Franz Josef Krombholz

Franz-Josef Krombholz (13 August 1920 — 13 December 2000) was a Hauptsturmführer (Captain) in the Waffen-SS during World War II. He was awarded 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.

Franz Josef Krombholz was born on the 13 August 1920, in Horní Police in Czechoslovakia. He volunteered to join the SS-VT and served in the 7th SS Gebirgs Division Prinz Eugen

He was awarded the Iron Cross 2nd class in July 1941 followed by the Iron Cross 1st class in November 1941. He then took over command of the II.Battalion, 14th SS Gebirgs Regiment, 7th SS Gebirgs Division Prinz Eugen in November 1943. It was while in command of the III.Battalion that he was awarded the German Cross in Gold in April 1944. He was transferred to command the III.Battalion, 14th SS Gebirgs Regiment in October 1944 and was awarded the Knight's Cross in March 1945, while fighting on the Balkan front.

Franz Josef Krombholz survived the war and died on the 13 December 2000.

Dates of rank

 * HJ-Gefolgschaftsführer - 1938
 * SS-Sturmmann
 * SS-Unterscharführer der Waffen-SS - September 1, 1941
 * SS-Untersturmführer d. R. der Waffen-SS - December 21, 1942
 * SS-Obersturmführer d. R. der Waffen-SS - November 9, 1943
 * SS-Hauptsturmführer d. R. der Waffen-SS - November 9, 1944

Notable decorations

 * Infantry Assault Badge in Silver (1942)
 * Wound Badge in Black (1939)
 * Wound Badge in Silver (1939)
 * German Cross in Gold (1944)
 * Iron Cross 2nd Class (1939)
 * Iron Cross 1st Class (1939)
 * Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross (1945)
 * Close Combat Clasp in Bronze (1944)
 * Close Combat Clasp in Silver (1944)
 * Anschluss Medal (1940)
 * Croatian Order of the Iron Trefoil, 4th. Class (1943)