Full name: Albrecht Krügel
Nickname: Unknown
Date of Birth: 22 April 1913 in Nordhorn, Grafschaft Bentheim, Hannover (German Empire)
Date of Death: 15 March 1945 on the Bahnhof from Altdamm to Stettin, Pommern (Germany)
NSDAP Number: 419 297 (joined 1 February 1931)
SS Number: 11 433 (joined 1 August 1931)
Academic Title: unknown
Family Member: unknown
Physical Feature: unknown
Beförderungen (Promotion):
01.09.1930 SA-Mann
00.08.1931 SA-Anwärter (?)
00.00.1931 SS-Mann (?)
20.04.1934 SS-Scharführer
15.04.1935 SS-Junker
00.00.1935 SS-Standartenjunker
00.00.1936 SS-Standartenoberjunker
20.04.1936 SS-Untersturmführer
20.04.1938 SS-Obersturmführer
09.11.1939 SS-Hauptsturmführer
20.04.1943 SS-Sturmbannführer
01.09.1944 SS-Obersturmbannführer
Karriere (Career):
01.09.1930 - 01.08.1931 Sturmabteilung training
01.04.1933 - 15.04.1934 wachsturm (guard) at SS-Unterführerschule Merkers/Rhon
00.05.1933 - 00.09.1934 served in 9.Sturm / III.Sturmbann / 35.SS-Standarte
01.10.1934 - 31.03.1935 attended Führeranwarterlehrgang Ellwangen
24.04.1935 - 31.01.1936 attended SS-Führerschule Braunschweig - 2. Friedens-Junker-Lehrgang
01.03.1936 - 15.04.1936 attended Zugführerlehrgang Dachau
15.04.1936 - 05.06.1936 Sachbearbeiter at SS-Oberabschnitt "Nord"
05.06.1936 - 01.07.1936 trained with 3.Sturm / 9. SS-Standarte
01.09.1936 - 01.10.1937 Zugführer in 3.Sturm / 9. SS-Standarte
01.10.1937 - 01.11.1938 Adjutant SS-Sturmbann "N" (Nürnberg) at Dachau
01.11.1938 - 16.02.1939 Zugführer in SS-Sturmbann "N" (Nürnberg)
16.02.1939 - 16.05.1940 Zugführer in SS-Kradschützen-Ausbildungs-und Ersatz-Bataillon Ellwangen
01.04.1939 attended SS-Junkerschule Braunschweig
16.05.1940 - 21.06.1940 Kompanieführer in Marsch-Bataillon / SS-Verfügungstruppe
21.06.1940 - 16.11.1940 Nachrichtenoffizier und Führer 13.Kompanie / SS-Standarte "Deutschland"
01.08.1940 attended Kompanieführerlehrgang Elsenborn
16.11.1940 - 00.00.1940 Sachbearbeiter IIb / Stab SS-Division "Wiking"
00.00.1940 - 00.02.1941 Führer Nachrichtenzug / SS-Division "Wiking"
01.03.1941 - 16.03.1941 Adjutant SS-Regiment "Germania" / SS-Division "Wiking"
16.03.1941 - 00.02.1942 Chef 6.Kompanie / SS-Infanterie-Regiment “Westland”
12.07.1941 Führer III.Bataillon / SS-Infanterie-Regiment "Nordland"
00.07.1941 recovery for his wounds
00.02.1942 - 00.11.1942 Chef 6. Kompanie / SS-Infanterie-Regiment "Nordland"
01.12.1942 - 00.04.1943 Kommandeur II.Bataillon / SS-Infanterie-Regiment "Nordland"
01.06.1943 - 25.02.1944 Kommandeur II.Bataillon / SS-Panzergrenadier-Regiment "Norge"
25.02.1944 - 14.03.1944 Führer SS-Panzergrenadier-Regiment "Norge"
14.03.1944 - 09.04.1944 Kommandeur II.Bataillon / SS-Panzergrenadier-Regiment "Norge"
09.04.1944 - 15.03.1945 Kommandeur SS-Freiwilligen-Panzergrenadier-Regiment 24 "Danmark"
00.11.1944 granted leave
15.03.1945 Killed in action not long after returned to the front
Orden und Ehrenzeichen (Medals and Decorations):
00.00.193_ Abzeichen des SA-Treffens Braunschweig 1931
00.00.193_ Abzeichen der Deutschen Lebensrettungsgesellschaft (DLRG) in Bronze
00.00.1936 Ehrendegen des Reichsführers-SS
00.12.1936 Julleuchter der SS
01.12.1937 Deutsches Reichssportabzeichen in Bronze
01.12.1937 SA-Sportabzeichen in Bronze
01.12.1937 Totenkopfring der SS
00.00.1938 Medaille zur Erinnerung an den 13. März 1938
00.00.1939 Medaille zur Erinnerung an den 1. Oktober 1938
