SOME OF THE PRISONERS HELD AT
SPECIAL CAMP 11

In this pre-World War II photograph, Stenglein is wearing the special black panzer uniform with full military decorations, the panzer beret and the parade dress belt. The large wool beret was merely a decorative cover for a well-padded crash helmet. The wear of the black panzer beret was formally discontinued on 15 January 1941.

This profile is based on a copy of Generalmajor Dipl. Ing. Stenglein’s microfilmed service record housed at the United States National Archives and Records Administration in Washington, D.C.

NAME: Generalmajor Dipl. Ing. Hans Stenglein

PW NO:          560278

RANK:            Generalmajor

CAPTURED:   Lillehammer, Norway

DATE:             8 May 1945

 

PERSONAL
DATE OF BIRTH:      20 February 1895

PLACE OF BIRTH:    Ingolstadt/Bayern

DATE OF DEATH:          

PLACE OF DEATH:          

NATIONALITY:        German

RELIGION:                Catholic

OCCUPATION:        Regular Soldier

HEIGHT:                    5’ 5”

WEIGHT:                   132 Pounds

HAIR COLOUR:        Dark Brown

EYE COLOUR:          Blue

NEXT OF KIN:

 

Parents: Hans and Luisa Stenglein, died 5 August 1929 and 4 July 1919 respectively in München.

 

Wife: None (Bachelor).

Promotions:

• War Volunteer: 4 August 1914
• Fahnenjunker: 19 December 1914
• Fahnenjunker-Unteroffizier: 1 January 1915
• Fähnrich: 12 March 1915
• Leutnant: 2 June 1915 (without Patent)
• Leutnant: 9 October 1917 – Patent 15 November 1913 (6); Patent later changed to 1 April 1914 (50)
• Oberleutnant: 1 October 1923 (10)
• Hauptmann: 1 May 1928 (4)
• Major: 1 March 1935 (4)
• Oberstleutnant: 1 January 1938 (13)
• Oberst: 1 November 1940 (8) – RDA later changed to 1 April 1940 (28a)
• Generalmajor: 1 April 1944 (2)

Commands & Assignments:

