Sylvester Stadler
Date of Birth: 30.12.1910 - Fohnsdorf, Styria (Austria-Hungary)
Date of Death: 23.08.1995 - Königsbrunn bei Schwabmünchen, Schwaben, Bayern (Germany)
Nickname: Vestl
Height: 184cm (6 ft ½ in)
Weight: 79 kg weight (174 lb)
Chest size: 93 cm relaxed, to 99 cm expanded (37 in to 39 in)
NSDAP Number: 4 159 018 (02.05.1933)
SS Number: 139 495 (02.05.1933)
Father: Johann Stadler (miner)
Siblings: 4 brothers and 2 sisters
Promotions:
02.05.1933 SS-Anwärter
03.01.1934 SS-Mann
20.04.1934 SS-Rottenführer
20.05.1934 SS-Scharführer
20.04.1935 SS-Oberscharführer
21.01.1936 SS-Standartenjunker
25.02.1936 SS-Standartenoberjunker
20.04.1936 SS-Untersturmführer
12.09.1937 SS-Obersturmführer
30.06.1939 SS-Hauptsturmführer
01.09.1942 SS-Sturmbannführer der Waffen-SS
20.04.1943 SS-Obersturmbannführer der Waffen-SS
30.01.1944 SS-Standartenführer der Waffen-SS
01.08.1944 SS-Oberführer der Waffen-SS
04.05.1945 SS-Brigadeführer und Generalmajor der Waffen-SS (mit Wirkung vom 20.04.1945)
Career:
02.05.1933 Joined the Austrian NSDAP and the SS
00.00.1933 Joined the Austrian SS Legion in Germany and transferred to Dachau
00.00.1934 Zugführer in SS-Standarte "Deutschland"
00.00.1935 Member of 7.Sturm / II.Sturmbann / SS-Standarte "Germania"
24.04.1935 - 10.02.1936 Attended SS-Junkerschule Bad Tölz
10.02.1936 - 04.04.1936 Attended the platoon leaders training course at Dachau
12.11.1936 - 18.02.1937 Attended driver's teaching course at the Vehicle School at Bernau
00.00.193_ Chef 1.Sturm / Nachrichten-Abteilung SSVT
00.06.1939 Chef 1.Kompanie / SS-Nachrichten-Abteilung 2
07.06.1940 Wounded in action and was being treated by the doctor the Signals Battalion
00.00.1940 Chef 5.Kompanie / SS-Regiment "Der Führer"
20.09.1941 - 15.10.1941 Führer II.Bataillon / SS-Regiment "Deutschland"
15.10.1941 - 18.10.1941 Wounded in action
00.00.1941 - 00.02.1942 Tactical instructor at SS-Junkerschule Bad Tölz
01.03.1942 - 07.06.1942 Führer II.Bataillon / SS-Infanterie-Regiment "Der Führer"
07.06.1942 - 20.04.1943 Kommandeur II.Bataillon / SS-Panzergrenadier-Regiment 4 "Der Führer"
20.04.1943 Kommandeur SS-Panzergrenadier-Regiment 4 "Der Führer"
03.07.1944 - 31.07.1944 Kommandeur 9. SS-Panzer-Division "Hohenstaufen"
31.07.1944 - 10.10.1944 Wounded in action, returns to the service after recovery
10.10.1945 - 08.05.1945 Kommandeur 9. SS-Panzer-Division "Hohenstaufen"
08.05.1945 Surrendered his division to the U.S. Army in Austria
08.05.1945 - 00.00.1948 Released from U.S. captivity
Decorations and Awards:
01.09.1936 Deutsches Olympia-Ehrenzeichen II. Klasse
00.12.1936 Julleuchter der SS
20.04.1937 Totenkopfring der SS
01.12.1937 Deutsches Reichssportabzeichen in Bronze
01.12.1937 SA-Sportabzeichen in Bronze
01.12.1937 Ehrendegen des Reichsführers-SS
00.00.1938 Medaille zur Erinnerung an den 13. März 1938
00.00.1939 Medaille zur Erinnerung an den 1. Oktober 1938
00.00.1939 Medaille zur Erinnerung an den 1. Oktober 1938 mit Spange “Prager Burg“
25.09.1939 Eisernes Kreuz II.Klasse
15.06.1940 Verwundetenabzeichen, 1939 in Schwarz
21.06.1940 Infanterie-Sturmabzeichen in Silber
26.06.1940 Eisernes Kreuz I.Klasse
01.05.1941 SS-Dienstauszeichnung 3. Stufe
00.00.1942 Medaille "Winterschlacht im Osten 1941/42" (Ostmedaille)
00.00.194_ Two Panzervernichtungsabzeichen in Silber (disputed)
06.04.1943 Nahkampfspange in Silber
06.04.1943 Ritterkreuz des Eisernen Kreuzes #1676, as SS-Sturmbannführer and
Kommandeur II.Bataillon / SS-Panzergrenadier-Regiment “Der Führer” /
SS-Panzergrenadier-Division “Das Reich” (based on a recommendation dated
02.04.1943 and signed by Divisionführer Herbert-Ernst Vahl; endorsed by
Korps Kom. Gen. Paul Hausser; approved by Chef des Heerespersonalamtes,
