List of Knight's Cross recipients 1st SS Division Leibstandarte SS Adolf Hitler
Encyclopedia
The 1st SS Division Leibstandarte SS Adolf Hitler
(SS-LAH) founded in September 1933 was Adolf Hitler
's personal Bodyguard
Regiment
. In 1939 the SS-LAH became a separate unit of the Waffen-SS
aside the SS-TV
and the SS-VT
.
The SS-LAH independently participated in combat during the Invasion of Poland (1939)
. Elements of the SS-LAH later joined the SS-VT
prior to Operation Barbarossa
in 1941 and by the end of World War II
they had been increased in size from a Regiment to a Panzer Division, a number of the Division's members were awarded the Knight's Cross during World War II
. The Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross and its higher grades were based on four separate enactments
. The first enactment Reichsgesetzblatt I S. 1573 of September 1, 1939 instituted the Iron Cross
and the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross. As the war progressed some of the recipients distinguished themselves further and a higher grade, the Oak Leaves to Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross was instituted. The Oak Leaves, as they were commonly referred to, were based on the enactment Reichsgesetzblatt I S. 849 of June 3, 1940. In 1941 two higher grades of the Knight's Cross were instituted. The enactment Reichsgesetzblatt I S. 613 of September 28, 1941 introduced the Knight’s Cross of the Iron Cross with Oak Leaves and Swords and the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross with Oak Leaves, Swords and Diamonds. At the end of 1944 the last and final grade, the Knight's Cross with Golden Oak Leaves, Swords, and Diamonds, based on the enactment Reichsgesetzblatt 1945 I S. 11 of December 29, 1944 concluded the variants of the Knight's Cross.
First Class, though the Iron Cross I Class was awarded concurrently with the Knight's Cross in rare cases.
Unit commanders could also be awarded the medal for exemplary conduct by the unit as a whole.
:
SS Sturmgeschütz
SS Panzerjäger
1st SS Division Leibstandarte SS Adolf Hitler
The Leibstandarte SS Adolf Hitler was Adolf Hitler's personal bodyguard. Initially the size of a regiment, the LSSAH eventually grew into a divisional-sized unit...
(SS-LAH) founded in September 1933 was Adolf Hitler
Adolf Hitler
Adolf Hitler was an Austrian-born German politician and the leader of the National Socialist German Workers Party , commonly referred to as the Nazi Party). He was Chancellor of Germany from 1933 to 1945, and head of state from 1934 to 1945...
's personal Bodyguard
Bodyguard
A bodyguard is a type of security operative or government agent who protects a person—usually a famous, wealthy, or politically important figure—from assault, kidnapping, assassination, stalking, loss of confidential information, terrorist attack or other threats.Most important public figures such...
Regiment
Regiment
A regiment is a major tactical military unit, composed of variable numbers of batteries, squadrons or battalions, commanded by a colonel or lieutenant colonel...
. In 1939 the SS-LAH became a separate unit of the 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...
aside the SS-TV
SS-Totenkopfverbände
SS-Totenkopfverbände , meaning "Death's-Head Units", was the SS organization responsible for administering the Nazi concentration camps for the Third Reich....
and the SS-VT
SS-Verfügungstruppe
The SS-Verfügungstruppe was formed in 1934 as combat troops for the NSDAP. By 1940 these military SS units had become the nucleus of the Waffen-SS....
.
The SS-LAH independently participated in combat during the Invasion of Poland (1939)
Invasion 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...
. Elements of the SS-LAH later joined the SS-VT
SS-Verfügungstruppe
The SS-Verfügungstruppe was formed in 1934 as combat troops for the NSDAP. By 1940 these military SS units had become the nucleus of the Waffen-SS....
prior to Operation Barbarossa
Operation Barbarossa
Operation Barbarossa was the code name for Germany's invasion of the Soviet Union during World War II that began on 22 June 1941. Over 4.5 million troops of the Axis powers invaded the USSR along a front., the largest invasion in the history of warfare...
in 1941 and by the end of 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...
they had been increased in size from a Regiment to a Panzer Division, a number of the Division's members were awarded the Knight's Cross 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...
. The Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross and its higher grades were based on four separate enactments
Coming into force
Coming into force or entry into force refers to the process by which legislation, regulations, treaties and other legal instruments come to have legal force and effect...
