The Death of Erwin Meierdrees

Befehlpanther I01 of SS-Sturmbannführer Erwin Meierdrees (Kommandeur I.Abteilung / SS-Panzer-Regiment 3 "Totenkopf" / SS-Panzergrenadier-Division "Totenkopf") in Nowo Miastro, Poland, a few days before he was KIA at Dunaalmas, Hungary, 2 January 1945. Posing beside the tank is SS-Unterscharführer Kurt Söhrmann, radio operator in Meierdrees's Panther.

After the war, Söhrmann was interviewed about the last action of his commander, about which he remembered the following:

“Our tank commander, and unit commander Erwin Meierdrees, is waiting for orders. As the radio operator, I am in contact with the Command Post of our Regiment and with that of the Grenadiers. Our driver, Sepp Hirsch, lets the engine run to warm the inside of our tank. Our loader and second radioman, SS-Sturmmann Sepp Tittel, gets in touch with the company's chief and the platoon leaders. Our gunner, SS-Obersturmführer Alfred Quilitz, is doing nothing at the moment. Finally at last, Meierdrees, gets on board. Then, after asking us if everything was OK, gives the order to the driver to move on.

The few Tigers of the division are in the lead. Around 5:00 am, the attack took place near the exit of Dunaalmas with fierce fighting because the Russians formed a barrier to our advance with 18 T-34 tanks and also emplaced anti-tank guns. The Tiger's 88 mm guns light up all they can while receiving hits from the enemy fire. The lead Tiger is stopped, but the others continue under the guidance of SS-Obersturmführer Scheinhofer. The shells of our high explosive rounds fly towards the anti-tank guns. One after the other, the Tigers are assembled and now we take the lead of the assault with our commander Sturmbannführer Erwin Meierdrees. Behind us follows the Panther of Obersturmführer Strobl, Adjutant of the Kompanie.

It's still dark and we have not yet fired any shells for the moment. Suddenly, the Commander orders the driver to stop and leaves hurriedly. We wonder what is happening. In fact, Obersturmführer Quilitz explains that Erwin Meierdrees wants to discuss the situation with the commanders of the Grenadiers, Hauptsturmführer Endress and Frommhagen. Then he climbs back in our Panther. We look at our watch, it is 6:45am. The Sturmbannführer orders the driver to take the road again. Suddenly there is a great noise, a big red glow, and immense heat. Outside, the turret is oriented to the 1 o'clock position. My hatch is blocked by the barrel, I quickly disassemble it to free it up to be able to escape. I find myself in a ditch along with our driver Sepp Hirsch. The panzer continues to move forward slowly. Sepp climbs on it, clinging to the barrel to shut off the ignition. In the turret all are dead. Sepp and I are injured and, for my part, suffer severe burns that will cost me a long stay in the hospital. Later that day, Meierdrees was lifted out of the turret. Also killed were Quilitz and Sepp Tittel. Sepp and I stand and look down at our highly esteemed commander and weep..."

Here's what happened:

Meierdrees's Panther was stopped behind a house but, not far away, a Russian assault gun (SU 152) had watched him and was waiting for him to begin moving again. The Russian had plenty of time to aim well and he hit the Commanders Panther just on the right side below the tank track that was hanging there. The Russian assault gun was destroyed a few seconds later by Panther 103 whose gunner was none other than SS-Unterscharführer Kurt Arp.

The news of the Commanders death spreads like wildfire because he was very much admired by his men. It will take time for the men of the "Totenkopf" Division to defeat the Russians who are strongly positioned in Dunaalmas and near the railroad tracks. One by one, the Russian tanks were destroyed, including seven with Panzerfausts by the Grenadiers of Regiment "Eicke”.

Source :
KL Archive photo collection
"Erwin Meierdrees: Panzer Kommandeur " by Konstantinos Laios
"Soldaten Kämpfer Kameraden" by Wolfgang Vopersal
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