Richard Spörle

Richard Spörle
Born	20 July 1915 Ludwigsburg, Germany
Died	17 April 1945 (aged 29) Ihlow, Berlin
Allegiance	Nazi Germany
Service/branch	Waffen SS
Years of service	1939–45
Rank	Hauptsturmführer
Unit	11th SS Volunteer Panzergrenadier Division Nordland
Battles/wars	World War II
Awards	Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross Iron Cross I Class Iron Cross II Class German Cross in Gold Infantry Assault Badge

Richard Spörle (20 July 1915 – 17 April 1945) was a Hauptsturmführer (Captain) in the Waffen SS during World War II. He was a recipient of 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.

Richard Spörle was born on the 20 July 1915,in Ludwigsburg Germany. During World War II he volunteered to join the SS-VT (SS number 244 173) and by the summer of 1944 he was in command of the 9th Company, 23rd SS Panzergrenadier Regiment Norge 11th SS Volunteer Panzergrenadier Division Nordland

After the fighting at the Battle for Narva Bridgehead they were moved into new positions outside the city of Preekuln and Richard Spörle was given command of the II. Battalion, 23rd Panzergrenadier Regiment Norge and for his leadership and bravery was awarded the Knights Cross in November 1944.

Richard Spörle did not survive the war but was killed in action on 17 April 1945 just east of Berlin.

References

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.