Adolf Ax

Adolf Ax
Born	23 June 1906 Mouscron, Wallonia, Belgium
Died	6 February 1983 (aged 76) Wiesbaden, Hesse, West Germany
Allegiance	Nazi Germany
Service/branch	Waffen SS
Rank	Oberführer
Unit	15. Waffen-Grenadier-Division of the SS
Battles/wars	World War II
Awards	Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross

Adolf Ax (23 June 1906, Mouscron – 6 February 1983) was a German SS-Oberführer (senior colonel), who was decorated with Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross (German: Ritterkreuz des Eisernen Kreuzes). The Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross was awarded to recognise extreme battlefield bravery or successful military leadership.^[1]

He was commander of the 32nd SS Volunteer Grenadier Division 30 January, between February and March 1945.^[2][3][4]

Awards

• Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross on 9 May 1945 as SS-Oberführer and leader of the 15. Waffen Grenadier-Division der SS (lettische Nr. 1)^{[5][Note 1]}

Notes

1. Adolf Ax's nomination shows no indication that the request had been processed or granted, not even an entry date is noted. The nomination list indicates that the request was filed on the 28 April 1945. A Heerespersonalamt (HPA—Army Staff Office) nomination with the number 5092 had been created. The nomination, according to the book "Verliehene Ritterkreuze" (Awarded Knight Crosses), was forwarded to the HPA on 25 April 1945. No proof exists that the Knight's Cross was awarded. The Order Commission of the Association of Knight's Cross Recipients (AKCR) processed this case in 1981 and decided: Knight's Cross yes, 9 May 1945. Ax was member of the AKCR.^[6]

References

Citations

1. Pencz 2010, p. 235.
2. Goldsworthy 2007, p. 173.
3. Mitcham 2007, pp. 188–189.
4. Williamson 2004, p. 23.
5. Fellgiebel 2000, p. 118.
6. Scherzer 2007, p. 117.

Bibliography

• Fellgiebel, Walther-Peer (2000) [1986]. Die Träger des Ritterkreuzes des Eisernen Kreuzes 1939–1945 — Die Inhaber der höchsten Auszeichnung des Zweiten Weltkrieges aller Wehrmachtteile [The Bearers of the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross 1939–1945 — The Owners of the Highest Award of the Second World War of all Wehrmacht Branches] (in German). Friedberg, Germany: Podzun-Pallas. ISBN 978-3-7909-0284-6.
• Goldsworthy, Terry (2007). Valhalla's Warriors: A History of the Waffen-SS on the Eastern Front 1941–1945. Indianapolis, Indiana: Dog Ear Publishing. ISBN 978-1-60844-639-1.
• Mitchum, Samuel W (2007). German Order of Battle: Panzer, Panzer Grenadier, and Waffen SS divisions in World War II. Stackpole Books. ISBN 0-8117-3438-2.
• Pencz, Rudolf (2010). For the Homeland: The 31st Waffen-SS Volunteer Grenadier Division in World War II. Mechanicsburg, Philadelphia: Stackpole Books. ISBN 978-0-8117-3582-7.
• Scherzer, Veit (2007). Die Ritterkreuzträger 1939–1945 Die Inhaber des Ritterkreuzes des Eisernen Kreuzes 1939 von Heer, Luftwaffe, Kriegsmarine, Waffen-SS, Volkssturm sowie mit Deutschland verbündeter Streitkräfte nach den Unterlagen des Bundesarchives [The Knight's Cross Bearers 1939–1945 The Holders of the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross 1939 by Army, Air Force, Navy, Waffen-SS, Volkssturm and Allied Forces with Germany According to the Documents of the Federal Archives] (in German). Jena, Germany: Scherzers Miltaer-Verlag. ISBN 978-3-938845-17-2.
• Williamson, Gordon (2004). The Waffen SS (4): 24. to 38. Divisions, & Volunteer Legions. Oxford, Oxfordshire: Osprey. ISBN 978-1-84176-592-1.