TracesOfWar needs your help! Every euro, pound or dollar you contribute greatly supports the continuation of this website. Go to stiwot.nl and donate!

Meierdrees, Hubert-Erwin (aka. Meierdress)

Date of birth:
December 11th, 1916 (Wesel/Rhine Province, Germany)
Date of death:
January 2nd, 1945 (near Dunaalmás/Komárom-Esztergom, Hungary)
Buried on:
German War Cemetery Vienna
Plot: 1. Row: 6. Grave: 9.
Service number:
SS Nr.: 265.243 // NSDAP-Nr.: 3.601.911
Nationality:
German

Biography

In most literature and documents his last name has been is being written as Meierdress. According by himself written documents however, his name should be Hubert-Erwin Meierdrees.

15.02.1933: Hitlerjugend
04.04.1934: entered the NSDAP
01.08.1934: entered the SS-VT - LSSAH
01.04.1938-19.04.1939: SS-Junker-Schule Braunschweig
01.02.1939-31.03.1939: Zugführer-Lehrgang Dachau
01.05.1939: SS-Ustuf, Zugführer, 13. Sturm, SS-Standarte 'Der Führer'
12.06.1939: SS-Ustuf, Batterie-Offizier, 4. Batterie, SS-Artillerie-Regiment, SS-Verfüngungs-Truppe - later renamed SS-Sturmgeschüz-Batterie, SS-Totenkopf-Division
00.09.1939: campaign in Poland
20.10.1939: SS-Ustuf, Adjutant, Stab, I. Abteilung, SS-Totenkopf-Artillerie-Regiment, SS-Division 'Totenkopf'
00.05.1940: SS-Ustuf, campaign in France
00.06.1941: SS-Ostuf, campaign in Russia
15.01.1942: SS-Ostuf, Kdr, Kampfgruppe with the remnants of the SS-Totenkopf-StuG-Batterie
18.02.1942: SS-Ostuf, severely WIA
21.02.1942: SS-Ostuf, flown out of the Demjansk pocket in a Fieseler Fi 156 Storch
01.04.1942: SS-Ostuf, SS-Artillerie-Ersatz-Regiment - München
26.10.1942-14.11.1942: SS-Hstuf, Panzer-Kommandant-Lehrgang - Panzertruppe-Schule Wünsdorf
20.11.1942: SS-Hstuf, Kdr, I. Abteilung, SS-Panzer-Regiment 3, SS-Panzer-Grenadier-Regiment 'Totenkopf'
20.08.1943: SS-Hstuf, severely WIA for the 5th time at Hill 167.5, North East of Kolontajew on the Dniepr river and sent to Lazarett
20.09.1943: SS-Hstuf, SS-Panzer-Ausbildungs- und Ersatz-Regiment
05.10.1943: SS-Hstuf, received the oakleaves of the RK from A. Hitler
20.01.1944: SS-Hstuf, Kdr, I. Abteilung, SS-Panzer-Regiment 3, 3. SS-Panzer-Grenadier-Regiment 'Totenkopf'
02 or 04.01.1945: SS-Stubaf, KIA in the explosion of his Panther '101' with his gunner, his loader and driver escaped with serious wounds near Biscke - Dunaalmás - Komárom trying to break the encirclement of Budapest :
-SS-Obersturmführer Alfred Quilitz, gunner KIA
-SS-Unterscharführer Kurt Sörhmann, radio operator WIA
-SS-Sturmmann Sepp Tittel, loader and second radioman KIA
-SS-Mann Sepp Hirsch, driver WIA

Promotions:
20.04.1939: SS-Untersturmführer
09.11.1940: SS-Obersturmführer
20.04.1942: SS-Hauptsturmführer RDA 20.04.1941
30.01.1944: SS-Sturmbannführer