Generalmajor Rudolf Schmudt, 03.04.1943; presented by Walter Krüger). Stadler's Ritterkreuz recommendation reads as follows: "SS-Sturmbannführer Stadler has since 07.06.42 been the acting Commander of the II./SS-Pz.Gr.Rgt. "Der Führer". SS-Sturmbannführer Stadler and his battalion, after breaking weak resistance in two villages, reached the town of Jefremowka on the evening of 01.03.43. Reconnaissance patrols detected strong enemy forces occupying the fortified town. The intention of the regiment was to attack early on 02.03.43, after a detailed preparation. Then SS-Sturmbannführer Stadler decided independently to take advantage of the night and to start the attack with the support of two assault guns. He himself accompanied the leading Kompanie through the intense defensive fire until he reached the town, deployed there with his Kompanies for the attack and penetrated with them deep into the town. With the first light of the morning he continued the annihilation, and by 08:00 hours the town had fallen. About 250 enemy dead, 12 tanks, 17 artillery guns and 38 anti-tank guns were left on the battlefield. Thanks to Stadler's independent decision of attacking the town by night without preparation, the first phase of the success was accomplished. An attack in daylight could have been done only with heavy losses. Only through his resolute performance and personal action was he able to push forward his Kompanies through the heavy fight into the town to complete the success. With his daring bravery he allowed the division to establish, the very same day, a link with the SS-Pz.Gr.Div. "Adolf Hitler". With this, the isolation and encirclement of one-and-a-half Russian tank corps in the area of Schljaybwaja was completed, making possible their ensuing annihilation by the Totenkopf-Division."
16.09.1943 Ritterkreuz des Eisernen Kreuzes mit Eichenlaub #303, as
SS-Obersturmbannführer and Kommandeur SS-Panzergrenadier-Regiment “Der
Führer“ / 2.SS-Panzer-Division “Das Reich“ (based on a
recommendation dated 26.08.1943 and signed by Divisionskommandeur Walter Krüger;
personally presented by Adolf Hitler). Stadler's Eichenlaub recommendation reads as follows: "During one of the most dangerous phases of the Fourth Battle of Kharkov, on the 22.08.43, the SS-Pz.Gren.Div. "Das Reich", together with a simultaneous change of attachment from the III. Pz.Korps to the XI. Armee-Korps, was shifted from its current sector to the south of Bogodukhov. They were thrown 45 km to the east in the area of Ljubotin. The task of the division was to hinder the enemy breakthrough over the Udy towards the southeast, which would cut off the divisions defending Kharkov.SS-Obersturmbannführer Stadler, with elements of the SS-Pz.Gren.Rgt. "Der Führer" pulled out from its current battle area on 21.08.43, had the assignment of taking positions in Korotitsch, dealing with the Soviet break-in points on the boundary between the 168. and 198. I.D., and winning back the old main fighting line. Stadler, preceding his Regiment, reached Korotitsch for the purposes of reconnaissance and found it empty. The infantry positioned there had abandoned it, falling back to the south. Stadler only found an artillery advance observer that he immediately put under his command. As SS-Obersturmbannführer Stadler reached the northern edge of the town, three tanks with mounted infantry rolled towards Korotitsch. Stadler and his handful of men occupied their positions. He himself manned the machine-gun and halted the opponent. After the destruction of one tank by the Battery of the advance observer, they withdrew to the southeast until their motorcycle company reached the village. With this Stadler held the village against the newly developing strong enemy attacks. Fifteen tanks, along with an infantry battalion, attacked Korotitsch from the north. The bulk of the infantry was separated from the tanks in hard fighting. Some tanks broke through, and with them part of the infantry infiltrated into the village. But SS-Obersturmbannführer Stadler