Allegiance Nazi Germany Years of service 1939–44 Name Martin Gurz | Service/branch Waffen-SS Rank Sturmbannfuhrer | |
Died 26 September 1944(1944-09-26) (aged 26)
Narva, Estonia Unit 11th SS Volunteer Panzergrenadier Division Nordland | ||
Martin Gurz (15 January 1918 – 26 September 1944) was a Sturmbannfuhrer (Major), in the Waffen-SS during World War II. He was a recipient of the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross, which was awarded to recognize extreme battlefield bravery or successful military leadership by Nazi Germany during World War II.
Martin Gurz was born on the 15 January 1918, in Wurzburg. During World War II, he volunteered to join the Waffen SS and by 1944 he was the commander of the 12th Company, 23rd SS Panzer Grenadier Regiment Norge, 11th SS Volunteer Panzergrenadier Division Nordland, which was fighting on the Northern part of the Eastern Front. In February 1944, he assumed command of the III.Battalion after its previous commander Hanns-Heinrich Lohmann had been wounded.
It was when in command of the Battalion during the fighting in the Battle for Narva Bridgehead in September 1944, that he was posthumously awarded the Knight's Cross.