Markus Faulhaber

Markus Faulhaber
Born 22 July 1914
Rottweil, Germany
Died 11 May 1945(1945-05-11) (aged 30)
Salzach River, Austria
Allegiance  Nazi Germany
Service/branch Waffen SS
Years of service 1939–45 Waffen SS
Rank Sturmbannführer
Unit SS-VT
5th SS Panzer Division Wiking
38th SS Division Nibelungen
Battles/wars World War II
Awards Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross
Iron Cross 1st Class
Iron Cross 2nd Class
German Cross in Gold
Wound Badge in Silver
Eastern Front Medal 1941/42

Markus Faulhaber (22 July 1914 – 11 May 1945) was a Sturmbannführer (major) in the Waffen-SS during World War II who was awarded the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross. It was given to recognize extreme battlefield bravery or successful military leadership by Nazi Germany during World War II.

Life

Markus Faulhaber was born on 22 July 1914 in Zepfenhan (Rottweil), near Schömberg, Zollernalbkreis, Württemberg. He volunteered to join the SS-VT (SS number 113,916) in 1934, and was assigned to III./SS-VT-Standarte "Deutschland" in Ellwangen (1934-1936). Faulhaber was selected to become an officer. After he had graduated from the SS-Junkerschule in Braunschweig, he was assigned to III./SS-VT-Standarte "Germania", Radolfzell, in 1938.

He took part in the Polish Campaign of 1939, where he was awarded the Iron Cross 2nd class; and, as commander of 3./SS-InfRgt "Germania" (part of SS-"Verfügungs"-Division) in the Battle of France.

Still commander of 3./SS-InfRgt "Germania" (SS-Division "Wiking"), he took part in the invasion of the Soviet Union, Operation Barbarossa where he was awarded the Iron Cross 1st class and the Eastern Front Medal 1941/42, which was awarded to all who endured the first Russian winter of the war. He was awarded the Knight's Cross in December 1942 while in command of the 3rd Company. After that, Faulhaber became a member of the teaching staff (tactics instructor) of SS-Junkerschule in Bad Tölz and was promoted to SS-Sturmbannführer on 9 November 1943.

He was next involved in the formation of the SS Panzergrenadier Brigade 49 which he commanded from June to August 1944. In April 1945 Faulhaber was given command of the 95th SS Panzer Grenadier Regiment, 38th SS Division Nibelungen when it was formed from the staff and cadets at the college and eventually surrendered to the Americans.

Faulhaber died on 11 May 1945. He had been ordered by the Americans to persuade other German soldiers hiding in the mountains to come out and surrender. Although already wounded, and with one arm bandaged, Faulhaber drove into the mountains with his adjutant, SS-Obersturmführer (first lieutenant) Christen Dall. Their vehicle crashed and tumbled into the swollen Salzach River. While Dall managed to save himself, Faulhaber drowned. His body was transferred to Radolfzell, to be buried there.

Commands

Awards

Notes

  1. ↑ According to Scherzer as chief of the 3./SS-Infanterie-Regiment (motorized) "Germania".[2]

References

Citations

  1. ↑ Fellgiebel 2000, pp. 177, 490.
  2. ↑ Scherzer 2007, p. 303.

Further reading

  • Fellgiebel, Walther-Peer (2000) [1986]. Die Träger des Ritterkreuzes des Eisernen Kreuzes 1939–1945 — Die Inhaber der höchsten Auszeichnung des Zweiten Weltkrieges aller Wehrmachtteile [The Bearers of the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross 1939–1945 — The Owners of the Highest Award of the Second World War of all Wehrmacht Branches] (in German). Friedberg, Germany: Podzun-Pallas. ISBN 978-3-7909-0284-6. 
  • Henschler, Henri; Fey, Willi (2003). Armor Battles of the Waffen-SS, 1943–45. Mechanicsburg, PA: Stackpole Books. ISBN 978-0-8117-2905-5. 
  • Mitcham, Samuel W (2007). Retreat to the Reich : the German defeat in France, 1944. Mechanicsburg, PA: Stackpole Books. ISBN 978-0-8117-3384-7. 
  • Mitcham, Samuel W (2007). The German Defeat in the East, 1944–45. Mechanicsburg, PA: Stackpole Books. ISBN 978-0-8117-3371-7. 
  • Scherzer, Veit (2007). Die Ritterkreuzträger 1939–1945 Die Inhaber des Ritterkreuzes des Eisernen Kreuzes 1939 von Heer, Luftwaffe, Kriegsmarine, Waffen-SS, Volkssturm sowie mit Deutschland verbündeter Streitkräfte nach den Unterlagen des Bundesarchives [The Knight's Cross Bearers 1939–1945 The Holders of the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross 1939 by Army, Air Force, Navy, Waffen-SS, Volkssturm and Allied Forces with Germany According to the Documents of the Federal Archives] (in German). Jena, Germany: Scherzers Miltaer-Verlag. ISBN 978-3-938845-17-2. 
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