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Meyer, Hans (Waffen SS)

Date of birth:
September 13th, 1916 (Kiel, Germany)
Date of death:
March 22nd, 1979 (Munich, Germany)
Service number:
SS-Nr.: 311.794 // NSDAP-Nr.:
Nationality:
German

Biography

25.05.1933-01.10.1933: Hitlerjugend
01.10.1933-01.04.1936: NAPOLA, Plon
01.04.1936-10.10.1936: RAD
00.10.1936: Pionier-Bataillon, Reichswehr
00.09.1937: joined the SS in the SS-Standarte "Deutschland", SS-VT
01.10.1937-01.08.1938: SS-Junker, SS-Junkerschule Bad Tölz
00.09.1938: Zugführer-Lehrgang, Dachau
25.10.1938: SS-Standartenoberjunker, 10. Kompanie, SS-Infanterie-Regiment-"Deutschland"
00.09.1939: WIA two times during the Polish campaign and sent to a Lazarett SS-Heim Karlsbad
00.11.1939: SS-Ostuf, SS-Infanterie-Ersatz-Bataillon, LSSAH
18.09.1941: SS-Ostuf, WIA for the 3rd time
25.10.1941: SS-Ostuf, Regiments-Adjutant, SS-Infanterie-Regiment "Nordland", 5. SS-Panzer-Division 'Wiking'
00.12.1941: SS-Ostuf, Führer, 12. Kompanie, SS-Infanterie-Regiment "Nordland", 5. SS-Panzer-Division 'Wiking'
01.05.1943: Stab, 11. SS-Panzergrenadier-Division "Nordland"
18.10.1943-13.11.1943: SS-Hstuf, 13. Bataillons-Führer-Lehrgang, schnelle Panzertruppenschule, Paris
14.11.1943: SS-Hstuf, Führer, 9. Kompanie, SS-Panzergrenadier-Regiment 24 "Danmark", 11. SS-Panzergrenadier-Division "Nordland"
00.00.1944: SS-Hstuf, Führer, SS-Freiwilligen-Panzergrenadier-Regiment 48 "General Seyffardt", 11. SS-Panzergrenadier-Division "Nordland"
17.03.1944: SS-Hstuf, WIA for the 5th time
26.08.1944: SS-Hstuf, heavily WIA by a friendly mine
01.09.1944: promoted to SS-Sturmbannführer - RDA 20.04.1944

Do you have more information about this person? Inform us!

Awarded on:
1938
Ehrendegen des Reichsführers-SS
SS-Ehrenring
Bronzes SA-Sportabzeichen
DRL Sportabzeichen in Bronze
Deutsches Reiterabzeichen in Bronze
Period:
Second World War (1939-1945)
Rank:
SS-Untersturmführer (2nd Lieutenant)
Unit:
Zugführer, 10. Kompanie, III. Sturmbann, SS-Standarte ”Deutschland”, SS-VT
Awarded on:
October 1939
WIA 00.09.1939 + 00.09.1939
Verwundetenabzeichen 1939 in Schwarz
Period:
Second World War (1939-1945)
Rank:
SS-Untersturmführer (2nd Lieutenant)
Unit:
Zugführer, 10. Kompanie, III. Sturmbann, SS-Standarte ”Deutschland”, SS-VT
Awarded on:
October 24th, 1939
other sources indicate 10.10.1939
Eisernes Kreuz 2. Klasse
Awarded on:
March 1st, 1940
Medaille zur Erinnerung an den 1. Oktober 1938 mit Spange
Period:
Second World War (1939-1945)
Rank:
SS-Obersturmführer (Lieutenant)
Awarded on:
September 18th, 1941
WIA 00.09.1939 + 00.09.1939 + 18.09.1941
Verwundetenabzeichen 1939 in Silber
Period:
Second World War (1939-1945)
Rank:
SS-Obersturmführer (Lieutenant)
Awarded on:
February 20th, 1942
Infanterie-Sturmabzeichen in Bronze
Period:
Second World War (1939-1945)
Rank:
SS-Obersturmführer (Lieutenant)
Unit:
Chef, 12. Kompanie, SS-Infanterie-Regiment 'Nordland', 5. SS-Panzer-Division 'Wiking'
Awarded on:
October 22nd, 1942
Eisernes Kreuz 1. Klasse
Period:
Second World War (1939-1945)
Awarded on:
September 10th, 1942
Medaille
Period:
Second World War (1939-1945)
Rank:
SS-Hauptsturmführer (Captain)
Awarded on:
March 23rd, 1944
WIA 00.09.1939 + 00.09.1939 + 18.09.1941 + 17.03.1944
Verwundetenabzeichen 1939 in Gold
Period:
Second World War (1939-1945)
Rank:
SS-Hauptsturmführer (Captain)
Unit:
Führer, I. Bataillon, SS-Freiwilligen-Panzergrenadier-Regiment 49 "De Ruiter" (niederl. Nr. 2), 23. SS-Freiwilligen-Panzergrenadier-Division 'Nederland', III. (germanisches) SS-Panzer-Korps, Heeresgruppe Nord
Awarded on:
September 2nd, 1944
Meyer’s Knight’s Cross recommendation reads as follows…

“During the retreat movement of the Brigade from the Narva bridgehead to the Tannenberg line (taking place in the time period 24.-26.07.1944), the Soviets commenced a major attack with overwhelming forces and strong ground attack air units on the morning of the 25.07.1944 in the sector of the 20. (estn.) SS-Frw.Div., specifically near Riigi and Hungerburg.

Due to their great numerical and materiel superiority, the enemy succeeded in penetrating the lines at Riigi. They thrust through them as far as Vodawa and Peeteristi, and from there blocked the road being used as a retreat route by the Brigade. At the time it was the only such route available, and the enemy blocked it right as the retreat movement was in full swing, with the bulk of the friendly artillery currently changing position.

SS-Hauptsturmführer Meyer, commander of the I./SS-Frw.Pz.Gren.Rgt. 49 ‘De Ruyter’, had just vacated the bridgehead a few hours previously. He had led it to the new Tannenberg line as per orders, however he at once recognized the dangerous situation and deployed his Bataillon for an immediate counterattack on his own initiative against the overwhelming enemy forces that had penetrated the lines. Devoting himself fully to the battle, he led his Bataillon forwards in a boldly conducted attack. The enemy was thrown back off the road and towards the northwest before they had properly consolidated their gains.

Through his swift, independent and determined action, Meyer played a decisive role in ensuring that the Brigade could conduct its retreat movement. Above all he enabled two artillery regiments (as well as additional Heer artillery deployed to the Narva sector) to withdraw to the new defensive area with all of their constituent artillery pieces. These would later be available for the heavy defensive battles that followed, and their fire support was of massive importance in smashing the strong enemy attacks that were launched against the Tannenberg line.”
Ritterkreuz des Eisernen Kreuzes

Sources

  • Photo 1:
  • Photo 2:
  • Photo 3:
  • - Die Ordensträger der Deutschen Wehrmacht - Microfilm Publication A3343. US National Archives.

Photos