Ludwig Spindler

Infobox Military Person
name=Ludwig Spindler
lived=15 November, 1910 - 27 December, 1944


caption=
placeofbirth=München
placeofdeath=Ardennes
nickname=
allegiance=Germany
serviceyears=1928-1945
rank=Obersturmbannführer
commands= Kampfgruppe "Spindler"
unit=VT-SS Standarte "Deutschland", 2. SS-Division "Das Reich" and the 9.SS-Panzer-Division "Hohenstaufen"
battles=World War II
awards=Ritterkreuz des Eisernes Kreuz
laterwork=

SS-Obersturmbannführer Ludwig Spindler (1910-1944) was a legendary German Waffen-SS officer who served in the VT-SS Standarte "Deutschland", 2. SS-Division "Das Reich" and the 9.SS-Panzer-Division "Hohenstaufen". He also commanded the Kampfgruppe "Spindler" during the Operation Market-Garden and won both the "Ritterkreuz des Eisernen Kreuzes" and the German Cross in Gold.

Early Life - Pre-War SS Service

Ludwig Spindler was born in München on November 15, 1910. He was a son of sculptor Thomas Müller and Therese Spindler. After completing school, Ludwig worked shortly as a dispatcher for SA Maffei A.G., before he became a member of the Landespolizei-Bayern (Bavarian uniformed police). Spindler remained a police officer until November 30, 1934, when he joined the SS-Verfügungstruppe and was assigned to the VT-SS Standarte "Deutschland".

World War II Service

With the 13. Kompanie of the VT SS Standarte "Deutschland", Spindler participated in the invasion of Poland and the subsequent operations in the West; receiving second class of the Iron Cross in October 1939. He remained with 2. SS-Division ‘’Das Reich’’ during Operation Barbarossa, commanding its various units before being transferred to the 9.SS-Panzer-Division "Hohenstaufen" on March 1, 1943. Initially, he was put in charge of the II. Bataillon within SS-Panzer Artillerie Regiment 9, leading it during the operations around Tarnopol in April 1944. The division, a component of Hausser's II. SS-Panzerkorps, played an important role in the rescue of encircled German troops from the Kamenets-Podolsky Pocket. For his exemplary leadership during these operations SS-Sturmbannführer Spindler was recommended for the German Cross in Gold and received the command of entire SS-Panzer Artillerie Regiment 9. After the Allied invasion of France, the II. SS-Panzerkorps, including 9.SS-Panzer-Division "Hohenstaufen", was sent west to defend Caen in Normandy.

Arnhem

In September, the 9.SS-Panzer-Division "Hohenstaufen" was ordered for repairs in Holland and reached Arnhem on September 9, 1944. August 17, 1944 was bitter-sweet for Spindler. He was finally decorated with the German Cross in Gold for his heroic actions during the operations in Russia and above all in Normandy. However, it was on this day the Allies also launched Operation Market-Garden. As the men of the British 1. Airborne Division were deployed in the vicinity of the village Oosterbeek, Spindler was tasked with preventing them from entering Arnhem. The Kampfgruppe "Spindler" formed a defensive perimeter around the city, which was not breached by the British forces throughout the battle. Later on the force under Spidler's command also launched an offensive, forcing the British withdraw on September 26, 1944, an achievement for which Ludwig Spindler received the "Ritterkreuz des Eisernen Kreuzes".

Death

Spindler remained with the "Hohenstaufen" and took part in the Battle of the Bulge. On December 27, 1944, SS-Obersturmbannführer Spindler was killed by Allied aircraft, which attacked his car, killing him instantly. He was buried at the Altenkirchen War Cemetery in Westerwald.

Personal life

Ludwig Spindler married C. Schöpf on December 21, 1936 and had son, born on March 2, 1939.

ummary of SS career

Dates of rank

* SS-Obersturmführer d. R.:
* SS-Hauptsturmführer d. R.:
* SS-Sturmbannführer d. R.: June 26, 1943
* SS-Obersturmbannführer d. R.: November 11, 1944

Notable decorations

* German Cross in Gold (1944)
* Eastern Front Medal (1942)
* Iron Cross Second (1939) and First (1941) Classes
* Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross (1944)
* Infantry Assault Badge(1942)
* Wound Badge in Black (1941)

Notes

* Late member of NSDAP (#3971643)
* Was a Roman Catholic.
* According to his personal file, Spindler was 181cm tall.

References

*"A Bridge Too Far: The Classic History of the Greatest Battle of World War II" by Cornelius Ryan (Simon & Schuster; Reprint edition (May 1, 1995), ISBN 0684803305, ISBN 978-0684803302).
*"The SS: Hitler's Instrument of Terror: The Full Story From Street Fighters to the Waffen-SS " by Gordon Williamson (Motorbooks International, (March 1994), ISBN 0879389052, ISBN 978-0879389055).
*"The Waffen-SS (2): 6. to 10. Divisions (Men-at-Arms) " by Gordon Williamson (Osprey Publishing (March 25, 2004), ISBN 1841765902, ISBN 978-1841765907).