Walter Klein - Revision history

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	'''Walter Klein''' (31 August 1890 – 22 March 1941) was a [[Germans\|German]] teacher, a reserve officer of the [[Imperial German Army]] and an active officer ot the [[Wehrmacht]], finally ''Oberstleutnant'' (Lieutenant Colonel) and [[recipient of the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross]] in [[World War II]].		'''Walter Klein''' (31 August 1890 – 22 March 1941) was a [[Germans\|German]] teacher, a reserve officer of the [[Imperial German Army]] and an active officer ot the [[Wehrmacht]], finally ''Oberstleutnant'' (Lieutenant [[Colonel]]) and [[recipient of the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross]] in [[World War II]].
	==Life==		==Life==
	[[File:Major Walter Klein during reindeer hunting in September 1940, he had made a clean shot.jpg\|thumb\|315px\|Major Walter Klein during reindeer hunting in September 1940, he had made a clean shot, as Johan Husdal (1895–1989), second from right in the picture, reported after the war. He was very much liked by the local Norwegians, this was not always a given towards the German occupiers. Klein was, as always on such occasions, dressed in a humble manner. Not one decoration adorns his [[uniform]]. The hunting companions even felt sadness when they found out about his death.<ref>[https://vossestrand.no/tema/krigen/reinsdyrjakt-under-okkupasjonstida-1940 ''Jakt i okkupasjonstida''], in: "Gamalt frå Voss 2001"</ref> ''Major Klein took Voss in April 1940, and now Voss took the Major''.]]		[[File:Major Walter Klein during reindeer hunting in September 1940, he had made a clean shot.jpg\|thumb\|315px\|Major Walter Klein during reindeer hunting in September 1940, he had made a clean shot, as Johan Husdal (1895–1989), second from right in the picture, reported after the war. He was very much liked by the local Norwegians, this was not always a given towards the German occupiers. Klein was, as always on such occasions, dressed in a humble manner. Not one decoration adorns his [[uniform]]. The hunting companions even felt sadness when they found out about his death.<ref>[https://vossestrand.no/tema/krigen/reinsdyrjakt-under-okkupasjonstida-1940 ''Jakt i okkupasjonstida''], in: "Gamalt frå Voss 2001"</ref> ''Major Klein took Voss in April 1940, and now Voss took the Major''.]]
	After his [[Abitur]] and studies at the Royal Prussian Protestant teachers' seminar (''Lehrerseminar'') in Mettmann east of Düsseldorf, Klein completed his mandatory military service as a one-year volunteer ([https://de.metapedia.org/wiki/Einj%C3%A4hrig-Freiwilliger ''Einjährig-Freiwilliger'']) from 1 April 1910 to 31 March 1911 with the ''Infanterie-Regiment „Herwarth von Bittenfeld“ (1. Westfälisches) Nr. 13'' in Münster, where he achieved the rank of ''Unteroffizier der Reserve'' (NCO of the reserves). He was a teacher (''Lehrer'') in Duisburg-Ruhrort from 1 April 1911 to 30 September 1914 and in Bonn from 1 October 1914 to 30 September 1927, but was of course given leave for [[World War I]] service.		After his [[Abitur]] and studies at the Royal Prussian Protestant teachers' seminar (''Lehrerseminar'') in Mettmann east of Düsseldorf, Klein completed his mandatory military service as a one-year volunteer ([https://de.metapedia.org/wiki/Einj%C3%A4hrig-Freiwilliger ''Einjährig-Freiwilliger'']) from 1 April 1910 to 31 March 1911 with the ''Infanterie-Regiment „Herwarth von Bittenfeld“ (1. Westfälisches) Nr. 13'' in Münster, where he achieved the rank of ''Unteroffizier der Reserve'' (NCO of the reserves). He was a teacher (''Lehrer'') in Duisburg-Ruhrort from 1 April 1911 to 30 September 1914 and in Bonn from 1 October 1914 to 30 September 1927, but was of course given leave for [[World War I]] service.

