Julius Ringelwas an Austrian general who served in the armed forces of Nazi Germanyduring World War II. He was known by his nickname, "Papa." He participated in the fighting on both the Western and Eastern fronts, as well as in the Balkan Campaign.
The 3rd Mountain Division, the 5th Mountain Division, the LXIX Corps, Wehrkreis XI, and the Army Corps Ringel were all under Ringel's command.
He had been honored with the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross with Oak Leaves for his service. In this article, we look further into the life and military legacy of Julius 'Papa' Ringel, shining light on his incredible journey during the turbulent years of World War II.
When Was Julius Ringel Born?
Julius Ringel was born in the town of Volkermarkt, which is located in the state of Carinthia in Austria. 1905 was the year that he was accepted into a military academy in Vienna, and 1909 was the year that he received his diploma.
Service Of Julius Ringel In The Austro-Hungarian And Austrian Armies
Fahnrich Ringel was awarded a post in the k.u.k. Landwehr Infanterie-unit 4, which is a mountain infantry unit, once he completed his education. After another year had passed, he was finally given the rank of Lieutenant.
When World War I first broke out, Ringel was a member of Gebirgs-Schutzen-Regiment 2, which he served with. He took part in the battles that took place in Galicia and in the Italian Alps, and 1918, he was taken prisoner in both of those locations.
When Ringel returned to the recently established Republic of German Austria, the Kingdom of Serbs, Croats, and Slovenes had occupied his native province of Carinthia, and he fought against the armies of that kingdom in order to free his region.
After the Carinthian Plebiscite and the establishment of the First Austrian Republic, Ringel was transferred to the Austrian Federal Army (Oesterreichische Bundesarmee).
In 1930, he was advanced to the rank of Major, and then in 1932, he was elevated to the position of Lieutenant Colonel, both while serving in the Austrian Federal Army. He had to wait for an additional year before being reassigned to the 5th Gebirgsjager-Brigade.
Julius Ringel Service In The Wehrmacht
Ringel was a follower of the Nazi Party, and he joyfully enlisted in the Wehrmacht with the "3. Gebirgs-Division" after Austria was annexed into the German Reich. This occurred after the Anschluss. Ringel was given a full colonel's rank and given command of the "Infanterie-Regiments 74" on the same day, February 1, 1939. He also received this promotion.
As soon as the war broke out, he was given a position in the 268th Infantry Division. On October 27, 1939, he was promoted to the rank of commander of the 266th Infantry Regiment, which he commanded throughout the Western Theater of Operations.
Ringel reported for duty with the "3. Gebirgs-Division" on June 7, 1940, and he was promoted to the position of commander on July 14, 1940. He stayed in command of the division up until the end of October, when he was awarded the rank of major general and given a new assignment as the commander of the "5.
Gebirgs-Division," which had just been formed. In the spring of 1941, the division participated in the Balkans Campaign, also known as Operations Marita and Merkur. This was the first time the division experienced combat.
After completing its missions in Greece, the division went on to achieve notable success in Crete, where it took part in the conflicts that were fought to wrest back the island from British control. On June 13, 1941, Ringel was presented with the renowned Ritterkreuz in recognition of the exceptional leadership he had shown throughout these operations.
In November of 1941, Ringel's division was ordered to return to Germany in order to recuperate and receive new equipment. Nonetheless, barely four months after that, it was redeployed to the Eastern front, where it continued to see combat. Ringel led the "3.
Gebirgs-Division" during the operations southwest of Leningrad, where it played a crucial part in the defeat of the Volkhov Front. Julius Ringel was advanced to the rank of Lieutenant General as a result of this accomplishment. In October 1943, he was also awarded the Eichenlaub to go along with his Knight's Cross.
Ringel received orders to send his Division to Italy after spending almost two years in Russia. In December 1943, the Division arrived on the "Gustav Line" near the town of Cassino in Italy. He remained in Italy for a further four months after being given a new mission.
During that time, he was promoted to the position of commander of the LXIX Armeekorps in Croatia. Ringel was given yet another promotion in June, this time to the rank of full General of the mountain forces.
He was also given command of the Military District Salzburg (also known as "Wehrkreis XVII (Salzburg)"), which is where the "Korps Ringel" originated. He remained in this position right up until the conclusion of the war.
Awards And Honors Of Julius Ringel
Julius 'Papa' Ringel received several honors and decorations in recognition of his outstanding service and unshakable commitment to his military responsibilities. These honors confirmed his status as a prominent leader in the Nazi German military forces while also highlighting his bravery.
The Austrian Order of the Iron Crown, 3rd Class with War Decoration, Swords, and Golden Bar, which he received twice on November 10, 1939, was among his first honors. This accolade brought Ringel's early military service to light.
On August 15, 1942, he received the Eastern Front Medal in recognition of his service on the Eastern Front. His essential contribution to the problematic Eastern European theater was recognized with this award.
The Ärmelband Kreta, which Ringel got on December 10, 1942, as recognition of his leadership in the Mediterranean theater, denoted his participation in the fierce combat on the island of Crete.
Another notable honor in Ringel's career was the Iron Cross (1939), for which he was awarded both the 2nd class on November 10, 1939, and the 1st class on April 15, 1941, highlighting his achievements in the early stages of World War II.
The Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross with Oak Leaves was the highest honor bestowed upon him. On June 13, 1941, while serving as Generalmajor and in charge of the 5. Gebirgs-Division he was awarded the Knight's Cross in recognition of his outstanding leadership during a crucial stage of the war.
On October 25, 1943, Ringel attained the rank of Generalleutnant and continued to distinguish himself in his capacity as commander of the 5. Gebirgs-Division, the Oak Leaves were awarded to this esteemed honor.
Julius Ringel - FAQs
Who Was Julius Ringel?
General Julius 'Papa' Ringel was an Austrian who fought in World War II for Nazi Germany.
Which Highest Military Honor Did Julius Ringel Receive?
One of the most outstanding military awards in Nazi Germany was the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross with Oak Leaves, which Julius Ringel was awarded.
When Was Julius Ringel's Death Date?
On February 11, 1967, Julius Ringel passed away.
Conclusion
The life and career of Julius Ringel represent a nuanced and contentious period in World War II history. As a devoted general in the Austrian army during the Nazi era, Ringel received several honors for his military achievements, including the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross with Oak Leaves. His loyalty to a government that has committed horrific crimes, however, is still a topic of discussion and criticism.
The complexity of wartime allegiances and the complexity of people caught up in the turbulent historical events are demonstrated by Ringel's narrative. His legacy acts as a reminder of the difficulties and moral quandaries that individuals who experienced those tumultuous times had to deal with.