Karl Ullrich

Karl Adolf Ullrich (1 December 1910–8 May 1996) was an Oberführer (Senior Colonel) in the Waffen-SS, who was awarded the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross with Oak Leaves during World War II.

Early life
Ullrich was born in Sarreguemines in 1910, joined Infanterie-Regiment 19 after having graduated from university. He went from there to the SS-Verfügungstruppe (later the Waffen-SS). Ullrich was an engineering graduate when he joined the SS Engineer Battalion of the SS-VT 1934. He was commissioned as an officer within a year and posted to command the 3rd Company, SS Pionier Battalion, SS-Verfügungstruppe.

World War II
He was awarded the Iron Cross 1st and 2nd class for bravery during the Battle of France, then transferred to the Totenkopf on the Eastern Front in 1941. He was awarded the Knight's Cross for his leadership and bravery during the battles of the Demyansk pocket in February 1942 and in October 1944 was given command of the 6th SS Panzer Grenadier Regiment Theodor Eicke and was awarded the Oakleaves while in command. Promoted to Standartenführer (Colonel) he was given command of the 5th SS Panzer Division Wiking for the final battles of the war in Hungary. A short time before the end of the war he was promoted to Oberführer and he surrendered to the Russians in May 1945.