Execution of Nazi Commander Who Massacred 97 British Soldiers: Fritz Knöchlein

Fritz Knöchlein was a Waffen-SS officer whose name became permanently linked to one of the most notorious war crimes committed against British soldiers during the Second World War — the Le Paradis massacre. Born in Munich in 1911, Knöchlein joined the Nazi Party during Germany’s political and economic turmoil and later entered the SS, where he received ideological and military training that emphasized loyalty, racial doctrine, and ruthless discipline. Rising through the ranks, he became an officer in the SS Totenkopf Division, a unit infamous for its fanaticism and brutality. In May 1940, during the German invasion of France, Knöchlein commanded troops in the village of Le Paradis. After intense fighting, 99 soldiers of the British Royal Norfolk Regiment surrendered when they ran out of ammunition. Instead of being treated as prisoners of war, they were disarmed, lined up near a barn, and executed with machine guns on Knöchlein’s orders. Survivors later testified that German soldiers then used bayonets to kill those still alive. Ninety-seven British prisoners were murdered, making the massacre one of the most shocking violations of the laws of war during the campaign. Despite the atrocity, Knöchlein continued his military career, serving on the Eastern Front and later commanding SS units. For years, the crime remained largely unpunished until survivor testimony after the war led to his arrest by British forces. During his trial, Knöchlein denied responsibility and claimed he had been absent during the killings, but eyewitness accounts and evidence proved otherwise. In 1948, he was found guilty of war crimes by a British military tribunal. On 21 January 1949, Fritz Knöchlein was executed by hanging in Hamburg. His case became a significant example of postwar justice and accountability, highlighting the brutality of Waffen-SS units and the importance of prosecuting war crimes committed during the Second World War. Join World History channel and get access to benefits:    / @worldhistoryvideos   Disclaimer: All opinions and comments below are from members of the public and do not reflect the views of World History channel. We do not accept promoting violence or hatred against individuals or groups based on attributes such as: race, nationality, religion, sex, gender, sexual orientation. World History has right to review the comments and delete them if they are deemed inappropriate. ► CLICK the SUBSCRIBE button for more interesting clips:    / @worldhistoryvideos   #FritzKnöchlein LeParadismassacre #secondworldwar #ww2documentary #nazigermany #kommando #historydocumentary #holocaustdocumentary #documentaryfilm #francehistory #ww2story #warcriminals #warcrimes #wehrmacht #germanarmy #ww2documentary #ww2history #thirdreich #battleoffrance Fritz Knöchlein biography, Nazi occupation of France, Le Paradis massacre, German war crimes, Nazi war crimes, WW2 war crimes, War trials, Nazi criminals, War criminals, War criminals WW2, German invasion of France, German occupation of France, France World War 2, France WW2, France during WW2, Fall of France, Battle of France, France in WW2, When did Germany invade France, Invasion of France, Battle of France 1940, Battle of Dunkirk, WW2 France, Occupied France WWII, 2nd Battalion of the Royal Norfolk Regiment, British Army WW2, British soldiers WW2, Britain soldiers WW2, UK World War 2, Fritz Knöchlein France, SS-Totenkopf Division, William O'Callaghan and Albert Pooley, Erich Hoepner in France, Theodor Eicke in France, Nazi executions, Waffen-SS soldier, SS-Junker Schools, German SS, SS troops, Death head SS, SS death head division, France 1940, London Cage,