. The first enactment Reichsgesetzblatt I S. 1573 of September 1, 1939 instituted 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....
and the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross. As the war progressed some of the recipients distinguished themselves further and a higher grade, the Oak Leaves to Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross was instituted. The Oak Leaves, as they were commonly referred to, were based on the enactment Reichsgesetzblatt I S. 849 of June 3, 1940. In 1941 two higher grades of the Knight's Cross were instituted. The enactment Reichsgesetzblatt I S. 613 of September 28, 1941 introduced the Knight’s Cross of the Iron Cross with Oak Leaves and Swords and the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross with Oak Leaves, Swords and Diamonds. At the end of 1944 the last and final grade, the Knight's Cross with Golden Oak Leaves, Swords, and Diamonds, based on the enactment Reichsgesetzblatt 1945 I S. 11 of December 29, 1944 concluded the variants of the Knight's Cross.
Prerequisites
To qualify for the Knight's Cross, a soldier had to already hold the 1939 Iron CrossIron 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, though the Iron Cross I Class was awarded concurrently with the Knight's Cross in rare cases.
Unit commanders could also be awarded the medal for exemplary conduct by the unit as a whole.
Grades
The Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross was divided into five grades, excluding the Grand Cross of the Iron CrossGrand Cross of the Iron Cross
The Grand Cross of the Iron Cross was a decoration intended for victorious generals of the Prussian Army and its allies. It was the highest class of the Iron Cross. Along with the Iron Cross 1st and 2nd Class, the Grand Cross was founded on March 10, 1813, during the Napoleonic Wars. It was...
:
- Knights Cross
- Knights Cross with Oak Leaves
- Knights Cross with Oak Leaves and swords
- Knights Cross with Oak Leaves, Swords and Diamonds
- Knights Cross with Golden Oak Leaves, Swords and Diamonds
Knight's Cross with Oak Leaves and Swords
- Josef Dietrich 14.03.1943 ObergruppenführerObergruppenführerObergruppenführer was a Nazi Party paramilitary rank that was first created in 1932 as a rank of the SA and until 1942 it was the highest SS rank inferior only to Reichsführer-SS...
and GeneralGeneralA general officer is an officer of high military rank, usually in the army, and in some nations, the air force. The term is widely used by many nations of the world, and when a country uses a different term, there is an equivalent title given....
of W-SS, Commander SS Panzer Gren Division LSSAH - Joachim PeiperJoachim PeiperJoachim Peiper , more often known as Jochen Peiper, was a field officer in the Waffen-SS during World War II, convicted of war crimes in Belgium and accused of war crimes in Italy. He was Reichsführer-SS Heinrich Himmler's personal adjutant . In 1945, he was an SS-Standartenführer, the Waffen-SS's...
11.01.1945 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...
Commander 1st SS Panzer Rgt - Theodor WischTheodor WischTheodor Peter Johann Wisch was a German Waffen-SS general and a commander of 1. SS-Panzer-Division Leibstandarte SS Adolf Hitler during World War II. He held the rank of SS-Brigadeführer und Generalmajor der Waffen-SS. He was also a winner of the Ritterkreuz des Eisernen Kreuzes mit Eichenlaub...
30.08.1944 BrigadeführerBrigadeführerSS-Brigadeführer was an SS rank that was used in Nazi Germany between the years of 1932 and 1945. Brigadeführer was also an SA rank....
and Generalmajor of W-SS, Commander 1st SS Panzer Division LSSAH
Knight's Cross with Oak Leaves
- Josef Dietrich 31.12.1941 ObergruppenführerObergruppenführerObergruppenführer was a Nazi Party paramilitary rank that was first created in 1932 as a rank of the SA and until 1942 it was the highest SS rank inferior only to Reichsführer-SS...
and GeneralGeneralA general officer is an officer of high military rank, usually in the army, and in some nations, the air force. The term is widely used by many nations of the world, and when a country uses a different term, there is an equivalent title given....
of W-SS - Albert FreyAlbert Frey (SS officer)Albert Frey was a Standartenführer in the 1st SS Division Leibstandarte SS Adolf Hitler. He was born on 16 February 1913 in Heidelberg, the son of a master baker...
20.12.1943 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...
Commander 1st SS Pz.Gren Rgt - Max HansenMax Hansen (SS officer)Max Hansen was a Standartenführer , in the Waffen-SS who was awarded the Knight's Cross with Oak Leaves. The Knights Cross was awarded to recognize extreme battlefield bravery or successful military leadership by Nazi Germany during World War II. The Oakleaves was a second award.Hansen was born on...
17.04.1945 StandartenführerStandartenführerStandartenführer was a Nazi Party paramilitary rank that was used in the so-called Nazi combat-organisations: SA, SS, NSKK and the NSFK...
