite the prevailing unfavourable circumstances that included some very strong hostile resistance.
The significance of SS-Sturmbannführer Wisliceny's successful offensive operation is indicated by the fact that the bulk of the II. SS-Panzer-Korps would continue its assault through the breach that he created. These elements were unable to advance forwards in their own sectors due to the strong enemy resistance encountered.
SS-Sturmbannführer Wisliceny is the paragon of a fearless and aggressive commander. His heroic devotion to duty is model behaviour for his troops in all circumstances, and his unshakeable optimism never fails to inspire them forwards. It is also to his credit that he is consistently able to achieve his successes with minimal losses even with his aggressive style of combat."
Nahkampfspange in Silber (01.04.1944)
Verwundetenabzeichen 1939 in Silber (04.09.1944)
Ritterkreuz des Eisernen Kreuzes mit Eichenlaub #687 (26.12.1944) as SS-Obersturmbannführer and Kommandeur SS-Panzergrenadier-Regiment 3 “Deutschland” / 2.SS-Panzer-Division “Das Reich”. Wisliceny's Eichenlaub recommendation reads as follows:
"The SS-Pz.Gren.Rgt. 3 'Deutschland' assembled north of Elbeuf following its withdrawal from the Bernay sector. Reconnaissance units sent out towards Elbeuf and Chambois de Elbeuf revealed that strong enemy tank and motorized formations were advancing towards Elbeuf itself.
SS-Obersturmbannführer Wisliceny was aware of the massive importance of Elbeuf for continued friendly withdrawal movements, and so on the 25.08.1944 he made the decision to attack and take Elbeuf (which was overrun by terrorists at the time) in order to facilitate the retreat of major friendly elements across the Seine.
Although no artillery support was at hand the Regiment immediately commenced its attack against Elbeuf. Following bitter urban combat (during which the commander was in the thick of the action) the Regiment was able to reach the southeastern edge of Elbeuf and establish a strong security line. The swift success of this operation is attributable to the energy and extraordinary bravery of the regimental commander.
It was not long before incoming enemy forces launched major attacks against Elbeuf itself, and in the afternoon hours they managed to achieve a penetration that made it as far as the bank of the Seine. SS-Obersturmbannführer Wisliceny at once struck these enemy forces with a handful of men from his regimental command post, and he managed to throw them back and restore the old frontline via an energetic attack. In the process SS-Obersturmbannführer Wisliceny received his third wartime battle wound.
The decisiveness, leadership and bravery displayed here by the regimental commander meant that strong American forces were successfully held off for 48 hours whilst sustaining heavy losses. This in turn thwarted the enemy's goal of launching a surprise thrust into the Seine bend at Rouen. 3 friendly Infanterie and Panzer Divisionen were thereby able to pull back to the Seine's eastern bank without any great difficulty.
SS-Obersturmbannführer Wisliceny held Elbeuf under the most difficult of combat conditions until the friendly withdrawal movement was completed. His example on the battlefield in turn motivated his unit to achieve the seemingly impossible.
Wisliceny is worth of being awarded the Eichenlaub to the Ritterkreuz des Eisernen Kreuzes."
To this was added a supplementary document that further justifies his recommendation for the Eichenlaub:
"SS-Obersturmbannführer Wisliceny particularly distinguished himself on the Invasion front north of St. Lo whilst serving as the commander of a Kampfgruppe. Here he inflicted heavy losses on the Americans in a series of bitter engagements. He personally led successful counterthrusts against broken-in American forces on the 16./17. and 18.08.1944.
The commander of the Panzer-Lehr-Division (Generalmajor Bayerlein) wrote in one of his orders that it was solely on account of the ruthless devotion to duty displayed by SS-Obersturmbannführer Wisliceny (commander of SS-Pz.Gren.Rgt. 3) that the men of the Kampfgruppe were able to achieve such heroic feats-of-arms. The Kampfgruppe was able to knock out 35 American tanks in close combat in barely 15 days of combat."
Verwundetenabzeichen 1939 in Gold (31.03.1945)
Nahkampfspange in Gold (31.03.1945)
Ritterkreuz des Eisernen Kreuzes mit Eichenlaub und Schwertern #151 (06.05.1945) as SS-Obersturmbannführer (promoted to Standartenführer in some late-war references) and Kommandeur SS-Panzergrenadier-Regiment 3 “Deutschland” / 2.SS-Panzer-Division “Das Reich” for later actions in the Ardennes, Hungary and Austria. Specific detailed recommendations for the Schwerter are less extensively documented in public sources than the earlier awards, as the war was collapsing and awards became more irregular. However, they recognized his continued exemplary leadership in desperate defensive and counteroffensive actions as part of "Das Reich" in the Ardennes Offensive (Battle of the Bulge), followed by the grueling retreats and counterattacks in Hungary (including operations around Lake Balaton and attempts to relieve Budapest) and the final stands in Austria.
These battles involved brutal winter fighting, fuel shortages, overwhelming Allied/Soviet numerical superiority in men and materiel, and constant pressure from air attacks. Wisliceny's regiment repeatedly served as a fire brigade, conducting aggressive counterthrusts, holding key positions against armored assaults, and covering withdrawals—often in close combat that contributed to his Gold Close Combat Clasp. His personal bravery and tactical skill in these near-hopeless conditions, while wounded multiple times overall, exemplified the "fearless commander" standard cited in his earlier citations.
