1. Silvester Stadler: SS Brigadier General and War Criminal
2. Early Career in the SS
3. Command Positions in the Totenkopf Division
4. Command of the SS Panzer Division "Reich"
5. Oradour Massacre and Subsequent Trial
6. Awards and Decorations

Silvester Stadler: SS Brigadier General and War Criminal

Silvester Stadler (1890-1950) was a German military officer who served as an SS Brigadeführer and General Major in the Waffen-SS.

Early Career in the SS

Stadler joined the SS shortly after its foundation. Initially assigned to SS engineering units, he was later transferred to the SS Totenkopf Division, with which he participated in the French Campaign.

Command Positions in the Totenkopf Division

In 1942, Stadler was assigned to the staff of the SS Totenkopf Division. He subsequently commanded the 5th SS Grenadier Regiment "Thule."

Command of the SS Panzer Division "Reich"

Stadler served as commander of the 2nd SS Panzer Division "Reich" twice: from October 23, 1943 to July 24, 1944, and from October 23, 1944 to January 20, 1945.

Oradour Massacre and Subsequent Trial

In 1944, Stadler was responsible for the massacre of civilians in the village of Oradour-sur-Glane. He was sentenced to death by a French tribunal, but the West German authorities refused to extradite him to France.

Awards and Decorations

For his service, Stadler was awarded:
Iron Cross 2nd Class (French Campaign)
Iron Cross 1st Class (Eastern Front)
Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross (1944)

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