decided to hang on to the village, as it was a key point in the gap between the two German infantry divisions engaged in bitter defensive battles. Stadler held the positions here in an all-round defense in spite of the unbroken heavy fire of enemy artillery, rockets and tanks. Demolition troops, anti-tank guns and the attached Heer battery put out of action seven tanks. After a hard defensive battle lasting for two hours, during which SS-Obersturmbannführer Stadler was the soul of the defense, the I./SS-Pz.Gr.Rgt. "Der Führer" arrived and battled their way towards the positions on the northern edge of the town, improving the situation. But again and again the opponent attempted to break through. Under unheard-of heavy artillery fire, T-34s in small groups continually approached the village. The other two battalions of the regiment could reach the objective only under cover of darkness, following a 45-kilometer long march all while being harassed by continuous enemy air attacks and the columns flowing back. Immediately SS-Obersturmbannführer Stadler deployed his regiment for an attack northwards, and with the help of parts of the II./SS-Pz.Rgt. "Das Reich" that also had arrived late in the evening, managed to close the six-kilometer wide breach. The breakthrough of enemy tanks and infantry towards the southeast, and with it the encirclement of the three divisions fighting in Kharkov was prevented through the bold resolution and the defensive skill of SS-Obersturmbannführer Stadler and his men. The XI. Armee-Korps was able to move back the divisions fighting along the north bank of the Udy. SS-Obersturmbannführer Stadler bears a decisive share in this thanks to his heroic personal performance and his independent decisiveness. In all the actions of this summer battle, SS-Obersturmbannführer Stadler has proven himself best at the head of his regiment, the command of which he assumed on 20.04.43. During the breakthrough across the second system of positions on 07.07.43, near Lutschki north of Belgorod in which he, exploiting the favourable reconnaissance, stormed and penetrated at his own decision and before the scheduled beginning of the attack; in the defensive battle against tanks near Kalinin on the 07. and 14.7.43; during the attack on Marinovka that made it possible to recapture the old main fighting line along the Mius; and in the defensive battles with weak elements of the division at the southwest of Solotschew in the period from 6-11.08.43, SS-Obersturmbannführer Stadler proved to be a shining example to his men with his personal readiness for action, courage and bravery. The leadership of his regiment has been wielded with model prudence and skill. I consider the award of the Oakleaves to the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross to SS-Obersturmbannführer Stadler as especially justified because of the outstanding success of his decisions and personal actions on the battlefield."
12.12.1943 Nahkampfspange in Gold
16.07.1944 Mentioned in the Wehrmachtbericht
06.05.1945 Ritterkreuz des Eisernen Kreuzes mit Eichenlaub und Schwertern #152, as
SS-Brigadeführer und Generalmajor der Waffen-SS and Kommandeur
9. SS-Panzer-Division “Hohenstaufen“. Awarded for his leadership of the 9. SS-Panzer Division during its battles around Caen, in the battle of the Bulge and the fighting in Hungary (here he particularly distinguished himself in the Berhida area on the 22.03.1945). This is one of several awards made by “Sepp”
Dietrich on that date, which, in light of new research by Veit
Scherzer, were technically invalid as they were not authorized by the
SS-Personalhauptamt or Heerespersonalamt). Number is according to the date of awarding. Confirmation is made on the basis of a statement under oath to the Ordensgemeinschaft der Ritterkreuzträger made by Generaloberst der Waffen-SS Sepp Dietrich.
