Allegiance Nazi Germany Battles/wars World War II Battles and wars World War II Rank Obersturmbannfuhrer | Years of service 1937–1945 Name Hugo Eichhorn Service/branch Waffen-SS | |
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Awards Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross
Iron Cross 1st Class
Iron Cross 2nd Class
Wound Badge
Eastern Front Medal 1941/42 Died May 27, 1992, Munster, Germany Unit 3rd SS Panzer Division Totenkopf, 5th SS Panzer Division Wiking | ||
Hugo Eichhorn (11 February 1911 — 27 May 1992) 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
Hugo Eichorn was born on 11 February 1911 in Weilmunster. He joined the NSDAP (party number 590.774) and the SS-VT in 1937.
World War II
By the start of World War II he was in the 3rd SS Pionier Battalion, SS Division Totenkopf and participated in the Polish Campaign.
In the spring of 1940, he was selected to become an officer and posted to the SS-Junkerschule at Bad Tolz. He was also involved in the formation of the 5th SS Pionier Battalion for the newly formed SS Division Wiking.
After graduation in December 1940, he was promoted to Untersturmfuhrer (Second Lieutenant) and given a platoon of the SS Wiking to command. He was promoted to Obersturmfuhrer (First Lieutenant) and Hauptsturmfuhrer (Captain) in 1942. During this time he held the position of Battalion Adjutant platoon and company commander.
He was awarded the Knight's Cross in January 1943, while in command of a portion of the Pionier Battalion he held off an attack by a Soviet Regiment.
In February 1943 he was also given the command of the 5th SS Pionier Battalion which he commanded until September 1943, when he was severely wounded.
After recovering from his wounds in February 1944, he took command of the SS Pionier Training and Reserve Battalion which was stationed in Dresden, he was also promoted to Sturmbannfuhrer (Major) in April 1944.
He was promoted to Obersturmbannfuhrer (Lieutenant Colonel) in September 1944 and remained in command of the SS Pionier Training and Reserve Battalion until the end of the war.
Post war
Eichhorn survived the war and entered into industry, he died in Gedern on the 27 May 1992.