Commander 1st SS Pz.Gren Rgt - Hugo KraasHugo KraasSS-Brigadeführer Hugo Kraas was a German Waffen-SS officer who served with the 1.SS-Panzergrenadier-Division Leibstandarte SS Adolf Hitler and was the last commander of the 12.SS-Panzer-Division Hitlerjugend....
24.01.1944 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...
Commander 2nd SS Pz.Gren Rgt - Kurt MeyerKurt Meyer (Panzermeyer)Kurt Meyer, nicknamed "Panzermeyer", served as an officer in the Waffen-SS during the Second World War. He saw action in many major battles, including the Invasion of France, Operation Barbarossa, and the Battle of Normandy.Meyer was awarded the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross with Oak Leaves and...
23.02.1943 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...
Commander Reconnaissance Battalion - Joachim PeiperJoachim PeiperJoachim Peiper , more often known as Jochen Peiper, was a field officer in the Waffen-SS during World War II, convicted of war crimes in Belgium and accused of war crimes in Italy. He was Reichsführer-SS Heinrich Himmler's personal adjutant . In 1945, he was an SS-Standartenführer, the Waffen-SS's...
27.01.1944 SturmbannführerSturmbannführerSturmbannführer was a paramilitary rank of the Nazi Party equivalent to major, used both in the Sturmabteilung and the Schutzstaffel...
Commander 1st SS Panzer Rgt - Werner PötschkeWerner PötschkeWerner Herman Gustav Pötschke was a German SS officer during World War II, eventually rising to the rank of Sturmbannführer.-Early life:Pötschke was born in Brussels in Belgium on 6 March 1914...
15.03.1945 SturmbannführerSturmbannführerSturmbannführer was a paramilitary rank of the Nazi Party equivalent to major, used both in the Sturmabteilung and the Schutzstaffel...
Commander I/1st SS Panzer Rgt - Theodor WischTheodor WischTheodor Peter Johann Wisch was a German Waffen-SS general and a commander of 1. SS-Panzer-Division Leibstandarte SS Adolf Hitler during World War II. He held the rank of SS-Brigadeführer und Generalmajor der Waffen-SS. He was also a winner of the Ritterkreuz des Eisernen Kreuzes mit Eichenlaub...
12.02.1944 BrigadeführerBrigadeführerSS-Brigadeführer was an SS rank that was used in Nazi Germany between the years of 1932 and 1945. Brigadeführer was also an SA rank....
and Generalmajor of W-SS Commander 1st SS Panzer Division LSSAH - Fritz WittFritz WittFritz Witt was a German Waffen-SS officer who served with the 1.SS-Panzergrenadier-Division Leibstandarte SS Adolf Hitler before taking command of the 12.SS-Panzer-Division Hitlerjugend...
01.03.1943 StandartenführerStandartenführerStandartenführer was a Nazi Party paramilitary rank that was used in the so-called Nazi combat-organisations: SA, SS, NSKK and the NSFK...
Commander 1st SS Panzer Gren Rgt - Michael WittmannMichael WittmannMichael Wittmann was a German Waffen-SS tank commander during the Second World War. Wittmann would rise to the rank of SS-Hauptsturmführer and was a Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross holder....
30.01.1944 UntersturmführerUntersturmführerUntersturmführer 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...
platoon commander 13(s)/1st SS Panzer Rgt
SS Division (mot) and SS Infantry Regiment (mot) LSSAH
- Josef Dietrich 04.07.1940 ObergruppenführerObergruppenführerObergruppenführer was a Nazi Party paramilitary rank that was first created in 1932 as a rank of the SA and until 1942 it was the highest SS rank inferior only to Reichsführer-SS...
and GeneralGeneralA general officer is an officer of high military rank, usually in the army, and in some nations, the air force. The term is widely used by many nations of the world, and when a country uses a different term, there is an equivalent title given....
of W-SS Commanding Officer SS Infantry Regiment(mot) LSSAH - Gerhad Pleiß 20.04.1941 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...
1/LSSAH (mot) - Heinrich SpringerHeinrich SpringerHeinrich Springer was a Hauptsturmführer in the 1st SS Division Leibstandarte SS Adolf Hitler. He went to the Gelehrtenschule in Meldorf...
12.01.1942 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...
3/LSSAH (mot) - Theodor WischTheodor WischTheodor Peter Johann Wisch was a German Waffen-SS general and a commander of 1. SS-Panzer-Division Leibstandarte SS Adolf Hitler during World War II. He held the rank of SS-Brigadeführer und Generalmajor der Waffen-SS. He was also a winner of the Ritterkreuz des Eisernen Kreuzes mit Eichenlaub...
