Eduard Deisenhofer
Encyclopedia
Dr. Eduard Deisenhofer (27 June 1909, Freising
, Upper Bavaria
– MIA
31 January 1945) was an officer and commander in the German
Waffen-SS
who served with several combat divisions on both the eastern
and western fronts
, earning several high grade distinctions, such as the Close Combat Clasp, and the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross. Deisenhofer can be seen as an interesting example of the 'educated' SS man, most of whom served in the SD
.
, Bavaria
, to a middle class family, Deisenhofer excelled in his studies at school from a young age. After his schooling, he pursued studies in the fields of politics
and economics
. He eventually received his PhD
as a political economist. During his time at university, he had come into contact with the Nazi Party, and soon applied to join the SA
. After only a few months with the SA, Deisenhofer transferred to the SS, beginning his service on 1 October 1930.
Described by Gottfried Klingemann as a 'clear-thinking and just man with an energetic and tenacious character', Deisenhofer quickly climbed his way through the ranks, holding various low level command positions, including service with the Leibstandarte SS Adolf Hitler in 1934 and at the KZ Dachau in 1935. By this stage he had reached the rank of SS-Hauptsturmführer
.
On 30 January 1936, Deisenhofer married Edeltraut Holzapfel. Over the course of the next few years, they would have three daughters, one of whom was killed in a bombing raid in May 1943.
In 1936, he was transferred to SS-Wachtruppe Oberbayern. Over the next two years he served in both the Totenkopfverbände units SS Verbande Sachsen and SS Standarte Thuringen.
.
After the Polish campaign, Oberbayern was absorbed into the newly formed SS Division Totenkopf. Deisenhofer, now an SS-Sturmbannführer
(Major), was placed in command of the II Battalion of SS-Totenkopf-Infanterie-Regiment 1. He led this formation through the initial phase of the Campaign in the West, receiving the Iron Cross
First Class for his bravery in combat. Deisenhofer was pulled out of the line in late May and placed in charge of II Battalion of the newly formed Dutch and Belgian volunteer formation SS-Freiwilligen-Standarte Nordwest. After commanding the II./Nordwest during its training and formation, Deisenhofer was transferred to the SS-Ersatz-Bataillon Ost, a replacement and training unit based in Berlin
.
In August 1941, Deisenhofer was transferred to the command of the I./SS-Infanterie-Regiment 9 Germania, one of the Infantry regiments of the SS-Division(mot) Wiking, currently serving on the Eastern Front. Deisenhofer commanded the Battalion during the winter, before in February 1942 he was sent back to the Totenkopf division, this time to serve as commander of I./SS-Totenkopf-Infanterie-Regiment 1.
The Totenkopf was attached to Army Group North
, advancing on Leningrad
. The division saw very heavy fighting near Demjansk and during the battle was completely surrounded (Demyansk Pocket
). Deisenhofer led his men well, acting bravely and showing courage under fire. When his badly depleted Battalion was formed into part of a larger Kampfgruppe
, Deisenhofer was given command, leading the Kampfgruppe during the breakout from the pocket, and engaging in more than 35 days of hand-to-hand combat, qualifying him for the Close Combat Clasp in silver. On 20 April 1942, he was promoted to SS-Obersturmbannführer
(Lieutenant Colonel). On 17 May 1942, Deisenhofer was awarded the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross
for his actions in the Demyansk Pocket
. The tattered remnants of the Totenkopf were pulled back to France
to be rebuilt. Deisenhofer was ordered to Berlin for reassignment.
, Bavaria.
Upon arrival at the SS officers school, Deisenhofer was informed that he was to take over as training group commander. As part of this command, he was to travel between several different training grounds including the Armour school, Panzertruppenschule Wünsdorf and the Light Infantry
school, both located at Wünsdorf.
At the end of April 1943, Deisenhofer was transferred to Berlin to operate as a training officer for the SS Infantry and Mountain troop Inspection department, a part of the SS-FHA. In November 1943 he was sent to the 11th (Officer Training) Department (Amt XI) of the SS-FHA.
