Hans Waldmüller

Hans Waldmüller (13 September 1912 – 8 September 1944) was an Obersturmbannführer (Lieutenant Colonel) in the Waffen-SS during World War II, who was awarded the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross.

Early life
Hans Waldmüller was born on the 13 September 1912, in Bamberg Germany. He volunteered to join the SS in 1934, and then transferred to the Sicherheitsdienst (SD) in May 1937. He was selected to become an officer and commissioned on 20 April 1937, and further promoted to Obersturmführer (First Lieutenant) in September 1938.

World War II
During World War II he was promoted in April 1940, to Hauptsturmführer (Captain) and then transferred to the Leibstandarte SS Adolf Hitler Regiment in the Summer of 1940 for the Battle of France and Operation Marita the invasion of the Balkans, where he was awarded his first combat decoration, the Iron Cross II class.

He was awarded his Iron Cross I class during Operation Barbarossa, the invasion of the Soviet Union in August 1941 and by December he had qualified for the Infantry Assault Badge for having taken part in three or more motorized infantry assaults.

In 1943, the decision was made to form a new SS Division from members of the Hitler Youth and the LSSAH would supply all of the Regimental, Battalion and most of the Company commanders. In time this new division would become the 12th SS Panzer Division Hitlerjugend

Waldmüller was one of the officers selected for transfer and became the commander of the I. Battalion, 25th SS Panzergrenadier Regiment and promoted to Sturmbannführer (Major). Waldmüller was awarded the Knights Cross on 27 August 1944, for his bravery in the Battle of Normandy fighting at Cambes near Caen.

He was killed near Basse-Bodeux by members of the Belgian resistance on 8 September 1944 while driving between Werbomont and Stavelot, his body had been badly mutilated and stuffed into a drainage pipe.