00.00.1940 SS-Dienstauszeichnung (8. jährige)
00.00.194_ Dienstauszeichnung der NSDAP in Bronze
13.07.1941 Eisernes Kreuz II.Klasse
02.09.1941 Verwundetenabzeichen in Schwarz
13.09.1941 Eisernes Kreuz I.Klasse
20.04.1942 Infanterie-Sturmabzeichen in Bronze
20.08.1942 Infanterie-Sturmabzeichen in Silber
10.09.1942 Medaille "Winterschlacht im Osten 1941/42" (Ostmedaille)
10.01.1943 Deutsches Kreuz in Gold, as SS-Hauptsturmführer and Chef 6.Kompanie / SS-Infanterie-Regiment "Nordland" / SS-Panzergrenadier-Division "Wiking"
12.03.1944 Ritterkreuz des Eisernen Kreuzes, as SS-Sturmbannführer and Kommandeur II.Bataillon / SS-Freiwilligen-Panzergrenadier-Regiment 23 "Norge" (norwegisch Nr. 1) / 11.SS-Freiwilligen-Panzergrenadier-Division "Nordland" / III.(germanische) SS-Panzerkorps / Heeresgruppe Nord (Vorschlag dated 15.02.1944 and signed by Divisionskommandeur Fritz von Scholz; countersigned 16.02.1944 by Korpskommandeur Felix Steiner, presented by Matthias Kleinheisterkamp)
15.06.1944 Red krune kralja Zvonimira (Kroatisches Kriegsordens der Krone des Königs Zvonimir / Croatian Order of the Crown of King Zvonimir) 2nd Class with "War Decoration" (given only as "Kroatische Auszeichnung" - Croatian decoration - on his Eichenlaub Vorschlag, but confirmed through photographic evidence in the book "Die Ritterkreuzträger der Waffen-SS" by Ernst-Günther Krätschmer)
12.07.1944 Nahkampfspange in Bronze
16.11.1944 Ritterkreuz des Eisernen Kreuzes mit Eichenlaub #651, as SS-Obersturmbannführer and Kommandeur SS-Freiwilligen-Panzergrenadier-Regiment 24 "Danmark" (dänische Nr. 1) / 11.SS-Freiwilligen-Panzergrenadier-Division "Nordland" / III.(germanische) SS-Panzerkorps / Heeresgruppe Nord (Vorschlag dated 31.11.1944 and signed by Divisionskommandeur Joachim Ziegler; countersigned 29.11.1944 by Korpskommandeur Georg Keppler)
28.03.1945 Mentioned in Wehrmachtbericht (posthumously)
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Albrecht Krügel was born on 22.4.13 as the son of a commercial clerk, in Nordhorn, near the Dutch-German border. After attending elementary and secondary school, Krügel pursued employment in the business sector until joining the SA in 1930. He transferred to the SS in August 1931. The first recorded employment of Krügel within the SS states that between 1.4.33 and 15.4.34 he served on the guard detail at the SS-Unterführerschule Merkers/Rhon, which appears to have dealt predominantly with shooting and rifle training. Later that year between 1.10.34 and 31.3.35 Krügel attended the Führeranwarterlehrgang (Officer candidates training course). As part of the early officer candidate selection process, most but not all candidates underwent a psychological screening and evaluation process designed to measure their aptitude and capability for becoming an SS officer. Krügel’s own psychological evaluation, dated 11.4.35, found that:
“The candidate is mentally in order. He concentrates well, although at times he is even a little constricted. His temperament is very controlled, which makes him seem somewhat lifeless. His serious, sober, rather rigid attitude of will often makes him seem cool and strange. But once you have won his trust, he is open and natural. Some of his character can be explained by a hard youth. He is a man of duty who gives his all. He must become freer inwardly and more informal outwardly.”
