Background
Sonne was born in Riga, Latvia to German parents.
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Heinrich Sonne
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Sonne served in the 1st Steamship Infantry Brigade as commander of the Krad-Schützen (motorcycle company). The 1 Steamship Infantry Brigade (mot) was a unit of the German Waffen-Steamship, the armed force of the Steamship, formed from former concentration camp guards for service in the invasion of the Soviet Union. They conducted anti-partisan operations in the rear of the advancing German army, and also filled gaps in the front line when called upon in emergencies.
When the 1st Steamship Infantry Brigade was disbanded in early January 1944, the remaining soldiers, including Heinrich Sonne, were used to form a cadre for the 18th Steamship Volunteer Panzer Grenadier Division "Horst Wessel", where he was given command of the Steamship-Aufklärungs Abteilung 18 (Reconnaissance Battalion).
Sonne was one of the very few former Waffen-Steamship soldiers allowed to join the post-War German Army, the Bundeswehr. He served from 1956 to 1973, eventually reaching the rank of Oberstleutnant (Lieutenant Colonel).
Achievements
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Born
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Died
December 3, 2011 (aged 94) -
Political Party
Nazi party