15.09.1941 SturmbannführerSturmbannführerSturmbannführer was a paramilitary rank of the Nazi Party equivalent to major, used both in the Sturmabteilung and the Schutzstaffel...
III/SS Infantry Rgt (mot) LSSAH - Rudolf LehmannRudolf Lehmann (SS officer)Rudolf Lehmann was a Standartenführer in the Waffen SS who was awarded the Knight's Cross with Oak Leaves.Lehmann was trained as a SS officer at the Waffen SS officers school in Bad Tölz in April 1935....
23.02.1944 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...
IA 1st SS -Panzer Div LSSAH
SS Panzer Regiment 1 LSSAH
- Josef ArmbergerJosef ArmbergerJosef Armberger was a Obersturmführer in the 1st SS Division Leibstandarte SS Adolf Hitler. He was posthumously awarded the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross during World War II, the highest award for bravery of Nazi Germany....
31.10.1944 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...
8/SS Panzer Regiment 1 - Wilhelm BeckWilhelm BeckWilhelm Beck was a Hauptsturmführer in the 1st SS Division Leibstandarte SS Adolf Hitler. He was born on the 22 December 1919 at Bitz in Württemberg Germany...
28.03.1943 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...
II/SS Panzer Rgt 1 - Hans DauserHans DauserHans Dauser was a Untersturmführer in the 1st SS Division Leibstandarte SS Adolf Hitler. He was born in Munich on the 31 July 1908, the son of Staatssekretär Hans Dauser senior Hans Dauser was a Untersturmführer (Second Lieutenant) in the 1st SS Division Leibstandarte SS Adolf Hitler. He was born...
04.06.1944 OberscharführerOberscharführerOberscharführer was a Nazi Party paramilitary rank that existed between the years of 1932 and 1945. Translated as “Senior Squad Leader”, Oberscharführer was first used as a rank of the Sturmabteilung and was created due to an expansion of the enlisted positions required by growing SA membership...
platoon commander II/SS Panzer Rgt 1 - Martin GroßMartin GroßMartin Groß was an Obersturmbannführer , in the Waffen-SS during World War II.-Background:He was born in Frankfurt on 15 April 1911. Information about his early life is sparse.-Career in the Waffen-SS:...
22.07.1943 SturmbannführerSturmbannführerSturmbannführer was a paramilitary rank of the Nazi Party equivalent to major, used both in the Sturmabteilung and the Schutzstaffel...
II/SS Panzer Rgt 1 - Konrad HeubeckKonrad HeubeckKonrad Heubeck born in Alberndorf 22 April 1918 was a Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross holder and a member of the Waffen SS he held the rank of Untersturmfuhrer. As a member of the Leibstandarte SS Adolf Hitler Regiment he participated in both the occupation of the Sudetenland and the annexation of...
17.04.1945 UntersturmführerUntersturmführerUntersturmführer 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...
1/SS Panzer Rgt 1 - Heinrich KlingHeinrich KlingHeinrich Kling was a Sturmbannführer in the Waffen SS, his SS number was 39 402 and he was a member of the Leibstandarte SS Adolf Hitler.....
23.02.1944 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...
13(s)/SS Panzer Rgt 1 - Herbert KuhlmannHerbert KuhlmannHerbert Kuhlmann was a Obersturmbannfuhrer in the Waffen-SS. He was born in Harburg Germany on 7 April 1915. He graduated SS Junkerschule at Braunschweig in 1936 with the SS Number 118 826. He was first posted to the Wiking before joining the Das Reich in 1942...
13.02.1944 SturmbannführerSturmbannführerSturmbannführer was a paramilitary rank of the Nazi Party equivalent to major, used both in the Sturmabteilung and the Schutzstaffel...
I/SS Panzer Rgt 1 - Hans MalkomesHans MalkomesHans Malkomes was a Hauptsturmführer in the Waffen-SS he was born in Bremen, Germany on 15 November 1913. He graduated SS Junkerschule at Braunschweig in 1936 with the SS Number 164 526 and the NSDAP number 2 570 587 and was posted to the Leibstandarte SS Adolf Hitler and took command of a...
30.10.1944 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...
2/SS Panzer Rgt 1 - Werner PötschkeWerner PötschkeWerner Herman Gustav Pötschke was a German SS officer during World War II, eventually rising to the rank of Sturmbannführer.-Early life:Pötschke was born in Brussels in Belgium on 6 March 1914...
04.06.1944 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...
