ϟϟ-Obersturmbannführer der Waffen-SS Spindler (Kampfgruppe Spindler)

Ludwig Spindler as SS-Sturmbannführer

SS-Kampfgruppe Spindler in Oosterbeek

The München-born son of sculptor SS-Obersturmbannführer Ludwig Spindler was a police officer until November 30 1934, when he joined the SS-Verfügungstruppe and was assigned to SS-Standarte Deutschland. Spindler participated in the annexation of Austria and Sudetenland in 1938 and in the invasion and partitioning of Poland in 1939 and the subsequent operations in the West. He remained with SS-Division Reich during Operation Barbarossa in 1941, commanding various units in Das Reich before being transferred to 9.SS-Panzer-Division Hohenstaufen on March 1 1943. For his exemplary leadership during the rescue of encircled German troops in the Kamenets-Podolsky Pocket, also known as Hube's Pocket, in Western Ukraine and above all for his heroic actions in Normandy, Spindler was decorated with the German Cross in Gold on September 17 1944. It was on this very same day that the Allies launched Operation Market Garden. Spindler was tasked with preventing the enemy from entering Arnhem. He formed a defensive perimeter around the city, and were instrumental in stopping the majority of the British 1st Airborne trying to get to Arnhem. The fighting was fierce as both sides realized what was at stake. On September 26 1944, Spindler launched an offensive with hastily assembled units while ruthlessly demanding the utmost of himself, forcing the reinforced British to withdraw. He received the Knight's Cross on September 27 1944. The prestigious award was recommended by SS-Obergruppenführer und General der Waffen-SS Wilhelm Bittrich. Kampfgruppe commander SS-Obersturmbannführer Ludwig Spindler was killed aged 34 during the Battle of the Bulge when his staff car was strafed by Allied fighter-bomber on December 27 1944. He is buried at the Altenkirchen War Cemetery in Westerwald. Left image: a studio portrait of the Das Reich veteran Ludwig Spindler wearing the Knight's Cross. Private collection, used with permission. Right image: a fellow soldier of the Hohenstaufen photographed by KB Höppner at Dreijenseweg in Oosterbeek west of Arnhem on September 20 1944. Credit: Julia Kotterias. Commons: Bundesarchiv.