| Rudolf Pannier | |
|---|---|
| Born | 10 July 1897 Gera, Germany |
| Died | 9 August 1978 (aged 81) Hamburg, Germany |
| Allegiance | Nazi Germany |
| Service/branch | Waffen SS |
| Years of service | 1939–1945 |
| Rank | Standartenführer and Oberst of Polizei |
| Unit | 4th SS Polizei Panzergrenadier Division 14th Waffen Grenadier Division of the SS Galicia (1st Ukrainian) |
| Battles/wars | World War I World War II |
| Awards | Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross[1] German Cross in Gold Iron Cross 1st Class Iron Cross 2nd Class Eastern Front Medal 1941/42 Wound Badge in Black |
Rudolf Pannier was a Standartenführer (Colonel) and Oberst of Polizei 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.
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Rudolf Pannier was born in Gera on the 10 July 1897.[1][2]
He volunteered for service with the Imperial German Army during World War I seeing service on both the Eastern Front and Western Front.
After World War I Pannier became a member of the Freikorps, then joined the Schutzpolizei stationed in Hamburg.
In World War II Pannier had risen in rank to Hauptmann (Captain) and during Operation Barbarossa the invasion of the Soviet Union was a company commander in the 4th SS Polizei Division which was part of Army Group North.
He was awarded the Iron Cross 2nd class in January 1942 and the 1st class award in February 1942.[1][2]
His promotion to Sturmbannführer (Major) and Major of Schutzpolizei, came in May 1942 just prior to his award of the Knight's Cross for bravery in combat while in command of the I. Battalion, 2nd SS Polizei Schutzen Regiment.[1][2]
He was promoted again to the rank of Standartenführer (Colonel) and while recuperating from his wounds received the German Cross in Gold.[1][2]
In 1943 he was given commanded of SS Jäger Battalion 500,[2] a Waffen SS unit that specialized in antipartisans warfare and was stationed in the Minsk area. This unit was disbanded in June 1944, and all its men sent as replacements to others Waffen-SS units. In November 1944 Pannier was given command of the 31st Waffen-Grenadier Regiment der SS, 14th Waffen Grenadier Division of the SS Galicia (1st Ukrainian).[2]
Pannier was again wounded on the 9 April 1945, but survived the war. He died on the 19 August 1978 in Hamburg.[2]