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Eichhorn, Hugo (Waffen SS)

Date of birth:
February 11th, 1911 (Weilmünster/Hessen, Germany)
Date of death:
May 27th, 1992 (Gedern, Germany)
Service number:
SS-Nr.: 44.503 // NSDAP-Nr.: 590.774
Nationality:
German (1933-1945, Third Reich)

Biography

Finally reached the rank of SS-Obersturmbannführer der Reserve.

00.00.1931: joined the NSDAP
00.00.1932: joined the SS, SS-TV 'Brandenburg', KL Sachsenhausen
00.00.1937: joined the SS-VT
06.09.1939: SS-Unterscharführer, 1. Kompanie, SS-Pionier-Bataillon 3, SS-Division 'Totenkopf'
27.03.1940-31.07.1940: SS-Junkerschule at Bad Tölz
00.00.1940: SS-Oberjunker, creation of the SS-Pionier-Bataillon 5 for the newly formed SS-Division 'Wiking'
01.08.1940: Zugführer, SS-Pionier-Ausbildungs- und Ersatz-Bataillon 1
00.12.1940: promoted to SS-Untersturmführer der Reserve
31.01.1941: SS-Ustuf, Kompanieführer, SS-Pionier-Ausbildungs- und Ersatz-Bataillon 1, Dresden
21.02.1941: SS-Ustuf, Kompanieführer, SS-Pionier-Bataillon 5, SS-Division „Wiking"
03.03.1941: SS-Ustuf, Bataillons-Adjutant, SS-Pionier-Bataillon 5, SS-Division „Wiking"
14.09.1941: WIA
00.12.1941: promoted to SS-Obersturmführer der Reserve
09.11.1942: promoted to SS-Hauptsturmführer der Reserve
00.02.1943-00.09.1943: SS-Hstuf, Führer, SS-Pionier-Bataillon 5, 5. SS-Panzer-Division 'Wiking'
04.09.1943: severely WIA to the head
24.01.1944-00.05.1945: SS-Hstuf, Führer, SS-Pionier-Ausbildungs und-Ersatz-Bataillon, Dresden
00.04.1944: promoted to SS-Sturmbannführer der Reserve and Kommandeur, SS-Pionier-Ausbildungs- und Ersatz-Bataillon 1
00.09.1944: SS-Stubaf, Kommandeur, SS-Pionier-Ausbildungs- und Ersatz-Regiment 1
20.04.1945: promoted to SS-Obersturmbannführer der Reserve

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SS-Zivilabzeichen
Awarded on:
February 1934
Ehrenwinkel der Alten Kämpfer
Awarded on:
1935
Julleuchter der SS
Bronzes SA-Sportabzeichen
DRL Sportabzeichen in Bronze
Awarded on:
1936
SS-Dienstauszeichnung 4.Stufe (4 Jahre)
Awarded on:
April 1st, 1939
Dienstauszeichnung der NSDAP 10 Jahre
Awarded on:
1939
Medaille zur Erinnerung an den 1. Oktober 1938
Period:
Second World War (1939-1945)
Awarded on:
1940
Ehrendegen des Reichsführers-SS
Period:
Second World War (1939-1945)
Awarded on:
1940
SS-Dienstauszeichnung 3.Stufe (8 Jahre)
Period:
Second World War (1939-1945)
Awarded on:
September 20th, 1941
Eisernes Kreuz 2. Klasse
Period:
Second World War (1939-1945)
Awarded on:
September 14th, 1941
Verwundetenabzeichen 1939 in Schwarz
Period:
Second World War (1939-1945)
Awarded on:
November 9th, 1942
Eisernes Kreuz 1. Klasse
Period:
Second World War (1939-1945)
Awarded on:
1942
(Allgemeines) Sturmabzeichen (ohne zahlen), I.Stufe
Period:
Second World War (1939-1945)
Awarded on:
September 10th, 1942
Medaille
Period:
Second World War (1939-1945)
Rank:
SS-Hauptsturmführer der Reserve (Captain of Reserves)
Unit:
Stab, SS-Pionier-Bataillon 5, 5. SS-Panzer-Grenadier-Division "Wiking", LVII. Panzerkorps, 4. Panzerarmee, Heeresgruppe Don
Awarded on:
January 15th, 1943
Eichhorn’s Knight’s Cross recommendation reads as follows…

“On the 08.01.1943 SS-Hauptsturmführer Eichhorn first defended Orlowskaja against a regimental-sized attack on his own initiative with 2 weak Kompanien. Then, in a counterthrust of his own, he smashed the enemy’s 550th Regiment.

Through this Eichhorn has exhibited an example of the highest devotion to duty, and through his independent actions he once again brought the important road/railway junction firmly under friendly control. Over 700 enemy dead were counted. 5 artillery pieces, 3 heavy anti-tank guns, 1 heavy AA gun, 8 anti-tank rifles, 22 MGs, numerous small arms and 30 horse-drawn wagons were also captured.”
Ritterkreuz des Eisernen Kreuzes
Period:
Second World War (1939-1945)
Awarded on:
September 1943
WIA 14.09.1941 + 04.09.1943
Verwundetenabzeichen 1939 in Silber
Period:
Second World War (1939-1945)
Awarded on:
1944
SS-Dienstauszeichnung 2.Stufe (12 Jahre)

Sources

Photos