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Waldmüller, Johann 'Hans' (Waffen SS)

Date of birth:
September 13th, 1912 (Bamberg/Bavaria, Germany)
Date of death:
September 8th, 1944 (Basse-Bodeux, Stavelot, Trois-Ponts, Verviers, Liège, Belgium)
Buried on:
German War Graves Düren
Row: 10. Grave: 188.
Service number:
SS-Nr.: 131.258 // NSDAP-Nr.: 4.583.268
Nationality:
German

Biography

Promotions:
00.11.1934: SS-Mann
00.00.1934: SS-Sturmmann
01.04.1936: SS-Junker
00.00.1936: SS-Standartenjunker
00.00.1937: SS-Standartenoberjunker
20.04.1937: SS-Untersturmführer
11.09.1938: SS-Obersturmführer
20.04.1940: SS-Hauptsturmführer
31.05.1940: SS-Obersturmführer der Waffen-SS
00.06.1942: SS-Hauptsturmführer der Waffen-SS
21.06.1943: SS-Sturmbannführer der Waffen-SS
20.11.1944: SS-Obersturmbannführer der Waffen-SS (posthumously)

Career:
01.11.1933: joined the SS
00.11.1934: SS-Schütze, 4. Sturm, SS-Standarte 'Deutschland', SS-VT
01.05.1937: joined the NSDAP
00.05.1937: Sicherheitsdienst (SD), Reichsführers-SS
00.05.1940: SS-Ostuf, Zugführer, 4. Sturm, SS-Standarte Leibstandarte SS Adolf Hitler - campaign in France - Operation Fall Gelb
00.02.1941: SS-Ostuf, Zugführer, 4. Kompanie, SS-Infanterie-Regiment Leibstandarte SS Adolf Hitler - campaign in the Balkans - Operation Marita
00.06.1941: SS-Ostuf, Zugführer, 4. Kompanie, SS-Infanterie-Regiment Leibstandarte SS Adolf Hitler - campaign in Russia - Operation Barbarossa
00.02.1942: SS-Ostuf, Chef, 4. Kompanie, SS-Infanterie-Regiment 1, SS-LAH Division
17.02.1943: SS-Hstuf, Chef, 4. Kompanie, SS-Panzergrenadier-Regiment 1, LAH - WIA
00.08.1943: SS-Stubaf, Führer, I. Bataillon, SS-Panzergrenadier-Regiment 25, 12. SS-Panzergrenadier-Division 'Hitlerjugend'
00.06.1944: SS-Stubaf, Führer, I. Bataillon, SS-Panzergrenadier-Regiment 25, 12. SS-Panzergrenadier-Division 'Hitlerjugend' - fightings at Cambes near Caen, Normandie, France
08.09.1944: KIA bayonetted in the stomach near Basse-Bodeux by members of the Belgian resistance while driving between Werbomont and Stavelot

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Awarded on:
1935
Julleuchter der SS
Awarded on:
1937
Bronzes SA-Sportabzeichen
Awarded on:
1937
Awarded on:
1937
DRL Sportabzeichen in Bronze
Awarded on:
December 1st, 1937
Ehrendegen des Reichsführers-SS
Awarded on:
1938
SS-Ehrenring
Period:
Second World War (1939-1945)
Rank:
SS-Obersturmführer (Lieutenant)
Unit:
SS-Infanterie-Regiment LAH
Awarded on:
April 1st, 1941
Eisernes Kreuz 2. Klasse
Period:
Second World War (1939-1945)
Rank:
SS-Obersturmführer (Lieutenant)
Awarded on:
1941
Verwundetenabzeichen 1939 in Schwarz
Period:
Second World War (1939-1945)
Rank:
SS-Obersturmführer (Lieutenant)
Unit:
SS-Infanterie-Regiment LAH
Awarded on:
August 15th, 1941
Eisernes Kreuz 1. Klasse
Period:
Second World War (1939-1945)
Rank:
SS-Obersturmführer (Lieutenant)
Unit:
SS-Infanterie-Regiment LAH
Awarded on:
December 30th, 1941
his Deutsches Kreuz recommendation gives 23.02.1942
Infanterie-Sturmabzeichen in Bronze
Period:
Second World War (1939-1945)
Rank:
SS-Hauptsturmführer (Captain)
Awarded on:
July 10th, 1942
Voenen Orden
Period:
Second World War (1939-1945)
Rank:
SS-Hauptsturmführer (Captain)
Awarded on:
August 1st, 1942
his Deutsches Kreuz recommendation gives 25.08.1942
Medaille
Period:
Second World War (1939-1945)
Rank:
SS-Hauptsturmführer (Captain)
Unit:
Führer, I. Bataillon, SS-Panzergrenadier-Regiment 1, 1. SS-Panzergrenadier-Division "Leibstandarte-SS Adolf Hitler"
Awarded on:
May 6th, 1943
based on a recommendation dated 21.04.1943 and signed by Btl. Kdr. Albert Frey; approved by Rgt. Kdr. Fritz Witt
Deutsches Kreuz in Gold
Period:
Second World War (1939-1945)
Rank:
SS-Hauptsturmführer (Captain)
Awarded on:
June 15th, 1943
WIA 00.00.1941 + 17.02.1943
Verwundetenabzeichen 1939 in Silber
Period:
Second World War (1939-1945)
Rank:
SS-Sturmbannführer (Major)
Unit:
Kommandeur, I. Bataillon, SS-Panzergrenadier-Regiment 25, 12. SS-Panzergrenadier-Division "Hitlerjugend", I. SS-Panzer-Korps, Heeresgruppe B
Awarded on:
August 27th, 1944
Waldmüller’s Knight’s Cross recommendation reads as follows…

“On the 08.07.1944 SS-Sturmbannführer Waldmüller held his position near Epron while showing exemplary leadership and bravery, even though enemy tank forces had outflanked his right wing and penetrated deep into the rear of the Division. Acting on his his own initiative, he defended his sector the whole day against the fiercely attacking enemy. SS-Sturmbannführer Waldmüller’s stand here enabled the Division to form a new frontline north of Caen over the course of the next night. That same night SS-Sturmbannführer Waldmüller led his Bataillon back through enemy lines to the new positions while bringing along all wounded men.

On the 08.08.1944 Waldmüller’s reinforced Bataillon began a counterattack against Garcelles. Their opposition was in the form of over 100 tanks and an air force of 800 four-engined bombers. In the course of the fighting Waldmüller and his unit destroyed over 40 enemy tanks with both Panzerjäger and close combat weapons. However due to the enemy superiority and his own losses, Waldmüller was compelled to establish an all-round defense with his units near Garcelles. In the course of the night a breakthrough towards St. Sylvian took place. Strong enemy tank forces punched through the new positions and tried to roll up Waldmüller’s Bataillon.

Through the personal, brave example of its commander the Bataillon was able to fend off all enemy attacks and pull back to new positions in the evening hours.

As a result of the toughness and flexible leadership of SS-Sturmbannführer Waldmüller, the Division succeeded in halting the thrust of strong enemy forces towards Falaise.

I ask that SS-Sturmbannführer Waldmüller be recognized for his accomplishments with the Knight’s Cross to the Iron Cross.”

based on a recommendation dated 13.08.1944 and signed by Div. Kdr. Kurt Meyer; approved by Korps Kom. Gen. “Sepp” Dietrich
Ritterkreuz des Eisernen Kreuzes

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