Karl Brommann

Karl Brommann (20 July 1920 – 30 June 2011) was a Untersturmführer (Storm Leader/Second Lieutenant) in the Waffen SS during World War II. He was awarded the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross for the destruction of 66 tanks along with 44 anti tank guns and 15 vehicles in the battle for Danzig. The Knight's Cross was awarded to recognize extreme battlefield bravery or successful military leadership by Nazi Germany during World War II.

Early life
Brommann was born on 20 July 1920 in Neumünster in Holstein. In 1937 he volunteered to join the SS at the age of seventeen and was posted to the 2nd Brandenburg Standarte, SS Totenkopf (SS service number 316479). In 1938 he took part in the Anschluss of Austria and the occupation of the Sudetenland.

World War II
Brommann was posted to the 6th SS Gebirgs Division Nord (Mountain Division) and fought in Finland and was twice wounded the first time in both hands and feet the second time was a serious lung wound. Brommann stayed in Hospital for almost one year recovering from his injuries.

After recovering from his wounds he was posted to the 11th SS Panzergrenadier Division Nordland in May 1943 and fought on the Eastern Front. He was also promoted to Oberscharführer at this time.

In October 1943, he was transferred to the newly forming 103 SS Heavy Panzer Battalion and trained on the Tiger tank.

In October 1944 the Battalion received their first King Tigers and on 27 January 1945, was transferred to the Eastern Front. Following their arrival at the front, the Battalion saw heavy combat in the Stettin area. They also participated in the escape of refugees from East Prussia. During the night of February 17/18, the Battalion was loaded onto trains and moved to Danzig. During the fighting in Danzig and Sopot, Untersturmführer Karl Brommann now the commander of the 2nd Company, destroyed 66 tanks along with 44 anti tank guns and 15 vehicles. Following this action he was awarded the Knight's Cross. Brommann received further honors when he was mentioned in the daily Wehrmachtbericht on 10 April 1945 for this action.

In March 1945, he was wounded for the third time suffering burns to his head and hands and a splinter in his eye. Evacuated by hospital train to Flensburg. He was captured by the British on 21 May 1945.

Post war
Brommann remained in captivity until November 1947, when he was released he trained to be a dental laboratory technician at the University Clinic of Germany.

Awards

 * Anschluss Commemorative Medal 13 March 1938 (26 October 1939)
 * The Sudetenland Commemorative Medal (19 September 1939)
 * War Merit Cross 2nd Class with Swords
 * Iron Cross (1939)
 * 2nd Class (1 December 1941)
 * 1st Class
 * Infantry Assault Badge in Silver (31 December 1941)
 * Wound Badge in Black (15 January 1942)
 * Panzer Badge in Silver (24 February 1945)
 * Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross (29 April 1945)