Heinz Harmel(born 29 June 1906 in Metz, September 2, 2000, in Vienna) was an SS Brigade Commander and Major General of the Waffen SS during World War II and commander of the 10th Division SS-Panzer-Division “Frundsbergstrasse.”
Heinz HarmelLife
He joined in 1935 as an active SS Technical Sergeant (Sergeant) in the 1st Company of the SS-Standarte “Germania” a. In 1939, he was a company commander in the newly formed SS Regiment “Der Führer.”
As commander of the SS Panzer Grenadier Regiment “Germany,” he received the Knight’s Cross of the Iron Cross (awarded on 31 March 1943); on 7 September 1943, it was the 296th Oak leaves awarded the Knight’s Cross. On 27 April 1944, he assumed command of the 10th SS-Panzer-Division “Frundsbergstrasse”. For the defense of the Allied Airborne Operation Market Garden, he received on 15 December 1944 the 116th Swords to the Knight’s Cross.
Heinz Harmel fired His Subordinates Like This:
1984, he was awarded Harmel, 40 years after the fighting in Normandy, as a sign of Franco-German reconciliation, a commemorative medal of the French coastal town of Bayeux, presented by the Deputy Mayor. The background of this is unclear. The city’s mayor, Bernard Roquet, later said he did not know the identity of the “honoree.” “That was a big mistake. I’m not proud of it! “The New York Times quoted him on 3 June 1984. “For us, there is no reconciliation with these old Nazis, “said Yves Jouffa, a veteran of the Resistance.
Heinz HarmelAwards
- Iron Cross (1939) Class II and I.
- Wound Badge (1939) in Black
- Infantry Badge
- SS Totenkopf Ring (21 June 1940)
- Medal winter battle in the East 1941/42,
- German Cross in Gold on 29 November 1941
- Knight’s Cross of the Iron Cross with Oak Leaves and Swords