. Diesenhofer commanded the regiment during the Frundsberg and the 9.SS-Panzer-Division Hohenstaufen's
successful attempt to relieve the encircled 1.Panzerarmee
of Generaloberst Hans-Valentin Hube
in what was known as the Kamenets-Podolsky Pocket
. For his actions during this battle, Deisenhofer was promoted to SS-Standartenführer
(Colonel).
The Frundsberg was sent to the Normandy Front
to attempt to halt the advance of Field Marshal Bernard Montgomery's 21st Army Group, currently advancing on Caen. Deisenhofer led the regiment through heavy fighting including the battles on Hill 112 and the defeat of Operation Epsom
.
In mid July, Deisenhofer was ordered back east to take command of the 5. SS-Panzer-Division Wiking, currently engaged in heavy fighting in the area near Modlin
. In mid August, Deisenhofer was ordered back to Berlin to await his next command. At the end of the month, he took over command of the 17.SS-Panzergrenadier-Division Götz von Berlichingen
, which was engaged in a fighting withdrawal towards the Saar
. Deisenhofer commanded the division during the heavy fighting against the Americans on the Moselle
and in the subsequent withdrawal to Metz
. At the end of September, Deisenhofer was wounded in the fighting and ordered back to Berlin to rest and recuperate.
On 31 December, he was tasked with organising a Kampfgruppe from the recruits of the SS-Truppenübungsplatz to defend Bad Saarow
. On 1 January, Deisenhofer was promoted to SS-Oberführer
(Brigadier General). Near the end of January, Deisenhofer was ordered to Arnswalde in Pomerania to take command of the 15.Waffen-Grenadier-Division der SS (lettische Nr.1)
. He began travelling north to take over his next command, but a Soviet ground attack aircraft
attacked the staff car, killing Deisenhofer, his driver and his adjutant. Because evidence of Deisenhofer's death is lacking, he is classified as missing in action, rather than killed. His remains were not found.
Freising
Freising is a town in Bavaria, Germany, and capital of the district Freising. Total population 48,500.The city is located north of Munich at the Isar river, near the Munich International Airport...
, Upper Bavaria
Upper Bavaria
Upper Bavaria is one of the seven administrative regions of Bavaria, Germany.- Geography :Upper Bavaria is located in the southern portion of Bavaria, and is centered around the city of Munich. It is subdivided into four regions : Ingolstadt, Munich, Bayerisches Oberland , and Südostoberbayern...
– MIA
Missing in action
Missing in action is a casualty Category assigned under the Status of Missing to armed services personnel who are reported missing during active service. They may have been killed, wounded, become a prisoner of war, or deserted. If deceased, neither their remains nor grave can be positively...
31 January 1945) was an officer and commander in the German
Nazi Germany
Nazi Germany , also known as the Third Reich , but officially called German Reich from 1933 to 1943 and Greater German Reich from 26 June 1943 onward, is the name commonly used to refer to the state of Germany from 1933 to 1945, when it was a totalitarian dictatorship ruled by...
Waffen-SS
Waffen-SS
The Waffen-SS was a multi-ethnic and multi-national military force of the Third Reich. It constituted the armed wing of the Schutzstaffel or SS, an organ of the Nazi Party. The Waffen-SS saw action throughout World War II and grew from three regiments to over 38 divisions, and served alongside...
who served with several combat divisions on both the eastern
Eastern Front (World War II)
The Eastern Front of World War II was a theatre of World War II between the European Axis powers and co-belligerent Finland against the Soviet Union, Poland, and some other Allies which encompassed Northern, Southern and Eastern Europe from 22 June 1941 to 9 May 1945...
and western fronts
Western Front (World War II)
The Western Front of the European Theatre of World War II encompassed, Denmark, Norway, Luxembourg, Belgium, the Netherlands, France, and West Germany. The Western Front was marked by two phases of large-scale ground combat operations...
