Waffen-SS - Ludwig Spindler

SS-Obersturmbannführer Ludwig Spindler (1910 – 1944) served in SS-Panzergrenadier-Division Das Reich and in 9.SS-Panzer-Division Hohenstaufen. For his exemplary leadership during the rescue of encircled German troops in the Kamenets-Podolsky Pocket (Hube's Pocket) in the Soviet Union and for his heroic actions in Normandy, Spindler was decorated with the German Cross in Gold. At Operation Market Garden, Spindler formed a defensive perimeter around Arnhem before forcing the British to withdraw, for this achievement Spindler received the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross. Spindler was killed during the Battle of the Bulge when Allied aircraft attacked his car. Ludwig Spindler was buried at the Altenkirchen War Cemetery in Westerwald.

Waffen-SS Günther

Alfred Günther (April 25 1917 – June 15 1944) from Magdeburg after receiving his Knight's Cross in June 1943, he was later promoted SS-Untersturmführer. Günther, commanded 3.Kompanie/1.SS-Sturmgeschütz Abteilung (Assault Gun Battalion)/1.SS-Panzer-Division Leibstandarte SS and became the first member of the unit to be awarded the Knight's Cross. He was later transferred to Schwere SS-Panzer-Abteilung 101 (SS Heavy Panzer Battalion 101) and commanded a Tiger Panzer in 3.Zug/3.Kompanie. He was killed in Évrecy, Normandy when his Tiger was hit by an aircraft bomb on June 15 1944. Alfred Günthers grave is in War Graves cemetery at La Cambe: Block 30 Row 8 grave 303. Image: Alfred Günther with rank as an SS-Hauptscharführer. 

Photo: SS-Kriegsberichter Johan King

The Battle of the Bulge - Map

Ardenes - Map

Kampfgruppe - Knittel