On 10/29/1930, Ax joined the SS and on 12/1/1930 the NSDAP (the Nazi Party). He was an SS-Mann with the 2nd SS Standarten and was promoted to SS-Obersturmführer, on 11/9/1933 and became its commander. He stayed in this command until 4/24/1934. On 10/20/1939 with the rising of the SS-VT Armored Division, Ax was appointed as the first Commander of the Panzerabwehr-Abteilung,later the SS Panzerdivision "Das Reich". As the commander SS-Infantry Regiment 11, he was involved in OPERATION BARBAROSA, the invasion against Russia.
Ax suffered nose problems and was sent to a military hospital in Berlin until 3/11/1942. He was still in the hospital when he received command of the SS-Panzerjäger Education Department in Hilversum, Holland. Ax stayed in Holland under the command of the Waffen-SS "Niederlande" Commander Carl-Maria Demelhuber. Demelhuber liked Ax and thought him an excellent officer but had issues with Ax's leadership style. However, on 1/9/1943 he promoted Ax to SS-Obergruppenführer and commander of 32 SS-Freiwilligen Grenadier Division "30 Januar". Ax was relieved of his command by SS-Standartenführer, Joachim Richter,and in March 1945 he was relieved by SS-Standartenführer Hans Kempin.
Adolf Ax died at the age 76, on 2/16/1983 in Wiesbaden and is buried, with his wife, Margot, who died in 2002 at age 90, in the cemetery of Sonnenberg, a suburb of Wiesbaden.
NOTE - Please note the grave stone photo is courtesy of ww2.gravestone, and the owner, Mr. Rob Hopmans.
The following are verified awards/decorations given to Ax (not all inclusive):
- 1939 Iron Cross First Class
- 1939 Iron Cross Second Class
- War Merit Cross First Class with Swords
- War Merit Cross Second Class with Swords
- Close Combat Badge in Silver(not verified)
- 1939 Wound Badge in Silver (not verified)
- Eastern Fron Medal
- October 1, 1938 Commemorative Medal
- March 13, 1938 Commemorative Medal
- Nazi Party Service Award in Silver
- Nazi Party Service Award in Bronze
- SS 10 Year Service Medal
- 1931 Braunschweig SA Badge
- German Sports Badge in Bronze
- SA-Sports Badge in Bronze
- SS Honor Sword
- SS Deaths Head Honor Ring
On 10/29/1930, Ax joined the SS and on 12/1/1930 the NSDAP (the Nazi Party). He was an SS-Mann with the 2nd SS Standarten and was promoted to SS-Obersturmführer, on 11/9/1933 and became its commander. He stayed in this command until 4/24/1934. On 10/20/1939 with the rising of the SS-VT Armored Division, Ax was appointed as the first Commander of the Panzerabwehr-Abteilung,later the SS Panzerdivision "Das Reich". As the commander SS-Infantry Regiment 11, he was involved in OPERATION BARBAROSA, the invasion against Russia.
Ax suffered nose problems and was sent to a military hospital in Berlin until 3/11/1942. He was still in the hospital when he received command of the SS-Panzerjäger Education Department in Hilversum, Holland. Ax stayed in Holland under the command of the Waffen-SS "Niederlande" Commander Carl-Maria Demelhuber. Demelhuber liked Ax and thought him an excellent officer but had issues with Ax's leadership style. However, on 1/9/1943 he promoted Ax to SS-Obergruppenführer and commander of 32 SS-Freiwilligen Grenadier Division "30 Januar". Ax was relieved of his command by SS-Standartenführer, Joachim Richter,and in March 1945 he was relieved by SS-Standartenführer Hans Kempin.
Adolf Ax died at the age 76, on 2/16/1983 in Wiesbaden and is buried, with his wife, Margot, who died in 2002 at age 90, in the cemetery of Sonnenberg, a suburb of Wiesbaden.
NOTE - Please note the grave stone photo is courtesy of ww2.gravestone, and the owner, Mr. Rob Hopmans.
The following are verified awards/decorations given to Ax (not all inclusive):
- 1939 Iron Cross First Class
- 1939 Iron Cross Second Class
- War Merit Cross First Class with Swords
- War Merit Cross Second Class with Swords
- Close Combat Badge in Silver(not verified)
- 1939 Wound Badge in Silver (not verified)
- Eastern Fron Medal
- October 1, 1938 Commemorative Medal
- March 13, 1938 Commemorative Medal
- Nazi Party Service Award in Silver
- Nazi Party Service Award in Bronze
- SS 10 Year Service Medal
- 1931 Braunschweig SA Badge
- German Sports Badge in Bronze
- SA-Sports Badge in Bronze
- SS Honor Sword
- SS Deaths Head Honor Ring
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