Richard Schulze-Kossens

Richard Schulze (2 October 1914 in Berlin-Spandau – 3 July 1988 in Düsseldorf) was a Waffen-SS officer during World War II who reached the rank of SS-Obersturmbannführer (Lieutenant Colonel). During World War II, Schulze commanded the 38. SS-Grenadierdivision Nibelungen, SS-Junkerschule Bad Tölz and served as a Waffen-SS adjutant to Reichsaussenminister Joachim von Ribbentrop. He was also awarded with the Deutsches Kreuz in Gold and the prestigious Finnish Vapaudenristin ritarikunta.

Early Life – Pre-War SS Service
Richard Schulze was born in Berlin-Spandau. A year after graduating from gymnasium in 1934, the 20-year-old Schulze entered the Allgemeine SS and was assigned to 6.SS-Standarte in Berlin. In November 1934, he joined Adolf Hitler's personal bodyguard regiment – Leibstandarte-SS Adolf Hitler and between 1935 and 1937 took various officer training courses at the SS-Junkerschule Bad Tölz, in Jüterbog and Dachau. In 1937, Richard Schulze was reassigned to the 3.SS-Totenkopf-Standarte “Thüringen” where he served as an adjutant to Theodor Eicke. Later on he worked in the same role at the SS-Hauptamt for August Heißmeyer and the Foreign Minister Joachim von Ribbentrop before rejoining the Leibstandarte in February 1940. He is pictured standing with Molotov, Ribbentrop, Stalin, and Soviet Chief of Staff Shaposnikov at the signing of the Molotov-Ribbentrop Pact of August 23, 1939.

World War II Service
38. SS-Grenadierdivision Nibelungen

Personal life
After the close of the Second World War, Schulze changed his name to Richard Schulze-Kossens.

He spent three years in an American internment camp and later worked as a salesman and writer.

He wrote a book called Militärischer Führernachwuchs der Waffen-SS – Die Junkerschulen (1982) and was interviewed and appeared in the 26-episode television documentary, The World at War.

Dates of rank

 * SS-Anwärter: November 11, 1934
 * SS-Junker: April 1, 1935
 * SS-Standartenjunker: November 11, 1935
 * SS-Standartenoberjunker: February 2, 1936
 * SS-Untersturmführer: April 20, 1936
 * SS-Obersturmführer: November 11, 1936
 * SS-Hauptsturmführer: August 1, 1940
 * SS-Sturmbannführer: February 24, 1943
 * SS-Obersturmbannführer: November 11, 1944

Notable decorations

 * Iron Cross Second (1940) and First (1940) Classes
 * German Cross in Gold (1941)
 * Close Combat Clasp in Bronze (1942)
 * Infantry Assault Badge(1940)
 * Wound Badge in Black (1941)
 * Order of the Cross of Liberty 4th. Class (1942)
 * SA-Sports Badge in Bronze (1937)
 * Bulgarian Military Order for Bravery in War 4th Class (1st grade) – (1942)