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Sylvester Stadler was born on 30 December 1910 as the sixth child of miner Johann Stadler in Fohnsdorf in Styria, Austria. After attending the elementary and secondary school in Judenburg, he trained as an electrician for three years and later found work as an in various different companies. Due to his entry into the NSDAP and the SS on 2 May 1933, Stadler experienced enormous difficulties in his professional life. Because membership of the party and the SS was then illegal, the Austrian government under Engelbert Dollfuss and Kurt Schussnigg charged him with high treason and propagating NSDAP propaganda. Like other early Austrian party members, such as Vinzenz Kaiser, who experienced the same issues, he was forced to flee Austria. Stadler joined the Austrian SS Legion, was transferred to Dachau at the end of 1933, and began his career within the Waffen-SS, in 1934, writing from the SS Hilfswerk Dachau on 5 June 1934: “I hereby declare that I am striving for service in the SS as a lifelong profession. Rttf. Stadler”
Standing six feet tall, and described of Nordic and Dinaric appearance, Stadler appeared a perfect candidate for SS membership. However, on his application to the Waffen-SS Stadler was subjected to an assessment of his general characteristics. While he fitted the classical SS profile physically, the assessing body described him as suffering from Schizothymia and Cyclothymia. In modern day terms, Schizothymia is a temperament related to schizophrenia in a way analogous to cyclothymia's relationship with bipolar disorder. A schizothymic individual displays a flat affect and a high degree of introversion, withdrawing from social relations generally; nevertheless, some individuals with this characteristic may be able to achieve relatively affable social relations and a measure of affectivity in some situations. As a kind of temperament, schizothymic personality traits are thought to be more or less innate rather than the result of socialization (or a lack thereof). Cyclothymia, or cyclothymic disorder, is a relatively mild mood disorder. In cyclothymic disorder, moods swing between short periods of mild depression and hypomania, an elevated mood. The low and high mood swings never reach the severity or duration of major depressive or full mania episodes. People with cyclothymic disorder have milder symptoms than occur in full-blown bipolar disorder.
A currently practicing psychiatric nurse stated, “I would interpret this to mean that the subject was emotionally cold, had trouble forming connections with others, and was subject to mild manic bursts of energy alternating with bouts of depression.”
Stadler's pyschological state was taken into consideration, but would become under more exacting scrutiny in the near future.
On 28 March 1935, as a member of II./SS1, Stadler underwent a psychological profiling examination, undertaken by a panel of five doctors. The findings of the examination stated:
“Stadler is a modest and simple man of simple appearance and self-giving. He is not intellectually incapable of grasping and pursuing a thought, but his thinking progresses too slowly and for higher or more difficult situations and demands he lacks training and experience. He finds it difficult to be extroverted, and to form social relationships. His practical-technical understanding is sufficient. His intellectual condition makes it difficult for him to assert himself with towards his comrades. his actions are more impulsive, but slow, and he is too modest. He is more quiet and withdrawn, introverted towards himself than adventurous and daredevilish. However, he will faithfully and reliably carry out any orders given, due to his high personal ambition. He will act carefully and cautiously. His helpful, comradely attitude is to be especially emphasized.
Slow and cumbersome in thinking and acting, reserved, too modest and quiet, dutiful and decent.
Decent and valuable personality, but mentally slow, dull and termperamentless, without inner freedom, without leadership qualities.
A modest and honest character, but mentally too simple and too slow, without fresh and energetic temperament and without decisive will activity.”
According to the military examiners, the candidate was “not suitable” to become an SS officer.
Despite this stunning setback to his career, Stadler struggled on, until a fortunate asssesment at Dachau, on 4 February 1935 by SS-Standartenführer Berhard Voß stated that SS-Unterscharführer Stadler had since the creation of the Sturmbann, served as a group leader with SS-Sturm 7/II/SS1, giving special mention to Stadler's ability as a lecturer, and trainer of men. Assertive, with impeccable behaviour on and off duty, Stadler was described as well suited for the role as an SS officer.
Promoted to SS-Standartenjunker, Stadler was sent to the SS-Junkerschule at Bad Tölz, on the third platoon leaders course, which ran from 24 April 1935 until 10 February 1936. Ranked twenty-one out of the candidates, Stadler completed the course, and passed the final examination with the following grades:
1. in ideology: good.
