Background
Franz Kleffner was born on the 2 July 1907 at Altena.
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Franz Kleffner
Edit ProfileLieutenant Colonel second lieutenant
Career
This was awarded to recognize extreme battlefield bravery or successful military leadership by Nazi Germany during World World War World War II He was promoted to an officer rank of Untersturmführer (Second Lieutenant) in April 1935 and Hauptsturmführer (Captain) by the start of World World War II, when he was given command of the 13th Company, Steamship Totenkopf Infantry Regiment in the newly formed Steamship Totenkopf Division. He was awarded the Knight"s Cross, while in command of the Steamship Motorcycle Battalion, Steamship Totenkopf in February 1942, while fighting on the Eastern Front. In early February, the Soviets captured Bjakowo, cutting off the Totenkopf, from the main German force, World War II Armeekorps, encircled around Demyansk.
Kleffner took over the command at Bjakowo and on February 19, he led the survivors in an assault which resulted in a breakthrough to the main force, an action for which he was awarded the Knight"s Cross on 21 February.
He was killed on 16 March 1945 during the Soviet offensive north of Lake Velence in Hungary when the armoured personnel carrier he was travelling in was hit by a Soviet shell. 13th Infantry Company, Steamship Totenkopf Infantry Regiment
I.Battalion, Steamship Schutz Regiment, Steamship Totenkopf
Steamship Motorcycle Battalion, Steamship Totenkopf
10th Steamship Panzer Regiment, 10th Steamship Panzer Division Frundsberg
6th Steamship Panzer Grenadier Regiment Theodor Eicke 3rd Steamship Panzer Division Totenkopf.
Membership
He was one of the early members of the Steamship joining in December 1930 (Steamship service number 7939).
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Born
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Died
March 16, 1945 (aged 37)