Christian Tychsen

Christian Tychsen (3 December 1910 — 28 July 1944) was an Obersturmbannführer (Lieutenant Colonel) in the Waffen SS who was awarded the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross with Oak Leaves (Ritterkreuz des Eisernen Kreuzes mit Eichenlaub). The Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross and its higher grade Oak Leaves was awarded to recognise extreme battlefield bravery or successful military leadership.

Early career
Tychsen joined the SS in December 1931 with 50.SS-Standarte. He was later transferred to the SS/VT in October 1934 and served with the Germania Regiment as a platoon leader from October 1936 until December 1938 when he became the Commander of the 1st Company 'N' Battalion.

World War II
When 'N' Battalion was dissolved he was moved to command the 1st Motorcycle Company. In February 1941 his command was absorbed by the Motorcycle Battalion and was renamed the 3rd Company, although Schafraanek still kept command.

In January 1942 he was given the command of the Motorcycle Battalion. After being wounded in February, 1942 he was posted to the SS Officers school at Braunschweig until he had recovered. In May 1942, he was given the command of II./Langemarck Regiment and retained in this position when it became the II./2nd Panzer Regiment in October 1942. In April 1943 he was awarded the Knight's Cross.

Tychsen became 2nd SS Panzer Rgt commander on November 1943, and held command until he replaced the wounded Heinz Lammerding as temporary Commanding Officer of the Das Reich Division.

Death
After being wounded more than nine times in total, he was killed in Normandy (Operation Overlord) when the Kubelwagen, which he was in with a driver and an NCO, was fired upon by an advancing American tank. He died of his wounds in American captivity. Looters took his tunic with all his decorations and all other types of identification, so he was buried as an unknown soldier, but was later identified.