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Helmut Max Ernst Wendorff was an ''Obersturmführer'' (first lieutenant) in the Waffen-SS. He was issued with the SS number 365017 and was awarded the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross. This was awarded to recognize extreme battlefield bravery or successful military leadership by Nazi Germany during World War II. Wendorff was born on 20 October 1920 in Grauwinkel. In 1931, his family moved to Damme, in the Uckermark, where his father leased a farm. In the autumn of 1939, Wendorff graduated from the Numburg National-Political School and volunteered for military service when war broke out and joined the Leibstandarte SS Adolf Hitler (LSSAH) on 4 September 1939. On 6 November 1939, Wendorff joined up with the Regiment in Prague, where it had temporarily taken up quarters after the Polish Campaign. Wendorff was assigned to the 11th Company, but was transferred to the ''Sturmgeschütz'' (Assault Gun) Battery in June 1940. He saw action in the Balkans and the Soviet Union with this Company. On 14 September 1941, Wendorff was awarded the Iron Cross 2nd Class; he was also promoted from ''Sturmmann'' to ''Oberscharführer'' (technical sergeant). On 1 November 1941, Wendorff was sent to the ''SS Junkerschule'' in Bad Tölz and returned to the ''Sturmgeschütz'' battalion in April 1942, as an ''Untersturmführer'' (second lieutenant). On 24 December 1942 Wendorff was reassigned to the 13 (Tiger) Company, SS Regiment 1 LSSAH, at Fallingbostel, where he Commanded a platoon in the 2nd Company. In the early spring of 1943, Wendorff’s old friend, Michael Wittmann joined the Tiger company. During Operation Citadel the LSSAH was located in the southern sector of the bulge. On the first day of action, Wittmann destroyed two anti-tanks guns and thirteen T-34s, while saving Helmut Wendorff's platoon, which ran into trouble. He was awarded the Knight's Cross on 12 February 1944. When his tank versus tank victories had reached 58. He was killed in action on 14 August 1944, when his Tiger was knocked out 3 kilometres west of Merzieres. At the time of his death he had been credited with 84 tank kills. ==See also== *List of Knight's Cross holders 1st SS Division Leibstandarte SS Adolf Hitler 抄文引用元・出典: フリー百科事典『 ウィキペディア（Wikipedia）』 ■ウィキペディアで「Helmut Wendorff」の詳細全文を読む スポンサード リンク
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