Date of birth:

February 23rd, 1914 (Marburg an der Lahn, Hesse, Germany)

Date of death:

August 14th, 1944 (near Le Torp, East of Falaise, Normandy, France)

Buried on:

German War Cemetery La Cambe
Plot: 36. Row: 9. Grave: 327.

Service number:

SS-Nr.: 67.325 // NSDAP-Nr.:

Nationality:

German (1933-1945, Third Reich)

Promotions:
00.00.1936: SS-Junker
28.09.1936: SS-Standartenjunker
16.02.1937: SS-Standartenoberjunker
20.04.1937: SS-Untersturmführer der Reserve
09.11.1938: SS-Obersturmführer der Reserve
20.04.1941: SS-Hauptsturmführer der Reserve
21.06.1943: SS-Sturmbannführer der Reserve

Career:
05.02.1933: joined the SS
00.05.1935: SS-Standarte "Germania"
01.04.1936-31.01.1937: SS-Junkerschule "Braunschweig"
01.12.1938: SS-Ostuf, SS-Totenkopf-Standarte "Thüringen"
02.09.1939-27.03.1940: SS-Ostuf, Adjutant, SS-Totenkopf-Standarte 7
00.03.1940: SS-Ostuf, 14.(PzJäg.) Kompanie, SS-Totenkopf-Infanterie-Regiment 1 , 3. SS-Division "Totenkopf"
27.03.1940-07.06.1940: SS-Ostuf, Zugführer, 3,7 cm Panzerjäger-Kompanie, 14. Kompanie, SS-Totenkopf-Infanterie-Regiment 1 , 3. SS-Division "Totenkopf"
08.06.1940-20.08.1940: SS-Ostuf, Chef, 14. Kompanie, SS-Totenkopf-Infanterie-Regiment 1 , 3. SS-Division "Totenkopf"
00.01.1941-01.07.1941: SS-Ostuf, Chef, 3.(s.)Panzerjäger Kompanie, V.(s.) Infanterie-Bataillon, LSSAH
01.07.1941: SS-Hstuf, WIA and evacuated to a Lazarett in Germany
01.07.1941-15.07.1942: SS-Hstuf, Chef, 2. 4,7 cm Panzerjäger Kompanie, VII. Bataillon, SS-Division "Adolf Hitler"
00.11.1941: SS-Hstuf, WIA
00.01.1943: SS-Hstuf, Chef, 1. Schwadron, SS-Panzerjäger-Abteilung 1 , 1. SS-Panzergrenadier-Division "Adolf Hitler"
00.00.1943: SS-Stubaf, Kdr, SS-Panzer-Regiment 12 , 12. SS-Panzergrenadier-Divisison "Hitlerjugend"
00.07.1944-14.08.1944: SS-Stubaf, Kdr., II. Abteilung, /SS-Panzer-Regiment 12 , 12. SS-Panzergrenadier-Divisison "Hitlerjugend"
30.07.1944: SS-Stubaf, Führer, Kampgruppe 'Prinz'
14.08.1944: SS-Stubaf, Kdr., II. Abteilung, SS-Panzer-Regiment 12 , 12. SS-Panzergrenadier-Divisison "Hitlerjugend", KIA by an artillery direct hit at Hill 159 near Le Torp ivo Falaise

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Awarded on:

1937

Awarded on:

1937

Awarded on:

1939

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Rank:

SS-Obersturmführer (Lieutenant)

Awarded on:

June 21st, 1940

for action near Armantiers 29.05.1940

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Rank:

SS-Obersturmführer (Lieutenant)

Awarded on:

July 1941

WIA 01.07.1941

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Rank:

SS-Hauptsturmführer (Captain)

Awarded on:

August 28th, 1941

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Rank:

SS-Hauptsturmführer (Captain)

Awarded on:

February 27th, 1942

Silver version

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Rank:

SS-Hauptsturmführer (Captain)

Awarded on:

February 27th, 1942

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Rank:

SS-Hauptsturmführer (Captain)

Awarded on:

August 30th, 1942

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Awarded on:

September 3rd, 1942

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Rank:

SS-Hauptsturmführer (Captain)

Unit:

Chef, 1. Schwadron, Panzerjäger-Abteilung "LSSAH", SS-Panzergrenadier-Division Leibstandarte SS Adolf Hitler

Awarded on:

March 28th, 1943

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Rank:

SS-Sturmbannführer (Major)

Unit:

Kommandeur, II. Abteilung, SS-Panzer-Regiment 12, 12. SS-Panzer-Division "Hitlerjugend"

Awarded on:

July 11th, 1944

Prinz’s Knight’s Cross recommendation reads as follows…

“SS-Sturmbannführer Prinz has already highly distinguished himself in all previous campaigns (West, Balkans and Russia) and been awarded the German Cross in Gold for his achievements. More recently he once again proved himself on the 07.06.1944 as the commander of the II./SS-Pz.Rgt. 12 near Caen. He thrust himself into battle against the English with only a few Panzers from his Abteilung, fended off the attack of strong enemy forces (supported by tanks) that had already got to within 1500 metres of the Caen airfield and thereby

1.) Prevented the capture of the airfield and the city of Caen.
2.) Laid the groundwork for our own counterattack.

The counterattack that Prinz launched under the most difficult of conditions (namely heavy fire from enemy warships plus numerous tanks and anti-tank guns) brought the villages of Authie, Cussy, Buron and Contest into our hands. Despite the heavy enemy fire Prinz and his Abteilung fought further forwards and thrust through to Villons. In the process he succeeded in taking 3 English Majors and 1 company prisoner, and destroyed 14 enemy tanks.

At 18:00 the enemy renewed their attack, this time with about 30 tanks and supported by drumfire from their naval artillery. The enemy attack was fended off through the personal bravery and skillful leadership of Sturmbannführer Prinz, and the line he had reached was held. 16 enemy tanks, either Shermans or General Lees, were destroyed in the process.

On the 11.06.1944 the enemy broke through with infantry and over 35 tanks via Le Mesnil-Patry in the direction of the main road Tilly—Caen. Prinz immediately launched a counterthrust on his own initiative. With skillful force deployment and bold leadership, Prinz and his troops destroyed 21 enemy Sherman tanks, recaptured Mesnil-Patry and prevented a breakthrough of follow-up enemy forces from Norrey.

Prinz continued to repeatedly distinguish himself through his personal bravery and boldness in the following days. He led every counterattack personally and was a shining example to his men.

Sturmbannführer Prinz and his young Abteilung succeeded in destroying 73 enemy tanks and 19 aircraft during 15 days of combat, and as such have a great share in the successes of both the Regiment and the Division.”

• Photo 1:
• - LEFÈVRE, E., Panzers in Normandy, After The Battle, London, UK, 1983.
  - Die Ordensträger der Deutschen Wehrmacht
  - Lefèvre, E., Panzers in Normandy Then and Now, Battle of Britain International Limited, After the Battle
  - 12. SS-Panzer-Division "Hitlerjugend"
  - das-ritterkreuz.de
  - Microfilm Publication A3343. US National Archives. - Heinz Prinz | Gräbersuche-Online
  

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