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Euling, Karl-Heinz

    Date of birth:
    August 16th, 1919 (Dorndorf, Germany)
    Date of death:
    April 14th, 2014 (Munich/Bavaria, Germany)
    Service number:
    SS-Nr.: 326.263 // NSDAP-Nr.: 4.251.438
    Nationality:
    German

    Biography

    Karl-Heinz Euling and his unit distinguished themselves during the fierce fighting following the Invasion and particularly during Operation Market-Garden. Before the Allies were able to encircle the rear of his battalion, Euling managed to escape, leading his men back to the German lines and suffering only two casualties.

    Career:
    22.03.1932: joined the Hitlerjugend
    01.09.1937: joined the NSDAP
    01.04.1938: joined the Waffen SS in the 2./ SS-Totenkopf-Standarte 'Brandenburg'
    1939: campaign in Poland - SS-Infanterie Regiment 10
    01.02-08.05.1940: SS-Junkerschule Braunschweig
    01.08.1940: promoted to SS-Untersturmführer
    1941: WIA and transferred to the SS-Infanterie-Ersatz-Bataillon 'Ost'
    01.08.1942: transferred to the 1. SS-Infanterie Brigade
    09.11.1943: promoted to SS Hauptsturmführer
    11.1943: transferred to the Western front - II. SS-Pz-Armee Korps
    02.1944: transferred to the Eastern front - Buczacz
    06.1944: transferred to the I./ SS-Pz-Gren.Reg.21 - 10.SS-Pz-Div. 'Frundsberg' in Normandy
    09.1944: Operation Market Garden - Arnheim
    19.09.1944: Kdr I./ SS-Pz-Gren.Reg.22 - held a position in front of the great bridge of Nijmegen blocking the road leading to Arnhem
    11.1944: deployed in Aachen and Hagenauer Forst
    12.1944: transferred to the Stab - 9.SS-Pz.Div. 'Hohenstaufen'
    08.05.1945: US POW in Steyr, Austria



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    Awarded on:
    1936
    Hitlerjugend Leistungsabzeichen in Bronze
    Awarded on:
    1936
    Goldenes Hitlerjugend Ehrenzeichen mit Eichenlaub
    Awarded on:
    1939
    Ehrenwinkel der Alten Kämpfer
    Period:
    Second World War (1939-1945)
    Awarded on:
    1941
    Kriegsverdienstkreuz 2.Klasse mit Schwertern
    Period:
    Second World War (1939-1945)
    Awarded on:
    1941
    Verwundetenabzeichen 1939 in Schwarz
    Period:
    Second World War (1939-1945)
    Awarded on:
    1941
    Kriegsverdienstkreuz 1.Klasse mit Schwertern
    Period:
    Second World War (1939-1945)
    Awarded on:
    1942
    Medaille
    Period:
    Second World War (1939-1945)
    Awarded on:
    December 21st, 1942
    Eisernes Kreuz 2. Klasse
    Period:
    Second World War (1939-1945)
    Awarded on:
    September 14th, 1943
    Eisernes Kreuz 1. Klasse
    Period:
    Second World War (1939-1945)
    Awarded on:
    1943
    Nahkampfspange in Bronze
    Period:
    Second World War (1939-1945)
    Awarded on:
    1944
    in bronze
    Panzerkampfabzeichen (ohne Zahl)
    Period:
    Second World War (1939-1945)
    Rank:
    SS-Hauptsturmführer (Captain)
    Unit:
    Kommandeur, 1. Kompanie, I. Bataillon, SS-Panzergrenadier-Regiment 21, 10. SS-Panzer-Division "Frundsberg", Waffen-SS
    Awarded on:
    October 15th, 1944
    Awarded for:
    Operation Market Garden
    Euling’s Knight’s Cross recommendation reads as follows…

    “SS-Hauptsturmführer Euling has outstandingly distinguished himself through his unwavering will to fight and personal actions during the fighting against the air-landed enemy forces at Arnhem and Nijmegen (18.-22.09.1944) as well as in the offensive and defensive battles northeast of Nijmegen (01.-04.10.1944).

    1.) On the 19.09.1944 SS-Hauptsturmführer Euling and his Bataillon succeeded in reaching the Rhine bridge [no typo] at Nijmegen from the direction of Arnhem (a city where heavy urban combat had already erupted). He crossed the bridge with his lead elements and in doing so laid the foundation for the creation of a bridgehead here. When he was later ordered to evacuate the bridgehead due to the strong enemy attacks, Euling held the bridge long enough for the withdrawal to be completed.

    His boldness and fearlessness prevented the hotly pursuing enemy from occupying the bridge, which would have cut off the fleeing friendly formations. He reformed retreating friendly security elements through his energetic, personal intervention and encouraged them to hold their ground. Along with the remnants of his Kampfgruppe, he was the last to remain in contact with the enemy and so became encircled. He set up a defense in the citadel of Nijmegen. His calm and level-headedness influenced his men to hold out to the last man. In the process the enemy lost a Sherman tank and 30 dead/wounded. Euling decided to break out to friendly lines only after all ammunition had been expended and the citadel had caught on fire. Through skillful and prudent leadership he managed to bring his Kampfgruppe through the enemy lines along with all their weapons.

    2.) During a friendly attack on the 02.10.1944 SS-Hauptsturmführer Euling once again proved himself through exceptional attacking spirit. He significantly contributed to pushing forward the frontline successfully.

    Over the course of strong enemy counterattacks on the 04.10.1944 (which were conducted with overwhelming artillery support), it was once again SS-Hauptsturmführer Euling who gathered up the fleeing friendly elements, reformed them and sent them back into the hard defensive battle. In this way he prevented a rip in the frontline, one which would have inevitably led to a crisis. The location of the battle lines remained unchanged.

    He has already excelled as a soldier during the fighting in the East and West as a member of the 9. SS-Pz.Div. ‘Hohenstaufen’.

    SS-Hauptsturmführer Euling is completely and utterly worthy of being awarded the Knight’s Cross to the Iron Cross.”
    Ritterkreuz des Eisernen Kreuzes

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