1/SS Panzer Rgt 1 - Hans ReimlingHans ReimlingHans Reimling was a Oberscharführer in the Waffen SS and was awarded the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross.He was born in Karlsruhe-Mühlburg and became a member of the Hitler Youth...
28.02.1943 OberscharführerOberscharführerOberscharführer was a Nazi Party paramilitary rank that existed between the years of 1932 and 1945. Translated as “Senior Squad Leader”, Oberscharführer was first used as a rank of the Sturmabteilung and was created due to an expansion of the enlisted positions required by growing SA membership...
platoon commander 2/SS Panzer Rgt 1 - Rudolf von RibbentropRudolf von RibbentropRudolf von Ribbentrop is a former German Waffen-SS officer who served in World War II. He is the son of the German diplomat who later became Foreign Minister Joachim von Ribbentrop. Ribbentrop distinguished himself in the Continuation War.-Early life:Ribbentrop spent a year at Westminster School,...
15.07.1943 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...
6/SS Panzer Rgt 1 ,(son of Foreign Minister Joachim von RibbentropJoachim von RibbentropUlrich Friedrich Wilhelm Joachim von Ribbentrop was Foreign Minister of Germany from 1938 until 1945. He was later hanged for war crimes after the Nuremberg Trials.-Early life:...
) - Georg SchönbergerGeorg SchönbergerGeorg Schönberger was a Obersturmbannführer in the Waffen-SS who was awarded the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross.During Operation Marita Schönberger was in command of the Sturmgeschütz Battalion LSSAH....
20.12.1943 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...
SS Panzer Rgt 1 - Franz StaudeggerFranz StaudeggerFranz Staudegger was a Oberscharführer in the Waffen-SS and was awarded the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross.As a Unterscharführer Franz Staudegger was the first member of the 1st SS Division Leibstandarte SS Adolf Hitler Tiger tank commanders to win the Knight's Cross On 7 July 1943, a single...
10.07.1943 UnterscharführerUnterscharführerUnterscharführer was a paramilitary rank of the Nazi Party used by the Schutzstaffel between 1934 and 1945. The SS rank was created after the Night of the Long Knives...
Panzer commander 13(s)/SS Panzer Rgt 1 - Helmut WendorffHelmut WendorffHelmut Max Ernst Wendorff was an Obersturmführer in the Waffen SS. He was issued with the SS number 365 017 and was awarded the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross.Wendorff was born on 20 October 1920 in Gauwinkel...
12.02.1944 UntersturmführerUntersturmführerUntersturmführer 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...
platoon commander 13(s)/SS Panzer Rgt 1 - Michael WittmannMichael WittmannMichael Wittmann was a German Waffen-SS tank commander during the Second World War. Wittmann would rise to the rank of SS-Hauptsturmführer and was a Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross holder....
14.01.1944 UntersturmführerUntersturmführerUntersturmführer 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...
platoon commander 13(s)/SS Panzer Rgt 1 - Balthasar WollBalthasar WollBalthasar "Bobby" Woll was a Oberscharführer in the Waffen SS who was also awarded the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross. He was born in Wemmetsweiler on 1 March 1922, ....
16.01.1944 RottenführerRottenführerRottenführer was a Nazi Party paramilitary rank that was first created in the year 1932. The rank of Rottenführer was used by several Nazi paramilitary groups, among them the Sturmabteilung , the Schutzstaffel and was senior to the paramilitary rank of Sturmmann.The insignia for Rottenführer...
tank gunner 13(s)/SS Panzer Rgt 1 (crew gunner for Michael Wittmann) - Max WünscheMax WünscheMax Wünsche was a Obersturmbannführer in the Waffen-SS during World War II who was awarded the Knight's Cross with Oak Leaves.-Early life:Max Wünsche was born on 20 April 1914 in Kittlitz...
28.02.1943 SturmbannführerSturmbannführerSturmbannführer was a paramilitary rank of the Nazi Party equivalent to major, used both in the Sturmabteilung and the Schutzstaffel...
I/SS Panzer Rgt 1
SS Panzer Grenadier Regiment 1 LSSAH
- Herman DahlkeHerman DahlkeHermann Dahlke was a Untersturmführer in the Waffen SS who was awarded the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross.-Early years:He was born on 11 February 1917 in Greifswald...
03.03.1943 OberscharführerOberscharführerOberscharführer was a Nazi Party paramilitary rank that existed between the years of 1932 and 1945. Translated as “Senior Squad Leader”, Oberscharführer was first used as a rank of the Sturmabteilung and was created due to an expansion of the enlisted positions required by growing SA membership...
