Ludwig Kepplinger

Ludwig Kepplinger (31 December 1911 — 26 August 1944) was a Sturmbannführer (Major), 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
Ludwig Kepplinger was born on the 31 December 1911 in Linz on the Danube. When he had finished school, he joined the 7th Alpenjäger Regiment of the Austrian Army, but was dismissed because he was considered politically unreliable. He moved to Bayern and joined the Austrian Foreign Legion, which was taken over by the SS-Verfügungstruppe in 1935.

In 1938 he became an Oberscharführer (Staff Sergeant) and platoon commander in the 6th Company of the SS Standarte Deutschland which was based in Munich.

During the Anschluss when Austria was incorporated into the Greater German Reich, Kepplinger was part of the II. Battalion, SS-Standarte Der Führer which moved into Vienna and by the time of the Western Campaign he had been promoted to Hauptscharführer.

World War II
In May 1940 Kepplinger was part of a 18 man unit that was given the task of capturing the Dutch fort of Westervoort and an important rail and road bridge across the IJssel river. Upon arriving at the bridge they noticed that it had been prepared for demolition. Despite being shelled from a nearby Fort, Kepplinger and 2 other men managed to reach the other side of the bridge and attacked the defenders with hand grenades which enabled the SS Regiment Der Führer, to break through and proceed with the advance. When the regiment reached Arnhem, Kepplinger was severely wounded being shot in the abdomen and thigh.

For these actions Kepplinger was awarded both the Iron Cross first class and the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross being the first NCO in the Waffen SS to be awarded the Knight's Cross.

After recovering from his wounds he was given command of the 10th Company, SS Regiment Westland of the new Wiking Division.

When Kepplinger was serving in the Caucasus he was once again wounded and returned home to recover. After recovering from his wounds for a second time he was promoted to Obersturmführer (First Lieutenant) and given command of the II.Battalion, 17th SS Panzer Regiment, 17th SS Panzer Division Götz von Berlichingen.

In April 1944, he was given command of the 17th SS Panzer Regiment, which was equipped with Sturmgeschütz assault guns.

Kepplinger and the 17th SS Panzer, arrived in Normandy on the 7 June 1944 to counter the Allied invasion. On the 6 August 1944, Kepplinger was killed in the town of Villiers-Charlemagne which was under artillery fire, the car he was traveling in was hit, with Kepplinger being instantly killed.