Sven Aage Ole Chr. Nielsen, born 9 December 1920 in Taars (North Jutland). SA no. 17242, holding the rank of Storm Leader. He was known as “Little Svend,” wore glasses, had blood type “AB,” and was known as an exceptionally friendly comrade-in-arms.
Before the war, he worked at the Kaloriferwerk Hugo Junker factory in Dessau (an aircraft factory). He took leave from his job in order to enlist. He served in Frikorps Danmark, 3rd Company. For a short period in June/July 1943, he underwent training with the Schalburg Corps, but then returned to front-line service.
He joined Regiment 24./Danmark, 6th and later 7th Company. He was awarded the Iron Cross, 2nd Class (EK II), on 6 May 1944 as an SS-Sturmmann. He attained the rank of Oberscharführer on 20 April 1944. His military pay book (Soldbuch) is reproduced in E. Haas’s books.
He attended the Zollschule in Flensburg in December 1944. From there, he was transferred to Pz. Gren. Ausb. u. Ers. Btl. 11 in Graz. He was taken prisoner in May 1945 and, on 7 May 1945, was sent to the Neuengamme prisoner-of-war camp under British command, where he remained for approximately one year. He appears in the well-known prisoner-of-war photographs from the camp.
He received a sentence of one year’s imprisonment. After the war, he participated in veterans’ associations and was awarded the Front Fighter Badge on 19 July 1950.
Sven died on 15 March 1982. He was married to Erna, who, after Sven’s death, lived together with the military veteran Carl Nielsen in Slagelse (photos 1 and 2).
Sven Nielsen during the period at Nevel–Velikiye Luki, winter 1942/43. (photo 3)
Sven Nielsen during his time in Grafenwöhr, April 1943. Note that the photograph is mirrored (at the time, glass plates were used, and it could happen that during development the photographer accidentally reversed the glass plate, causing the right side to appear as the left). (photo 4)
Sven’s military pay book (Soldbuch) and a certificate (Urkunde) were reproduced in Erik Haast’s book, then disappeared for many years, but have since been rediscovered. (photo 5-6)