Hans Endreß

Who was Hans Endreß?

Hans Endreß was a Hauptsturmführer 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.

Hans Endress was born on 5 July 1911, at Stuttgart.

He volunteered to join the SS in 1934 and was posted to the SS-VT in September 1939 and fought in the Polish Campaign the Battle of France and the Balkans Campaign.

In 1943 he was given command of the 13th Company, 6th SS Panzer Grenadier Regiment Theodor Eicke and promoted to Hauptsturmführer in January 1944.

In January 1945 he was given command of the II.Battalion, 6th SS Panzer Grenadier Regiment Theodor Eicke. He was awarded the Knight's Cross while in command of the II.Battalion, which in March 1945 attacked and captured Bajna, which was used for a further attack on Budapest.

Endress was made a prisoner of war in May 1945 and released from captivity in 1948. He died in his home town of Stuttgart on 24 January 1969.