Hubert Meyer
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SS-Obersturmbannführer Hubert Meyer (born 1913) was a German Waffen-SS officer who served with the 1.SS-Panzergrenadier-Division Leibstandarte SS Adolf Hitler and was one of the commanders of the 12.SS-Panzer-Division Hitlerjugend. After the war, he became active in the veteran's association HIAG.
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[edit] Early Life - Pre-War SS Service
Hubert Meyer was born in Berlin on December 5, 1913. He joined the SS in 1933 and attended the SS Jukerschule in Bad Tölz, Bavaria. In 1937 as SS-Untersturmführer, Meyer was given platton command within the 10. Kompanie of the Leibstandarte SS Adolf Hitler.
[edit] Early War Campaigns
On November 9, 1938 Meyer was promoted to SS-Obersturmführer and saw action during the invasion of Poland, Holland and France, winning the Iron Cross second class in November 1939. Following the fall of France Mayer became the commander of 10. Kompanie (which was later renamed as the 12. Kompanie) and in November 1940 was promoted to SS-Hauptsturmführer. Later, during the campaign in the Balkans, SS-Hauptsturmführer Meyer also won the Iron Cross-first class.
[edit] Operations in Russia
In the opening weeks of Operation Barbarossa, Meyer's 12 Kompanie participated in the LSSAH advance on Kiev. During this time Meyer's men were engaged by a detachment of well concealed enemy snipers and Meyer was severely wounded. Following his return on the battlefield he was posted to the Leibstandarte's Artillerieregiment for pre General Staff training where he remained until early 1943. On February 14, 1943 SS-Hauptsturmführer Meyer was given the command of III./SS-Pz.Gren.Rgt 1 and in this capacity participated in the Third Battle of Kharkov. On March 9, he was again wounded; this time by a shrapnel from a grenade while leading a counter-attack south of Kharkov.
[edit] 12.SS-Hitlerjugend
From June through September 1943, SS-Sturmbannführer Meyer attended the 10th General Staff Officer course and after graduating was assigned to the newly formed 12.SS-Panzer-Division Hitlerjugend. After the divisional commander SS-Brigadeführer Kurt Meyer was captured on September 6, 1944 by Belgian partisans in the town of Durnal, Hubert Meyer took temporary command of the division. He relinquished his command on October 24, 1944 to SS-Brigadeführer Fritz Kraemer, but stayed with the division for the remainder of the war and surrendered to the Americans on May 8, 1945.
[edit] Summary of SS career
[edit] Dates of rank
- SS-Obersturmführer: November 9, 1938
- SS-Hauptsturmführer: November 9, 1940
- SS-Sturmbannführer: April 20, 1943
- SS-Obersturmbannführer: November 9, 1944
[edit] Notable decorations
- German Cross in Gold (1943)
- Eastern Front Medal (1942)
- Infantry Assault Badge in Bronze (1942)
- Iron Cross Second (1939) and First (1941) Classes
- Wound Badge in Black (1941)
[edit] Authorship
Meyer subsequently wrote a multi-volume German language history of his division, entitled Kriegsgeschichte der 12. SS-Panzerdivision "Hitlerjugend", which was published in 1982 (ISBN 3-921242-51-7) and reprinted in 1996. The book was also translated into English and published in 1994 under the title The History of the 12.SS-Panzerdivision "Hitlerjugend" (ISBN 0-921991-18-5), then re-published by Stackpole Books in 2005 as The 12th SS: The History of the Hitler Youth Panzer Division (ISBN 0-8117-3198-7).
[edit] References
- Yerger, Mark C. - Waffen-SS Commanders: Army, Corps, and Divisional Leaders, Vol.2 - Atglen, PA: Schiffer Military History, 1999 - Pgs.104-106
| Preceded by SS-Brigadeführer Kurt Meyer (Panzermeyer) |
Commander of 12th SS Panzer Division Hitlerjugend September 6, 1944-October 24, 1944 |
Succeeded by SS-Brigadeführer Fritz Kraemer |