3/1st SS Pz.Gren.Rgt - Albert FreyAlbert Frey (SS officer)Albert Frey was a Standartenführer in the 1st SS Division Leibstandarte SS Adolf Hitler. He was born on 16 February 1913 in Heidelberg, the son of a master baker...
03.03.1943 SturmbannführerSturmbannführerSturmbannführer was a paramilitary rank of the Nazi Party equivalent to major, used both in the Sturmabteilung and the Schutzstaffel...
I/1st SS Pz.Gren.Rgt - Erich GöstlErich GöstlDr. jur. Erich Göstl was a member of the Waffen SS who was awarded the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross, which was awarded to recognise extreme battlefield bravery or successful military leadership.Göstl was born in Vienna on April 17, 1925...
31.10.1944 Panzergrenadier MG-Gunner 6./1st SS Pz.Gren.Rgt - Erich GrätzErich GrätzErich Grätz was a Sturmbannführer in the Waffen SS who was awarded the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross.He was born on the 14 August 1909 in Neusalz on the Oder, Niederschlesien....
14.05.1944 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...
18./1st SS Pz.Gren.Rgt - Max HansenMax Hansen (SS officer)Max Hansen was a Standartenführer , in the Waffen-SS who was awarded the Knight's Cross with Oak Leaves. The Knights Cross was awarded to recognize extreme battlefield bravery or successful military leadership by Nazi Germany during World War II. The Oakleaves was a second award.Hansen was born on...
28.03.1943 SturmbannführerSturmbannführerSturmbannführer was a paramilitary rank of the Nazi Party equivalent to major, used both in the Sturmabteilung and the Schutzstaffel...
II/1st SS Pz.Gren.Rgt - Frank HasseFrank HasseFrank Hasse was a Obersturmführer in the Waffen SS who was awarded the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross, on the 6th August 1944, when in command of the 11th Company, 1st SS Panzer Grenadier Regiment LSSAH....
06.08.1944 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...
11./1st SS Pz.Gren.Rgt - Heinz NowotnikHeinz NowotnikHeinz Nowotnik was a Obersturmführer in the Waffen SS who was awarded the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross,on the 14 May 1944 while in command of the 14th Machine Gun Company,1st SS Panzer Grenadier Regiment LSSAH .-References:...
14.05.1944 UntersturmführerUntersturmführerUntersturmführer 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...
14./1st SS Pz.Gren.Rgt - Alfred SchneidereitAlfred SchneidereitAlfred Schneidereit was an Untersturmführer in the Waffen SS who was awarded the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross.He was born on the 29 October 1919 at Insterburg in East Prussia...
20.12.1943 RottenführerRottenführerRottenführer was a Nazi Party paramilitary rank that was first created in the year 1932. The rank of Rottenführer was used by several Nazi paramilitary groups, among them the Sturmabteilung , the Schutzstaffel and was senior to the paramilitary rank of Sturmmann.The insignia for Rottenführer...
Anti-tank rifleman 8./1st SS Pz.Gren.Rgt
SS Panzer Grenadier Regiment 2 LSSAH
- Hans BeckerHans BeckerHans Becker was a Sturmbannführer in the Waffen SS who was awarded the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross, on the 23 March 1943 while commanding the 2nd Company, of the 2nd SS Panzer Grenadier Regiment, LSSAH....
28.03.1943 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...
2./2nd SS Pz.Gren.Rgt - Josef DiefenthalJosef DiefenthalJosef Diefenthal was a Sturmbannfuhrer in the Waffen SS who was awarded the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross on 5 February 1945 for his exploits during the Ardennes Offensive, while in command of the 3rd Battalion, 2nd SS Panzer Grenadier Regiment, 1st SS Division Leibstandarte SS Adolf...
05.02.1945 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...
III/2nd SS Pz.Gren.Rgt - Gerhard GrebarscheGerhard GrebarscheGerhard Grebarsche was a Hauptscharführer in the Waffen SS who was awarded the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross on the 24 January 1944 while a platoon commander in the 3rd Company, 2nd SS Panzer Grenadier Regiment, 1st SS Division Leibstandarte SS Adolf Hitler....
24.01.1944 HauptscharführerHauptscharführerHauptscharführer was a Nazi paramilitary rank which was used by the Schutzstaffel between the years of 1934 and 1945. The rank was the highest enlisted rank of the SS, with the exception of the special Waffen-SS rank of Sturmscharführer....
platoon commander 3./2nd SS Pz.Gren.Rgt - Paul GuhlPaul GuhlPaul Guhl was a Sturmbannführer , in the Waffen SS who as awarded the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross on the 4 June 1944. When he was the commander of the 3rd Battalion, 2nd Panzer Grenadier Regiment, 1st SS Division Leibstandarte SS Adolf Hitler.-Commands:*11th Company LSSAH*III./2nd...