• 1905-1912: Attended the Humanist-Gymnasium (High School) in Ingolstadt.
• 1912-July 1914: Attended the Humanist Ludwigs-Gymnasium in München; attained his certificate of graduation from that institution. 
• 4 August 1914: Entered the Royal Bavarian Army as a War Volunteer in the Replacement Battalion of the Bavarian 1. Fußartillerie-Regiment vakant Bothmer.
• 1 November 1914: In the field with the 4th Battery of the Bavarian 1st Foot Artillery Regiment.
• 19 December 1914: Named a Fahnenjunker in the Replacement Battalion of the Bavarian 1st Pioneer Battalion.
• 28 February 1915: In the field with the Bavarian 2nd Field Pioneer Company.
• 27 November 1915: Transferred to the Bavarian 1st Field Pioneer Company.
• 25 December 1915: Transferred to the Mortar Replacement Battalion.
• 19 February 1916: Leader of Bavarian Mortar Platoon 401 at the Mortar Park in Köln.
• 8 March 1916: In the field with Mortar Company 5.
• 21 August 1917: Detached as an Aide Officer to the staff of the Bavarian 3rd Pioneer Battalion.
• 9 November 1917: Adjutant of the Bavarian 3rd Pioneer Battalion.
• 17 March 1918: Leader of Bavarian Mortar Company 208.
• 12 September 1918: Leader of the Mortar Company of the Bavarian 23rd Reserve Infantry Regiment.
• 19 September 1918-13 November 1918: Detached to the staff of the Bavarian 20th Pioneer Battalion.
• 30 September 1918-4 October 1918: At the same time, detached to the Troop Photography Officer Course at Staff Photography Detachment I Rethel.
• 8 January 1919: Adjutant of the Bavarian Mortar Replacement Battalion München.
• 5 May 1919: Entered the Bavarian Mortar Volunteer Battalion “Will.” [While serving in this battalion and later in the Bavarian Schützenkorps, Stenglein took part in the suppression of the Communist uprisings in München, 5 May 1919-15 June 1919.]
• 21 May 1919: Entered the Mortar Battery of the Bavarian Schützenkorps [Rifle Corps].  
• 1 November 1919: Transferred to the staff of Signals Battalion 21.
• 12 June 1920: Adjutant of Signals Battalion 21.
• 1 October 1920: Transferred to the 7th (Bavarian) Pioneer Battalion upon the formation of the new Reichsheer from the Übergangsheer or Transitional Army.
• 14 February 1921-20 February 1921: Detached to the 7th (Bavarian) Signals Battalion for training as a Signals Officer.
• 21 February 1921-6 March 1921: Detached to the State Railway (Weilheim Station) for training in Railway Operating Services.
• 7 March 1921-7 May 1921: Detached to the 7th (Bavarian) Signals Battalion for training as a Signals Officer. [Took part in the suppression of civil disturbances in central Germany, 4-6 April 1921.]
• 1 October 1921: Transferred to the 7th (Bavarian) Artillery Regiment and detached to the 7th (Bavarian) Pioneer Battalion.
• 23 November 1921: Detached to the 1st Company of the 7th (Bavarian) Motorized Battalion.
• 1 April 1922: Company Officer in the 1st Company of the 7th (Bavarian) Motorized Battalion. [Took part in the suppression of the Nazi uprising (Adolf Hitler’s “Beer Hall Putsch”) in München, 8-23 November 1923.]
• 21 September 1922: Detached to the Infantry School.
• 18 March 1924-21 March 1924: Detached to the 7th Course at the Gas Protection School in Berlin.
• 18 September 1924-15 October 1924: Detached to a Machinegun Course at the Grafenwöhr Troop Training Area.
• 1 December 1924: Transferred to the 7th (Bavarian) Medical Battalion.
• 29 April 1926-5 August 1926: Detached to the 3rd Motorized Course with the 3rd (Prussian) Motorized Battalion.
• 1 May 1926: Transferred to the 7th (Bavarian) Motorized Battalion.
• 1 April 1928: Transferred to the 7th (Bavarian) Artillery Regiment and detached to the München Technical College with duties determined by the Army Weapons Office.
• 1 April 1933-31 March 1934: In addition to detached service at the München Technical College, detached to the Reich Defense Ministry with duties determined by the Army Weapons Office. 
• 30 October 1933: Granted the title of Academically Certified Engineer (Dipl. Ing.).
• 1 April 1934: Transferred to the 7th (Bavarian) Motorized Battalion.
• 1 October 1934: Chief of the 2nd Company of Motorized Battalion “Straubing.”
• 15 April 1935: Transferred to Office Group 6 for Development and Testing (Wa Prüf 6) of the Army Weapons Office/Reich Defense Ministry; renamed the Reich War Ministry on 21 May 1935.
• 1 November 1938: Detached to the Formation Staff of Panzer Regiment 35.
• 10 November 1938-1 September 1939: Commander of the I. Battalion of Panzer Regiment 35 (Oberstleutnant Heinrich Eberbach) of the 4th Panzer Division (Generalmajor Georg-Hans Reinhardt).
• 1 September 1939: Severely wounded at Mokra, Poland/in hospital. [The 4th Panzer Division took part in the invasion of Poland as a component of General der Infanterie Gustav von Wietersheim’s XIV Army Corps (Motorized). Oberstleutnant Stenglein received a lung wound on the very first day of World War II while leading his panzer battalion in the attack on Mokra. Hauptmann Meinrad von Lauchert, Chief of the battalion’s 2nd Company, succeeded Stenglein as battalion commander. Later achieving the rank of Generalmajor, von Lauchert is perhaps best remembered for commanding the 2nd Panzer Division during the German Ardennes Offensive in December 1944.]