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

Awarded on:
February 1934
Ehrenwinkel der Alten Kämpfer
Awarded on:
1935
Julleuchter der SS
DRL Sportabzeichen in Bronze
Bronzes SA-Sportabzeichen
Awarded on:
1939
Ehrendegen des Reichsführers-SS
Awarded on:
1939
SS-Dienstauszeichnung 4.Stufe (4 Jahre)
Period:
Second World War (1939-1945)
Rank:
SS-Untersturmführer (2nd Lieutenant)
Unit:
Panzer-Division 'Kempf'
Awarded on:
November 15th, 1939
for bravery during the Polish campaign
Eisernes Kreuz 2. Klasse
Period:
Second World War (1939-1945)
Awarded on:
1941
(Allgemeines) Sturmabzeichen (ohne zahlen), I.Stufe
Period:
Second World War (1939-1945)
Rank:
SS-Obersturmführer (Lieutenant)
Unit:
Chef, SS-Totenkopf-Sturmgeschütz-Batterie, SS-Totenkopf-Division
Awarded on:
January 15th, 1942
On 15 January 1942, the Soviets launched a major attack which threatened to sever the main highway at the town of Bjakowo. Meierdress, seeing the threat, formed an ad-hoc Kampfgruppe (battle group) from his StuG battery (down to less than 100 men) and assorted engineers, SS-police troopers and Artillery reconnaissance troops which were located in and around the town. With his kampfgruppe, Meierdrees held the town against repeated assaults by much larger forces.
Eisernes Kreuz 1. Klasse
Period:
Second World War (1939-1945)
Awarded on:
1942
Verwundetenabzeichen 1939 in Silber
Period:
Second World War (1939-1945)
Rank:
SS-Obersturmführer (Lieutenant)
Unit:
Führer, Sturmgeschütz-Batterie, SS-Totenkopf-Artillerie-Regiment, SS-Division 'Totenkopf', 16. Armee, Heeresgruppe Nord
Awarded on:
March 13th, 1942
The Knight’s Cross recommendation of Erwin Meierdrees reads as follows…

“SS-Obersturmführer Meierdrees, commander of the Sturmgeschütz-Batterie / SS-Totenkopf-Division, has participated in the Polish campaign, the western campaign and the campaign against the Soviet Union. On the 15.11.1939 he was decorated with the Iron Cross Second Class, and on the 15.01.1942 with the Iron Cross First Class.

Meierdrees was serving as part of Kampfgruppe Bochmann when the Russians penetrated friendly lines south of Staraya Russa at the beginning of January 1942, and in response to this development Meierdrees was initially deployed northeast and southeast of the city. His numerous bold attacks brought valuable relief to the hard-pressed Heer units in this area, and heavy losses were inflicted on the foe in the process. After the Kampfgruppe commander became a casualty SS-Obersturmführer Meierdrees rallied the remnants of the Gruppe and proceeded to conduct a determined defense of the village of Bjakowa (located on the Staraya Russa—Demyansk road).

Since the end of January Meierdrees has held this village in a heroic struggle against overwhelming enemy attacks despite being encircled from all sides. Whenever the Russians fought their way into the village with strong tank and aircraft support they were always forced to retreat from their gains in the face of the bravely fighting troops under the bold and skillful leadership of SS-Obersturmführer Meierdrees.

The defenders of Bjakowa continue to stand their ground under the guidance of their heroic commander.

The holding of this village is of critical importance for the integrity of Fortress Demyansk, as the capture of this village would place another section of the road into enemy hands and bring them one step closer to linking up with those Russian forces pushing southwards from Gortschizy.

I ask that SS-Obersturmführer Meierdrees be awarded the Knight’s Cross to the Iron Cross on account of his heroic struggle and the success he has achieved.”
Ritterkreuz des Eisernen Kreuzes
Period:
Second World War (1939-1945)
Awarded on:
1942
Medaille
Period:
Second World War (1939-1945)
Awarded on:
April 1943
Demjanskschild
Period:
Second World War (1939-1945)
Awarded on:
1943

Silver version
Panzerkampfabzeichen (ohne Zahl)
Period:
Second World War (1939-1945)
Rank:
SS-Hauptsturmführer (Captain)
Unit:
Kommandeur, I. Bataillon, SS-Panzer-Regiment 3 "Totenkopf", SS-Panzergrenadier-Division "Totenkopf", 8. Armee, Heeresgruppe Süd
Awarded on:
October 5th, 1943
The Oakleaves recommendation of Erwin Meierdrees reads as follows…

“1.) During the attack against the Uljanowka agricultural estate on the 01.03.1943 our Panzers were unable to advance due to the threat from a strong Pakfront. SS-Hauptsturmführer Meierdrees bypassed this Pakfront with his Panzer and attacked it from the flank with magnificent spirit. He personally crushed 4 heavy anti-tank guns beneath his tracks, and his brave deed opened up the enemy’s front for a pursuit thrust by our forces.

2.) During the early morning hours of the 03.03.1943 Meierdrees and his Panzer-Abteilung had a surprise encounter with a Russian column stretching 7 km in length (consisting of mostly artillery and anti-tank guns) whilst advancing towards Schljachowaja. SS-Hauptsturmführer Meierdrees immediately attacked this column on his own initiative, and by driving at the very spearhead of the attack he gave his troops the highest example of dutifulness and personal bravery.

The success was total. Several artillery detachments, over 40 anti-tank guns and several hundred trucks together with abundant quantities of assorted war materiel were destroyed or captured.

The 15 T-34s that were escorting the Russian column were all destroyed in the process.

3.) On the 07.07.1943 the enemy commenced their anticipated flanking thrust from Ternowka towards the Radin—Schopino road with strong infantry and tank forces. In response SS-Hauptsturmführer Meierdrees engaged the attackers as the first friendly unit to do so (they therefore did not even have infantry support at first). Whilst driving amongst his point Kompanie he identified a large assembly of about a regiment’s worth of Russian infantry in the Dolshik ravine. These were presumably awaiting the arrival of their own armoured forces, which were located about 1.5 km to the east at the time.

SS-Hauptsturmführer Meierdrees immediately ordered his light Kompanie to attack these infantry. He personally led the Kompanie into the opposing ranks, and the foe was routed with heavy losses. After this he led both of his medium Kompanien in an attack against the hostile armoured forces. By skillfully inserting his forces into battle it was possible to destroy 5 tanks in a very short time (of which he personally took out 3). The remaining tanks pulled back to the east at top speed. This determined and energetic intervention by SS-Hauptsturmführer Meierdrees prevented the Russians from blocking the road.

4.) SS-Hauptsturmführer Meierdrees and his Abteilung repeatedly distinguished themselves during the seizure and defense of the Psel bridgehead. During the attack against the hutment near Kljutschi on the 12.07.1943 his Abteilung assailed a strongly fortified Russian defensive system which was occupied by infantry forces that were quite ready for defense against armour. As the rest of the Abteilung rolled over the trenches and proceeded to engage the enemy infantry further in the rear, the Panzer of SS-Hauptsturmführer Meierdrees was immobilized. He proceeded to bail out, rally the other bailed out crews of his Abteilung and then clear out the hostile positions in man-to-man close combat.

5.) During the attack against Hill 213.9 (on the Mius) Meierdrees and his Abteilung were amongst those in the first wave. He led his men forwards with indefatigable aggressiveness, and did not waver from even the strongest defensive fire. During this fighting his Panzer was knocked out twice, forcing him to bail out and engage in infantry combat with his crew. On the 01.08.1943 he rolled out with his Abteilung for the fifth time, and finally he and his men managed to circumvent the hostile anti-tank/artillery fire and take control of the hill. Strong infantry counterthrusts that were supported by tanks were repulsed.

6.) During the establishment of the Kolontajew bridgehead on the 19./20.08.1943 SS-Hauptsturmführer Meierdrees and his Abteilung distinguished themselves once again. Disregarding the strong enemy artillery and anti-tank fire that was falling on the village, he drove through the hostile gunfire, captured Hill 167.5 (located NE of the village) and held it against the strongest of opposing pressure. Here SS-Hauptsturmführer Meierdrees was wounded for the fifth time.”

310th Award.
Ritterkreuz mit Eichenlaub
WIA 18.02.1942 + 20.08.1943

Awarded after his fifth serious wound late August 1943 at the Dniepr line in the Ukraine. Exact date unknown.

Sources

Photo

Themes