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

Borchers, Hermann (Waffen SS)

Date of birth:
December 5th, 1910 (Wendhausen-Lüneburg/Hannover, Germany)
Date of death:
August 31st, 1974 (Berlin)
Service number:
SS-Nr.: 257.879 // NSDAP-Nr.: 3.601.330
Nationality:
German

Biography

SS-Sturmbannführer der Waffen-SS Hermann Karl Heinrich Borchers was the brother of RKT Major Adolf Borchers (o10.02.1913) Staffelkapitän of 11.Staffel, Jagdgeschwader 51 "Mölders" and of RKT Major Walter Borchers (o22.01.1916) KIA 05.03.1945 as Kommodore of Nachtjagdgeschwader 5

Promotions:
25.08.1934: SS-Anwärter
25.08.1934: SS-Rottenführer
01.04.1936: SS-Junker
01.10.1936: SS-Standartenjunker
16.02.1937: SS-Standartenoberjunker
01.05.1937: Leutnant der Schutzpolizei
20.04.1937: SS-Untersturmführer
09.11.1938: SS-Obersturmführer und Oberleutnant der Schutzpolizei
30.01.1940: SS-Hauptsturmführer
09.11.1944: SS-Sturmbannführer der Waffen-SS

Career:
01.11.1928: joined the SA
00.08.1934: joined the Leibstandarte SS Adolf Hitler, SS-VT
00.03.1935: joined the NSDAP
00.06.1936: SS-Junkerschule in Braunschweig
00.05.1937: promoted to SS-Untersturmführer, Stab, Reichsführer-SS
00.00.1938: Leutnant der Schutzpolizei, Schutzpolizei in Lübeck
00.05.1938: Police School at Berlin Köpenick
00.02.1941: Kdr, Kompanie, SS-Polizei-Regiment 26, Norway
00.08.1942: SS-Radfahr-Ersatz-Bataillon
00.02.1943: Kdr, 1. Kompanie, SS-Panzergrenadier-Regiment 19, 9. SS-Panzer-Division 'Hohenstaufen'
00.07.1944: Kdr, I. Bataillon, SS-Panzergrenadier-Regiment 19, 9. SS-Panzer-Division 'Hohenstaufen' - River Orne, St Martin, Normandy

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

Awarded on:
February 1934
Ehrenwinkel der Alten Kämpfer
Bronzes SA-Sportabzeichen
DRL Sportabzeichen in Bronze
Deutsches Reiterabzeichen in Bronze
Awarded on:
1937
Ehrendegen des Reichsführers-SS
Awarded on:
1937
SS-Ehrenring
Awarded on:
1939
Medaille zur Erinnerung an den 13. März 1938
Awarded on:
1939
Medaille zur Erinnerung an den 1. Oktober 1938
Period:
Second World War (1939-1945)
Awarded on:
January 3rd, 1942
Kriegsverdienstkreuz 2.Klasse mit Schwertern
Period:
Second World War (1939-1945)
Awarded on:
1942
Medaille
Period:
Second World War (1939-1945)
Awarded on:
April 28th, 1944
Eisernes Kreuz 2. Klasse
Period:
Second World War (1939-1945)
Awarded on:
May 17th, 1944
in Bronze
Panzerkampfabzeichen (ohne Zahl)
Period:
Second World War (1939-1945)
Awarded on:
July 8th, 1944
Eisernes Kreuz 1. Klasse
Period:
Second World War (1939-1945)
Rank:
SS-Hauptsturmführer (Captain)
Unit:
Führer, I. Bataillon, SS-Panzer-Grenadier-Regiment 19, 9. SS-Panzer-Division "Hohenstaufen", II. SS-Panzer-Korps, Heeresgruppe B
Awarded on:
October 16th, 1944
Borchers’ Knight’s Cross recommendation reads as follows…

“The Regiment’s battle plan envisioned the capture of the 1st attack objective (May sur Orne) with the I. Bataillon being positioned forward on the left and the II. and III. Bataillon being staggered towards the rear on the right. From there the attack would be carried on to St. Martin, wherein the I. and II. Bataillon would be in the forward echelon with the III. Bataillon staggered to the right. Enemy artillery blocking fire and air attacks during the approach march and the battle itself meant that the initial attacks by II. and III. Bataillon did not come to fruition.

I. Bataillon, on the other hand, managed to boldly recapture May sur Orne. After this the commander of the Bataillon, SS-Hauptsturmführer Borchers, made the bold and independent decision to immediately press on with the attack without waiting for II. Bataillon to catch up. Although his right and left flanks were now fully open Borchers led his Regiment through the enemy blocking fire at the head of his men. They entered into St. Martin following hard close combat and firmly established themselves there. All enemy counterthrusts (some of which had tank support) were repulsed.

The swift attainment of St. Martin and the associated creation of a secure left flank for the Regiment were decisive for the future course of the attack. This success is attributable to the personal decisiveness, exemplary bravery and purposeful leadership of the commander of I. Bataillon.”
Ritterkreuz des Eisernen Kreuzes

Sources

Photo