• 8 March 1940: Transferred to Panzer Replacement Battalion 35.
• 15 June 1940: Detached to Army High Command Leader Reserve in Army Group B. [Commanded by Generaloberst (later Generalfeldmarschall) Fedor von Bock, Army Group B was one of the three German army groups that took part in the invasion of the Low Countries and France in May-June 1940.]
• 1 July 1940-30 September 1940: Detached to Office Group 6 for Development and Testing (Wa Prüf 6) of the Army Weapons Office/Army High Command.
• 1 October 1940-17 July 1941: Commander of Panzer Regiment 29 of the 12th Panzer Division. [Commanded by Generalleutnant Josef Harpe, the 12th Panzer Division took part in the invasion of the Soviet Union from 22 June 1941 as a component of Generaloberst Hermann Hoth’s Panzer Group 3. The division saw heavy combat during the large-scale encirclement battles at Minsk and Smolensk in July 1941.]
• 18 July 1941: Transferred to Leader Reserve in Army Group Center for employment as a panzer regiment commander.
• 22 July 1941: Transferred to Leader Reserve in Army Group North for employment as a panzer regiment commander.
• 19 August 1941: Transferred to Army High Command Leader Reserve – duties determined by the Commander of the 11th Army (Generaloberst Eugen Ritter von Schobert and then General der Infanterie Erich von Lewenski genannt von Manstein from 13 September 1941).
• 29 September 1941-4 February 1942: Transferred to Leader Reserve in Army Group South for employment as a panzer regiment commander.
• 4 February 1942-1 December 1944: Staff Officer for Tank Warfare in the General Staff of the Army High Command Norway (Generaloberst Nikolaus von Falkenhorst). [An officer evaluation dated 31 March 1944 prepared by Generalleutnant Rudolf Bamler, the Chief of the General Staff of the Army High Command Norway, and endorsed by Generaloberst von Falkenhorst, described Stenglein’s professional qualifications and duties: Firm, calm, reserved personality of determined and constant work methods. Earned special merit for his energetic support in the organization of tank defenses in the far coastal regions and in building the alternating tank units in Norway. Combines frontline experiences from action in the east [Russia] with rich technical knowledge. Performs satisfactorily as the Army Staff Officer for Tank Warfare (Stopak). Note: Fearing an Allied invasion of Norway and Sweden, Adolf Hitler directed the strengthening of German coastal defenses and troop levels in Norway throughout 1942 and 1943. Although not “tank country,” the newly formed and under strength 25th Panzer Division commanded by Generalleutnant Johannes Haarde was transferred to Norway in March 1942. In his capacity as the Staff Officer for Tank Warfare, Stenglein assisted in the building up and training of the 25th Panzer Division for employment in the defense of Norway. The division also played a key role in an operational study prepared by Generalleutnant Adolf von Schell (commander of the 25th Panzer Division since 1 January 1943) that examined the possibility of a German invasion and occupation of southern Sweden in the event of an Allied move on that country via Norway. By July 1943, the strength of the 25th Panzer Division totaled 21,000 men, 157 tanks (14 PzKpfw II, 62 PzKpfw III, 26 PzKpfw IV and 40 French Hotchkiss H39 and 15 Somua S35 “booty” tanks) and 15 self-propelled assault guns. With the Allied invasion threat to Scandinavia diminishing, the 25th Panzer Division departed Norway in August 1943 leaving behind about 1,000 men, a panzer battalion and other equipment that was used to form Panzer Division “Norway.” On 13 July 1944, Panzer Brigade “Norway” was organized from those elements of Panzer Division “Norway” that remained behind after the bulk of the unit transferred to Denmark for incorporation into the 25th Panzer Division which was undergoing rest and refit. Oberst Georg Maetschke commanded Panzer Brigade “Norway” from its initial organization until the end of the war. Additionally, Panzer Battalion 211, an independent unit equipped with French Hotchkiss H39 and Somua S35 “booty” tanks, served in Norway after withdrawing from Finland in late 1944.]
• 1 December 1944-8 May 1945: Staff Officer for Tank Warfare in the General Staff of the 20th Mountain Army in Norway (Generaloberst Dr. jur. Lothar Rendulic and then General der Gebirgstruppe Franz Böhme from 8 January 1945-8 May 1945).
• 8 May 1945-17 May 1948: Prisoner of war in British captivity (transferred from Camp 1 to Island Farm Special Camp 11 on 9 January 1946; transferred to the London Detention Center on 26 June 1946; returned to Island Farm Special Camp 11 on 19 August 1946; transferred to Camp 186 on 12 May 1948 for repatriation).

Decorations & Awards: