Heinrich Sonne

Heinrich Sonne was a decorated Hauptsturmführer (Captain) in the Waffen-SS – the armed paramilitary branch of the Nazi Party's Schutzstaffel (SS) – during World War II.

He was also a recipient of the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross, which was awarded to recognise battlefield bravery or successful military leadership. Sonne was born in Riga, Latvia to German Balts parents.

Sonne served in the 1st SS Infantry Brigade as commander of the Krad-Schützen (motorcycle company). The 1 SS Infantry Brigade (mot) was a unit of the German Waffen-SS, the armed force of the SS, formed from former concentration camp guards for service in the invasion of the Soviet Union.

They conducted anti-partisan operations in the rear of the advancing German army, and also filled gaps in the front line when called upon in emergencies. Heinrich Sonne won his Knight's Cross for his actions on the front line in the fighting around Smolensk during September 1943.

When the 1st SS Infantry Brigade was disbanded in early January 1944, the remaining soldiers, including Heinrich Sonne, were used to form a cadre for the 18th SS Volunteer Panzer Grenadier Division "Horst Wessel", where he was given command of the SS-Aufklärungs Abteilung 18 (Reconnaissance Battalion).

Post War

Sonne was one of the very few former Waffen-SS soldiers allowed to join the post-War German Army, the Bundeswehr.

He served from 1956 to 1973, eventually reaching the rank of Oberstleutnant (Lieutenant Colonel).

Awards and decorations

• Iron Cross (1939)
  • 2nd Class (7 January 1943)
  • 1st Class (9 June 1943)
• Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross on 10 December 1943 as SS-Obersturmführer and chief of the Krad-Schützen-Kompanie/1. SS-Infanterie-Brigade (mot.)