Heinz Reinefarth
| Heinz Reinefarth | |
|---|---|
 |
|
| Born | 26 December 1903 Gnesen, German Empire |
| Died | 7 May 1979 (aged 75) Westerland, West Germany |
| Allegiance |
 Nazi Germany
|
| Service/branch |
 Waffen-SS
|
| Years of service | 1933–45 |
| Rank | Gruppenführer |
| Unit | Kampfgruppe Reinefarth |
| Battles/wars | |
| Awards | Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross with Oakleaves |
| Other work | Politician, Judge |
Heinz Reinefarth, 26 December 1903 – 7 May 1979) was a German SS commander during World War II and government official in West Germany after the war. During the Warsaw Uprising of August 1944 his troops committed numerous atrocities. After the war Reinefarth became the mayor of the town of Westerland and member of the Schleswig-Holstein Landtag. Despite Polish demands for extradition, he was never convicted of any war crimes.
Reinefarth was born in Gnesen (Gniezno), Province of Posen. After finishing the gymnasium in 1922, he joined the law faculty of the University of Jena. He graduated in 1927 and passed the 1st degree state exams. Until 1930 he completed his application at the local court in Jena and was promoted to judge. On 1 August 1932, he joined the NSDAP and received a relatively low number of party id card (1,268,933). In December of the same year he joined the SS.
Shortly before the outbreak of World War II Reinefarth was conscripted as a reserve Feldwebel. For his actions during the Invasion of Poland he received the 2nd Class Iron Cross. He took part in the 1940 campaign against France, for which he was awarded the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross. On 20 April 1942, he was promoted to SS-Brigadeführer, the equivalent of Generalmajor in the Wehrmacht.
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