Rudolf Roy

Rudolf Roy Jr.
Born 15 August 1920
Berlin, Germany
Died 17 December 1944(1944-12-17) (aged 24)
Ardennes, Belgium
Allegiance  Nazi Germany
Service/branch Waffen SS
Years of service 1938–44
Rank Untersturmführer
Unit 1st SS Panzer Division 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
Eastern Front Medal

Rudolf Roy Jr. (15 August 1920 – 17 December 1944) was a Untersturmführer (Second Lieutenant) in the Waffen SS during World War II, 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

Rudolf Roy Jr. was born on 15 August 1920 in Spandau, Berlin and was named after his bricklayer father. He attended the local elementary school and at the age of 13 joined the Hitler Youth. In April 1934, he joined the Landwehr (Militia) and was stationed in East Prussia until December 1934. He was then trained as a machine locksmith and became skilled in his trade. In November 1938, at the age of 18, he volunteered to join the Allgemeine-SS.[1][2]

World War II

In 1940, Roy was assigned to 1st Company, Training and Reserve Battalion, Leibstandarte SS Adolf Hitler for basic military training and then assigned to the 3rd Battery, 1st SS Panzerjäger (Tank Hunter) Battalion. He took part in Operation Barbarossa, the invasion of the Soviet Union, in 1941 and was awarded the Iron Cross (2nd class).[1][2]

Roy was promoted to Unterscharführer (Sergeant) in January 1943 and transferred to the 1st Battery, then under the command of Karl Heinz Prinz. He was awarded the Iron Cross (1st class) in September.[1][2]

In April 1944, the entire Panzerjäger Battalion was transferred to the newly formed 12th SS Panzer Division Hitlerjugend. It was classed as unfit for combat when the Allies landed in Normandy on 6 June as it was still forming, so it did not reach the front until July at which time Roy was promoted to Oberscharführer (Technical Sergeant).[1][2]

For his actions on 8 to 10 August, Roy was awarded of Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross.

Roy was killed during the Battle of the Bulge. On 17 December 1944, while attacking the lines of the US 99th Infantry Divisions, he was killed by a sniper while looking out of his Jagdpanzer IV tank destroyer's hatch.[1][2]

Roy was posthumously promoted to Untersturmführer and is buried in the war cemetery in Bonn - Bad Godesberg Germany, grave number 756.[1][2]

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. 
  • Mitcham, Samuel W (2007). The German Defeat in the East, 1944–45. Mechanicsburg, PA: Stackpole Books. ISBN 978-0-8117-3371-7. 
  • Reynolds, Michael (1997). Steel Inferno: I SS Panzer Corps in Normandy. Spellmount. ISBN 1-873376-90-1
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