Swientek Josef

Josef Swientek was a Standartenführer (Colonel) in the Waffen SS during World War II who was awarded the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross, which was awarded to recognize extreme battlefield bravery or successful military leadership by Nazi Germany during World War II. Josef Swientek was born in Oppeln in Schlesien on February 1, 1912. He volunteered to join the SS and was issued the SS Service number 176.183; his NSDAP party number was 4.490.574. As a member of the SS-VT he participated in the Anschluss of Austria, the occupation of the Sudetenland and the annexation of Bohemia and Moravia.

He took part in the Polish Campaign and was awarded the Iron Cross 2nd class in September 1939 and the 1st class award in July 1940 during the Battle of France. He joined the newly formed SS Division Totenkopf and became the commander of the II. Battalion, 3rd SS Artillery Regiment in August 1940. Swientek was given command of the 3rd SS Artillery Regiment in May 1943 and was awarded the German Cross in Gold in July 1942, while serving on the Eastern Front in Russia. His award of the Knight's Cross was in June 1944 while serving in the Ukraine. Josef Swientek died on the 29 June 1991.