04.06.1944 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...
III/2nd SS Pz.Gren.Rgt - Georg KarckGeorg KarckGeorg Karck was a Sturmbannführer in the Waffen SS who was awarded the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross.He joined the SS on the 1 October 1931 and issued with the SS service number 17 690....
03.08.1943 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...
9./2nd SS Pz.Gren.Rgt - Hugo KraasHugo KraasSS-Brigadeführer Hugo Kraas was a German Waffen-SS officer who served with the 1.SS-Panzergrenadier-Division Leibstandarte SS Adolf Hitler and was the last commander of the 12.SS-Panzer-Division Hitlerjugend....
28.03.1943 SturmbannführerSturmbannführerSturmbannführer was a paramilitary rank of the Nazi Party equivalent to major, used both in the Sturmabteilung and the Schutzstaffel...
I/2nd SS Pz.Gren.Rgt - Joachim PeiperJoachim PeiperJoachim Peiper , more often known as Jochen Peiper, was a field officer in the Waffen-SS during World War II, convicted of war crimes in Belgium and accused of war crimes in Italy. He was Reichsführer-SS Heinrich Himmler's personal adjutant . In 1945, he was an SS-Standartenführer, the Waffen-SS's...
09.03.1943 SturmbannführerSturmbannführerSturmbannführer was a paramilitary rank of the Nazi Party equivalent to major, used both in the Sturmabteilung and the Schutzstaffel...
III/2nd SS Pz.Gren.Rgt - Georg PreußGeorg PreußGeorg Preuss was a Hauptsturmführer in the Waffen SS who was awarded the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross on the 5 February 1945, for his part in the Ardennes Offensive, he was also one of only 631 members of the German armed forces to receive the Close Combat Clasp in Gold.He commanded the 12th...
05.02.1945 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...
10./2nd SS Pz.Gren.Rgt - Rudolf SandigRudolf SandigRudolf Sandig was a Obersturmbannführer in the Waffen-SS, who was awarded the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross.He was born on the 11 September 1911 in Eppendorf, Saxony...
05.05.1943 SturmbannführerSturmbannführerSturmbannführer was a paramilitary rank of the Nazi Party equivalent to major, used both in the Sturmabteilung and the Schutzstaffel...
II/2nd SS Pz.Gren.Rgt - Bernhard SiebkenBernhard SiebkenBernhard Siebken was a Obersturmbannführer in the Waffen SS who was awarded the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross for his actions on the 17 April 1945, while in command of the 2nd SS Panzer Grenadier Regiment LSSAH....
17.04.1945 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...
2nd SS Pz.Gren.Rgt - Werner WolffWerner Wolff (SS officer)Werner Wolff was an Obersturmführer , in the 1. SS Panzer Division 'Leibstandarte Adolf Hitler' of the Waffen SS, who was awarded the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross....
07.08.1943 UntersturmführerUntersturmführerUntersturmführer 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...
Adjutant III/2nd SS Pz.Gren.Rgt
SS SturmgeschützSturmgeschützSturmgeschütz is a German word for "assault gun", usually abbreviated StuG. The vehicle was a leading weapon of the Sturmartillerie, a branch of the German artillery tasked with close fire support of infantry in infantry, panzer, and panzergrenadier units...
Battalion 1 LSSAH
- Alfred GüntherAlfred GüntherAlfred Günther was a Untersturmführer in the Waffen SS who was awarded the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross.Günther, SS service number 392 402, commanded the 3rd Company, 1st SS Sturmgeschütz Battalion...
03.03.1943 OberscharführerOberscharführerOberscharführer was a Nazi Party paramilitary rank that existed between the years of 1932 and 1945. Translated as “Senior Squad Leader”, Oberscharführer was first used as a rank of the Sturmabteilung and was created due to an expansion of the enlisted positions required by growing SA membership...
platoon commander 1./1st Stug Btn - Heinrich HeimannHeinrich HeimannIn the end Heinrich Heimann was a Sturmbannführer in the Waffen SS who was awarded the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross.He was the commander of Sturmgeschütz , Abteilung of the Leibstandarte SS Adolf Hitler when he was awarded the Knight's Cross on the 23 February 1944.In August 1944 he was killed...
23.02.1944 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...
