Nickname(s) Bubi Years of service 1939–44 Name Helmut Wendorff Battles and wars World War II Rank Obersturmfuhrer | Allegiance Nazi Germany Battles/wars World War II Died August 14, 1944, France Service/branch Waffen-SS | |
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Awards Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross
Iron Cross 1st Class
Iron Cross 2nd Class
Eastern Front Medal
Panzer Badge Unit 1st SS Panzer Division Leibstandarte SS Adolf Hitler, 101st SS Heavy Panzer Battalion | ||
Helmut Max Ernst Wendorff was an Obersturmfuhrer (first lieutenant) in the Waffen-SS. He was issued with the SS number 365017 and 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.
Wendorff was born on 20 October 1920 in Grauwinkel. In the autumn of 1939, Wendorff graduated from the Numburg National-Political School and volunteered for military service when war broke out and joined the Leibstandarte SS Adolf Hitler (LSSAH) on 4 September 1939.
On 6 November 1939, Wendorff joined up with the Regiment in Prague, where it had temporarily taken up quarters after the Polish Campaign. Wendorff was assigned to the 11th Company, but was transferred to the Sturmgeschutz (Assault Gun) Battery in June 1940. He saw action in the Balkans and the Soviet Union with this Company.
On 14 September 1941, Wendorff was awarded the Iron Cross 2nd Class; he was also promoted from Sturmmann to Oberscharfuhrer (technical sergeant). On 1 November 1941, Wendorff was sent to the SS Junkerschule in Bad Tolz and returned to the Sturmgeschutz battalion in April 1942, as an Untersturmfuhrer (second lieutenant).
On 24 December 1942 Wendorff was reassigned to the 13 (Tiger) Company, SS Regiment 1 LSSAH, at Fallingbostel, where he Commanded a platoon in the 2nd Company. He was awarded the Knight's Cross on 12 February 1944.
He was killed in action on 14 August 1944, when his Tiger was knocked out 3 kilometres west of Merzieres.