Born 12 March 1911 in Moravian Ostrava, in the region of Moravia Silesia, part of the Austro-Hungarian Empire. Son of Alois and Kamilla Fleischner nee Hecterova. Alois ran/owned a timber/lumber business.

German Grammar School, Ostrava 1921-29 (Deutschen Staatsgymnasium)

June 1929 graduated with a satisfactory (genugend) report in all subjects except PE in which he was good.