, earning several high grade distinctions, such as the Close Combat Clasp, and the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross. Deisenhofer can be seen as an interesting example of the 'educated' SS man, most of whom served in the SD
Sicherheitsdienst
Sicherheitsdienst , full title Sicherheitsdienst des Reichsführers-SS, or SD, was the intelligence agency of the SS and the Nazi Party in Nazi Germany. The organization was the first Nazi Party intelligence organization to be established and was often considered a "sister organization" with the...
.
Early life and pre-war career
Born in FreisingFreising
Freising is a town in Bavaria, Germany, and capital of the district Freising. Total population 48,500.The city is located north of Munich at the Isar river, near the Munich International Airport...
, Bavaria
Kingdom of Bavaria
The Kingdom of Bavaria was a German state that existed from 1806 to 1918. The Bavarian Elector Maximilian IV Joseph of the House of Wittelsbach became the first King of Bavaria in 1806 as Maximilian I Joseph. The monarchy would remain held by the Wittelsbachs until the kingdom's dissolution in 1918...
, to a middle class family, Deisenhofer excelled in his studies at school from a young age. After his schooling, he pursued studies in the fields of politics
Politics
Politics is a process by which groups of people make collective decisions. The term is generally applied to the art or science of running governmental or state affairs, including behavior within civil governments, but also applies to institutions, fields, and special interest groups such as the...
and economics
Economics
Economics is the social science that analyzes the production, distribution, and consumption of goods and services. The term economics comes from the Ancient Greek from + , hence "rules of the house"...
. He eventually received his PhD
Doctor of Philosophy
Doctor of Philosophy, abbreviated as Ph.D., PhD, D.Phil., or DPhil , in English-speaking countries, is a postgraduate academic degree awarded by universities...
as a political economist. During his time at university, he had come into contact with the Nazi Party, and soon applied to join the SA
Sturmabteilung
The Sturmabteilung functioned as a paramilitary organization of the National Socialist German Workers' Party . It played a key role in Adolf Hitler's rise to power in the 1920s and 1930s...
. After only a few months with the SA, Deisenhofer transferred to the SS, beginning his service on 1 October 1930.
Described by Gottfried Klingemann as a 'clear-thinking and just man with an energetic and tenacious character', Deisenhofer quickly climbed his way through the ranks, holding various low level command positions, including service with the Leibstandarte SS Adolf Hitler in 1934 and at the KZ Dachau in 1935. By this stage he had reached the rank of SS-Hauptsturmführer
Hauptsturmführer
Hauptsturmführer was a Nazi rank of the SS which was used between the years of 1934 and 1945. The rank of Hauptsturmführer was a mid-grade company level officer and was the equivalent of a Captain in the German Army and also the equivalent of captain in foreign armies...
.
On 30 January 1936, Deisenhofer married Edeltraut Holzapfel. Over the course of the next few years, they would have three daughters, one of whom was killed in a bombing raid in May 1943.
In 1936, he was transferred to SS-Wachtruppe Oberbayern. Over the next two years he served in both the Totenkopfverbände units SS Verbande Sachsen and SS Standarte Thuringen.
Early war campaigns
The outbreak of war found him serving back with the Oberbayern, now expanded to an SS Totenkopf Standarte. The Oberbayern was involved in police and security measures during the Invasion of PolandInvasion of Poland (1939)
The Invasion of Poland, also known as the September Campaign or 1939 Defensive War in Poland and the Poland Campaign in Germany, was an invasion of Poland by Germany, the Soviet Union, and a small Slovak contingent that marked the start of World War II in Europe...
.
After the Polish campaign, Oberbayern was absorbed into the newly formed SS Division Totenkopf. Deisenhofer, now an SS-Sturmbannführer
Sturmbannführer
Sturmbannführer was a paramilitary rank of the Nazi Party equivalent to major, used both in the Sturmabteilung and the Schutzstaffel...
(Major), was placed in command of the II Battalion of SS-Totenkopf-Infanterie-Regiment 1. He led this formation through the initial phase of the Campaign in the West, receiving the Iron Cross
Iron Cross
The Iron Cross is a cross symbol typically in black with a white or silver outline that originated after 1219 when the Kingdom of Jerusalem granted the Teutonic Order the right to combine the Teutonic Black Cross placed above a silver Cross of Jerusalem....
