Alois Etthöfer

Who was Alois Etthöfer?

Alois Etthöfer was a Sturmbannführer and Major of Polizei in the Waffen SS during World War II who 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.

Alois Etthöfer was born on the 3 April 1912, at Margetshöchheim and was a member of the NSDAP and the SS. He was awarded the Iron Cross 2nd class in September 1941 and the 1st class award in October 1941. The award of the German Cross came while serving with the 3rd Battery, SS Polizei Artillery Regiment in October 1942. He was given command of the 4th SS Sturmgeschütz Battalion in June 1943, followed by command of the 4th SS Polizei Panzer Battalion in November 1944. It was while in command of this unit that he was posthumously awarded the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross after being killed in action on the 20 November 1944, in Hungary.

He was first recommended for the Knight's Cross in January 1942 but that recommendation was rejected and he was eventually awarded the Knight's Cross posthumously in March 1945.