awardsIron 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 |
promotionsSS-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.
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.