ϟϟ-Sturmbannführer der Waffen-SS Waldmüller

SS-Sturmbannführer Hans Waldmüller

SS-Sturmbannführer Johann Hans Waldmüller joined the SS-Verfügungstruppe at 22 years old in 1934 and was assigned to the SS-Standarte Deutschland. He was transferred to the motorized infantry regiment Leibstandarte SS in the summer of 1940 for the Battle of France. He then took part in the Balkans Campaign and Operation Barbarossa in 1941. Waldmüller was one of the many Leibstandarte SS officers selected for transfer to the newly formed 12.SS-Panzer Division Hitlerjugend in 1943. Here he became the commander the 1.Battalion of SS-Panzergrenadier-Regiment 25. Waldmüller held the right flank position of the Hitlerjugend for weeks against the hardest attacks, under constant naval artillery. He was awarded the Knight’s Cross on August 27 1944 for his unit’s defensive achievements during the fierce battles around Caen in Normandy. Waldmüller stood in the midst of his men, the very soul of resistance, according to SS-Brigadeführer Kurt Meyer. During the German retreat through Belgium, Waldmüller, age 31, was lured into an ambush by Belgian communist partisans near Basse-Bodeux between Werbomont and Stavelot on September 8 1944. When Waldmüller's mutilated body was recovered by his troops it was slashed open, the genitals were cut off and his body was dumped into a drainage pipe. He had fought bravely for five years and was known for his adventurous and daring acts. Hans Waldmüller – along with SS-Untersturmführer Karl Markart who was murdered by headshot in the same incident – rests at the German military cemetery at Düren-Rölsdorf near Aachen in Germany. Awards among others: Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross, German Cross in Gold and Wound Badge in Silver. Image: Knight's Cross holder SS-Sturmbannführer Hans Waldmüller wearing an Italian M29 Telo Mimetico camo smock. Photo taken only a few days before he got murdered. PD.