Date of birth:

January 20th, 1914 (Zürich, Suisse)

Date of death:

July 11th, 1944 (near Avenay/Basse-Normandie, France)

Buried on:

German War Cemetry Saint Desir-de-Lisieux
Plot: 2. Row: 46. Grave: 1085.

Service number:

SS-Nr.: 25.198 // NSDAP-Nr.:

Nationality:

German (1933-1945, Third Reich)

Promotions:
20.04.1936: SS-Untersturmführer
09.11.1943: SS-Obersturmführer
21.06.1944: SS-Hauptsturmführer
00.07.1944: SS-Sturmbannführer - RDA 21.06.1944

Career:
00.05.1933: joined the SS-Standarte 'Deutschland', SS-VT
00.04.1935: SS-Standarte 'Germania'
00.00.1935-00.01.1936: SS-Junkerschule Braunschweig
00.08.1936: 5. Sturm, SS-Standarte 2
00.05.1937: Leutnant der Schutzpolizei
00.05.1940: SS-Ustuf, Zugführer, SS-Pionier-Bataillon 1, Leibstandarte SS Adolf Hitler - campaign in France
00.04.1941: SS-Ustuf, Zugführer, SS-Pionier-Bataillon 1, LSSAH - campaign in the Balkans - Operation Marita
00.01.1941: SS-Ustuf, Zugführer, ll. Zug, 1. Kompanie, SS-Pionier-Bataillon 1, LSSAH
00.06.1941: campaign in Russia - Operation Barbarossa
00.11.1941: SS-Ustuf, Führer, 1. Kompanie, SS-Pionier-Bataillon 1, LSSAH
00.01.1942: SS-Ustuf, Zugführer, 3. Kompanie, SS-Pionier-Bataillon 1
00.07.1942: SS-Ustuf, Chef, 4. Kompanie, SS-Pionier-Bataillon 1
05.02.1943: 10. SS-Panzergrenadier-Division 'Frundsberg'
00.00.1943: SS-Ostuf, Chef, 12. Kompanie, SS-Panzergrenadier-Regiment 1, 10. SS-Panzergrenadier-Division 'Frundsberg'
00.00.1943: SS-Ostuf, Chef, 15. Kompanie, SS-Panzergrenadier-Regiment 21, 10. SS-Panzergrenadier-Division 'Frundsberg'
00.06.1944: SS-Hstuf, Chef, 16.(Pionier) Kompanie, SS-Panzergrenadier-Regiment 21, 10. SS-Panzergrenadier-Division 'Frundsberg'

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Nr. 9.338

Nr. 25.198

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Rank:

SS-Untersturmführer (2nd Lieutenant)

Awarded on:

June 15th, 1940

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Rank:

SS-Untersturmführer (2nd Lieutenant)

Awarded on:

1941

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Rank:

SS-Untersturmführer (2nd Lieutenant)

Awarded on:

December 11th, 1941

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Rank:

SS-Untersturmführer (2nd Lieutenant)

Awarded on:

1942

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Rank:

SS-Hauptsturmführer / Hauptmann der Schutzpolizei (Captain)

Unit:

Führer, 15.(Pionier) Kompanie, SS-Panzergrenadier-Regiment 21, 10. SS-Panzer-Division 'Frundsberg', II. SS-Panzer-Korps

Awarded on:

August 23rd, 1944

Keck’s Knight’s Cross recommendation reads as follows…

“I would like to request the award of the Knight’s Cross to the Iron Cross for SS-Hauptsturmführer Karl Keck, born on the 20.01.1914 in Zürich (Switzerland). This is because on the 29.06.1944, following the successful attack of the II. Bataillon against Gavrus, he launched a counterthrust on his own initiative against enemy forces who were attacking the left wing of the Bataillon. He smashed this attempt and thereby closed the gaping frontline gap adjoining the left neighbour (positioned in the Odon sector) with his Pionier-Kompanie.

Hauptsturmführer Keck’s instructions from the Regiment were only to try to restore contact with the left neighbour (the 9. SS-Pz.Div. ‘Hohenstaufen’) with a reconnaissance patrol. However as soon as he recognized the great threat posed by the frontline gap to the left of the II. Bataillon, he immediately attacked the enemy on his own initiative. His model imperturbability and bravery inspired his men forwards, and in the fighting which followed he and his men eliminated the enemy (who were in strength of at least two companies) and captured a great quantity of weapons and equipment. His actions laid the groundwork for the successful holding of Gavrus, and were likewise indirectly responsible for the holding of the decisive Hill 112.

On the night of the 10-11.07.1944, as Hauptsturmführer Keck led an independent counterthrust against enemy forces that had penetrated to the top of Hill 112, he was mortally wounded.

Hauptsturmführer Keck was the model of a brave, decisive and successful Kompanie commander. In light of his heroic death he is worthy in the fullest measure of receiving the high award of the Knight’s Cross to the Iron Cross.”

Awarded posthumously.

• - Fellgiebel W.P., Elite of the Third Reich, The recipients of the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross 1939-1945: A Reference, Helion & Company Limited, Solihull, 2003, ISBN 1-874622-46-9
  - Die Träger des Ritterkreuzes des Eisernen Kreuzes 1939-1945
  - Microfilm Publication A3343. US National Archives.

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