Following the completion of the Officer candidates training course Krügel was assigned to attend the SS-Führerschule “Braunschweig”. The course leader noted of Krügel’s performance on 29.9.35 that:
“SS-Junker Krügel is a firm character who is eager to achieve his goal. His serious nature, which seldom makes him cheerful, makes him seem uncomradely, But when he trusts someone, he becomes free and easy. He is an open, natural person who has already experienced difficult things in his youth and therefore does not trust everyone immediately, and gaining his trust takes time. Krügel is confident in front of people and knows how to assert himself. He will acquire the knowledge he lacks by the end of the course, possibly in a second course.”
It is alluded to in both early evaluations that Krügel appears to have possessed a somewhat closed, serious personality, and that he suffered hardship as a child of the post-WWI generation, though this is never explored further in any detail.
Krügel graduated from the 2nd platoon leader’s course at the SS-Führerschule “Braunschweig”, ranked 85th in the course attendance. Krügel’s marks on the course reflected his mediocre ranking, generally achieving a rating of “Sufficient” in the following areas of evaluation from Krügel's
assessment report dated 31.1.36:
In world view (Weltanschauung): Sufficient.
In tactics: Conditionally sufficient.
In skill at arms: Fairly good.
In terrain: Sufficient.
In military service: Fairly good.
In physical training: Good.
In weaponry: Sufficient.
In pioneer service: Sufficient.
In general military service: Fairly good.
In riding: Sufficient.
In signals: Sufficient.
In motoring: Sufficient.
In aviation: Sufficient
In cartography: Sufficient.
Krügel’s overall grade emerged as a mediocre “Sufficient”, and the course leader wrote of his performance during the course:
“Krügel is a firm, open, decent character, however, he is a little too serious in his nature, which seldom gives rise to happiness. This often makes him appear to be uncooperative, but he is not in any way. He has an impeccable soldierly manner and knows how to assert himself. Mentally he is in order. He just needs to make the most of the abilities he possesses. Suitable for leadership.”
On 27.4.36, Krügel received a verbal request from the Stettin draft board, through the police, to present himself to the draft board for the purpose of being mustered out for military service, with the rest of the class of 1913. A day later he attended an interview with the chairman of the draft board and received a request from him to present himself for draft by 8 May 1936. Krügel, newly commissioned as SS-Untersturmführer, clearly wished to pursue a career in the SS, as he wrote to the head of SS-Oberabschnitt Nord requesting clarification from the Reichsführer-SS as to whether he was obliged to present himself for Army service on the date stated.
Shortly afterwards, on 30.4.36 the chief of the SS-Personal-Hauptamt responded, stating that as Krügel “has successfully attended the SS-Fuhrerschule Braunschweig (war school course), he is therefore to be recruited into the SS-VT for the purpose of completing his compulsory military service.”
The chief of the SS-Oberabschnitt Nord wrote of Krügel in a memorandum of 2.6.36,
“Krügel was assigned to the training office of the SS-Oberabschnitt Nord from 15.4.36 to 31.5.36. During this time, Krügel was occupied with all the work that occurred in the IA, IO, I/Sp. Departments where he was encouraged to work as independently as possible. He displayed great skill in all his work and showed great prudence, especially in the organisational questions that arose in the course of the reorganisation of SS-Oberabschnitt Nord. He conducted himself very well during this time, both on and off duty. His special gift, however, seems to lie in the field of practical SS service. Krügel seems to be somewhat overworked at the moment.”
