SS-OBERSCHUTZE KARL HAWKINS
Awards: |
Promotions: |
SS-Schutze: 30. Sep. 1939
SS-Oberschutze: 22. Aug. 1940 |
Karl Hawkins was a machinist in Holzkirchen when he decided to join the SS in 1939. His family were painters by trade, but Karl was interested in tool work and started work in the trades as a young man, making a decent wage as a machinist when he left his profession. While attending a rally in Munich, Karl was prompted with the urge to join the fast growing SS.
Due to his poor eye-sight, he was rejected from the LSSAH and assigned to the SS-Totenkopfverbande. He was sent to Dachau after training to be part of a newly formed Division, commanded by Theodor Eicke. Karl immediately respected the stout Divisional Commander and was always singing the praises of "Papa Eicke", even in the early days when many of the men disliked him.
While in training, stationed near Stuttgart, one night a group of men from the Totenkopfdivision stole a Division truck and drove into Stuttgart to visit several bars and brothels. After a long night, the men headed home, singing songs and hanging out of the back of the Opel Blitz. The driver, who was intoxicated ran the truck into a street car, tipping the truck over. The men from "Totenkopf" spilled out into the street and ran back to their camp on foot. The men who stole the truck were never caught, but the entire Division had extra drill the next few days, and the boys of 2. Kompanie knew that it was Karl driving the truck.
Karl stayed in 2./SS-Totenkopf-Infanterie-Regiment 1 during the French campaign and was noted for his zeal under fire. Following the French campaign his valor was rewarded by being promoted to SS-Oberschutze. He quite enjoyed the Division's stay in Southern France and was a frequent goer of many local brothels.
When the Division began training for the upcoming invasion of Russia, Karl realized the worst was yet to come.
Due to his poor eye-sight, he was rejected from the LSSAH and assigned to the SS-Totenkopfverbande. He was sent to Dachau after training to be part of a newly formed Division, commanded by Theodor Eicke. Karl immediately respected the stout Divisional Commander and was always singing the praises of "Papa Eicke", even in the early days when many of the men disliked him.
While in training, stationed near Stuttgart, one night a group of men from the Totenkopfdivision stole a Division truck and drove into Stuttgart to visit several bars and brothels. After a long night, the men headed home, singing songs and hanging out of the back of the Opel Blitz. The driver, who was intoxicated ran the truck into a street car, tipping the truck over. The men from "Totenkopf" spilled out into the street and ran back to their camp on foot. The men who stole the truck were never caught, but the entire Division had extra drill the next few days, and the boys of 2. Kompanie knew that it was Karl driving the truck.
Karl stayed in 2./SS-Totenkopf-Infanterie-Regiment 1 during the French campaign and was noted for his zeal under fire. Following the French campaign his valor was rewarded by being promoted to SS-Oberschutze. He quite enjoyed the Division's stay in Southern France and was a frequent goer of many local brothels.
When the Division began training for the upcoming invasion of Russia, Karl realized the worst was yet to come.
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.
