Hugo Gottfried Kraas

Hugo Gottfried Kraas

Commander of the SS troops, SS Brigadeführer and Major General of the SS troops.
Date of Birth: 25.01.1911

Content:
  1. Early Life and Education
  2. Military Career
  3. SS Membership (1935-1945)
  4. 1938:Untersturmführer SS
  5. 1943-1944:Commander of the 2nd SS Motorized Regiment

Early Life and Education

Born as the eldest of seven sons to Franz Kraas, a teacher, Helmut Kraas initially aspired to become a teacher himself. However, upon his father's death, he was forced to seek employment to support his family. He graduated from a construction school in Rüthen on March 21, 1933.

Military Career

Pre-SS Activities (1933-1935)

Kraas voluntarily served in the "Arbeitsdienst" from April 19 to August 19, 1933. On October 1, 1933, he joined the SA, initially serving in the SA training staff. He later became an instructor at the SA sports school in Ordruf from October 1, 1933, to February 19, 1934, and the SA camp in Neustrelitz from February 19, 1934, to April 20, 1935.

SS Membership (1935-1945)

On October 15, 1935, Kraas joined the SS (SS No. 289 633). He held numerous positions and attained various ranks throughout his SS career, including:

1938:Untersturmführer SS

1939:Obersturmführer SS
1940:Hauptsturmführer SS
1942:Sturmbannführer SS
1943:Obersturmbannführer SS
1944:Standartenführer SS
1945:Oberführer SS
1945:Brigadeführer SS and Generalmajor der Waffen-SS
Commands and Awards
Kraas served in various commands within the SS, including:
1937-1938:Junker School SS "Braunschweig"

1938-1939:Platoon leader in the 14th Anti-Tank Company, Leibstandarte SS Adolf Hitler

1939-1941:Platoon and company commander in the 15th Motorcycle Company, Leibstandarte SS Adolf Hitler

1941-1942:Deputy battalion commander in the Leibstandarte SS Adolf Hitler

1942-1943:Commander of the 1st Battalion, 2nd SS Motorized Regiment, Leibstandarte SS Adolf Hitler

1943-1944:Commander of the 2nd SS Motorized Regiment

1944-1945:Commander of the 12th SS Division "Hitlerjugend"
During his service, Kraas received numerous awards, including:
Iron Cross 2nd and 1st Class
Infantry Assault Badge in Bronze
Wound Badge
German Cross in Gold
Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross
Oak Leaves to the Knight's Cross
Mentioned in the Wehrmachtbericht
Post-War Life

Kraas was released from captivity in 1948. He returned to live in West Germany, where he later suffered a fatal heart attack.

© BIOGRAPHS