While Krügel certainly had a flair for administrative tasks, and applied himself diligently, it seems that his true vocation was of an altogether more active and practical nature. It is noteworthy that the head of SS-Oberabschnitt Nord summarised that Krugel seemed somewhat overworked; it is possible that this was due to Krügel’s health issues, which would further threaten to derail his SS career in the near future.
Between 5 June and 1 July 1936 Krügel was ordered by the 9. SS-Standarte to train with SS-Sturm 3/9 at Pyritz. From 6 June onwards, Krügel was assigned to lead the 1st platoon of Sturm 3/9. According to a superior within the unit, written on 20.7.36:
“His performance in practical service was good, as was his aptitude for this service. Krügel had a good command of the subject matter and knew how to organise the lessons in a planned manner. The topics covered in the ideological lessons were presented by Krügel in an effective and understandable manner. His off-duty behaviour gave no cause for complaint. For the men of the Sturm, Ustuf Krügel was a good comrade when he was off duty and his conduct in front of the men was confident and determined. Krügel is more suitable for front-line service.”
In December 1938, whilst serving with the SS Battalion “Nurnberg" at Dachau, Krügel’s health issues would finally cause the situation he likely least hoped for. On 8.12.38, the commander of SS Battalion “Nurnberg” SS-Obersturmbannführer Ernst Deutsch wrote in praise of Krügel’s character on 8.12.38, stating that:
“Ostuf Krügel is of a quiet nature, but knows how to stand firm and assert himself. He is a decent and honest character, conscientious and reliable, of correct appearance and modest. He has a good general education and his service record is also good. He fulfilled the role of platoon leader to the full and is considered capable of development if his health improves.”
Regarding Krügel’s health, and its potential adverse effect on his career, Deutsch wrote,
“Ostuf Krügel is subject to extraordinary fluctuations in his working habits, which have caused him to work inconsistently and with the necessary diligence for a long time. I attribute this to the state of his health; Krügel suffers from Graves' disease (Hyperthyroidism). His inhibitions and fluctuations in all areas are attributed to this. The examination of his state of health by the troop doctor has ordered by myself.” Deutsch summarised with an air of finality; “His further deployment in the armed forces is dependent on this medical assessment.”
Deutsch related the problem regarding Krügel’s health to the troop doctor of the SS Battalion “Nurnberg”, writing:
“Krügel's state of health is to be subjected to a thorough examination. For some time now I have noticed that the work of SS-Ostuf Krügel as adjutant is subject to very strong fluctuations. In particular, an extraordinary forgetfulness is noticeable, which is not acceptable from an official point of view. I therefore transferred Krügel to a rifle company, because I believed that the best way to compensate for this was in frontline service. I relate this to Krügel's predisposition to Graves' disease and his Hyperthyroidism. It seems advisable to place Krügel under permanent medical observation. By 1.4.39 it must be checked and reported whether Krügel still meets the health requirements for military service.”
While Deutsch clearly saw in Krügel a competent officer capable of advancement and development, his hands were essentially tied. SS-Obersturmbannführer Walter Krüger appended Deutsch’s appraisal, which appeared to seal Krügel’s fate within the SS:
“Krügel is of impeccable character. His appearance is modest and determined. His performance on duty is severely impaired by his current state of health. It is doubtful whether Krügel will be fully fit for duty again. I do not consider him suitable for an adjutant's post because of the above issues.”
A year later, a month before the proscribed date, Walter Krüger, commander of the SS-VT Standarte "z.b.V", Ellwangen, 14.3.39 provided an updated appraisal of Krügel’s health:
“Regarding Krügel: Krügel has only been in Ellwangen for a short time and I can only judge him from that time. He had very little experience of leading from the front, as Deutsch very soon took him on to his staff at SS "N". In my opinion, he was not suitable for use as a troop adjutant. Deutsch, who praised him highly at the beginning, later dismissed him again. SS "N" did not make much effort to train him. His extensive activity with the staff did not take its toll on his health. As far as I can judge Krügel, his strengths lie more in the scientific field and less in practical military matters. I will keep Krügel and try to fill his gaps in the military field as his current state of health makes this quite possible. In view of his maturity and character, I consider him otherwise suitable for use in the General SS or as a police officer, where he will probably have greater prospects in terms of aptitude.”
