Fritz Ehrath

Fritz Ehrath was an Obersturmbannführer (Lieutenant Colonel) in the Waffen SS during World War II who was awarded the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross. This was awarded to recognize extreme battlefield bravery or successful military leadership by Nazi Germany during World War II.

Early life
Fritz Ehrath was born on the 9 August 1909, in Karlsruhe. After he finished school he joined the NSDAP in June 1930, (party number 258.326) he was also one of the early members of the SS, volunteering to join in November 1930 (SS number 6.605).

In November 1931, he was promoted to Scharführer (Sergeant) and then to (Staff Sergeant)Oberscharführer in January 1934. He was then selected to become an officer and promoted to Sturmführer (Second Lieutenant) in June 1934.

World War II
Fritz Ehrath had risen to the rank of Hauptsturmführer (Captain) by the start of World War II and had been given command of the 11th Company, SS Standarte Deutschland SS-VT during the Polish Campaign with Panzer Division Kempf where he was awarded the Iron Cross 2nd class in September 1939 and the Iron Cross 1st class in October 1939.

After a short period in Berlin attached to the command Waffen SS, he was posted in February 1941 to command the I.Battalion, SS Infantry Regiment Der Führer in the ''Das Reich Division.

He was promoted to Sturmbannführer(Major) the day before the invasion of the Soviet Union (Operation Barbarossa) in June 1941 in which he took part.

He was awarded the German Cross in Gold on 10 January 1943, while still in command of the I.Btn, SS Regiment Der Führer. His promotion to Obersturmbannführer (Lieutenant Colonel) was announced in May 1943. He was awarded the Knights Cross while in command of the 9th SS Panzer Grenadier Regiment Germania in February 1944. Ehrath was next posted to the 5th SS Panzer Division Wiking as the commander of the 10th Panzer Grenadier Regiment Westland in May 1944.

Post War
Fritz Ehrath survived the war and died on the 20 August 1972 in Neckargemünd.

Commands

 * 11th Company, SS Standarte Deutschland 	1936 - 1940
 * I.Battalion 4th SS Panzer Grenadier Regiment Der Führer 1941 - 1942
 * III.Battalion, 3rd SS Panzer Grenadier Regiment Deutschland 1942 - 1942
 * I.Battalion, 3rd SS Panzer Grenadier Regiment Deutschland 	1942 - 1943
 * 9th SS Panzer Grenadier Regiment Germania	1943 - 1944
 * 10th SS Panzer Grenadier Regiment Westland 1944