Friedrich-Wilhelm Karl

Friedrich-Wilhelm Karl
Born 15 September 1911
Frankfurt on Oder, Germany
Died 21 August 1970
Dortmund, Germany
Allegiance  Nazi Germany
Service/branch Waffen-SS
Years of service 1934–1945
Rank Standartenführer
Unit SS-VT
11th SS Volunteer Panzergrenadier Division Nordland
Battles/wars World War II
Awards Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross
Iron Cross I Class
Iron Cross II Class
German Cross in Gold

Friedrich-Wilhelm Karl was a Standartenführer (Colonel) in the Waffen SS during World War II. Who was awarded the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross, which was awarded to recognize extreme battlefield bravery or successful military leadership by Nazi Germany during World War II.

Contents

Early life

Friedrich-Wilhelm Karl was born on 15 September 1911 in Frankfurt on Oder, Germany. He was one of the early volunteers for the SS (SS service number 101 983) and the NSDAP (party number 1591713). He was selected to become an officer and posted to the SS-Junkerschule at Bad Tölz in the class of 1934.[1][2]

World War II

During World War II he was awarded the Iron Cross I & II class during the Battle of France in 1940 as part of the 13th Company, SS Infantry Regiment Germania, which was armed with small caliber Artillery guns.[1][2]

The SS Regiment Germania was used as the basis for the new SS Division, 11th SS Volunteer Panzergrenadier Division Nordland and Karl was given command of the 11th SS Panzer Artillery Regiment, being awarded the German Cross in Gold in August 1944, followed by the Knight's Cross in December 1944.[1][2]

Post war

Karl survived the war and ten years as a captive of the Russians from 1945 to 1955. He died on the 21 August 1970 in Dortmund.[1][2]

References

Further reading

  • Fellgiebel, Walther-Peer. Die Träger des Ritterkreuzes des Eisernen Kreuzes 1939-1945. Friedburg, Germany: Podzun-Pallas, 2000. ISBN 3-7909-0284-5.
  • Mitcham, Jr.Samuel, Retreat to the Reich, Stackpole books 2007. ISBN 081173384X
  • Henschler Henri & Fay Will, Armor Battles of the Waffen-SS, 1943-45 Stackpole Books, 2003. ISBN 0811729052
  • Mitcham Samuel, The German Defeat in the East, 1944-45,Stackpole Books, 2007. ISBN 0811733718