Krügel, saved from the ignominious prospect of being relegated to the Allgemeine-SS, and promoted to SS-Hauptsturmführer, was transferred to the SS-Junkerschule “Braunschweig”, where on 10.6.40 SS-Standartenführer Lothar Debes, head of the Junkerschule wrote succinctly in favour of Krügel, observing that he was, “Quite suitable as a company commander, skilled both in training and in leading a rifle company” and “conscientious, soldierly and correct.”
By 27.10.40. SS-Hauptsturmführer Krügel had been assigned as signals officer to the “Deutschland” Standarte, where the commander of the Regiment’s signals (SS-Oberführer ??) assessed Krügel’s performance in the following words:
“Conscientious, dutiful character, hard-working, ambitious, energetic. Mentally agile in both verbal and written communication. Tactically well-disposed, organisationally gifted, fully suited as a company commander. Currently serving as Regimental Intelligence Officer in the Regimental Staff, and has acquainted himself with these duties with remarkable skill, great aptitude and obvious interest. In personal appearance, he is confident, skilful, modest and tactful. A Pleasant comrade.”
Krügel was transferred to the then forming SS-Division “Wiking” on 16.11.40 where he served as adjutant (a position he was previously deemed unsuitable for by Walter Krüger). Reassigned as commander of the signals platoon until February 1941, he then reverted to the position of adjutant, this time to the “Germania” Regiment for a month before being reassigned to the 6./SS-Infanterie-Regiment “Westland”.
During the heavy fighting in the East in the summer of 1941, Krügel became ill and developed a fever, which according to the loss reports from the period, confirmed he died of on 25.7.41. Krügel’s hyperthyroidism was possibly exacerbated by the weakening of his immune system due to this fever. The bureaucrats in Berlin did not notice this error until 1.11.41, when the matter was finally rectified, and Krügel’s existence officially reinstated, by this time, following his convalescence, Krügel was assigned to command 6./SS-Infanterie-Regiment “Nordland”. During this period Krügel was recommended for the German Cross in Gold, which was awarded on 8.2.43, however like several other officers who received that award during the same period (for example Jürgen Wagner and Wolfgang Joerchel), no written recommendation exists.
In January 1942 an incident occurred that seemed outside his usual character as described in peer assessments, and which would see Krügel investigated by the SS courts, accused of causing bodily harm and besmirching the reputation of the SS.
During the night of 19 to 20 January 1942, at about 0.30 a.m., a fight broke out in the bar of the Regina Palace Hotel in Munich between 3 SS officers and 2 civilians. The SS officers were in uniform. The civilians later turned out to be a Leutnant of the Luftwaffe and an Obergefreiter of the Wehrmacht. In the course of the brawl, a lady who was the bride of the army Obergefreiter was also hit in the face.
The accused and the two other SS officers (whose names remain unknown) claimed that the brawl was provoked by the behaviour of the "civilians". Among other things, they allegedly asked, "What do these strange Waffen-SS men want?” When confronted, the Obergefreiter did not give a satisfactory explanation, and the brawl broke out.
Leutnant Dankworth of the Luftwaffe and Graf von Spreti, Obergefreiter in the Wehrmacht, however, gave a much different account of the events; they claimed to have remained calm and in no way challenged the SS officers.
On 31.3.42 the SS und Polizei Gericht I, Munchen decided to discontinue the preliminary proceedings against Hstuf Krügel for bodily harm as a result of lack of sufficient evidence on the following grounds:
“Since impartial witnesses were also unable to say anything about the origins of the brawl or the reasons for it, only the contradictory testimonies of the participants could be taken into account. However, a clear picture of the events could not be gained from the contradictory testimonies, so that the discontinuation of the proceedings was justified by the lack of sufficient evidence. However, this discontinuation does not affect the disciplinary settlement of the incident.”