2. in tactics: quite good.
3. in terrain: sufficient.
4. in weaponry: quite good.
5. in engineering: quite good.
6. in intelligence: quite good.
7. in motor vehicles: sufficient.
8. in flying: quite good.
9. in the army: quite good.
10. in cartography: quite good.
11. in general military service: quite good.
12. in armed service: sufficient.
13. in sport: good
14. in riding: good.
With knowledge proven and overall quite good performance shown, “Stadler is a very calm, serious and well-balanced character, who after some minor errors has dedicated himself to National Socialist ideology. It is thanks to his ambitious, steady diligence that he has mastered the tasks set. This is particularly to be recognized, since his school education was not quite sufficient. His reserved calmness distinguishes him especially. He is a suitable SS leader.” Stadler was commissioned as SS-Untersturmführer on 20 April 1936. Directly following the course at Bad Tölz, Stadler then attended the platoon leaders training course at Dachau from 10 February 1936 until 4 April 1936. Between 12 November 1936 and 18 February 1937, Stadler attended a driver's teaching course, for all three classes of license at the Vehicle School at Bernau. Following his promotion to SS-Oberstumführer on 12 September 1937,
Presumably due to his trade as an electrician, Stadler to posted to the SS-Signals Battalion of the “Der Führer” Regiment as commander of the telephone company. Stadler was evidently capable in his capacity of company commander, as his request for promotion to SS-Hauptsturmführer stated “Clear and open, energetic, with a swift perspective faculty, Obersturmführer Stadler has led the company for five months, and demonstrated during field exercises that he was clearly up to the task. He demonstrates calm and safe leadership, and his sense of justice should be emphasized.” Promoted to SS-Hauptsturmführer on 30 May 1939, Stadler had clearly surpassed all prior expectations of his performance by the panel of medical experts!
Stadler took part in the Polish campaign, and was awarded the EKII on 2 October 1939. In the Western campaign Stadler proved himself still further, and he was awarded the EKI on 25 July 1940. Wounded in the West, the SS Signals Replacement Battaltion reported that Haupsturmführer Stadler, had been convalescing from 7 June 1940 is in his flat in Unna and was being treated by the doctor the Signals Battalion's Doctor (Florian Berger states Stadler was wounded in the shoulder, but there is no supporting evidence in Stadler's file).
After returning from convalescence and returning to II./SS “Der Führer”, Stadler fought in the Balkan campaign, and Operation Barbarossa with his unit, and was wounded again between 15-18 October 1941. Having suitably impressed his superiors due to his tactical ability, Stadler was transferred to the Junkerschule Tölz as a tactical instructor. The commander of Training Group B, Sturmbannführer Siegel, evaluated Stadler on 7 May 1942 as open, decent, and almost good-natured in character, but quiet and modest. “A strong, fanatical National Socialist, he always endeavours to do his duty, making his experience,and sound advice easily accessible. As a superior he has an educational effect on subordinates through his personality, and is popular with his subordinates because of his constant care. In his military ability, he is a pronounced practitioner who deepens and expands his tactical knowledge with much diligence and great perseverance. His performance in and out of service is exemplary. With average general education, he is always anxious to expand his general knowledge through self-study. Regarding his reputation as a subordinate he is an easily controllable and sympathetic subordinate, who is politely modest and courteous. As a comrade his very popular and appreciated, and unselfish, almost to the point of self-sacrifice.
Due to his great practical ability, his use as a battalion commander is suggested.” The commander of the JS-Tölz, Standartenführer Dörffler-Schuband fully agreed with the above assessment, commenting, “Stadler is a pronounced personality with particularly high character values. Less suitable as a teacher, he is an excellent front officer.”
Returning to his regiment, regimental commander, Obersturmbannführer Otto Kumm wrote succinctly of Stadler on 3 July 1942, “Excellent performances as commander of 5./SS "DF" and II./SS "D" in tactical ability, as tactics teacher at the JS Tölz, and as acting commander of II./SS "DF". He is a clear, calm, reliable character, of noble disposition, and a brave leader. He has good military training, a special ability to teach, and extensive practical training experience. Excellent leadership qualities proven in combat.”
