Ludwig Spindler

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Ludwig Spindler
15 November 1910 - 27 December 1944

Place of birth München
Place of death Ardennes
Allegiance Germany
Years of service 1928-1945
Rank Obersturmbannführer
Unit VT-SS Standarte Deutschland, 2. SS-Division Das Reich and the 9.SS-Panzer-Division Hohenstaufen
Commands held Kampfgruppe Spindler
Battles/wars World War II
Awards Ritterkreuz des Eisernes Kreuz


SS-Obersturmbannführer Ludwig Spindler (1910-1944) was a legendary German Waffen-SS officer who served in the VT-SS Standarte Deutschland, 2. SS-Division Das Reich and the 9.SS-Panzer-Division Hohenstaufen. He also commanded the Kampfgruppe Spindler during the Operation Market-Garden and won both the Ritterkreuz des Eisernen Kreuzes and the German Cross in Gold.

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[edit] Early Life - Pre-War SS Service

Ludwig Spindler was born in München on November 15, 1910. He was a son of sculptor Thomas Müller and Therese Spindler. After completing school, Ludwig worked shortly as a dispatcher for SA Maffei A.G., before he became a member of the Landespolizei-Bayern (Bavarian uniformed police). Spindler remained a police officer until November 30, 1934, when he joined the SS-Verfügungstruppe and was assigned to the VT-SS Standarte Deutschland.

[edit] World War II Service

With the 13. Kompanie of the VT SS Standarte Deutschland, Spindler participated in the invasion of Poland and the subsequent operations in the West; receiving second class of the Iron Cross in October 1939. He remained with 2. SS-Division ‘’Das Reich’’ during Operation Barbarossa, commanding its various units before being transferred to the 9.SS-Panzer-Division Hohenstaufen on March 1, 1943. Initially, he was put in charge of the II. Bataillon within SS-Panzer Artillerie Regiment 9, leading it during the operations around Tarnopol in April 1944. The division, a component of Hausser's II. SS-Panzerkorps, played an important role in the rescue of encircled German troops from the Kamenets-Podolsky Pocket. For his exemplary leadership during these operations SS-Sturmbannführer Spindler was recommended for the German Cross in Gold and received the command of entire SS-Panzer Artillerie Regiment 9. After the Allied invasion of France, the II. SS-Panzerkorps, including 9.SS-Panzer-Division Hohenstaufen, was sent west to defend Caen in Normandy.

[edit] Arnhem

In September, the 9.SS-Panzer-Division Hohenstaufen was ordered for repairs in Holland and reached Arnhem on September 9, 1944. August 17, 1944 was bitter-sweet for Spindler. He was finally decorated with the German Cross in Gold for his heroic actions during the operations in Russia and above all in Normandy. However, it was on this day the Allies also launched Operation Market-Garden. As the men of the British 1. Airborne Division were deployed in the vicinity of the village Oosterbeek, Spindler was tasked with preventing them from entering Arnhem. The Kampfgruppe Spindler formed a defensive perimeter around the city, which was not breached by the British forces throughout the battle. Later on the force under Spidler's command also launched an offensive, forcing the British withdraw on September 26, 1944, an achievement for which Ludwig Spindler received the Ritterkreuz des Eisernen Kreuzes.

[edit] Death

Spindler remained with the Hohenstaufen and took part in the Battle of the Bulge. On December 27, 1944, SS-Obersturmbannführer Spindler was killed by Allied aircraft, which attacked his car, killing him instantly. He was buried at the Altenkirchen War Cemetery in Westerwald.

[edit] Personal Life

Ludwig Spindler married C. Schöpf on December 21, 1936 and had son, born on March 2, 1939.

[edit] Summary of SS career

[edit] Dates of rank

[edit] Notable decorations

[edit] Notes

  • Late member of NSDAP (#3971643)
  • Was a Roman Catholic.
  • According to his personal file, Spindler was 181cm tall.

[edit] References