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Himmler, Heinrich Luitpold

Date of birth:
October 7th, 1900 (Munich/Bayern, German Empire)
Date of death:
May 23rd, 1945 (Lüneburg, Germany)
Service number:
SS-Nr.: 168 // NSDAP-Nr.: 14.303
Nationality:
German

Biography

Heinrich Himmler was born October 7th, 1900 in Munich, second son of the catholic director of a school, Gebhard Himmler and his wife Anna. He was named after his godfather, the Bavarian Prince Heinrich von Wittelsbach. As it was, the wealthy Himmler family had a good relationship with the Bavarian court. His conservative parents raised him in a very stern catholic and nationalistic fashion.

Himmler had a poor health, just like Goebbels (Bio Goebbels). He was frequently absent from school but compensated for his physical weakness by studying hard. He graduated from secondary grammar school in Landshut with top marks in history, ancient languages and religion. At the outbreak of World War One, young Himmler dreamt of a military career. He desperately wanted to become a naval officer but was rejected for his nearsightedness. The general rule was that people wearing glasses were not accepted by the navy. Therefor he reported to the army and was posted as cornet in 11th Bavarian Regiment. He was never deployed at the front, however. After he had graduated from officer’s course, the war had ended.

You can read the full biography here.

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Period:
First World War (1914-1918)
Rank:
Fähnrich der Reserve
Awarded on:
December 20th, 1920
Deutsche Ehrendenkmünze des Weltkriegs
Period:
First World War (1914-1918)
Rank:
Fähnrich der Reserve
Awarded on:
March 18th, 1922
Gedenkmünze 1914/18 des Kyffhäuser-Bundes
Nürnberger Parteitagsabzeichen 1929
Abzeichen des SA - Treffens Braunschweig 1931
Rank:
Reichsführer-SS
Awarded on:
December 24th, 1933
SS-Ehrenring
Rank:
Reichsführer-SS
Awarded on:
February 1934
Ehrenwinkel der Alten Kämpfer
Rank:
Reichsführer-SS
Awarded on:
June 11th, 1934

Nr. 03
Ehrenzeichen des 9. November 1923 (Blutorden)
Rank:
Reichsführer-SS
Awarded on:
1934
Goldenes Ehrenzeichen der NSDAP
Period:
First World War (1914-1918)
Rank:
Reichsführer-SS
Awarded on:
1934
Ehrenkreuz für Frontkämpfer
Awarded on:
1935
Nr. 02
SS-Zivilabzeichen
Awarded on:
1935
Ehrendolch der SS
Rank:
Reichsführer-SS
Awarded on:
December 1935
Ehrendegen des Reichsführers-SS
Rank:
Reichsführer-SS
Awarded on:
December 1st, 1935
Julleuchter der SS
Rank:
Reichsführer-SS
Awarded on:
1936
Deutsches Olympia Ehrenzeichen Erster Klasse
Rank:
Reichsführer-SS
Awarded on:
1936
Bronzes SA-Sportabzeichen
Awarded on:
1936
DRL Sportabzeichen in Silber
Awarded on:
1936
Deutsches Reiterabzeichen in Gold
Rank:
Reichsführer-SS
Awarded on:
1937
Grand Cross
Order of the Crown 1st Class
Rank:
Reichsführer-SS
Awarded on:
1937
Großkreuz mit Stern und Schulterband
Ordine Militare di Savoia - Cavaliere di Gran Croce
Rank:
Reichsführer-SS
Awarded on:
April 20th, 1937
Ordine della Corona d'Italia - Cavaliere della Croce Grande
Rank:
Reichsführer-SS
Awarded on:
October 19th, 1937
Rank:
Reichsführer-SS
Awarded on:
1938
Luftschutz-Ehrenzeichen 1. Stufe
Rank:
Reichsführer-SS
Awarded on:
September 1938
Ordine dei Santi Maurizio e Lazzaro - Cavaliere di gran croce
Awarded on:
October 18th, 1938
Ordine dei Santi Maurizio e Lazzaro - Grand'Ufficiale
Rank:
Reichsführer-SS
Awarded on:
April 1st, 1939
some sources indicated it was awarded in 1935
Dienstauszeichnung der NSDAP 10 Jahre
Rank:
Reichsführer-SS
Awarded on:
1939
Medaille zur Erinnerung an den 13. März 1938
Rank:
Reichsführer-SS
Awarded on:
1939
Medaille zur Erinnerung an den 1. Oktober 1938 mit Spange
Rank:
Reichsführer-SS
Awarded on:
March 20th, 1939
Medaille zur Erinnerung an die Heimkehr des Memellandes
Rank:
Reichsführer-SS
Awarded on:
1939
Goldenes Hitlerjugend Ehrenzeichen mit Eichenlaub
Rank:
Reichsführer-SS
Awarded on:
May 1939
Orden Imperial del Yugo y las Flechas Gran Cruz
Rank:
Reichsführer-SS
Awarded on:
1939
SS-Dienstauszeichnung 2.Stufe (12 Jahre)
Period:
Second World War (1939-1945)
Rank:
Reichsführer-SS
Awarded on:
1940
Deutsches Schutzwall-Ehrenzeichen
Period:
Second World War (1939-1945)
Rank:
Reichsführer-SS
Awarded on:
April 1940
Dienstauszeichnung der NSDAP 15 Jahre
Period:
Second World War (1939-1945)
Rank:
Reichsführer-SS
Awarded on:
July 30th, 1940
other sources give 30.07.1942

Version with swords, but on yellow, civil ribbon.
Vapaudenristin Suurristi (VR SR)
Period:
Second World War (1939-1945)
Rank:
Reichsführer-SS
Awarded on:
October 7th, 1940
Period:
Second World War (1939-1945)
Rank:
Reichsführer-SS
Awarded on:
July 1942
Gemeinsames Flugzeugfuhrer-Beobachter Abzeichen mit Brillianten
Period:
Second World War (1939-1945)
Rank:
Reichsführer-SS
Awarded on:
1942
Suomen Valkoisen Ruusun suurristi (SVR SR)
Period:
Second World War (1939-1945)
Rank:
Reichsführer-SS
Awarded on:
March 1943
Grand Cross to the Order of Prince Pribina
Period:
Second World War (1939-1945)
Rank:
Reichsführer-SS
Awarded on:
May 1943
Red Krune Kralja Zvonimira Grand Cross with Oak Wreath and Star
Period:
Second World War (1939-1945)
Rank:
Reichsführer-SS
Awarded on:
October 24th, 1943
Gau Wartheland-Traditionsabzeichen
Period:
Second World War (1939-1945)
Rank:
Reichsführer-SS
Awarded on:
May 1944

With swords. Never received.
Deutscher Orden des Großdeutschen Reiches

War Diary mentions

17 May 1945 WO 171/7822 - 110 Provost Company
SS Oberführer Belbe (a personal friend of Himmler) and his wife were picked up. One rape case reported, and investigations commenced.

Sources