First Class for his bravery in combat. Deisenhofer was pulled out of the line in late May and placed in charge of II Battalion of the newly formed Dutch and Belgian volunteer formation SS-Freiwilligen-Standarte Nordwest. After commanding the II./Nordwest during its training and formation, Deisenhofer was transferred to the SS-Ersatz-Bataillon Ost, a replacement and training unit based in Berlin
Berlin
Berlin is the capital city of Germany and is one of the 16 states of Germany. With a population of 3.45 million people, Berlin is Germany's largest city. It is the second most populous city proper and the seventh most populous urban area in the European Union...
.
In August 1941, Deisenhofer was transferred to the command of the I./SS-Infanterie-Regiment 9 Germania, one of the Infantry regiments of the SS-Division(mot) Wiking, currently serving on the Eastern Front. Deisenhofer commanded the Battalion during the winter, before in February 1942 he was sent back to the Totenkopf division, this time to serve as commander of I./SS-Totenkopf-Infanterie-Regiment 1.
The Totenkopf was attached to Army Group North
Army Group North
Army Group North was a German strategic echelon formation commanding a grouping of Field Armies subordinated to the OKH during World War II. The army group coordinated the operations of attached separate army corps, reserve formations, rear services and logistics.- Formation :The Army Group North...
, advancing on Leningrad
Saint Petersburg
Saint Petersburg is a city and a federal subject of Russia located on the Neva River at the head of the Gulf of Finland on the Baltic Sea...
. The division saw very heavy fighting near Demjansk and during the battle was completely surrounded (Demyansk Pocket
Demyansk Pocket
The Demyansk Pocket was the name given for the encirclement of German troops by the Red Army around Demyansk , south of Leningrad, during World War II on the Eastern Front. The pocket existed mainly from 8 February-21 April 1942. A much smaller pocket was simultaneously surrounded in Kholm, about ...
). Deisenhofer led his men well, acting bravely and showing courage under fire. When his badly depleted Battalion was formed into part of a larger Kampfgruppe
Kampfgruppe
In military history and military slang, the German term Kampfgruppe can refer to a combat formation of any kind, but most usually to that employed by the German Wehrmacht and its allies during World War II and, to a lesser extent, in World War I...
, Deisenhofer was given command, leading the Kampfgruppe during the breakout from the pocket, and engaging in more than 35 days of hand-to-hand combat, qualifying him for the Close Combat Clasp in silver. On 20 April 1942, he was promoted to SS-Obersturmbannführer
Obersturmbannführer
Obersturmbannführer was a paramilitary Nazi Party rank used by both the SA and the SS. It was created in May 1933 to fill the need for an additional field grade officer rank above Sturmbannführer as the SA expanded. It became an SS rank at the same time...
(Lieutenant Colonel). On 17 May 1942, Deisenhofer was awarded the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross
Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross
The Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross was a grade of the 1939 version of the 1813 created Iron Cross . The Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross was the highest award of Germany to recognize extreme battlefield bravery or successful military leadership during World War II...
for his actions in the Demyansk Pocket
Demyansk Pocket
The Demyansk Pocket was the name given for the encirclement of German troops by the Red Army around Demyansk , south of Leningrad, during World War II on the Eastern Front. The pocket existed mainly from 8 February-21 April 1942. A much smaller pocket was simultaneously surrounded in Kholm, about ...
. The tattered remnants of the Totenkopf were pulled back to France
France
The French Republic , The French Republic , The French Republic , (commonly known as France , is a unitary semi-presidential republic in Western Europe with several overseas territories and islands located on other continents and in the Indian, Pacific, and Atlantic oceans. Metropolitan France...
to be rebuilt. Deisenhofer was ordered to Berlin for reassignment.
