Matthias Kleinheisterkamp

Matthias Kleinheisterkamp
SS-Obergruppenführer Matthias Kleinheisterkamp distinguishes Oberstabsfeldwebel Walter Rappholz with the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross c. 3. November, 1944
Born22 June 1893
Elberfeld, German Empire
Died29 April 1945(1945-04-29) (aged 51)
Halbe, Nazi Germany
Cause of deathSuicide
Allegiance
BranchPrussian Army
Freikorps
Reichswehr
Waffen-SS
Years of service1914–1945
RankSS-Obergruppenführer
Service numberNSDAP 4,158,838
SS 132,399
UnitWaffen-SS Reserves
CommandsSS Division Totenkopf

SS Division Nord

SS Division Das Reich
Invasion of Poland

Eastern Front

Battle of Halbe
World War I
World War II
AwardsWound Badge
Iron Cross 1st and 2nd Class
Knight’s Cross of the Iron Cross

Matthias Kleinheisterkamp (22 June 1893 – 29 April 1945) was a high-ranking German SS commander during the Nazi era. Reaching the rank of SS-Obergruppenführer, he commanded the SS Division Totenkopf, SS Division Nord, SS Division Das Reich, III SS Panzer Corps, VII SS Panzer Corps, IV SS Panzer Corps, XII SS Army Corps and the XI SS Army Corps in World War II. Kleinheisterkamp died by suicide in the Battle of Halbe after being captured by the Soviets.