	Sergeant Klein fought with the 5th Company/II. Bataillon/5. Westfälisches Infanterie-Regiment Nr. 53 in Verdun and on the Marne and was wounded on 1 November 1914. In 1915, he was commissioned as a ''Leutnant der Reserve'' (2nd Lieutenant) and transferred to the ''Jäger-Regiment Nr. 3'' ([https://de.metapedia.org/wiki/Deutsches_Alpenkorps ''Alpenkorps'']) in May 1915. He served in the ''Schneeschuh-Bataillon'' (Snowshoe Battalion) and was therefore a mountan trooper. Interestingly, the French misinterpreted the "S" on the collars of ''Schneeschuhtruppen'' to represent a snake and nicknamed these men "Schlangen-Jäger" (snake hunters). He fought in the Carpathians, Bukovina and the Dolomites. On 14 December 1917, he participated in the storming of height 1114 on Monte Kolovrat, the breakthrough through the Julian Alps and the storming of the ''Sternkuppe'' (Monte Valderoa) in the Venetian Alps. On 1 February 1918, ''Leutnant d. R.'' Klein was severly wounded.		Sergeant Klein fought with the 5th Company/II. Bataillon/5. Westfälisches Infanterie-Regiment Nr. 53 in Verdun and on the Marne and was wounded on 1 November 1914. In 1915, he was commissioned as a ''Leutnant der Reserve'' (2nd Lieutenant) and transferred to the ''Jäger-Regiment Nr. 3'' ([https://de.metapedia.org/wiki/Deutsches_Alpenkorps ''Alpenkorps'']) in May 1915. He served in the ''Schneeschuh-Bataillon'' (Snowshoe Battalion) and was therefore a mountan trooper. Interestingly, the [[French]] misinterpreted the "S" on the collars of ''Schneeschuhtruppen'' to represent a snake and nicknamed these men "Schlangen-Jäger" (snake hunters). He fought in the Carpathians, Bukovina and the Dolomites. On 14 December 1917, he participated in the storming of height 1114 on Monte [[Kolovrat]], the breakthrough through the Julian Alps and the storming of the ''Sternkuppe'' (Monte Valderoa) in the Venetian Alps. On 1 February 1918, ''Leutnant d. R.'' Klein was severly wounded.

	After the end of the war he received the rank Oberleutnant d. R. a. D. (honorary 1st Lieutenant, ret.) and returned to his occupation in Bonn his recovery. He then taught as a ''Oberlehrer'' (headteacher) at the ''Städtisches Gymnasium'' in Bonn (renamed ''Ernst-Moritz-Arndt-Gymnasium'' in 1938) from 1 October 1927 until 1 November 1935.<ref>[https://forum.axishistory.com/viewtopic.php?f=5&t=259640&p=2363625&hilit=Major+Walter+Klein#p2363625 Need info/photos on Major Walter KLEIN (KC holder)]</ref> In this year, he joined the Wehrmacht and served with the 2nd Company/Infanterie-Regiment Osnabrück (37th). He was promoted to ''Hauptmann'' (Captain) and received a rank seniority (RDA) from 1 May 1935. In 1937, he served as commander of the 11th Company/III. Bataillon/Infanterie-Regiment 64 (16. Infanterie-Division) in Soest. He received a new rank seniority (RDA) for his rank as Hauptmann from 1 December 1933 (99a).		After the end of the war he received the rank Oberleutnant d. R. a. D. (honorary 1st Lieutenant, ret.) and returned to his occupation in Bonn his recovery. He then taught as a ''Oberlehrer'' (headteacher) at the ''Städtisches Gymnasium'' in Bonn (renamed ''Ernst-Moritz-Arndt-Gymnasium'' in 1938) from 1 October 1927 until 1 November 1935.<ref>[https://forum.axishistory.com/viewtopic.php?f=5&t=259640&p=2363625&hilit=Major+Walter+Klein#p2363625 Need info/photos on Major Walter KLEIN (KC holder)]</ref> In this year, he joined the Wehrmacht and served with the 2nd Company/Infanterie-Regiment Osnabrück (37th). He was promoted to ''Hauptmann'' (Captain) and received a rank seniority (RDA) from 1 May 1935. In 1937, he served as commander of the 11th Company/III. Bataillon/Infanterie-Regiment 64 (16. Infanterie-Division) in Soest. He received a new rank seniority (RDA) for his rank as Hauptmann from 1 December 1933 (99a).

	On 1 October 1938, he was promoted to Major. At the beginning of the Second World War, the regiment took up positions on the western defences ([https://de.metapedia.org/wiki/Westwall ''Westwall'']) as part of the 16th Infantry Division. Shortly afterwards, he was transferred Infanterie-Regiment 193 under Colonel Karl von Beeren, established on 26 August 1939 as a regiment of the 2nd wave in Hamm as a reserve regiment of the 16th Infantry Division and subordinated to the 69th Infantry Division (VI. Armeekorps/12. Armee/Heeresgruppe A) when mobilized. Major Klein was named commander of the 3rd ([[Jäger (military)\|Jäger]]) Battalion. The division under General der Artillerie Hermann Tittel served to secure the border in the Eifel.		On 1 October 1938, he was promoted to Major. At the beginning of the Second World War, the regiment took up positions on the western defences ([https://de.metapedia.org/wiki/Westwall ''Westwall'']) as part of the 16th Infantry Division. Shortly afterwards, he was transferred Infanterie-Regiment 193 under Colonel [[Karl]] von Beeren, established on 26 August 1939 as a regiment of the 2nd wave in Hamm as a reserve regiment of the 16th Infantry Division and subordinated to the 69th Infantry Division (VI. Armeekorps/12. Armee/Heeresgruppe A) when mobilized. Major Klein was named commander of the 3rd ([[Jäger (military)\|Jäger]]) Battalion. The division under General der Artillerie [[Hermann]] Tittel served to secure the border in the Eifel.

