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Murr, Heinz (Waffen SS)

Date of birth:
July 3rd, 1919 (Stargard, Germany)
Date of death:
August 7th, 1998 (Hanover, Germany)
Service number:
SS-Nr.: 293.883 // NSDAP-Nr.: 5.020.820
Nationality:
German (1933-1945, Third Reich)

Biography

01.02.1932-10.06.1936: Hitlerjugend
10.06.1936: entered the SS
12.04.1939-31.12.1939: SS-Junker, SS-Junkerschule Braunschweig
01.10.1939: SS-Standartenjunker
09.11.1939: SS-Standartenoberjunker
20.04.1940: promoted to SS-Untersturmführer
00.05.1940: SS-Regiment 'Germania'
30.01.1942: promoted to SS-Obersturmführer
09.11.1943: promoted to SS-Hauptsturmführer
07.02.1944: WIA, Kompanie-Chef, 10. Kompanie, SS-Panzergrenadier-Regiment 9 'Germania', 5. SS-Panzer-Division 'Wiking'
Kp. Führer, SS-Feld-Ersatz-Bataillon 5, Tscherkassy
Führer, III. Bataillon, SS-Panzergrenadier-Regiment 9 'Germania', 5. SS-Panzer-Division 'Wiking'

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DRL Sportabzeichen in Bronze
Period:
Second World War (1939-1945)
Rank:
SS-Untersturmführer (2nd Lieutenant)
Awarded on:
May 27th, 1940
Eisernes Kreuz 2. Klasse
Period:
Second World War (1939-1945)
Rank:
SS-Obersturmführer (Lieutenant)
Awarded on:
February 18th, 1942
Infanterie-Sturmabzeichen in Silber
Period:
Second World War (1939-1945)
Rank:
SS-Obersturmführer (Lieutenant)
Awarded on:
November 25th, 1942
Eisernes Kreuz 1. Klasse
Period:
Second World War (1939-1945)
Rank:
SS-Obersturmführer (Lieutenant)
Awarded on:
November 1st, 1942
Medaille
Period:
Second World War (1939-1945)
Rank:
SS-Obersturmführer (Lieutenant)
Awarded on:
December 12th, 1942
Verwundetenabzeichen 1939 in Schwarz
Period:
Second World War (1939-1945)
Rank:
SS-Obersturmführer (Lieutenant)
Awarded on:
August 7th, 1943
Nahkampfspange in Bronze
Period:
Second World War (1939-1945)
Rank:
SS-Hauptsturmführer (Captain)
Unit:
Führer, III. Bataillon, SS-Panzergrenadier-Regiment 9 "Germania", 5. SS-Panzer-Division 'Wiking'
Awarded on:
September 21st, 1944
Murr’s Knight’s Cross recommendation reads as follows…

“SS-Hauptsturmführer Murr has distinguished himself in the fighting for the Warsaw bridgehead through outstanding bravery and personal boldness. During the night of the 12./13.08.1944 he and a Bataillon-Kampfgruppe were dispatched to a gap in the frontline northeast of Okuniew (between Krupky and Poswietne), directly in the path of the main effort of the Soviet attack.

With bitterness and resolve Murr and his soldiers fought on the 13.08.1944 against a five/sixfold superior enemy. When the danger of encirclement appeared in the midday hours Murr stayed true to his mission and let his unit become encircled in Raczaje and Nieml. On his own initiative he led counterthrusts in all directions, bringing the enemy heavy losses. Then, under cover of darkness, Murr and his troops broke through the enemy ring, escaping in a northwesterly direction towards Duczki while taking along all vehicles and weapons.

Through the tough resistance of this Kampfgruppe an enemy breakthrough in this sector towards Warsaw was prevented. During the extremely hard fighting Murr was without doubt the soul of the resistance, providing an example of bravery and readiness for battle to his men.

During a counterthrust that took place a few days later he was heavily wounded.”
Ritterkreuz des Eisernen Kreuzes

Sources

  • Photo 1:
  • Photo 2:
  • Photo 3:
  • - Microfilm Publication A3343. US National Archives.

Photos