Knights Cross with Oak Leaves

Martin Steglich, French and Heinz-Georg Lemm

Martin Steglich (left), French (center) and Heinz-Georg Lemm (right.) Just listening to these two veterans of almost six years of combat in World War II was a historical experience all by itself. They knew everything about the infantry regiment, the backbone of the German Army. Both began the war as lieutenants and platoon leaders, and ended the war as Infantry regimental commanders.

Theodor Eicke, Kommandant at Dachau

Theodor Eicke

Kommandant at Dachau (1933-1934.) One of the most brutal men in the concentration camp system, he became the Inspector of Concentration Camps, after his stint at Dachau. He later served in the SS Totenkopf Division and assumed command of that formation. He was a winner of the Knight’s Cross with Oak Leaves; he was killed when his aircraft was shot down in Russia on February 26, 1943.