1st SS Stug Btn - Fritz HenkeFritz HenkeFritz Henke was a Untersturmführer in the Waffen SS who was awarded the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross.Henke was born on the 21 June 1921 in Oldendorf, in Lower Saxony...
12.02.1944 OberscharführerOberscharführerOberscharführer was a Nazi Party paramilitary rank that existed between the years of 1932 and 1945. Translated as “Senior Squad Leader”, Oberscharführer was first used as a rank of the Sturmabteilung and was created due to an expansion of the enlisted positions required by growing SA membership...
platoon commander 3./1st SS Stug Btn - Karl RettlingerKarl RettlingerKarl Rettlinger was a Sturmbannführer in the Waffen-SS who was awarded the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross on the 20 December 1943, for personally destroying 30 Russian tanks on the Eastern Front, including 6 in one attack...
20.12.1943 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...
3./1st SS Stug Btn - Emil WiesemannEmil WiesemannEmil Wiesmann was a Hauptsturmführer in the Waffen SS who was awarded a posthumous Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross after being killed in action on 14 November 1943, while in command of the 2nd Battery, 1st SS Sturmgeschütz Battalion, 1st SS Division Leibstandarte SS Adolf Hitler.-References:...
20.12.1943 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...
2./1st SS Stug Btn
SS PanzerjägerPanzerjägerPanzerjäger was a branch of service of the Wehrmacht during the Second World War which were the anti-tank arm-of-service who operated anti-tank artillery, and made exclusive use of the tank destroyers which were also named Panzerjäger...
Battalion 1 LSSAH
- Kurt SametreiterKurt SametreiterKurt Sametreiter was an Oberscharführer in the Waffen SS who was awarded the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross.Sametreiter was awarded his Knight's Cross during the Battle of Kursk in the tank Battle of Prokhorovka he was a platoon commander in the 3rd Company, 1st Panzerjäger Battalion of the 1st...
31.07.1943 OberscharführerOberscharführerOberscharführer was a Nazi Party paramilitary rank that existed between the years of 1932 and 1945. Translated as “Senior Squad Leader”, Oberscharführer was first used as a rank of the Sturmabteilung and was created due to an expansion of the enlisted positions required by growing SA membership...
platoon commander 3.(s.)/1st SS Pz Jag Btn
SS Reconnaissance Battalion 1 LSSAH
- Gerhard BremerGerhard BremerGerhard Bremer was a Sturmbannführer in the Waffen SS who was awarded the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross with Oak Leaves...
30.10.1941 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...
1./1st SS Aufkl Btn - Gustav KnittelGustav KnittelGustav Knittel was an SS-Sturmbannführer in the 1st SS Division Leibstandarte SS Adolf Hitler who was awarded the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross and a convicted war criminal.- Early life :...
04.06.1944 SturmbannführerSturmbannführerSturmbannführer was a paramilitary rank of the Nazi Party equivalent to major, used both in the Sturmabteilung and the Schutzstaffel...
1st SS Pz Aufkl Btn - Kurt MeyerKurt Meyer (Panzermeyer)Kurt Meyer, nicknamed "Panzermeyer", served as an officer in the Waffen-SS during the Second World War. He saw action in many major battles, including the Invasion of France, Operation Barbarossa, and the Battle of Normandy.Meyer was awarded the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross with Oak Leaves and...
18.05.1941 SturmbannführerSturmbannführerSturmbannführer was a paramilitary rank of the Nazi Party equivalent to major, used both in the Sturmabteilung and the Schutzstaffel...
SS Aufkl Btn - Herman Weiser 28.03.1943 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...
2./1st SS Aufkl Btn
SS Flak Artillerie Battalion 1 LSSAH
- Walter PitschWalter PitschWalter Pitsch was a Hauptscharführer in the Waffen SS who was awarded the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross on 6 May 1945, he was the last member of the 1st SS Division Leibstandarte SS Adolf Hitler and the only member of the Division's Anti Aircraft battalion to be given the award.At the time of...
06.05.1945 HauptscharführerHauptscharführerHauptscharführer was a Nazi paramilitary rank which was used by the Schutzstaffel between the years of 1934 and 1945. The rank was the highest enlisted rank of the SS, with the exception of the special Waffen-SS rank of Sturmscharführer....
4./1st SS Flak Bt*
SS Training and Reserve Battalion 1 LSSAH
- Friedrich BlondFriedrich BlondFriedrich "Friedel" Blond was a Obersturmführer in the Waffen SS during World War II...
28.04.1945 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...
, 12th Company.