Otto Baum

Otto Baum, (15 November 1911 – 18 June 1998) was a high-ranking commander (Oberführer) of the Waffen-SS during World War II. He was a recipient of the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross with Oak Leaves and Swords of Nazi Germany.

Contents

• Otto Baum Construction Co Brush college rd p
• Awards
• References

Baum was born on 15 November 1911 in Hechingen-Stetten, a son of a merchant. From 1930 to 1932, he studied two semesters of agriculture at the University of Hohenheim. He served as a battalion commander in 3rd SS Totenkopf Infantry Regiment during the Operation Barbarossa, invasion of the Soviet Union. After recovering from severe wounds in 1943, he was promoted to regimental commander, and eventually reached the rank of SS-Oberführer . He took command of the SS Division Das Reich in July 1944, and saw action in the Falaise Pocket.

Awards

Anschluss Medal (13 March 1938)

Iron Cross (1939) 2nd Class (25 September 1939) & 1st Class (15 June 1940)

Infantry Assault Badge (3 October 1940)

Tank Destruction Badge

German Cross in Gold on 26 December 1941 as SS-Sturmbannführer in the III./SS-Infanterie-Regiment 3

Wound Badge in Silver

Demyansk Shield

Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross with Oak Leaves and Swords

Knight's Cross on 8 May 1942 as SS-Sturmbannführer and commander of the III./SS-Totenkopf-Infanterie-Regiment 3

277th Oak Leaves on 22 August 1943 as SS-Obersturmbannführer and commander of SS-Panzergrenadier-Regiment "Thule".

95th Swords on 2 September 1944 as SS-Standartenführer and commander 2. SS-Panzer-Division "Das Reich"