About Martin Unrein
Lived 1901 – 1972 (aged 70–71). Martin Unrein was a German military officer.
Martin Unrein (1 January 1901 – 22 January 1972) was a German general during World War II who commanded several divisions.
Career Unrein enlisted the German army in the final stages of World War I and then joined the re-established Reichswehr, where he held various regimental posts through the 1930s. In September 1940, he was promoted to lieutenant-colonel and assigned to OKW. On 15 September 1941, he was appointed to command a motorcycle battalion in the 6th Panzer Division. The battalion was almost destroyed fighting outside Moscow, and Unrein was court-martialled, but was absolved of all blame.
On 10 September 1943, he was awarded the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross. On 29 October of that year, he was appointed to command the 14th Panzer Division, which was shortly to be sent to the Eastern Front. On 26 June 1944, he was awarded the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross with Oak Leaves. On 11 February, he was promoted to command the III SS Panzer Corps and remained with the Corps until 5 March. On 4 April he was appointed to command the newly formed Panzer Division Clausewitz.
Awards and decorations Iron Cross (1914) 2nd Class (5 September 1918) Clasp to the Iron Cross (1939) 2nd Class (12 October 1939) & 1st Class (4 July 1940) Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross with Oak Leaves Knight's Cross on 10 September 1943 as Oberst and commander of Panzergrenadier-Regiment 4 515th Oak Leaves on 26 June 1944 as Generalmajor and commander of 14. Panzer-Division
Don’t just read it —
keep it.
Full-length biographies made to live with: read them, listen on the way to work, watch them tonight.
- E-book
- Audio
- Video
Instant download · yours to keep · every purchase keeps this site free
Important facts
Contemporaries
People whose lives overlapped Martin Unrein's
Frequently asked questions
Who was Martin Unrein?
German general (1901–1972)
When was Martin Unrein born?
Martin Unrein was born in 1901 in Weimar.
When did Martin Unrein die?
Martin Unrein died on 22 January 1972 in Munich.
What was Martin Unrein's occupation?
Martin Unrein was a military officer.
What nationality was Martin Unrein?
Martin Unrein was German.
Sources & further reading
Cite this page
APA: Biography.guide. (2026). Martin Unrein. https://biography.guide/martin-unrein/
MLA: "Martin Unrein." Biography.guide, https://biography.guide/martin-unrein/.
Chicago: "Martin Unrein." Biography.guide. https://biography.guide/martin-unrein/.
Data last updated: 2026-09-20 · Spot an error? Report a correction.
Page generated 2026-09-27 05:17 UTC