SS-Gruppenführer Juttner, head of the SS-Fuhrungshauptamt finally decided on 28.9.42 that on the subject of disciplinary proceedings against Hstuf Krügel, SS-Inf.Ers.Btl. "Westland",
“Hstuf Krügel is punished with a severe reprimand for violating soldierly discipline and order and for damaging the image of the SS, because he went to the bar of the Regina Hotel in Munich on 19.1.42 in uniform, contrary to the order of the RF-SS of 19.7.40, and because he got into a fight with civilians there in uniform, although he had other means at his disposal to preserve his honour.”
The severe reprimand was duly noted in Krügel’s personnel file, although it did not appear to damage his career as he was promoted to command II./SS-Infanterie-Regiment “Nordland” in December 1942.
Krügel had clearly found his niche as an infantry commander, and applied his skills accordingly, as by 24.2.43, the commander of SS-Pz.Gren.Rgt. "Nordland", SS-Obersturmbannführer Wolfgang Joerchel proposed his promotion from SS-Hauptsturmführer to SS-Sturmbannführer. Joerchel cited as grounds for Krügel’s promotion his three-month command of the II. Bataillon in the defensive fighting in the Caucasus, the war of movement in the Don region and the offensive fighting in the Donets region, further reinforcing his recommendation by writing,
“Krügel is mature with a high sense of duty and decisiveness, and knows how to lead his men. His tactical knowledge, coupled with his own readiness for action, enable him to lead his battalion securely. His SS attitude is impeccable. His family circumstances and economic situation are in order. Krügel's performance in his current position can be described as very good. The regiment considers him to be a preferred candidate.”
At divisional level, the commander, Felix Steiner appended Joerchel’s words, praising Krügel as,
“A battalion commander who is fully secure and matured in all positions and who fills his position to the full. His promotion is warmly endorsed.”
As with its parent unit, “the SS-Division “Wiking”, Krügel was one of the officers selected to form the leadership cadre of the newly activated 11. SS-Freiwiligen-Panzergrenadier-Division “Nordland”.
The III. SS (Germanisches) Panzerkorps, after its formation period in Croatia during summer 1943 was transported to the Leningrad Front in January 1944, where it was flung into the breach caused by the Soviet breakout from the Oranienbaum Kessel. The Korps would then participate in the long-planned retrograde to the Narwa front.
SS-Sturmbannführer Krügel was assigned to command the II./SS-Panzergrenadier-Regiment 23 “Norge”, and for his achievements in the Pahklemae sector was recommended for the Knight’s Cross by divisional commander SS-Gruppenführer Fritz von Scholz. The recommendation reads as follows,
“After a successful enemy penetration outside of the Division’s sector, SS-Sturmbannführer Krügel took over command of a Kampfgruppe (formed from 3 companies) that was occupying a hastily erected blocking position opposite it. With it he fended off 2 enemy attacks from the break-in area (Vepsküla—Vasa—Forest west of Vasa) along the line Pühklemäe—Woods 1 km north of Germansberg. After the Kampfgruppe had been reinforced by 2 additional Kompanien, and the enemy had been shaken up by sustained artillery fire, Krügel launched an attack on his own initiative in defiance of his orders. Launched at night, this boldly led attack threw the enemy back onto the opposite bank of the Narwa river.
By doing this Krügel succeeded in eliminating the infantry threat to the Narva—Reval road and preventing the capture of the commanding castle at Germansberg. If the enemy had managed to seize this castle then the continued holding of the Narva bridgehead would have been an extraordinarily difficult proposition. Krügel also destroyed the bulk of the enemy’s 131st Rifle Division over the course of his defense and the subsequently launched counterthrusts.”
The award was confirmed on March 12th, 1944.
Shortly afterwards on 4.5.44 Krügel assumed overall command of the SS-Panzergrenadier-Regiment 24 “Danmark”.
