Hugo Eichhorn
Encyclopedia
Hugo Eichhorn was an Obersturmbannführer
(Lieutenant Colonel) in the Waffen SS during World War II
who was awarded the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross
. Which was awarded to recognize extreme battlefield bravery or successful military leadership by Nazi Germany
during World War II.
. He joined the NSDAP (party number 590.774) and the SS-VT in 1937.
In the spring of 1940, he was selected to become an officer and posted to the SS-Junkerschule at Bad Tölz
. He was also involved in the formation of the 5th SS Pionier Battalion for the newly formed SS Division Wiking.
After graduation in December 1940, he was promoted to Untersturmführer
(Second Lieutenant) and given a platoon of the SS Wiking to command. He was promoted to Obersturmführer
(First Lieutenant) and Hauptsturmführer
(Captain) in 1942. During this time he held the position of Battalion Adjutant
platoon and company commander.
He was awarded the Knight's Cross
in January 1943, while in command of a portion of the Pionier Battalion he held off an attack by a Soviet Regiment.
In February 1943 he was also given the command of the 5th SS Pionier Battalion which he commanded until September 1943, when he was severely wounded.
After recovering from his wounds in February 1944, he took command of the SS Pionier Training and Reserve Battalion which was stationed in Dresden
, he was also promoted to Sturmbannführer
(Major) in April 1944.
He was promoted to Obersturmbannführer
(Lieutenant Colonel) in September 1944 and remained in command of the SS Pionier Training and Reserve Battalion until the end of the war.
on the 27 May 1992.
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) in the Waffen SS during World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
who 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...
. Which was awarded to recognize extreme battlefield bravery or successful military leadership by Nazi Germany
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...
during World War II.
Early life
Hugo Eichorn was born on 11 February 1911 in WeilmünsterWeilmünster
- Geography :Weilmünster is among the most richly wooded places in Limburg-Weilburg. The forestry office looks after not only the State Forest but also twelve municipalities’ woodlands in the south of the Limburg-Weilburg and Lahn-Dill districts.- Location :...
. He joined the NSDAP (party number 590.774) and the SS-VT in 1937.
World War II
By the start of World War II he was in the 3rd SS Pionier Battalion, SS Division Totenkopf and participated in the Polish Campaign.In the spring of 1940, he was selected to become an officer and posted to the SS-Junkerschule at Bad Tölz
Bad 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...
. He was also involved in the formation of the 5th SS Pionier Battalion for the newly formed SS Division Wiking.
After graduation in December 1940, he was promoted to Untersturmführer
Untersturmführer
Untersturmführer was a paramilitary rank of the German Schutzstaffel first created in July 1934. The rank can trace its origins to the older SA rank of Sturmführer which had existed since the founding of the SA in 1921...
(Second Lieutenant) and given a platoon of the SS Wiking to command. He was promoted to Obersturmführer
Obersturmführer
Obersturmführer 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...
(First Lieutenant) and 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...
(Captain) in 1942. During this time he held the position of Battalion Adjutant
Adjutant
Adjutant is a military rank or appointment. In some armies, including most English-speaking ones, it is an officer who assists a more senior officer, while in other armies, especially Francophone ones, it is an NCO , normally corresponding roughly to a Staff Sergeant or Warrant Officer.An Adjutant...
platoon and company commander.
He was awarded the Knight's Cross
Knight's Cross
Knight's Cross refers to a distinguishing grade or level of various orders that denotes bravery and leadership on the battlefield....
in January 1943, while in command of a portion of the Pionier Battalion he held off an attack by a Soviet Regiment.
In February 1943 he was also given the command of the 5th SS Pionier Battalion which he commanded until September 1943, when he was severely wounded.
After recovering from his wounds in February 1944, he took command of the SS Pionier Training and Reserve Battalion which was stationed in Dresden
Dresden
Dresden is the capital city of the Free State of Saxony in Germany. It is situated in a valley on the River Elbe, near the Czech border. The Dresden conurbation is part of the Saxon Triangle metropolitan area....
, he was also promoted to Sturmbannführer
Sturmbannführer
Sturmbannführer was a paramilitary rank of the Nazi Party equivalent to major, used both in the Sturmabteilung and the Schutzstaffel...
(Major) in April 1944.
He was promoted to 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) in September 1944 and remained in command of the SS Pionier Training and Reserve Battalion until the end of the war.
Post war
Eichhorn survived the war and entered into industry, he died in MünsterMünster
Münster is an independent city in North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany. It is located in the northern part of the state and is considered to be the cultural centre of the Westphalia region. It is also capital of the local government region Münsterland...
on the 27 May 1992.
Further reading
- Fellgiebel, Walther-Peer. Die Träger des Ritterkreuzes des Eisernen Kreuzes 1939-1945. Friedburg, Germany: Podzun-Pallas, 2000. ISBN 3-7909-0284-5.
- Mitcham, Jr.Samuel, Retreat to the Reich, Stackpole books 2007. ISBN 081173384X
- Henschler Henri & Fay Will, Armor Battles of the Waffen-SS, 1943-45 Stackpole Books, 2003. ISBN 0811729052
- Mitcham Samuel, The German Defeat in the East, 1944-45,Stackpole Books, 2007. ISBN 0811733718