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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.
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