Max Schäfer

Max Schäfer (17 January 1907 – 16 May 1987) was a Standartenführer (Colonel) in the Waffen-SS, during World War II 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 life
Schäfer was born on 17 January 1907 in Karlsruhe.

Military career
Schäfer joined the Waffen-SS in 1933, and became the head of the SS training system. In 1934, he was a teacher in the SS sports school at Fürth and later at Reutlingen.

Schäfer then commanded a platoon in the 2nd Company, SS Pioneer Battalion during the Polish Campaign and the Battle of France. Late in 1940, he was promoted to command the 2nd Company, 5th SS Pioneer Battalion, which from June 1941 was involved in the invasion of Russia (Operation Barbarosa). From October 1941, he was commander of the 5th SS Pioneer Battalion, which at the time was operating in the Don and the Caucasus regions.

Schäfer was awarded his Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross, for his command during the defence of the Stalinsky sector and the numerous battles his unit was involved in the period between January 1943 and early February 1943.

In May 1943, Schäfer became the commander of all pioneers in the III SS Panzer Corps serving with distinction at Leningrad and Oranienbaum. He was awarded the Oak Leaves to the Knight's Cross in January 1945.

Schäfer was made a prisoner of war by the advancing British forces on 14 May 1945 and released from captivity on 8 November 1948.

Later life
Schäfer died in Baden-Baden, near his city of birth, on 16 May 1987.