Training duties
Deisenhofer was firstly reassigned as commander of an SS motorcycle replacement battalion which he led until he was ordered to SS-Junkerschule in Bad TölzBad Tölz
Bad Tölz is a town in Bavaria, Germany, and administrative center of the district of Bad Tölz-Wolfratshausen.- History :Since the retreat of the glaciers at the end of the Ice Age, archaeology has shown continuous occupation of the site of Bad Tölz...
, Bavaria.
Upon arrival at the SS officers school, Deisenhofer was informed that he was to take over as training group commander. As part of this command, he was to travel between several different training grounds including the Armour school, Panzertruppenschule Wünsdorf and the Light Infantry
Light infantry
Traditionally light infantry were soldiers whose job was to provide a skirmishing screen ahead of the main body of infantry, harassing and delaying the enemy advance. Light infantry was distinct from medium, heavy or line infantry. Heavy infantry were dedicated primarily to fighting in tight...
school, both located at Wünsdorf.
At the end of April 1943, Deisenhofer was transferred to Berlin to operate as a training officer for the SS Infantry and Mountain troop Inspection department, a part of the SS-FHA. In November 1943 he was sent to the 11th (Officer Training) Department (Amt XI) of the SS-FHA.
Divisional command - late war
In early March 1944, Diesenhofer was finally relieved from his duties attached to the SS-Junkerschule Tölz and sent back to a combat formation, this time SS-Panzergrenadier-Regiment 21 of the 10.SS-Panzer-Division Frundsberg10th SS Panzer Division Frundsberg
The 10th SS Panzer Division Frundsberg or 10.SS-Panzer-Division Frundsberg was a German Waffen SS panzer division. The division was formed at the beginning of 1943 as a reserve for the expected Allied invasion of France. However, their first campaign was in the Ukraine in April 1944...
. Diesenhofer commanded the regiment during the Frundsberg and the 9.SS-Panzer-Division Hohenstaufen's
9th SS Panzer Division Hohenstaufen
The 9th SS Panzer Division "Hohenstaufen", also known as SS-Panzergrenadier-Division 9, SS-Panzergrenadier-Division 9 Hohenstaufen or 9. SS-Panzer-Division Hohenstaufen, was a German Waffen-SS Armoured division which saw action on both the Eastern and Western Fronts during World War II. The...
successful attempt to relieve the encircled 1.Panzerarmee
German First Panzer Army
The 1st Panzer Army was a German tank army that was a large armoured formation within the Wehrmacht Heer field forces during World War II.-Formation:...
of Generaloberst Hans-Valentin Hube
Hans-Valentin Hube
Hans-Valentin Hube was a German general who served in the German Army during the First and Second World Wars. He was one of 27 people to be awarded the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross with Oak Leaves, Swords and Diamonds...
in what was known as the Kamenets-Podolsky Pocket
Kamenets-Podolsky Pocket
The Battle of the Kamenets-Podolsky Pocket, also known as Hube's Pocket, was a Wehrmacht attempt on the Eastern Front of World War II to evade encirclement by the Red Army....
. For his actions during this battle, Deisenhofer was promoted to SS-Standartenführer
Standartenführer
Standartenführer was a Nazi Party paramilitary rank that was used in the so-called Nazi combat-organisations: SA, SS, NSKK and the NSFK...
(Colonel).
The Frundsberg was sent to the Normandy Front
Operation Overlord
Operation Overlord was the code name for the Battle of Normandy, the operation that launched the invasion of German-occupied western Europe during World War II by Allied forces. The operation commenced on 6 June 1944 with the Normandy landings...
to attempt to halt the advance of Field Marshal Bernard Montgomery's 21st Army Group, currently advancing on Caen. Deisenhofer led the regiment through heavy fighting including the battles on Hill 112 and the defeat of Operation Epsom
Operation Epsom
Operation Epsom, also known as the First Battle of the Odon, was a Second World War British offensive that took place between 26 and 30 June 1944, during the Battle of Normandy...
.
In mid July, Deisenhofer was ordered back east to take command of the 5. SS-Panzer-Division Wiking, currently engaged in heavy fighting in the area near Modlin
Modlin (village)
Modlin was a village near Warsaw in Poland near the banks of rivers Narew and Vistula. In 1961 it has been incorporated into the town of Nowy Dwór Mazowiecki.-See also:* Modlin Fortress* Battle of Modlin* Modlin Airport...
