Max Seela

Max Seela (15 July 1911 — 31 July 1999) was an SS-Obersturmbannführer (lieutenant 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.

Early life
Max Seela was born on 15 July 1911 at Schöneiche near Berlin. After leaving school in 1929 he went into the Reichswehr (German Army) and was then transferred into the SS-VT in 1935. His SS service number was 257,323 and his NSDAP number was 147,126. In September 1935 he joined the SS Pioneer Battalion.

World War II
By October 1939 Seela had been given command of the 3rd Company, SS Pioneer Battalion Totenkopf, (3rd SS Division Totenkopf). He was awarded the Iron Cross, 2nd class, in May 1940 and the Iron Cross, 1st class, in June 1940. He took part in the invasion of the Soviet Union (Operation Barbarossa) and was awarded the German Cross in Gold in December 1941.

Seela was awarded the Knight's Cross in May 1942, while he was a Hauptsturmführer (captain) and in command of 3rd Company, SS Pioneer Battalion Totenkopf. Despite severe losses and meager supplies, his unit defended the Russian village of Korowitsch (east of Staraya Russa) in the Demyansk Pocket for one month. Seela and his men prevented the village from being captured, denying the Soviet Army access to the crucial bridge over the Lovat River.

In July 1942, Seela was given command of the 3rd SS Pioneer Battalion Totenkopf until April 1944 when he was appointed commander of the II SS Panzer Corps Pioneers. He was then given command of the 19th SS Panzer Grenadier Regiment, 9th SS Panzer Division Hohenstaufen.

On 8 May 1945, Seela was captured by American forces and became a prisoner of war.

Post war
Max Seela died in Ratingen, at the age of 88 on 31 July 1999.