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Mühleck, Karl (Waffen SS)

Date of birth:
July 27th, 1920 (Weinsberg/Baden-Württemberg, Germany)
Date of death:
December 26th, 1944 (Manhay, St. Vith/Liege, Belgium)
Buried on:
German War Cemetery Sandweiler
Grave: UNK.
Service number:
SS-Nr.: 423.858 (V) // NSDAP-Nr.:
Nationality:
German (1933-1945, Third Reich)

Biography

Promotions:
00.00.1941: SS-Unterscharführer
27.02.1942: SS-Standartenjunker
31.03.1942: SS-Standartenoberjunker
20.04.1943: SS-Untersturmführer der Reserve
20.04.1944: SS-Obersturmführer der Reserve

Career:
05.05.1933: Fähnleinführer, Hitlerjugend
00.09.1938: joined the NSDAP
26.03.1940: joined the Waffen SS
00.04.1940: SS-Totenkopf-Artillerie-Ersatz-Abteilung 5
00.00.1941: Unterführerlehrgang
01.11.1941-31.03.1942: SS-Junkerschule Braunschweig
01.04.1942: SS-Standartenoberjunker, Panzerkommandant, 2. Kompanie, SS-Panzer-Abteilung 2, 2. SS Panzer-Division „Das Reich"
00.04.1943: SS-Ustuf d.R., Panther Nr. 211, Zugführer, 2. Kompanie, SS-Panzer-Regiment 2, 2. SS Panzer-Division „Das Reich" - Battle of Kharkov, Staraja Ljubotin, Komuna
00.06.1944:campaign in Normandy
00.09.1944: SS-Ostuf d.R., Führer, 1. Kompanie, SS-Panzer-Regiment 2, 2. SS Panzer-Division „Das Reich" - Battle of the Bulge/Ardennes
25.12.1944: SS-Ostuf d.R., Führer, 1. Kompanie, SS-Panzer-Regiment 2, 2. SS Panzer-Division „Das Reich", severely WIA in Panther Nr. 199 (or 221) near Lamormenil, Belgium
26.12.1944: DOW in Hauptverbandsplatz Lazarett Saint Vith, Belgium
Tank ace credited with 7 tank kills

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Period:
Second World War (1939-1945)
Rank:
SS- Rottenführer (Corporal)
Awarded on:
September 4th, 1941
Eisernes Kreuz 2. Klasse
Period:
Second World War (1939-1945)
Rank:
SS- Rottenführer (Corporal)
Awarded on:
October 6th, 1941
Eisernes Kreuz 1. Klasse
Period:
Second World War (1939-1945)
Rank:
SS-Untersturmführer (2nd Lieutenant)
Awarded on:
April 7th, 1943

Silver version.
Panzerkampfabzeichen (ohne Zahl)
Period:
Second World War (1939-1945)
Rank:
SS-Untersturmführer (2nd Lieutenant)
Awarded on:
August 23rd, 1943
Verwundetenabzeichen 1939 in Silber
Period:
Second World War (1939-1945)
Rank:
SS-Untersturmführer (2nd Lieutenant)
Unit:
Zugführer, 2. Kompanie, I. Abteilung, SS-Panzer-Regiment 2 "Das Reich", 2. SS-Panzer-Division "Das Reich", Waffen-SS
Awarded on:
June 4th, 1944
Mühleck’s Knight’s Cross recommendation reads as follows…

“SS-Untersturmführer Mühleck has repeatedly distinguished himself as a very brave and committed SS officer during the campaign in the East. His boldness in attack and staying power in defense is exemplary and has become directly proverbial in the Abteilung. On the 22.08.1943 in particular SS-Untersturmführer Mühleck demonstrated the highest personal bravery and prudent leadership, along with decisiveness and exemplary fighting spirit as a leader.

On the 22.08.1943 SS-Untersturmführer Mühleck and his Panther-Zug (4 Panzers) were positioned near Komuna (just east of Staraja Ljubotin) with the mission of preventing enemy armoured breakthroughs.

During the entire day the enemy attacked from the direction of Peressetschnaja with strong tank and infantry forces. Despite everything (including strong artillery fire, a Panther received a direct hit and burned out) SS-Untersturmführer Mühleck held his position and repelled all enemy tank/infantry attacks with repeated counterattacks of his own.

Due to the limited numbers of Panzers available, SS-Untersturmführer Mühleck had been given express orders by his commander to not advance across the German frontline on account of the enemy superiority and the partially unfavourable terrain conditions, things which created the danger of heavy friendly losses which in turn could compromise the completion of his defensive mission. Nonetheless, during the course of the combat, Mühleck would recognize favourable opportunities and launch these repeated counterattacks on his initiative as he saw fit.

Eventually 23 destroyed tanks, 2 Pak and 3 trucks would lay burning before his position. A large number of enemy dead covered the battlefield. Mühleck personally accounted for 7 tank kills in this battle.

SS-Untersturmführer Mühleck’s Panzer received an artillery hit on the muzzle brake that caused the main gun to be thrown back, and this broke Mühleck’s right forearm. Even so Mühleck remained with his Zug until the onset of dusk.

This singular act of valour can be exclusively attributed to the bravery and decisiveness of SS-Untersturmführer Mühleck. Through his actions he prevented the danger of an enemy breakthrough near Komuna.”

Submitted on January 5th 1944.
Preliminary document and decoration on June 7th to Heeresgruppe D.
Ritterkreuz des Eisernen Kreuzes
Period:
Second World War (1939-1945)
Rank:
SS-Obersturmführer der Reserve (1st Lieutenant of Reserves)
Unit:
Führer, 1. Kompanie, I. Abteilung, SS-Panzer-Regiment 2 "Das Reich", 2. SS-Panzer-Division "Das Reich", Waffen-SS
Awarded on:
August 15th, 1944
Ehrenblattspange des Heeres und Waffen-SS

Sources

Photos