SS-Oberschutze Nicolas Gross
Awards:Promotions: |
SS-Rekrut: 29. Apr. 1941 SS-Schutze: 31. Mai. 1941 SS-Oberschutze: 22. Sept. 1941 |
Born on 17. September, 1922 in Ulm, Nicolas Gross was the son of Dieter and Gerda Gross. His father was a professional soldier before and during World War One, and continued his service in the post war military. Nicolas, from a young age wished to become a soldier.
Like many of his friends, Nicolas joined the Hitlerjugend at a young age. While he was a teenager, his father was placed into a Heer Reserve unit, and Nicolas watched on newsreels, German troops rolling through Poland. Now, more than ever, he was determined to serve in the military once he was old enough. His friends convinced him to join the Waffen-SS, and he enlisted in April of 1941.
Following his training, Nicolas was posted to 2. Kompanie, SS-Totenkopf-Infanterie-Regiment 1. SS-Division "Totenkopf", which was training in Southern France, for the upcoming invasion of Russia, called "Operation Barbarossa." He was fortunate to be placed in a unit that was composed primarily of veterans from the French Campaign, and even in some cases, the Poland Campaign.
He was excited and enthusiastic during training in southern France. On 22. June, Nicolas, and the rest of his unit rolled into Russia, as part of Army Group North, pushing on the City of Leningrad. In the weeks to come, Nicolas learned that war was not something to be excited about.
He was promoted to SS-Oberschutze after participating in a successful counter attack which resulted in his unit escaping being encircled and defeated. Nicolas proved to be calm under fire, and was reliable getting ammunition to the critical machine guns.
As Nicolas and the rest of the SS-Totenkopfdivision approach the village of Lushno, near Demjansk, he wondered what lay ahead.
Like many of his friends, Nicolas joined the Hitlerjugend at a young age. While he was a teenager, his father was placed into a Heer Reserve unit, and Nicolas watched on newsreels, German troops rolling through Poland. Now, more than ever, he was determined to serve in the military once he was old enough. His friends convinced him to join the Waffen-SS, and he enlisted in April of 1941.
Following his training, Nicolas was posted to 2. Kompanie, SS-Totenkopf-Infanterie-Regiment 1. SS-Division "Totenkopf", which was training in Southern France, for the upcoming invasion of Russia, called "Operation Barbarossa." He was fortunate to be placed in a unit that was composed primarily of veterans from the French Campaign, and even in some cases, the Poland Campaign.
He was excited and enthusiastic during training in southern France. On 22. June, Nicolas, and the rest of his unit rolled into Russia, as part of Army Group North, pushing on the City of Leningrad. In the weeks to come, Nicolas learned that war was not something to be excited about.
He was promoted to SS-Oberschutze after participating in a successful counter attack which resulted in his unit escaping being encircled and defeated. Nicolas proved to be calm under fire, and was reliable getting ammunition to the critical machine guns.
As Nicolas and the rest of the SS-Totenkopfdivision approach the village of Lushno, near Demjansk, he wondered what lay ahead.
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.