. In mid August, Deisenhofer was ordered back to Berlin to await his next command. At the end of the month, he took over command of the 17.SS-Panzergrenadier-Division Götz von Berlichingen
17th SS Panzergrenadier Division Götz von Berlichingen
The 17. SS-Panzergrenadier-Division Götz von Berlichingen was a German SS panzergrenadier division which saw action on the Western Front during World War II.-Formation and training:...
, which was engaged in a fighting withdrawal towards the Saar
Saarland
Saarland is one of the sixteen states of Germany. The capital is Saarbrücken. It has an area of 2570 km² and 1,045,000 inhabitants. In both area and population, it is the smallest state in Germany other than the city-states...
. Deisenhofer commanded the division during the heavy fighting against the Americans on the Moselle
Moselle
Moselle is a department in the east of France named after the river Moselle.- History :Moselle is one of the original 83 departments created during the French Revolution on March 4, 1790...
and in the subsequent withdrawal to Metz
Metz
Metz is a city in the northeast of France located at the confluence of the Moselle and the Seille rivers.Metz is the capital of the Lorraine region and prefecture of the Moselle department. Located near the tripoint along the junction of France, Germany, and Luxembourg, Metz forms a central place...
. At the end of September, Deisenhofer was wounded in the fighting and ordered back to Berlin to rest and recuperate.
On 31 December, he was tasked with organising a Kampfgruppe from the recruits of the SS-Truppenübungsplatz to defend Bad Saarow
Bad Saarow
Bad Saarow is a municipality in the Oder-Spree district, in Brandenburg, Germany....
. On 1 January, Deisenhofer was promoted to SS-Oberführer
Oberführer
Oberführer was an early paramilitary rank of the Nazi Party dating back to 1921. Translated as “Senior Leader”, an Oberführer was typically a Nazi Party member in charge of a group of paramilitary units in a particular geographical region...
(Brigadier General). Near the end of January, Deisenhofer was ordered to Arnswalde in Pomerania to take command of the 15.Waffen-Grenadier-Division der SS (lettische Nr.1)
15th Waffen Grenadier Division of the SS (1st Latvian)
The 15th Waffen Grenadier Division of the SS was formed in the Waffen SS's drive for manpower in the wake of Operation Barbarossa; Nazi Germany's invasion of the Soviet Union in June 1941...
. He began travelling north to take over his next command, but a Soviet ground attack aircraft
Ground attack aircraft
Ground-attack aircraft are military aircraft with primary role of attacking targets on the ground with greater precision than bombers and prepared to face stronger low-level air defense...
attacked the staff car, killing Deisenhofer, his driver and his adjutant. Because evidence of Deisenhofer's death is lacking, he is classified as missing in action, rather than killed. His remains were not found.
Dates of rank
- SS-ScharführerScharführerScharführer was a Nazi Party title that was used by several paramilitary organizations from 1925 to 1945. Translated as “Squad Leader”, the title of Scharführer can trace its origins to the First World War, where a Scharführer was often a Sergeant or Corporal who commanded special action or shock...
: July 8, 1932 - SS-TruppführerTruppführerTruppführer was a Nazi Party paramilitary rank that was first created in 1930 as a rank of the Sturmabteilung , or Nazi Stormtroopers...
: May 17, 1933 - SS-ObertruppführerObertruppführerObertruppführer was a paramilitary rank of the Nazi Party that was used between the years of 1932 and 1945. The rank is most closely associated with the Sturmabteilung , but also was an early rank of the Schutzstaffel in that group’s formative years.Translated as “Senior Troop Leader”,...
: August 21, 1933 - SS-SturmführerSturmführerSturmführer was a paramilitary rank of the Nazi Party which began as a title used by the Sturmabteilung in 1925 and became an actual SA rank in 1928...
