Herbert-Ernst Vahl

Herbert-Ernst Vahl was a German SS functionary during the Nazi era. In World War II, he commanded the SS Division Das Reich and the SS Polizei Division. He was a recipient of the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross of Nazi Germany.

Herbert-Ernst Vahl
Born	(1896-10-09)9 October 1896
Died	22 July 1944(1944-07-22) (aged 47) Thessaloniki, Occupied Greece
Allegiance	Nazi Germany
Service / branch	Waffen SS
Rank	SS-Brigadeführer
Commands	SS Panzergrenadier Division Das Reich 4th SS Polizei Panzergrenadier Division
Battles / wars	World War II
Awards	Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross

In February 1943, Vahl was promoted to Oberführer, and given command of the SS Division Das Reich which was stationed in the Soviet Union. While in command during the Third Battle of Kharkov he was seriously wounded and awarded the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross. After recovering from his wounds he became the Inspector of Panzer troops in the SS Führungshauptamt (SS Leadership Main Office). In July 1944 Vahl returned to active service with the SS Polizei Division which was stationed in Thessalonika, Greece. Vahl arrived to assume command of the Division on 13 July 1944 but was killed in an auto accident on 22 July 1944.

References

Bibliography

• Scherzer, Veit (2007). Die Ritterkreuzträger 1939–1945 [The Knight's Cross Bearers 1939–1945] (in German). Jena, Germany: Scherzers Militaer-Verlag. ISBN 978-3-938845-17-2.