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Bachmeier, Josef "Sepp" (Waffen SS)

Date of birth:
October 27th, 1908 (Dingolfing/Bavaria, Germany)
Date of death:
February 24th, 1971 (Sarstedt/Hannover, Germany)
Service number:
SS-Nr.: 96.239 // NSDAP-Nr.:
Nationality:
German (1933-1945, Third Reich)

Biography

Promotions:
?: Oberschützen;
SS-Oberscharführer
November 9th, 1936: SS-Untersturmführer;
September 12th, 1937: SS-Obersturmführer;
September 1st, 1941: SS-Hauptsturmführer.

Career:
April 1st, 1929: 19. (bayr.) Infanterie-Regiment;
June 1st, 1935: IV. Sturmbann, SS-Totenkopfverbänden "Ostfriesland";
September 25th, 1936: SS Ausweis Nr. 96 239
1936: SS-Totenkopfverbänden "Brandenburg";
1937: SS-Totenkopfverbänden "Oberbayern";
1938: SS-Totenkopfstandarte "Ostmark";
1939: SS-Totenkopfstandarte 4;
1940: SS-Totenkopfstandarte "Kirkenes";
1941: SS-Infanterie-Regiment 4;
1941: SS-Totenkopfstandarte 9;
1943: SS-Infanterie-Ersatz-Bataillon "Nord";
1944: 4. Kompanie, SS-Begleit-Bataillon, Reichsführer SS;
1944: SS-Panzergrenadier-Ausbildungs- und Ersatz-Bataillon 2;
1944: stellvertr. Führer, II. / SS-Panzergrenadier-Regiment 23 "Norge";
1944: Führer, II. / SS-Panzergrenadier-Regiment 23 "Norge".

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Period:
Second World War (1939-1945)
Awarded on:
November 20th, 1941
Eisernes Kreuz 2. Klasse
Period:
Second World War (1939-1945)
Awarded on:
July 26th, 1944
Eisernes Kreuz 1. Klasse
Period:
Second World War (1939-1945)
Rank:
SS-Hauptsturmführer (Captain)
Unit:
Führer, II. Bataillon, SS-Panzergrenadier-Regiment 23 "Norge", 11. SS-Panzer-Division"Nordland", Waffen-SS
Awarded on:
August 23rd, 1944
Bachmeier’s Knight’s Cross recommendation reads as follows.

“SS-Hauptsturmführer Bachmeier, commander of the II./SS-Pz.Gren.Rgt. 23 ‘Norge’, was the overall chief of the defense of ‘Grenadier Hill’ on the 01., 02. and 03.08.1944. Throughout this time he repelled the multiple attacks launched on a daily basis by enemy units in regimental to divisional strength.

On the 03.08.1944, following several hours of drumfire and the loss of contact with the Regiment, he managed to crush all the enemy’s gains and penetrations via counterthrusts that were prosecuted on his own initiative.

The enemy had intended to break through the Tannenberg Line with fresh troops on the 03.08.1944. However this aim was frustrated thanks to the bravery of Bachmeier and his men. In the process the enemy suffered heavy losses in men and materiel (the latter category included 6 tanks destroyed).”
Ritterkreuz des Eisernen Kreuzes

Sources

Photo