Franz Schreiber

Franz Schreiber was a Standartenführer (Colonel) in the Waffen SS during World War II. He 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.

Franz Schreiber was born in Dresden on the 8 May 1904. He volunteered to join the SS-VT and served in the early campaigns in the west being awarded the Iron Cross 2nd class during the Battle of France in May 1940 followed in August 1940 by the Iron Cross 1st class.

Schreiber was given command of the I. Battalion, 6th SS Infantry Regiment and was awarded the German Cross in Gold in January 1942 during Operation Barbarossa the invasion of the Soviet Union. Schreiber took over command of the 12th SS Gebirgs Regiment Michael Gaissmair in May 1942, being awarded the Knight's Cross in December 1944 while in command of the Regiment.

In January 1945, he commanded the last German offensive in the west Operation Nordwind. When Kampfgruppe (Battle Group) Schreiber, which consisted of elements of the 12th SS Gebirgsjäger Regiment attached to the 361st Volksgrenadier Division, infiltrated through the US VI Corps line and seized Wingen-sur-Moder in anticipation of armored reinforcement from Army Group G. But due to the failure of the XIII SS Army Corps to break through the US XV Corps units, Army Group G diverted its panzers elsewhere. The Kampfgruppe at Wingen-sur-Moder then found themselves encircled and had to fight their way out. In March 1945, he took over command of the 6th SS Gebirgs Division Nord until surrendering in Bavaria to the Americans in May 1945.

Franz Schreiber died in Hamburg on the 26 February 1976.