Date of birth:

January 27th, 1923 (Schwaikheim/Württemberg, Germany)

Date of death:

April 4th, 1979 (Schwaikheim/Baden-Württemberg, Germany)

Service number:

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

Nationality:

German

Fritz Eckstein reached the rank of SS-Unterscharführer.

Promotions:
00.00.1940: SS-Mann
00.00.1941: SS-Rottenführer
00.00.1944: SS-Unterscharführer

Career:
00.05.1933: Hitlerjugend
00.06.1940: entered the SS, SS-Regiment 'Leibstandarte SS Adolf Hitler', SS-Brigade LSSAH
00.04.1941: campaign in the Balkans, Operation Marita
00.06.1941: Barbarossa
00.02.1943: SS-Rottenführer, WIA in Kharkov and sent to a Lazarett
00.02.1944: 1. Batterie, SS-Panzerjäger-Bataillon 1, LSSAH
00.04.1944: transferred to the 1. Batterie, SS-Panzerjäger-Bataillon 12, 12. SS-Panzergrenadier-Division 'Hitlerjugend'
14.07.1944: Normandy
08.08.1944: Richtschütze, 1. Batterie, SS-Panzerjäger-Bataillon 12, with the Jagdpanzer IV commanded by Oberscharführer Rudolf Roy, knocked out 8 tanks
09.08.1944: knocked out 13 tanks
13.08.1944: knocked out a total of 26 tanks within 5 days
00.11.1944: SS-Uscha, Jagdpanzer-Führer, 1. Batterie, SS-Panzerjäger-Bataillon 12, 12. SS-Panzergrenadier-Division 'Hitlerjugend'

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Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Awarded on:

November 1st, 1941

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Rank:

SS- Rottenführer (Corporal)

Awarded on:

August 28th, 1942

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Rank:

SS- Rottenführer (Corporal)

Awarded on:

1943

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Rank:

SS- Rottenführer (Corporal)

Unit:

Richtschütze, 1. Kompanie, SS-Panzerjäger-Abteilung 12 "Hitlerjugend", 12. SS-Panzer-Division "Hitlerjugend", Waffen-SS

Awarded on:

August 8th, 1944

for 8 tanks destroyed at St. Aigan

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Rank:

SS- Rottenführer (Corporal)

Unit:

Richtschütze, 1. Kompanie, SS-Panzerjäger-Abteilung 12 "Hitlerjugend", 12. SS-Panzer-Division "Hitlerjugend", I. SS-Panzer-Korps, SS-Panzer-AOK 6, OB West

Awarded on:

November 18th, 1944

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

“On the 08.08.1944 SS-Rottenführer Eckstein was awarded the Iron Cross First Class for his outstanding bravery during the attack against the enemy tank formation near St. Aignan. Here he was responsible for destroying 8 enemy tanks.

On the morning of the 09.08.1944 enemy tanks entered through the strongpoint-like frontline near Soignolles and into the rear of Kampfgruppe Waldmüller. From Hill 111 [?] they dominated all supply routes in the area.

A Panzerjäger 39 with SS-Rottenführer Eckstein as the gunner took up the fight against the much larger enemy force. Despite the very difficult circumstances SS-Rottenführer Eckstein destroyed 9 English tanks within a short time. Through this the supply line for the Kampfgruppe was once again reestablished.

When an enemy tank formation launched a surprise thrust into the retreating Kampfgruppe during the evening hours Eckstein destroyed 4 of the attacking tanks. The Kampfgruppe was able to conduct its retreat movements without casualties.

Thus SS-Rottenführer Eckstein destroyed a total of 13 enemy tanks on this day. Within five days he raised his total of enemy armour destroyed to 26 English tanks.”

• Photo 1:
• - FELLGIEBEL, W.P., Elite of theThird Reich, Helion & Company Limited, Solihull, 2003.
  - Microfilm Publication A3343. US National Archives.