The division had fought outside Moscow, at Cholm and Velikie Luki (Berger claims Stadler was again wounded but this is unsupported by his file), and along the Rhzev-Vjasma salient.
Promoted to Sturmbannführer, Stadler and his regiment participated in the fighting to retake Kharkov, which would see him awarded the 1676th Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross, for his actions, recommend by divisonal commander Herbert-Ernst Vahl, endorsed by Paul Hausser;
“SS-Sturmbannführer Stadler has since 7 June 1942 been the acting Commander of the II./SS-Pz.Gr.Rgt. "Der Führer". SS-Sturmbannführer Stadler and his battalion, after breaking weak resistance in two villages, reached the town of Jefremowka on the evening of 1 March 1943. Reconnaissance patrols detected strong enemy forces occupying the fortified town.
The intention of the regiment was to attack early on 2 March 1943, after a detailed preparation. Then SS-Sturmbannführer Stadler decided independently to take advantage of the night and to start the attack with the support of two assault guns. He himself accompanied the leading Kompanie through the intense defensive fire until he reached the town, deployed there with his Kompanies for the attack and penetrated with them deep into the town. With the first light of the morning he continued the annihilation, and by 08:00 hours the town had fallen. About 250 enemy dead, 12 tanks, 17 artillery guns and 38 anti-tank guns were left on the battlefield!
Thanks to Stadler's independent decision of attacking the town by night without preparation, the first phase of the success was accomplished. An attack in daylight could have been done only with heavy losses. Only through his resolute performance and personal action was he able to push forward his Kompanies through the heavy fight into the town to complete the success. With his daring bravery he allowed the division to establish, the very same day, a link with the SS-Pz.Gr.Div. "Adolf Hitler". With this, the isolation and encirclement of one-and-a-half Russian tank corps in the area of Schljaybwaja was completed, making possible their ensuing annihilation by the Totenkopf-Division."
By this point Stadler had received the Ritterkreuz on 6 April 1943 and the Close Combat Clasp in Silver, was promoted to command the “Der Fuhrer” Regiment, and promoted to Obersturmbannführer on 20 April 1943.
In the bitter fighting around Kharkov, Stadler again again excelled himself, and less than six months later was awarded the Eichenlaub to the Ritterkreuz, recommended by Gruppenführer Walter Krüger, for the following action;
"During one of the most dangerous phases of the Fourth Battle of Kharkov, on the 22 August 1943, the SS-Pz.Gren.Div. "Das Reich", together with a simultaneous change of attachment from the III. Pz.Korps to the XI. Armee-Korps, was shifted from its current sector to the south of Bogodukhov. They were thrown 45 km to the east in the area of Ljubotin. The task of the division was to hinder the enemy breakthrough over the Udy towards the southeast, which would cut off the divisions defending Kharkov.
SS-Obersturmbannführer Stadler, with elements of the SS-Pz.Gren.Rgt. "Der Führer" pulled out from its current battle area on 21 August 1943, had the assignment of taking positions in Korotitsch, dealing with the Soviet break-in points on the boundary between the 168. and 198. I.D., and winning back the old main fighting line.
Stadler, preceding his Regiment, reached Korotitsch for the purposes of reconnaissance and found it empty. The infantry positioned there had abandoned it, falling back to the south. Stadler only found an artillery advance observer that he immediately put under his command. As SS-Obersturmbannführer Stadler reached the northern edge of the town, three tanks with mounted infantry rolled towards Korotitsch.
Stadler and his handful of men occupied their positions. He himself manned the machine-gun and halted the opponent. After the destruction of one tank by the Battery of the advance observer, they withdrew to the southeast until their motorcycle company reached the village. With this Stadler held the village against the newly developing strong enemy attacks. Fifteen tanks, along with an infantry battalion, attacked Korotitsch from the north. The bulk of the infantry was separated from the tanks in hard fighting. Some tanks broke through, and with them part of the infantry infiltrated into the village. But SS-Obersturmbannführer Stadler decided to hang on to the village, as it was a key point in the gap between the two German infantry divisions engaged in bitter defensive battles. Stadler held the positions here in an all-round defense in spite of the unbroken heavy fire of enemy artillery, rockets and tanks. Demolition troops, anti-tank guns and the attached Heer battery put out of action seven tanks. After a hard defensive battle lasting for two hours, during which SS-Obersturmbannführer Stadler was the soul of the defense, the I./SS-Pz.Gr.Rgt. "Der Führer" arrived and battled their way towards the positions on the northern edge of the town, improving the situation. But again and again the opponent attempted to break through. Under unheard-of heavy artillery fire, T-34s in small groups continually approached the village.
