Hugo Kraas

From Infogalactic: the planetary knowledge core
Jump to: navigation, search

Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.

Hugo Kraas
Kraash.jpg
Hugo Kraas, here with the rank SS-Sturmbannfuehrer
Born 25 January 1911
Witten, Province of Westphalia, Kingdom of Prussia, German Empire
Died 20 February 1980 (1980-02-21) (aged 69)
Selk, Schleswig-Holstein, West Germany
Allegiance  Nazi Germany
Service/branch Flag of the Schutzstaffel.svg Waffen-SS
Years of service 1935–1945
Rank SS-Brigadeführer Collar Rank.svg SS-Brigadeführer
Service number NSDAP #2,204,561
SS #289,633
Commands held 12.SS-Panzer-Division Hitlerjugend
Awards Ritterkreuz mit Eichenlaub
Relations Hauptsturmführer, Boris Kraas
Emil Kraas

SS-Brigadeführer Hugo Kraas (25 January 1911 – 20 February 1980) was a German Waffen-SS officer who served with the 1.SS-Panzergrenadier-Division Leibstandarte SS Adolf Hitler and was the last commander of the 12.SS-Panzer-Division Hitlerjugend. At the Enns River, Austria, Kraas surrendered to Major General Stanley Eric Reinhart's 261st Infantry Regiment.

Early Life - Pre-War SS Service

Hugo Kraas was born in Witten in the Province of Westphalia. He became a member of the Nazi Party in 1934 and the Sturmabteilung (SA) later the same year. In July 1935, Krass joined the Heer with the 6. Infantry Regiment (Ratzeburger Jäger). His stay in the army was not long and after only 3 months he was placed into the reserves. In October 1935, Kraas became a member of the Germania Standarte with the rank of SS-Rottenführer. In 1937, Kraas was selected to attend the SS Junkerschule in Braunschweig. He was commissioned on 12 March 1938 as an SS-Untersturmführer and assigned to the Leibstandarte SS Adolf Hitler (LSSAH), 14 Panzerjägerkompanie under the command of Kurt Meyer.

World War II

With the LSSAH, Kraas took part in the invasion of Poland where he was awarded the Iron Cross second class. He also became the first officer in the entire division to be awarded the Iron Cross first class for repeated personal bravery during the invasion of Holland. As a Kompanie commander in the Meyer's LSSAH's Aufklärungsabteilung (Reconnaissance Detachment), Kraas fought in the Balkans and Russia. On Christmas Day in 1941, he was again decorated, this time with the German Cross in Gold for his exemplary leadership during the first battle of Rostov. In June 1942, Kraas was given command of the I./SS-Pz.Gren.Rgt 2 (I. Battalion) leading it throughout the Third Battle of Kharkov. For his role in this operation he was awarded the Ritterkreuz on 28 March 1943. During the ensuing summer Kraas then succeeded Theodor Wisch as a commander of SS-Pz.Gren.Rgt 2 and short time later was also promoted to SS-Obersturmbannführer.

Death

Kraas, died from a heart attack in his home in Selk, Schleswig-Holstein, on February 20, 1980.

Summary of his SS career

Dates of rank

Notable decorations

Notes

  1. According to Scherzer as commander of the I./2. SS-Panzergrenadier-Regiment "Leibstandarte SS Adolf Hitler".[4]

References

Citations

  1. 1.0 1.1 Thomas 1997, p. 398.
  2. Patzwall & Scherzer 2001, p. 249.
  3. Fellgiebel 2000, pp. 271, 495.
  4. 4.0 4.1 Scherzer 2007, p. 468.
  5. Fellgiebel 2000, p. 77.

Bibliography

  • Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  • Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  • Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  • Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  • Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
Military offices
Preceded by
SS-Brigadeführer Fritz Kraemer
Commander of 12th SS Panzer Division Hitlerjugend
13 November 1944 – 8 May 1945
Succeeded by
dissolved on 8 May 1945