Helmut Kämpfe

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Helmut Kämpfe
Born (1909-07-31)31 July 1909
Jena, German Empire
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France
Allegiance  Nazi Germany
Service/branch Flag of the Schutzstaffel.svg Waffen SS
Years of service 1939–44
Rank Sturmbannführer
Unit 2nd SS Panzer Division Das Reich
Battles/wars World War II
Awards

Helmut Kämpfe (1909-1944) was a Sturmbannführer (Major), in the Waffen SS during World War II. He was awarded the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross, which was awarded to recognize extreme battlefield bravery or successful military leadership by Nazi Germany during World War II. He was also one of only 631 men to be awarded the rare Close Combat Clasp in Gold.[1]

Kämpfe, the commander of the III. Battalion, 4th SS Panzer Grenadier Regiment Der Führer, 2nd SS Panzer Division Das Reich, was captured by the French Resistance on 9 June 1944 by a group headed by Jean Canou. Canou then placed him in the custody of Georges Guingouin.[citation needed] The following day Kämpfe was executed on the orders of Guingouin or killed during an attempt to escape.[2]

When it was clear that Kämpfe had been kidnapped, the Germans sent out forces to try to locate him. Among these was a unit under the command of Adolf Diekmann, I. Battalion, 4th SS Panzer Grenadier Regiment, which on 10 June committed the Oradour massacre.

References

Notes

  1. Berger 2004, p. 6.
  2. Guy Penaud, La Das Reich, p.264

Bibliography

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  • Penaud, Guy. Oradour-sur-Glane - Un jour de juin 1944 en enfer, Geste éditions, mars 2014, ISBN 2 367 46171 6.
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