__NOTOC__ Martin Unrein (1 January 1901 – 22 January 1972) was a German general during

World War II World War II or the Second World War, often abbreviated as WWII or WW2, was a world war that lasted from 1939 to 1945. It involved the World War II by country, vast majority of the world's countries—including all of the great power ...

who commanded several divisions.

Career

Unrein enlisted the German army in the final stages of

World War I World War I (28 July 1914 11 November 1918), often abbreviated as WWI, was List of wars and anthropogenic disasters by death toll, one of the deadliest global conflicts in history. Belligerents included much of Europe, the Russian Empire, ...

and then joined the re-established

Reichswehr ''Reichswehr'' () was the official name of the German armed forces during the Weimar Republic and the first years of the Third Reich. After Germany was defeated in World War I, the Imperial German Army () was dissolved in order to be reshaped ...

, where he held various regimental posts through the 1930s. In September 1940, he was promoted to lieutenant-colonel and assigned to OKW. On 15 September 1941, he was appointed to command a motorcycle battalion in the 6th Panzer Division. The battalion was almost destroyed fighting outside Moscow, and Unrein was court-martialled, but was absolved of all blame. On 10 September 1943, he was awarded the

Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross The Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross (german: Ritterkreuz des Eisernen Kreuzes), or simply the Knight's Cross (), and its variants, were the highest awards in the military and paramilitary forces of Nazi Germany during World War II. The Knight' ...

. On 29 October of that year, he was appointed to command the 14th Panzer Division, which was shortly to be sent to the Eastern Front. On 26 June 1944, he was awarded the

Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross with Oak Leaves The Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross (german: Ritterkreuz des Eisernen Kreuzes), or simply the Knight's Cross (), and its variants, were the highest awards in the military and paramilitary forces of Nazi Germany during World War II. The Knight' ...

. On 11 February, he was promoted to command the III SS Panzer Corps and remained with the Corps until 5 March. On 4 April he was appointed to command the newly formed Panzer Division Clausewitz.

Awards and decorations

Iron Cross The Iron Cross (german: link=no, Eisernes Kreuz, , abbreviated EK) was a military decoration in the Kingdom of Prussia, and later in the German Empire (1871–1918) and Nazi Germany (1933–1945). King Frederick William III of Prussia e ...

(1914) 2nd Class (5 September 1918)Thomas 1998, p. 397. *

Clasp to the Iron Cross The Clasp to the Iron Cross (Spange zum Eisernen Kreuz) was a white metal medal clasp displayed on the uniforms of German Wehrmacht personnel who had been awarded the Iron Cross in World War I, and who again qualified for the decoration in Worl ...

(1939) 2nd Class (12 October 1939) & 1st Class (4 July 1940) *

Honour Roll Clasp of the Army __NOTOC__ The Honour Roll Clasp (german: Ehrenblattspange) was a decoration of Nazi Germany during World War II. There were different versions for the Army (''Heer''), Air Force (''Luftwaffe'') and Navy (''Kriegsmarine''). History The Honour Roll ...

(18 April 1943) *

German Cross The War Order of the German Cross (german: Der Kriegsorden Deutsches Kreuz), normally abbreviated to the German Cross or ''Deutsches Kreuz'', was instituted by Adolf Hitler on 28 September 1941. It was awarded in two divisions: in gold for repe ...

in Gold on 28 February 1942 as ''

Oberstleutnant () is a senior field officer rank in several German-speaking and Scandinavian countries, equivalent to Lieutenant colonel. It is currently used by both the ground and air forces of Austria, Germany, Switzerland, Denmark, and Norway. The S ...

'' in Kradschützen-Bataillon 6Patzwall & Scherzer 2001, p. 484. *

** Knight's Cross on 10 September 1943 as ''

Oberst ''Oberst'' () is a senior field officer rank in several German-speaking and Scandinavian countries, equivalent to colonel. It is currently used by both the ground and air forces of Austria, Germany, Switzerland, Denmark, and Norway. The Swe ...

'' and commander of Panzergrenadier-Regiment 4 ** 515th Oak Leaves on 26 June 1944 as ''

Generalmajor is the Germanic variant of major general, used in a number of Central and Northern European countries. Austria Belgium Denmark is the second lowest general officer rank in the Royal Danish Army and Royal Danish Air Force. As a tw ...

'' and commander of 14. Panzer-Division

References

Citations

Bibliography

* * * {{DEFAULTSORT:Unrein, Martin 1901 births 1972 deaths Military personnel from Weimar Lieutenant generals of the German Army (Wehrmacht) German Army personnel of World War I Recipients of the clasp to the Iron Cross, 2nd class Recipients of the Gold German Cross Recipients of the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross with Oak Leaves German prisoners of war in World War II held by the United States People from Saxe-Weimar Recipients of the Order of the Star of Romania German Army generals of World War II