Walter Schimana
Austria- Walter Schimana
- Nazi Career
- Leadership in the SS
- Occupation of the Soviet Union
- Occupation of Belarus
- Command in Greece
- Surrender and Death
Walter Schimana
Early Life and Military ServiceWalter Schimana was born on March 12, 1898, in Silesia, then part of Austria-Hungary. He graduated from an Austrian cadet corps and fought in World War I as a lieutenant in the Austro-Hungarian army.
Nazi Career
After the war, Schimana joined the NSDAP (Nazi Party) and the SA (Sturmabteilung) in 1926. He rose through the ranks of the SA, becoming a Standartenführer (colonel) in 1938. In 1934, he transferred to the Schutzpolizei (protective police) as a captain.
Leadership in the SS
Schimana joined the SS in 1939 with the rank of Standartenführer. He commanded the gendarmerie school in Zülz and the motorcycle training school in Deggingen. In December 1941, he led a combat group in the 137th Infantry Division.
Occupation of the Soviet Union
In September 1941, Schimana was appointed SS and Police Leader in Saratov, where he carried out punitive operations and organized anti-partisan measures. He later served as SS and Police Leader for Central Russia and commander of Police Regiment "Center."
Occupation of Belarus
From July 1942, Schimana was the SS and Police Leader in Belarus and commandant of Minsk. He also formed the 14th SS Volunteer Grenadier Division "Galizien" and the "Schimana" combat group, which operated against partisans between Minsk and Borisov.
Command in Greece
In October 1943, Schimana became the Higher SS and Police Leader in Greece. He also commanded the SS Oberabschnitt "Donau" from October 1944.
Surrender and Death
Schimana surrendered to American troops in May 1945. He committed suicide in prison on September 12, 1948, in Salzburg, Austria.