SS-Gruppenführer von Scholz, commander of the 11. SS-Panzergrenadier-Division "Nordland" wrote of the newly appointed commander of the “Danmark” Regiment on 13.6.44:
“Krügel is of fresh, lively personality, straight and open, and has tackled every task energetically. Reliable. Good comprehension, physically fit. Good military knowledge, experienced on the front, clear tactical views.
Appearance determined, yet modest. Respected as superior, comrade and subordinate in equal measure. For all his hard work, he cares a great deal for the men under his command.
He is an old SS member, of clear ideological orientation, fresh and convincing manner of speaking. Proven before the enemy again and again.
Fulfilled his position to the full. Appointment as regimental commander was proposed.”
SS-Obergruppenführer Steiner concurred succinctly but enthusiastically with von Scholz’ assessment, stating,
“Fully agreed! A personality full of energy and verve, which has an invigorating effect on the troops.”
Promoted to SS-Obersturmbannführer on 1.9.44 Krugel continued to demonstrate steady, competent leadership of the “Danmark” Regiment. This led to the divisional commander SS-Brigadeführer und Generalmajor der Waffen-SS Joachim Ziegler (who had assumed command after the death of von Scholz) proposing Krugel for the award of the Oakleaves to the Knight’s Cross. Ziegler wrote in his recommendation,
“After being extracted from the heavy defensive battles along the Narva and Düna rivers, the Division Nordland found itself located right in the path of the Soviets’ crushing blows during the fighting in Courland.
During this time SS-Obersturmbannführer Krügel distinguished himself through his heroic example on multiple occasions. His masterful regimental leadership is in large part responsible for the fact that decisive crisis situations could be resolved in our favour.
Through his flexible combat leadership and conscientious decisiveness, SS-Obersturmbannführer Krügel significantly aided the divisional command. Over the whole period he showed outstanding fighting spirit and tactical acumen.”
The Oakleaves having been awarded on 16.11.44 (651st award) Ziegler noted of Krügel’s performance on 25.11.44,
“In attack and defence a highly effective officer... Equally mastering leadership and judgement, he is expected to become a divisional commander of the highest quality in the shortest possible time. With his clear attitude and great ability, he was always excellently suited for commanding a Junkerschule, and has the unconditional allegiance of officers and men alike."
Having overcome the initial setbacks and barriers to his early career, Krügel had developed from being deemed “suitable for the Allgemeine-SS or Police” into one of the most competent mid-level combat commanders the Waffen-SS could field, and was slated, along with Otto Weidinger to become one of the next SS divisional commanders. Krügel was also almost unique among officers of his experience and rank in that he survived the duration of the war without having been wounded, until his death on 15.3.45 when, newly returned from leave, he was killed whilst leading a counterattack on the Altdamm Bahnhof. Marc Yerger states that Krügel is buried in Stettin, however the German Commission for War Graves states that Krügel’s remains were probably transferred to the military cemetery at Stare Czarnowo.
SS-Sturmbannfuhrer Albrecht Krügel, newly Commander of SS-Freiwilligen-Panzergrenadier-Regiment 24 "Danmark"
(dänische Nr. 1) / 11.SS-Freiwilligen-Panzergrenadier-Division
"Nordland", presents the Eisernes Kreuzes II.Klasse to particularly proven members of the his regiment, in an award ceremony held in April 1944. The picture was taken by SS-Kriegsberichter Fabiger
Portrait of SS-Obersturmbannführer Albrecht Krügel (Kommandeur SS-Freiwilligen-Panzergrenadier-Regiment 24 "Danmark" / 11.SS-Freiwilligen-Panzergrenadier-Division
"Nordland") with the Eichenlaub zum Ritterkreuz des Eisernen Kreuzes, which he received on 16 November 1944 (and awarded to him by Reichsführer-SS Heinrich Himmler in a ceremony dated 16 December 1944). The picture was taken by SS-Kriegsberichter Hermann Ege in January 1945
Source :
SS-Personalakte
Bundesarchiv photo collection
"Führerliste der Waffen-SS" by John P. Moore
"German Cross in Gold Holders of the SS and Police Volume 3, Regiment and Division Nordland" by Mark C. Yerger
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