Joachim Ziegler

Joachim Ziegler (2 October 1904 – 2 May 1945) was born in Hanau in the Main-Kinzig-Kreis, in Hesse, Germany. Ziegler rose to the rank of SS-Brigadeführer und Generalmajor in the Waffen-SS during World War II. He was the commander of the 11th SS Volunteer Panzergrenadier Division Nordland, and awarded the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross with Oak Leaves. The Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross was awarded to recognize extreme battlefield bravery or successful military leadership by Nazi Germany during World War II, the Oak Leaves being a second award.

Career
Ziegler was awarded the Spanish Cross for his participation in the Spanish Civil War, fighting in the Condor Legion. In 1939 he served as the adjutant in the 3rd Panzer Brigade and on 23 September 1939 he was awarded the Iron Cross 2nd class followed by a 1st class award on 28 June 1940. On 14 March 1943 he was promoted to Oberst and served on the General Staff of the XXXXII Army Corps. He was awarded the German Cross in Gold on 15 March 1943 and later was invited by the Wehrmacht to a command position in the Waffen-SS. His SS number was 491,403. From 20 June 1943 Ziegler was the Chief of General Staff of the III (Germanic) SS Panzer Corps, and in November 1943 he was granted permission to wear an SS uniform for the duration of his command.

When Fritz von Scholz was killed in action on 28 July 1944, he was asked to take over command of the 11th SS Volunteer Panzergrenadier Division Nordland. On 5 September 1944 he was awarded the Knights Cross for the conduct of the division in action and the Oakleaves in April 1945.

On 25 April, SS-Brigadeführer Gustav Krukenberg was appointed the commander of (Berlin) Defence Sector C which included the Nordland Division. Ziegler was relieved of his command of Nordland the same day. The exact reason for the transfer of the Nordland command is not clearly known. It was requested by General Helmuth Weidling.

After Hitler's death Krukenberg assembled most of his escort made up of French volunteers of the SS Charlemagne Division for the breakout of Berlin. They joined up with Ziegler and a larger group of Nordland troops. They crossed the Spree just before dawn. Near the Gesundbrunnen U-Bahn station they came under heavy fire. Joachim Ziegler was gravely wounded. Ziegler died from his wounds on the 2 May 1945.

Awards

 * Spanish Cross in Gold with Swords (31 May 1939)
 * Iron Cross (1939)
 * 2nd Class (23 September 1939)
 * 1st Class (28 June 1940)
 * German Cross in Gold (14 March 1943)
 * Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross with Oak Leaves
 * Knight's Cross on 5 September 1944 as SS-Brigadeführer and commander of the 11. SS-Freiwilligen-Panzergrenadier-Division Nordland
 * (848th) Oak Leaves on 28 April 1945 as SS-Brigadeführer and commander of the 11. SS-Freiwilligen-Panzergrenadier-Division Nordland