Karl-Heinz Prinz

Karl-Heinz Prinz
Born	23 February 1914
Died	14 August 1944 (aged 30)
Allegiance	Nazi Germany
Service/branch	Waffen-SS
Years of service	1936–44
Rank	Sturmbannführer (Major)
Unit	SS Division Totenkopf Leibstandarte SS Adolf Hitler 12th SS Panzer Division Hitlerjugend
Battles/wars	World War II
Awards	Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross Iron Cross I Class Iron Cross II Class Panzer Badge in Silver Eastern Front Medal German Cross in Gold Bulgarian Order of Bravery fourth class

Karl-Heinz Prinz (23 February 1914 — 14 August 1944) was a Sturmbannführer (Major) in the Waffen-SS during World War II, who was awarded the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross: which was awarded to recognize extreme battlefield bravery or successful military leadership by Nazi Germany during World War II.

Early life

Karl-Heinz Prinz was born on the 23 February 1914. He was one of the early volunteers to join the SS being selected to become an officer in 1936, and given the rank of Standartenjunker (Staff Sergeant). Upon graduation he was promoted to Untersturmführer (Second Lieutenant) in April 1937, soon followed with promotion to Obersturmführer (First Lieutenant) in November 1938.^[1][2]

World War II

By the start of World War II Prinz was the Adjutant of the 7 Standarte, SS Totenkopf, he was then transferred to the Leibstandarte SS Adolf Hitler Regiment and given command of a Panzerjäger (tank hunter) platoon. For his actions in the fighting near Armentières during the Battle of France, Prinz was awarded the Iron Cross II Class.

After the defeat of France, Prinz was next involved in Operation Marita, the invasion of the Balkans in 1941. In the campaign in Greece Prinz, by now in command of the Panzerjäger Company played a role in the breakthrough at the Battle of the Klidi Pass (11 and 12 April). For the fighting in Greece Prinz was decorated with the Bulgarian Order of Bravery fourth class.^[1][2]

Prinz next took part in Operation Barbarossa, the invasion of the Soviet Union. Promoted to Hauptsturmführer (Captain), he was awarded the Eastern Front Medal for service during the 1941/1942 winter of the war. He was transferred to the 12th SS Panzer Division Hitlerjugend when it was formed in 1943, and given command of the II. Battalion, 12th SS Panzer Regiment and promoted to Sturmbannführer (Major) in June 1943.^[1][2]

Karl-Heinz and was awarded the Knight's Cross in July 1944.^[1][2] He was killed in action during the battle of Normandy on 14 August 1944, assaulting Point 159 just north of Falaise.

References

1. "sspzhj".
2. "frontkjemper".

Further reading

• Fellgiebel, Walther-Peer (2000) [1986]. Die Träger des Ritterkreuzes des Eisernen Kreuzes 1939–1945 — Die Inhaber der höchsten Auszeichnung des Zweiten Weltkrieges aller Wehrmachtteile [The Bearers of the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross 1939–1945 — The Owners of the Highest Award of the Second World War of all Wehrmacht Branches] (in German). Friedberg, Germany: Podzun-Pallas. ISBN 978-3-7909-0284-6.
• Mitcham, Samuel W (2007). Retreat to the Reich : the German defeat in France, 1944. Mechanicsburg, PA: Stackpole Books. ISBN 978-0-8117-3384-7.
• Fey, Will; Henschler, Henri (2003). Armor Battles of the Waffen-SS. Mechanicsburg, PA: Stackpole Books. ISBN 978-0-8117-2905-5.
• Mitcham, Samuel W (2007). The German Defeat in the East, 1944–45. Mechanicsburg, PA: Stackpole Books. ISBN 978-0-8117-3371-7.