Saxon WW1 Hero, WW2 POW Camp Commandant Christoph Stengel

[Rick Research]

Here's part of a Stogie-Rick group I'm posting for happy new owner Ted:

[Rick Research]

Preliminary research on Generalmajor Christoph Stengel

born 5 September 1893 Dresden, died 1958 Iburg

served in Saxon army from 9.3.14 as Fahnenjunker, career Reichsheer and Wehrmacht

Leutnant 16.10.14/18.2.13 final seniority
Oberleutnant 20.6.18 #111
Hauptmann 1.8.27 #1
Major circa 1934
Oberstleutnant 1.8.37
Oberst 1.6.40
Generalmajor 1 December 1943

Served in Infantry Regiment 106 throughout WW1, in Infantry Regiment 11 in Reichsheer, as Company Commander 9th/IR 11. Battalion Commander II./Infantry Regiment 32 1 April 1935,
attached to O.K.H. 1.1.40, Commander of Infantry Regiment 416 in Russia 30 June 1941, Commandant Oflag II. D 1 April 1944.

Saxon St Henry Order-Knight 5.6.15 for 11 May 1915: in an attack on enemy positions on the Loretto Heights between LaBasée and Arras, although wounded, he and 6 men held out 24 hours in a shell hole 20 meters from the enemy line until reinforced.

Saxon Merit Order-Knight 2nd Class with Swords 7.12.16
Saxon Albert Order-Knight 2nd Class with Swords 18.6.15

Iron Crosses 1st and 2nd Classes WW1, 1918 Silver Wound Badge. Bars to both Iron Crosses WW2, Winter War 1941/42 Medal, WW1 Honor Cross X, Wehrmacht 25,18,12,4, Sudeten Medal 1938, WW1 Commemorative Medals from Austria (he wore only on full parade bar per his photos), Hungary, and Bulgaria.

His father was a Seconde-Lieutenant in 1884 and a Hauptmann in 1904. He had a brother Rudolf.

[Rick Research]

Prince Joachim of Saxony ski-dooing on the Löwentiesee March 1915. the rest of this pic is... all snow white.

[Rick Research]

On a rainy 15 May 1927, a very tiny Oberleutnant Stengel (to the right between troops and audience in center) leads in his 9th Company of Reichsheer Infantry Regiment 11 as a very large monument (place unknown to me) with the flags of old Inf Rgt 106, Reserve Inf Rgt 106, and Landwehr Inf Rgt 106

[Rick Research]

Future Generals Just Wanna Have Fun!

"Evidence" of early German rocket experiments!

Inf Rgt 11's Hauptleute and Saint Henry Order Knights all,

Walt(h)er Melzer, later General der Infanterie and holder of the Knight's Cross with Oakleaves, Although then a Reserve officer, Melzer had served with Stengel in Inf Rgt 106 during the war.

Wilhelm Kunze, later Generalmajor and German Cross in Gold winner,

and Stengel "goin' to the moon" at Altengrabow, 25 May 1933

[Rick Research]

Obviously the life of an infantry (!) officer agreed with Stengel! This must be how he "earned" that Silver Wound Badge!

[Rick Research]

Here he is probably late in 1934 as a Major, with first pattern Third Reich insignia, but before receiving a Hindenburg Cross for WW1. Note that he is still wearing native Saxon awards before his Prussian Iron Cross.

Still lookin' kinda Schwartzkopfian here.

[Rick Research]

Stengel with his back to the camera left foreground commanding the Honor Guard as Prince Friedrich Christian of Saxony ceremoniously transfers nails from the old Imperial standard poles to the regiment's new flagpole.

[Rick Research]

And here's a good place to break, with Stengel freshly promoted to Generalmajor.

Yessss?.....

[McCulloh]

Ted collects photos?

[Ted Peterson]

Only if it comes with cold steel!

I'd like to thank Mike Dunn for giving Rick the info that identified General Stengel's father from older Saxon Rank Lists:

[Daniel Krause]

Nice story!

But where the hell is his ribbon bar?

Best regards

Daniel