Allegiance Nazi Germany Battles/wars World War II Died May 11, 1945, Salzach Service/branch Waffen-SS | Years of service 1939–45 Waffen SS Name Markus Faulhaber Battles and wars World War II Rank Sturmbannfuhrer | |
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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 Unit SS-Verfugungstruppe, 5th SS Panzer Division Wiking, 38th SS Division Nibelungen | ||
Markus Faulhaber (22 July 1914 – 11 May 1945) was a Sturmbannfuhrer (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.
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Life
Markus Faulhaber was born on 22 July 1914 in Zepfenhan (Rottweil), near Schomberg, Zollernalbkreis, Wurttemberg. 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-"Verfugungs"-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 Tolz and was promoted to SS-Sturmbannfuhrer 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-Obersturmfuhrer (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.