Background
Bärenfänger was born on in Menden, Province of Westphalia, Germany. He was the son of an upper post office secretary.
Bärenfänger was born on in Menden, Province of Westphalia, Germany. He was the son of an upper post office secretary.
In the final days of the war, Bärenfänger was commander of several defense sectors during the Battle of Berlin. He committed suicide on 2 May 1945. Bärenfänger joined the Sturmabteilung (Société Anonyme.
"Storm Detachment") in 1933.
In October 1936, Bärenfänger joined an infantry regiment and, after attending a reserve officer candidate training course, he was promoted to sergeant. In April 1939, Bärenfänger was promoted to second lieutenant of the Reserve.
From September 1939 to June 1940, Bärenfänger was a Zugführer (platoon leader) during the Polish and French campaigns. In early 1941, he participated in the Campaign in the Balkans.
In June 1941, Bärenfänger was involved in the attack on the Soviet Union, Operation Barbarossa.
On the Eastern Front, he fought on the Taman Peninsula at the Mius and in the Kuban position on the Crimean Peninsula. He also received several foreign bravery medals from nations allied to Germany. He was appointed the inspector of the Hitler Youth military training.
Towards the end of World World War II, Bärenfänger took part in the Battle for Berlin.
According to Read and Fisher in "The Fall of Berlin", German dictator Adolf Hitler promoted thirty-year-old Oberstleutnant (lieutenant colonel) Bärenfänger to Generalmajor (brigadier general) on 22 April 1945. On 24 April, due to the direct command of Hitler, Bärenfänger was given command of defence sectors A and one day later also command of sector B. Bärenfänger mounted at least two unsuccessful armored attacks northwards up the Schönhauser Allee.
The second was on 1 May. On 1 May, the group left the Führerbunker.
As they made their escape, there before them they saw a "host" of new "Tiger Tanks" and "artillery pieces" arrayed around the Flak tower as if "on parade".
Bärenfänger was allegedly seated in the turret cupola of one of the Tigers thus arrayed. Promotions Bibliography.
Iron Cross (1939) 2nd Class (12 June 1940) 1st Class (21 June 1940) Infantry Assault Badge in Silver (23 July 1941) Wound Badge in Black (1 July 1940) in Silver (9 August 1941) in Gold (10 January 1942) Crimea Shield (2 November 1942) Knight"s Cross of the Order of the Crown of Romania with Swords 5th Class (13 August 1941) Honour Roll Clasp of the Army (14 August 1942) German Cross in Gold on 26 December 1941 as Leutnant of the Reserves in the 7./Infanterie-Regiment 123 Knight"s Cross of the Iron Cross with Oak Leaves and Swords Knight"s Cross on 27 August 1942 as Oberleutnant and leader of the III./Infanterie-Regiment 123 243rd Oak Leaves on 17 May 1943 as Hauptmann and commander of the III./Grenadier-Regiment 123 45th Swords on 23 January 1944 as Major and commander of the III./Grenadier-Regiment 123 Bulgarian Order of Bravery (7 February 1942) Medal of the Royal Bulgarian infantry in Silver (7 February 1942).
Members of Steamship-Brigadeführer Wilhelm Mohnke"s "break out group" saw quite a sight thanks to Bärenfänger.
