Allegiance Nazi Germany Battles/wars World War II Battles and wars World War II Rank Obersturmbannfuhrer | Years of service 1939–1945 Name Fritz Ehrath Service/branch Waffen-SS | |
Born August 9, 1909
Karlsruhe, Germany ( 1909-08-09 ) Awards Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross
Iron Cross 1st Class
Iron Cross 2nd Class
German Cross in Gold
Wound Badge
Panzer Badge
Eastern Front Medal 1941/42
Honour Chevron for the Old Guard Died August 20, 1972, Neckargemund, Germany Unit SS-Verfugungstruppe, 2nd SS Panzer Division Das Reich, 5th SS Panzer Division Wiking | ||
Fritz Ehrath (9 August 1909 – 20 August 1972) was an Obersturmbannfuhrer (Lieutenant Colonel) in the Waffen SS during World War II who was awarded the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross. This was awarded to recognize extreme battlefield bravery or successful military leadership by Nazi Germany during World War II.
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Early life
Fritz Ehrath was born on the 9 August 1909, in Karlsruhe. After he finished school he joined the NSDAP in June 1930, (party number 258.326) he was also one of the early members of the SS, volunteering to join in November 1930 (SS number 6.605).
In November 1931, he was promoted to Scharfuhrer (Sergeant) and then to (Staff Sergeant)Oberscharfuhrer in January 1934. He was then selected to become an officer and promoted to Sturmfuhrer (Second Lieutenant) in June 1934.
World War II
Fritz Ehrath had risen to the rank of Hauptsturmfuhrer (Captain) by the start of World War II and had been given command of the 11th Company, SS Standarte Deutschland SS-VT during the Polish Campaign with Panzer Division Kempf where he was awarded the Iron Cross 2nd class in September 1939 and the Iron Cross 1st class in October 1939.
After a short period in Berlin attached to the command Waffen SS, he was posted in February 1941 to command the I.Battalion, SS Infantry Regiment Der Fuhrer in the Das Reich Division.
He was promoted to Sturmbannfuhrer(Major) the day before the invasion of the Soviet Union (Operation Barbarossa) in June 1941 in which he took part.
He was awarded the German Cross in Gold on 10 January 1943, while still in command of the I.Btn, SS Regiment Der Fuhrer. His promotion to Obersturmbannfuhrer (Lieutenant Colonel) was announced in May 1943. He was awarded the Knights Cross while in command of the 9th SS Panzer Grenadier Regiment Germania in February 1944. Ehrath was next posted to the 5th SS Panzer Division Wiking as the commander of the 10th Panzer Grenadier Regiment Westland in May 1944.
Post War
Fritz Ehrath survived the war and died on the 20 August 1972 in Neckargemund.