The other two battalions of the regiment could reach the objective only under cover of darkness, following a 45-kilometer long march all while being harassed by continuous enemy air attacks and the columns flowing back. Immediately SS-Obersturmbannführer Stadler deployed his regiment for an attack northwards, and with the help of parts of the II./SS-Pz.Rgt. "Das Reich" that also had arrived late in the evening, managed to close the six-kilometer wide breach.
The breakthrough of enemy tanks and infantry towards the southeast, and with it the encirclement of the three divisions fighting in Kharkov was prevented through the bold resolution and the defensive skill of SS-Obersturmbannführer Stadler and his men. The XI. Armee-Korps was able to move back the divisions fighting along the north bank of the Udy. SS-Obersturmbannführer Stadler bears a decisive share in this thanks to his heroic personal performance and his independent decisiveness.
In all the actions of this summer battle, SS-Obersturmbannführer Stadler has proven himself best at the head of his regiment, the command of which he assumed on 20 April 1943. During the breakthrough across the second system of positions on 7 July 1943, near Lutschki north of Belgorod in which he, exploiting the favourable reconnaissance, stormed and penetrated at his own decision and before the scheduled beginning of the attack; in the defensive battle against tanks near Kalinin on the 7 and 14 July 1943; during the attack on Marinovka that made it possible to recapture the old main fighting line along the Mius; and in the defensive battles with weak elements of the division at the southwest of Solotschew in the period from 6-11 August 1943, SS-Obersturmbannführer Stadler proved to be a shining example to his men with his personal readiness for action, courage and bravery. The leadership of his regiment has been wielded with model prudence and skill.
I consider the award of the Eichenlaub to the Ritterkreuz des Eisernen Kreuzes to SS-Obersturmbannführer Stadler as especially justified because of the outstanding success of his decisions and personal actions on the battlefield."
Gruppenführer Walter Krüger had evidently been impressed by Stadler, as on 28 November 1943 he recommended Obersturmbannführer Sylvester Stadler's expedited promotion to SS-Standartenführer stating that his suitability for the proposed promotion has been demonstrated by his regimental leadership since april 1943. “The Regiment "Der Führer" has achieved only the best under his leadership. He was awarded the Oakleaves for this and for his personal exemplary bravery. He is a clear personality with a very high sense of responsibility, and is a role model for his subordinates in every situation. He is hard but fair in the education of his leadership corps. He leads his regiment to success in the most difficult situations. His extensive experience made him an "expert". He knows how to educate his regiment and how to train them for their operations. With further training he is suitably qualified to command a division. An exemplary National Socialist, his achievements and his ability justify preferential promotion.”
Shortly afterwards, to add to his prestigious awards, Stadler would receive the coveted Close Combat Clasp in Gold, for fifty days of close combat, on 12 December 1943. Florian Berger also states that Stadler was awarded one, and possibly two individual Silver Tank Destruction Badges, but there is no evidence in Stadler's file to support this claim. Stadler was promoted to SS-Standartenführer on 30 January 1944.
25 June 1944 saw the “Das Reich” division refitting and reforming in Southern France after its near destruction of the Eastern Front, when SS-Brigadeführer Heinz Lammerding wrote of Stadler, “He is an uncomplicated and open character, if somewhat sensitive. His personal attitude is exemplary; he possesses above average mental and physical abilities, with high educational values, and has many years of frontal experience that has withstood the highest stress tests. His appearance and behaviour are exemplary and soldierly, and his personal example has a beneficial and successful effect on his troops. He enjoys great trust with superiors, comrades and subordinates alike. He knows how to impress his listeners with a free and convincing way of speaking. Well proven before the enemy, he fills his position as regimental commander with great success. Suitable for use in higher command.”