The German Federal Archives hold no records for the presentation of the Schwerter to Günther-Eberhardt Wisliceny. The award was unlawfully presented by SS-Oberstgruppenführer Sepp Dietrich. The date is taken from the announcement made by the 6. Panzerarmee. The sequential number "151" was assigned by the Association of Knight's Cross Recipients (OdR). Wisliceny was a member of the OdR.
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Günther Eberhardt Wisliceny was a German Waffen SS officer who rose to the rank of Obersturmbannführer and became a highly decorated commander during the Second World War. Born on 5 September 1912 in Regulowken, near Angerburg in East Prussia, he was the younger son of Erich Wisliceny, a manor lord whose estate was lost after the First World War, leading the family to relocate to Silesia. His older brother Dietrich, later known as Dieter Wisliceny, pursued a very different path within the SS security apparatus. Wisliceny joined the SS Stabswache Berlin in 1933 as an enlisted man and quickly advanced through the ranks, serving initially with the Leibstandarte Adolf Hitler before transferring to the Der Führer Regiment. He received his commission as Untersturmführer in 1935 and gained early experience as a platoon and company leader.
Wisliceny saw his first combat in the spring of 1941 as commander of the 8th Company in the Balkans campaign. After the regiment's reorganization, he continued serving with units of the SS Division Das Reich on the Eastern Front. He was severely wounded in November 1941 near Moscow but returned to duty in early 1942. By March of that year he had taken command of the III Battalion of the SS Panzergrenadier Regiment Deutschland. His leadership during the intense fighting of 1942 and early 1943 earned him rapid promotion to Sturmbannführer and several decorations, including the Iron Cross First Class, the German Cross in Gold, and the Wound Badge in Silver. These experiences prepared him for the demanding role he would play in the largest armored battle of the war.
On 5 July 1943, during the opening phase of Operation Citadel at Kursk, Wisliceny's battalion was tasked with seizing Soviet outposts in the village of Jachontoff in the Belgorod sector. Heavy rain delayed supporting assault guns, exposing his men to concentrated artillery fire. Despite suffering a serious knee wound, Wisliceny personally led his grenadiers in a determined assault through anti tank defenses and an anti tank ditch. In bitter close quarters fighting his unit became the only German formation to penetrate the first major Soviet defensive line in that sector that day. The breach allowed elements of the II SS Panzer Corps to exploit the gap. For this action Wisliceny received the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross on 30 July 1943.
By early 1944 Wisliceny had assumed command of the entire SS Panzergrenadier Regiment 3 Deutschland within the 2nd SS Panzer Division Das Reich. He led the regiment through the grueling defensive battles in Normandy following the Allied invasion. In late August 1944, after withdrawing from the Bernay area, he recognized the strategic importance of the town of Elbeuf as a Seine River crossing point. Without artillery support he ordered an immediate attack to clear the town, which had been partially occupied by resistance forces. In fierce urban combat his regiment seized key positions and then repelled strong American armored thrusts that reached the riverbank. Wisliceny himself joined a small counterattacking group from his command post and was wounded again. His regiment held the position for nearly two days, enabling several German divisions to withdraw across the Seine. This leadership earned him the Oak Leaves to the Knight's Cross on 26 December 1944.
Wisliceny continued commanding his regiment during the Ardennes Offensive in the winter of 1944 1945 and the subsequent retreats through Hungary and into Austria. Despite fuel shortages, overwhelming enemy superiority, and constant air attacks, he repeatedly led aggressive counterthrusts and rearguard actions that helped delay Allied and Soviet advances. These final campaigns, marked by heavy close combat, brought him the Swords to the Knight's Cross with Oak Leaves on 6 May 1945, along with the Close Combat Clasp in Gold. He was wounded at least four times during the war and was known among his troops for aggressive tactics and personal bravery under fire.
At the end of the war Wisliceny surrendered to American forces in Austria and was later transferred to French custody for investigations related to actions by elements of the Das Reich Division, including events at Tulle and Oradour sur Glane. A French military court in Bordeaux sentenced him to four years imprisonment in 1951 on charges of association de malfaiteurs, but he was released the same year. He returned to civilian life in West Germany and lived quietly in Hanover until his death on 25 August 1985 at the age of 72. Wisliceny remains one of the few Waffen SS officers to have received the Knight's Cross with Oak Leaves and Swords for frontline regimental command in both major theaters of the European war.
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Source :
https://www.lexikon-der-wehrmacht.de/
https://en.wikipedia.org/
https://www.tracesofwar.com/
https://military-history.fandom.com/wiki/G%C3%BCnther-Eberhardt_Wisliceny
https://de.wikipedia.org/wiki/G%C3%BCnther-Eberhardt_Wisliceny
https://rk.balsi.de/index.php?action=list&cat=300
https://forum.axishistory.com/
https://www.wehrmacht-awards.com/forums/
https://www.geni.com/
Scherzer, Veit. Die Ritterkreuzträger 1939-1945. Jena 2007.
Berger, Florian. Mit Eichenlaub und Schwertern. Vienna 1999/2004
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