Last week the German auctionhaus Ratisbons sold a grouping of photos, documents and letters from SS-Hstuf. Alfred Lex of "Das Reich". According to information contained within Otto Weidinger's 5-volume set of "Das Reich" Lex was addressing his men on a Sturmgeschütz when he was shot in the head by a Soviet sniper. All books I have read have his final rank listed as SS-Hauptsturmführer, but one of the documents in the grouping is a letter to Lex's parents from Generalleutnant Rudolf Schmundt, noting Lex having the rank of SS-Sturmbannführer.
My question to Members of the Forum is, could this promotion have been granted posthumously and is there any documentation anywhere which can validate this promotion with a date? I can only imagine that Schmundt, being Hitler's chief adjutant, would have access to the best information possible so I personally feel it is unlikely he addressed Lex's final rank incorrectly. Hopefully someone on WAF might be able to confirm the promotion, and in doing so, we have a rare chance to correct history.
The document I have included for everyone's reference below, along with an approximate translation for those interested in reading further:
Willingly, thanks from the German people to your son, who was awarded the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross
SS Sturmbannführer Alfred Lex
To proclaim beyond his death, the Führer has granted you ongoing monthly allowances of 200 Reichmarks from April 1, 1944, using the resources that were personally available to him.
The Führer has decided to do this in order to enable you and your wife to shape life in the way that your son, who had fallen in the field of honor, would wish for both of you.
The Minister of State and Head of the President's Office will arrange for the approved amount to be paid out.
On behalf of the Führer,
Signed:
Schmundt
Generalleutnant.
Looking forward to seeing what findings and comments come out of this post.
Cheers, Patrick
My question to Members of the Forum is, could this promotion have been granted posthumously and is there any documentation anywhere which can validate this promotion with a date? I can only imagine that Schmundt, being Hitler's chief adjutant, would have access to the best information possible so I personally feel it is unlikely he addressed Lex's final rank incorrectly. Hopefully someone on WAF might be able to confirm the promotion, and in doing so, we have a rare chance to correct history.
The document I have included for everyone's reference below, along with an approximate translation for those interested in reading further:
Willingly, thanks from the German people to your son, who was awarded the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross
SS Sturmbannführer Alfred Lex
To proclaim beyond his death, the Führer has granted you ongoing monthly allowances of 200 Reichmarks from April 1, 1944, using the resources that were personally available to him.
The Führer has decided to do this in order to enable you and your wife to shape life in the way that your son, who had fallen in the field of honor, would wish for both of you.
The Minister of State and Head of the President's Office will arrange for the approved amount to be paid out.
On behalf of the Führer,
Signed:
Schmundt
Generalleutnant.
Looking forward to seeing what findings and comments come out of this post.
Cheers, Patrick
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