Leo-Hermann Reinhold - World War II

World War II

Reinhold joined the Polizei Division in October 1939 and was given command of the 2nd company and made the Battalion second-in-command of the SS Polizei Panzerjäger (tank hunter) Battalion. Joining the SS in January 1940 (SS number 422 117), he remained with the Panzerjäger Battalion until February 1943, being awarded the Iron Cross II class during the Battle of France in June 1940. Reinhold was married to his wife Gerda in July 1940 and stationed in France until moving east to take part in Operation Barbarossa the invasion of the Soviet Union.

Reinhold received his first wound in September 1941 and was awarded the Iron Cross I Class. Shortly after being promoted to Hauptsturmführer (Captain) in October 1941, he remained commander of the 2nd Company until being wounded again in February 1943. After recovering from his wounds he was posted to the newly formed 10th SS Panzer Division Frundsberg to take over command of the II. Battalion, 10th SS Panzer Regiment. In June 1943 he assumed command of the 10th SS Panzerjäger Battalion and was promoted to Sturmbannführer (Major) in November 1943, and received the Wound Badge in Silver for his fifth wound in April 1944.

Reinhold was awarded the Knights Cross during Operation Market Garden, in which he successfully repulsed a number of attacks from the allies at Nijmegen. This delayed the allies from relieving the British at the Arnhem Bridge and provided sufficient time for the Germans to place a defensive line before the British which held them in Oosterbeek.

In November 1944 he was posted to the SS Panzer Training and Reserve Regiment until February 1945 when he was given command of the Panzer Gunnery school until March 1945.