Fritz Bunse

Fritz Bunse was an Obersturmbannführer (Lieutenant Colonel) 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.

Early life
Fritz Bunse was born on 4 July 1911 in Hagen in Germany. In 1931 he joined the NSDAP and he was also one of the early members of the SS-VT (SS service number 30 303) which he joined in March 1933.

By March 1933, the SS had grown from a tiny personal bodyguard unit to a formation of over 50,000 men. The decision was made to form a new bodyguard unit, picking the most capable and trustworthy SS men to form its cadre.

By 1933 this unit was under the command of Josef Dietrich who had selected 117 men for the SS-Stabswache Berlin, out of these initial 117 men, three would become divisional commanders, at least eight would become regimental commanders, fifteen became battalion commanders and over thirty would become company commanders all within the Waffen SS. Eleven men from the 117 originals, also went on to win the Knights Cross, Fritz Bunse was one of the eleven. Bunse was selected to become an officer and posted to the SS-Junkerschule in Braunschweig between 1936 and 1937 and after graduation was promoted to Untersturmführer (Second Lieutenant) in April 1937. In May 1937 he was given command of the 1st Company, SS Pionier (Engineer) Regiment and promoted to Obersturmführer (First Lieutenant) in September 1938.

World War II
Fritz Bunse took part in the early campaigns of World War II and was awarded the Iron Cross II class during the Battle of France in July 1940. He also took part in Operation Barbarossa the invasion of the Soviet Union he was promoted to Hauptsturmführer (Captain) in June 1941. and given command of the 16th (Pioneer) Company, 9th SS Panzergrenadier Regiment., SS Division Wiking and in August 1941 was awarded the Iron Cross I class.

He was then promoted to Sturmbannführer (Major) and became the first commander of the 11th SS Pioneer Battalion, 11th SS Volunteer Panzergrenadier Division Norland. He was awarded the Knight's Cross whilen in command during the Battle of Narva.

Bunse was promoted to Obersturmbannführer (Lieutenant Colonel) in June 1944, and also given command of the 49th SS Panzergrenadier Regiment De Ruyter and in October 1944 moved to the staff of the V SS Mountain Corps as commander of pioneers.

Post war
Fritz Bunse survived the war and died on 14 September 1970.