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kurt launer

Rank: SS-Obersturmbannfuhrer

Unit: Kdr. II./SS-Pz.Gren.Rgt "Theodor Eicke"

D.O.B.: 9. Sept. 1906

D.O.D.: 5. Feb. 1990

"Totenkopf" Knight's Cross Winners

awards

Iron Cross 2nd Class - June 26, 1940 
Iron Cross 1st Class - 1 July 7, 1941 
Infantry Assault Badge in Bronze - Oct 8, 1941 
Eastern Front Medal  - Aug 1, 1942 
German Cross in Gold - Apr 24, 1943 
Knight's Cross - Aug 18, 1943
Wound Badge in Silver 

promotions

SS-Scharführer - Feb 15, 1932 
SS-Truppführer - Jan 23, 1933 
SS-Obertruppführer - Nov 9, 1933 
SS-Untersturmfuhrer - May 18, 1934 
SS-Obersturmfuhrer - July 2, 1935 
SS-Hauptsturmfuhrer - April 20, 1937 
SS-Sturmbannfuhrer - April 20, 1942 
SS-Obersturmbannfuhrer - April 20, 1944 
SS-Standartenfuhrer January 30, 1945

Kurt Launer was born September 19, 1906, in Zeithain/Saxony, Germany. Not much information is available on his life prior to his service in the SS and SA.

In 1930, he joined SA-Sturm 30, in Glauchau/Sachsen. He served in this capacity for a year, before joining the SS in October of 1931, with 1./II./7.SS-Standarte, SS # 14,434. In 1934 he was a member of Sonderkommando Sachsen and he led the 2. Sturm in this unit.
 
In January 1935, he was assigned to Pioniersturmbann-SS/VT as Sturmbann Adjutant (Aufstellungsstab), then in August 1936 he was made a Zugführer in II./T. V. "Elbe".
 
In December 1936, he was assigned to 1.SS-Totenkopfstandarte "Oberbayern", which was stationed at Dachau. He served with this unit through the invasion of Poland, and was a member of the unit used as cadre for the SS-Totenkopfdivision. 

During his service with SS-Totenkopf, he became a highly decorated soldier, and earned the Knight's Cross as the commander of SS-PzG.Rgt. "Theodor Eicke", in August 18, 1943.

In January of 1944, he was wounded and left the 3.SS Division. Apon his recovery, he was assigned to the 17.SS-Panzer-Division "Gotz von Berlichingen", and finished the war with this formation.
 
Kurt Launer would survive the war, and passed away on February 5th, 1990 in Würzburg am Main/Bavaria, Germany.

We are currently looking for more information regarding SS-Sturmbannfuhrer Launer's actions to earn the Knight's Cross. Stay tuned.

DISCLAIMER: 2. Kompanie is a non-political organization We do not support naziism, or fascism. We are not associated with nor do we condone the actions of the Third Reich or the actual 3.SS Division.
Picture
DISCLAIMER: 2. Kompanie is a non-political organization. We do not support naziism, or fascism. We are not associated with nor do we condone the actions of the Third Reich or the actual 3.SS Division.

Anything posted is for educational purposes only; So that the devastating catastrophe that was the Second World War, and the atrocities committed therein never happen again. 
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