Karl Bastian

Karl Bastian (12 February 1915 — 11 August 1944) was a Hauptsturmführer (Captain) in the Waffen-SS during World War II. He was a recipient of the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross, which was awarded to recognize outstanding battlefield bravery or successful military leadership by Nazi Germany during World War II.

Early life
Karl Bastian was born on the 12 February 1915 in Oberhausen on the Rheinland. After finishing elementary school he volunteered to join the SS-VT in October 1936. He was assigned to the 5th Company, 2nd SS Totenkopf Infantry Regiment.

World War II
At the start of World War II he was still serving with the 2nd SS Totenkopf and took part in the Battle of France and the campaign in the Balkans, (Operation Marita).

By April 1944 he had been promoted to Hauptsturmführer and was the commander of the II.Battalion, 21 SS Panzergrenadier Regiment, 10th SS Panzer Division Frundsberg. In June 1944, they were serving on the Western Front in Normandy in the Caen area. In an attempt to improve their own front line a company attack was ordered on a small hamlet in July. On the night on the 22 July Hauptsturmführer Bastian joined his men in the attack using hand grenades to clear houses and bunkers they engaged the defenders in hand to hand combat. The attack was successful and 67 prisoners were taken and maps and other documents captured, which they used to improve their own positions around Hill 112.

Karl Bastian was killed in action shortly after during fighting in the Cui region on the 11 August 1944.

For his leadership and bravery during the attack Karl Bastian was awarded a posthumous Knight's Cross.