Fritz Darges

Fritz Darges (8 February 1913 – 25 October 2009) was a German SS-''Obersturmbannführer'' (lieutenant colonel) in the Waffen-SS during World War II where he was awarded the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross. He served as an adjutant to Martin Bormann and later was a personal adjutant to Adolf Hitler.

Early life

He was born in Dülseberg near Salzwedel. After attending school, Darges volunteered to join the SS in April 1933. By 1934, he had been selected to become an officer and attended the '' SS-Junkerschule'' at Bad Tölz. After graduation in April 1935, he was promoted to SS-''Untersturmführer'' (second lieutenant). In 1936, he was named Adjutant to ''Reichsleiter'' Martin Bormann. In May 1937, he joined the Nazi Party, and in September of that same year he was promoted to SS-''Obersturmführer'' (first lieutenant).

World War II

In October 1939, he returned to the Waffen-SS as a company commander in the ''Deutschland'' and ''Der Führer'' Regiments in the SS-VT. He fought in the Battle of France and was awarded the Iron Cross 2nd class in July 1940 and promoted to SS-''Hauptsturmführer'' (captain).

Darges was then posted to the newly formed SS Division ''Wiking'', took part in Operation Barbarossa and was awarded the Iron Cross 1st class in August 1942. In March 1943, he became a personal adjutant to Adolf Hitler. He was assigned to the '' Führerbegleitkommando'', an SS bodyguard unit that provided personal security for Hitler. He was promoted to SS-''Obersturmbannführer'' (lieutenant colonel) in January 1944.

Dismissal

On 18 or 19 July 1944, just before the 20 July plot, during a strategy conference at the Wolfsschanze a fly began buzzing around the room, allegedly landing on Hitler's shoulder and on the surface of a map several times, irritating Hitler. One version of the story states that Hitler ordered Darges to dispatch the nuisance; Darges suggested that, as it was an airborne pest, the job should go to the Luftwaffe adjutant Nicolaus von Below. Others, including Rochus Misch, state that Hitler noticed Darges snickering when he looked up from the map, Darges himself claims it was due to his inattention to Hitler's original order to drive flies out of the room. All versions agree that Hitler immediately took Darges aside, dismissed him, and had him transferred to the Eastern Front.

Service on the Eastern Front

In August 1944, Darges returned to the SS Division ''Wiking'' to replace Johannes Mühlenkamp as the commander of the 5th SS Panzer Regiment. It was in command of this unit that Darges was awarded the Knight's Cross for his actions on the night of 4 January 1945. The division was advancing towards Bicske when it was stopped by the 41st Guards Rifle Division of the Soviet 4th Guards Army. Darges initially probed the Soviet line with a mixed Panzer and Panzer Grenadier ''Kampfgruppe'' and succeeded in breaking through the line at dawn. Subsequently, he ambushed and destroyed a Soviet task force, knocking out four 122mm guns, four 76mm anti-tank guns, twelve trucks and a number of supply vehicles. He then attacked Regis Castle, forcing the garrison to retreat. Darges then found himself surrounded by Soviet reinforcements and was forced to repel several attacks. Three days later when they were relieved by another ''Kampfgruppe'' from SS ''Wiking'', they left behind more than thirty destroyed Soviet tanks.

Post-war

After the war, Darges was interned by U.S. military authorities. He was released in 1948. Not much is known about his activities after Germany's surrender. He had a career as a car salesman after the war. He appeared in the 2000 documentary ''Hitlers Krieg im Osten'', credited as himself.

Shortly before his death, Darges stated that he found Hitler to be a genius and that "I served him and would do it all again now." Darges authored a manuscript recounting his experiences as a member of Hitler's inner circle, with instructions that it be published after his death.

He died on 25 October 2009 at his home in Celle and was buried there.

Notes

References

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Further reading

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External links

Fritz Darges' obituary

{{DEFAULTSORT:Darges, Fritz
1913 births
2009 deaths
People from Altmarkkreis Salzwedel
SS-Obersturmbannführer
Recipients of the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross
Military personnel from the Province of Saxony
Waffen-SS personnel
Adjutants of Adolf Hitler
Martin Bormann
Military personnel from Saxony-Anhalt
German prisoners of war in World War II held by the United States