: November 8, 1933 - SS-ObersturmführerObersturmführerObersturmführer was a paramilitary rank of the Nazi party that was used by the SS and also as a rank of the SA. Translated as “Senior Assault Leader”, the rank of Obersturmführer was first created in 1932 as the result of an expansion of the Sturmabteilung and the need for an additional rank in...
: April 20, 1934 - SS-HauptsturmführerHauptsturmführerHauptsturmführer was a Nazi rank of the SS which was used between the years of 1934 and 1945. The rank of Hauptsturmführer was a mid-grade company level officer and was the equivalent of a Captain in the German Army and also the equivalent of captain in foreign armies...
: September 15, 1935 - SS-SturmbannführerSturmbannführerSturmbannführer was a paramilitary rank of the Nazi Party equivalent to major, used both in the Sturmabteilung and the Schutzstaffel...
: October 2, 1938 - SS-ObersturmbannführerObersturmbannführerObersturmbannführer was a paramilitary Nazi Party rank used by both the SA and the SS. It was created in May 1933 to fill the need for an additional field grade officer rank above Sturmbannführer as the SA expanded. It became an SS rank at the same time...
: April 20, 1942 - SS-StandartenführerStandartenführerStandartenführer was a Nazi Party paramilitary rank that was used in the so-called Nazi combat-organisations: SA, SS, NSKK and the NSFK...
: April 20, 1944 - SS-OberführerOberführerOberführer was an early paramilitary rank of the Nazi Party dating back to 1921. Translated as “Senior Leader”, an Oberführer was typically a Nazi Party member in charge of a group of paramilitary units in a particular geographical region...
: January 1, 1945
Notable decorations
- German CrossGerman CrossThe German Cross was instituted by Adolf Hitler on 17 November 1941 as an award ranking higher than the Iron Cross First Class but below the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross respectively ranking higher than the War Merit Cross First Class with Swords but below the Knight's Cross of the War Merit...
in Gold (1942) - Eastern Front MedalEastern Front MedalThe Eastern Front Medal, , more commonly known as the Ostmedaille was instituted on May 26, 1942 to mark service on the German Eastern Front during the period November 15, 1941 to April 15, 1942...
(1942) - Infantry Assault BadgeInfantry Assault BadgeThe Infantry Assault Badge was a German war badge awarded to Waffen SS and Wehrmacht Heer soldiers during WWII. This decoration was instituted on December 20th 1939 by the Oberstbefehlshaber des Heeres, Generalfeldmarschall von Brauchitsch...
(?) - Iron CrossIron CrossThe Iron Cross is a cross symbol typically in black with a white or silver outline that originated after 1219 when the Kingdom of Jerusalem granted the Teutonic Order the right to combine the Teutonic Black Cross placed above a silver Cross of Jerusalem....
Second (1940) and First (1940) Classes - Wound BadgeWound BadgeWound Badge was a German military award for wounded or frost-bitten soldiers of Imperial German Army in World War I, the Reichswehr between the wars, and the Wehrmacht, SS and the auxiliary service organizations during the Second World War. After March 1943, due to the increasing number of Allied...
in Black (1940) and Silver (?) - Knight's Cross of the Iron CrossKnight's Cross of the Iron CrossThe Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross was a grade of the 1939 version of the 1813 created Iron Cross . The Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross was the highest award of Germany to recognize extreme battlefield bravery or successful military leadership during World War II...
(1942) - SS-Honour Ring (?)
- Sudetenland MedalSudetenland MedalThe The Sudetenland Commemorative Medal was a decoration of Nazi Germany awarded in the interwar period.-Description:...
(1938) - Anschluss MedalAnschluss MedalThe Anschluss Commemorative Medal was a decoration of Nazi Germany awarded in the interwar period.-Description:Instituted on May 1, 1938, the medal commemorated the return of Austria to the German Reich...
(1938) - Close Combat ClaspClose Combat ClaspThe Close Combat Clasp is a German military award instituted on 25 November 1942 for achievement in hand to hand fighting in close quarters. The Close Combat Clasp was worn above the upper left uniform pocket...
(silver) (1942)