During this period the Allies landed in Normandy. The division was hastily rushed North. Inadequately trained, and receiving poorly trained conscripts, a company of the “Der Führer” regiment committed the atrocity at Oradour-sur-Glane. It is not the purpose of this biography to discuss that event in detail, but it is telling of Stadler's character in the interest of examining his character that when he heard of the action, he ordered the court martial of the principal cuplrit, SS-Hauptsturmführer Adolf Diekmann.
After the heavy fighting in Normandy, in the Caen – Noyers – Villers-Bocage area, Stadler was transferred to acting command of the 9th SS-Panzer Division “Hohenstaufen”, taking over command from Thomas Muller, assuming command by 0800 on 3 July 1944. After the bitter fighting around Caen, the division was forced to retreat towards the River Orne, where Stadler was heavily wounded in the right shoulder and calf, suffering heavy blood loss. During his convalescence, Stadler received the news of his promotion to SS-Oberführer, which had been requested by Wilhelm Bittrich in a communication dated 1 September 1944 stating as the grounds for promotion, Stadler was a “Particularly strong leadership personality, strong-willed, straightforward in character, and focused on the management of the division,” and that Stadler had “led the 9th SS Panzer Division division superbly and with visible success.”
Returning to command “Hohenstaufen” following his recovery, he and his men participated in the Ardennes Offensive, from which Stadler was able to extricate his division by his command of tactical maneuvering. Sent to Hungary in the Lake Balaton area during the relief of Budapest, the division was again virtually destroyed, and newly promoted SS-Brigadeführer Sylvester Stadler and his battered command retreated towards Enns, in Austria, where they surrendered to American forces.
Regarding Stadler's contested award of the Swords and Oakleaves to the Knight's Cross, no documentation appears in the German Federal Archives to verify the claim. Veit Scherzer contends that Sepp Dietrich had no authority to ratify or present the award as he had not applied through the proper chain of command, not had received authority from Hitler to approve such awards.
That Stadler had begun his SS career commanding a telephone company, and the early setbacks regarding his psychological profiling, it it all the more surprising that he became one of the best and successful Waffen SS infantry commanders of the war, who served solidly at the front for the duration of the war. Like his Austrian counterpart, Obersturmbannfuhrer Vinzenz Kaiser, Stadler was one of the oldest regimental commanders of the Waffen SS who were awarded both the Ritterkreuz, and the Nahkampfspange in Gold for a minimum of fifty days of close combat.
Sylvester Stadler was released from US captivity in 1948, and passed away on 23 August 1995 in Augsberg.
A
Das Reich command conference in the Eastern Front, late summer of 1943.
SS-Gruppenführer und Generalleutnant der Waffen-SS Walter Krüger
(Kommandeur SS-Panzergrenadier-Division "Das Reich") is at center,
surrounded by his regimental commanders. From the left are
SS-Obersturmbannführer Hans-Albin Freiherr von Reitzenstein (Kommandeur
SS-Panzer-Regiment 2 "Das Reich"), SS-Standartenführer Heinz Harmel
(Kommandeur SS-Panzergrenadier-Regiment "Deutschland"),
Divisionskommandeur Krüger, unknown orderly officer, and
SS-Obersturmbannführer Sylvester Stadler (Kommandeur
SS-Panzergrenadier-Regiment "Der Führer").
Bundesarchiv photo collection
Mark C. Yerger photo collection
Bio courtesy of Rich Deveau-Maxwell
"Images of War: Knight's Cross Winners of the Waffen SS" by Marc Rikmenspoel
https://www.dws-xip.com/reich/biografie/139495.html
https://forum.axishistory.com/viewtopic.php?t=137741
http://historyofthewaffenss.com/community/knights-cross-holders-richs-ss-biographies/ss-brigadefuhrer-sylvester-stadler-biography/
https://www.invaluable.com/auction-lot/sylvester-stadler-18-c-c2e4112ba2
https://www.oradour.info/appendix/stadlr01.htm
https://thereaderwiki.com/en/Sylvester_Stadler
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FB6sOyz2VYc
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