	The XXI. Army Corps was placed directly under the High Command of the Wehrmacht on 1 March 1940 for the [[Operation Weserübung]] ''north'' (Norway) as Army Group XXI under Nikolaus von Falkenhorst. The 69. Infanterie-Division was subordinated to the Army Group. At the end of March 1940, the men were transported to northern Germany. From here the division was shipped to Norway in April 1940 and unloaded in Bergen.		The XXI. Army Corps was placed directly under the High Command of the Wehrmacht on 1 March 1940 for the [[Operation Weserübung]] ''north'' (Norway) as Army Group XXI under Nikolaus von Falkenhorst. The 69. Infanterie-Division was subordinated to the Army Group. At the end of March 1940, the men were transported to northern [[Germany]]. From here the division was shipped to Norway in April 1940 and unloaded in Bergen.

	Major Klein's skilful leadership in the advance, in the fighting at the Bergen Railway, his capture of Voss and the forcing of the Myrdal Tunnel was crucial to the success of the campaign. For this, he was one of the first to receive the [[Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross]].		Major Klein's skilful leadership in the advance, in the fighting at the Bergen Railway, his capture of Voss and the forcing of the Myrdal Tunnel was crucial to the success of the campaign. For this, he was one of the first to receive the [[Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross]].

	==Death==		==Death==
	On 22 March 1941, Major Klein was in Mjölfjell east of his headquarters Voss, 75 km northeast of Bergen. Young recruits had to be trained to ski. Klein was an expert since his youth and that's why he wanted to show them how, despite his age. Mjölfjell range is a large area contained in a system of three valleys, but with high avalanche dangers. Klein and his Norwegian mountain guide Ivar Jonson Sygnabere were swallowed by an avalanche and died. Sygnabere's body was brought to his home town of Raundal, where he was buried. German authorities erected a fine monument over him.		On 22 March 1941, Major Klein was in Mjölfjell east of his headquarters Voss, 75 km northeast of Bergen. Young recruits had to be trained to ski. Klein was an expert since his youth and that's why he wanted to show them how, despite his age. Mjölfjell range is a large area contained in a system of three valleys, but with high avalanche dangers. Klein and his Norwegian mountain guide Ivar Jonson Sygnabere were swallowed by an avalanche and died. Sygnabere's body was brought to his home town of Raundal, where he was buried. [[German]] authorities erected a fine monument over him.

	Klein's body was transported to the German hero's cemetery (''Heldenfriedhof'') in Solheim, east of Bergen. [[The Führer]] sent a mourning wreath which was presented personally by [[Generaloberst]] [https://de.metapedia.org/wiki/Falkenhorst,_Nikolaus_von Nikolaus von Falkenhorst] at the day of the solemn burial on 28 March 1941. Final burial location: Block 3, Row 6, Grave 10.		Klein's body was transported to the German hero's cemetery (''Heldenfriedhof'') in Solheim, east of Bergen. [[The Führer]] sent a mourning wreath which was presented personally by [[Generaloberst]] [https://de.metapedia.org/wiki/Falkenhorst,_Nikolaus_von Nikolaus von Falkenhorst] at the day of the solemn burial on 28 March 1941. Final burial location: Block 3, Row 6, Grave 10.

	As the personnel file of the Federal Archives (''Bundesarchiv'') in Freiburg (PERS 6/281772) shows, Klein was posthumously promoted to ''Oberstleutnant'' (Lieutenant Colonel). It is also listed in the personal records of the SS and SA (SA / 4000002284; R 9361-III/568195) in Berlin-Lichterfelde, which makes [[SA]] and [[NSDAP]] membership at least possible. He was very likely a member of the National Socialist Teachers League ([https://de.metapedia.org/wiki/Nationalsozialistischer_Lehrerbund NSLB]).		As the personnel file of the Federal Archives (''Bundesarchiv'') in Freiburg (PERS 6/281772) shows, Klein was posthumously promoted to ''Oberstleutnant'' (Lieutenant Colonel). It is also listed in the personal records of the SS and SA (SA / 4000002284; R 9361-III/568195) in [[Berlin]]-Lichterfelde, which makes [[SA]] and [[NSDAP]] membership at least possible. He was very likely a member of the National [[Socialist]] Teachers League ([https://de.metapedia.org/wiki/Nationalsozialistischer_Lehrerbund NSLB]).

	==Awards and decorations (excerpt)==		==Awards and decorations (excerpt)==
	* [[Iron Cross]] (1914), 2nd and 1st Class		* [[Iron Cross]] (1914), 2nd and 1st Class
	* Military Merit Cross (Austria-Hungary), 3rd Class with the War Decoration (ÖM3K)		* Military [[Merit]] Cross (Austria-[[Hungary]]), 3rd Class with the War Decoration (ÖM3K)
	* [[Wound Badge]] ([https://de.metapedia.org/wiki/Verwundetenabzeichen_(1918) ''Verwundetenabzeichen 1918'']) in Black		* [[Wound Badge]] ([https://de.metapedia.org/wiki/Verwundetenabzeichen_(1918) ''Verwundetenabzeichen 1918'']) in Black
	* [[Honour Cross of the World War 1914/1918]] with Swords		* [[Honour Cross of the World War 1914/1918]] with Swords
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