SOME OF THE PRISONERS HELD AT
SPECIAL CAMP 11

The photos and the copy of the soldbuch are courtesy of a Private Collection

Note that Schönfeld is wearing his Knight’s Cross of the Iron Cross reversed to display the date “1813” (institution of the original Iron Cross series of decorations). Following the surrender of Germany, the Allies required all German prisoners of war to remove any badge or decoration that displayed the swastika. Hence, Schönfeld has simply reversed his decoration to conceal the offending symbol and the date “1939” found on the obverse.

NAME: Generalmajor Henning Schönfeld

PW NO:           560257
RANK:            Generalmajor
CAPTURED:
DATE:

PERSONAL

DATE OF BIRTH:     19 May 1894
PLACE OF BIRTH:   Stettin
DATE OF DEATH:    11 March 1958
PLACE OF DEATH:  Bonn
NATIONALITY:       German
RELIGION:
OCCUPATION:        Regular Soldier
HEIGHT:
WEIGHT:
NEXT OF KIN:
Front cover of Soldbuch (paybook)
Please click to enlarge

Promotions:

  • Fahnenjunker: 12 February 1912
  • Leutnant: 18 August 1913 (Patent 19 August 1911)
  • Oberleutnant: 5 October 1916 
  • Charakter als Rittmeister: September 1918
  • Major: 1 January 1937
  • Oberstleutnant: 1 June 1940
  • Oberst: 1 April 1942
  • Generalmajor: 1 December 1944
Commands & Assignments:
  • 12 February 1912: Entered the Army as a Fahnenjunker in Ulanen-Regiment Großherzog Friedrich von Baden (Rheinisches) Nr. 7.
  • September 1918: Separated from the Army with the rank of honorary Rittmeister.
  • 1 October 1934: Returned to Army service with the rank of Ritmeister.
As a Rittmeister (Captain) in 1936
Interestingly, he is not wearing is Iron Cross 1st Class

  • 10 November 1938: Commander of Reconnaissance Battalion 20 (Motorized) of the 20th Infantry Division (Motorized). [After taking part in the invasion of Poland in September 1939, the division shifted to the Western Front and saw heavy combat during the invasion of the Low Countries and France in May-June 1940. During the latter campaign, then Oberstleutnant Schönfeld received the Knight’s Cross of the Iron Cross for special initiative, successful action and bravery near Jussey, France while commanding Reconnaissance Battalion 20 (Motorized).]
  • 24 June 1940: Group Leader in the Motor Vehicle and Motorization Office of the Army High Command (combined with the 6th Inspectorate of the Weapons Department for Tank Troops, Cavalry and Army Motorization; later renamed the Department of Motorized Troops).
Oberst wearing all medals

  • 1 March 1943: Commander of Grenadier Regiment 29 of the 3rd Panzer Grenadier Division. [After reorganizing and training in France, the division transferred to Italy at the end of July 1943. Following the surrender of Italy in September 1943, the 3rd Panzer Grenadier Division took part in the occupation of Rome and later saw combat at Salerno, Monte Cassino and Anzio.]   
  • August 1944: Course for Higher Formation Commanders.
  • 21 September 1944-15 December 1944: Commander of the 2nd Panzer Division on the Western Front. [Virtually destroyed in Normandy and the subsequent German retreat from France during the summer of 1944, the remnants of the 2nd Panzer Division withdrew to the Eifel region of western Germany for reorganization. On 21 September 1944, then Oberst Schönfeld took command of the 2nd Panzer Division from Oberst Gustav-Adolf von Nostitz-Wallwitz. The latter officer had been in command since 31 August 1944 when he assumed leadership of the division from Generalleutnant Heinrich Freiherr von Lüttwitz upon his transfer to command of the XXXXVII Panzer Corps. Following the rest and reorganization of the 2nd Panzer Division, Oberst Meinrad von Lauchert assumed command from Generalmajor Schönfeld on 15 December 1944. The next day the division took part in the Ardennes Offensive—better known as the Battle of the Bulge—and achieved the deepest penetration made by any German unit during the offensive.]     
  • 15 December 1944: Retired from the Army.
  • Circa 1945-Circa 1947: Prisoner of war in British captivity.
    • 9th January 1946 transferred from Camp 1 to Island Farm Special Camp 11
    • 17th December 1946 transferred from Island Farm Special Camp 11 to Allendorf (on loan)
    • 30th September 1947 transferred to US Custody for discharge.

As a POW at Island Farm in 1946

Sitting:
Generalmajor Henning Schönfeld (Right)
Generalmajor Werner Friebe (Left)

Standing:
Generalmajor Gottfried Fröhlich

Decorations & Awards:

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