Sepp Dietrich
| Sepp Dietrich | |
|---|---|
 |
|
| Born |
28 May 1892 Hawangen, Bavaria, German Empire |
| Died | 21 April 1966 (aged 73) Ludwigsburg, Baden-Württemberg, West Germany |
| Allegiance | |
| Service/branch |
 Waffen-SS
|
| Years of service | 1911–19 1928–45 |
| Rank | Oberst-Gruppenführer |
| Service number |
NSDAP #89,015 SS #1,117 |
| Commands held |
5th Panzer Army 6th Panzer Army |
| Battles/wars |
|
| Awards | Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross with Oak Leaves, Swords and Diamonds |
Josef "Sepp" Dietrich (28 May 1892 – 21 April 1966) was an Oberst-Gruppenführer in the Waffen-SS, the armed paramilitary branch of the Schutzstaffel (SS), who commanded units up to army level during World War II. Prior to 1929, he was Adolf Hitler's chauffeur and bodyguard but received rapid promotion after his participation in the extrajudicial executions of political opponents during the 1934 purge known as the Night of the Long Knives. He later commanded 6th Panzer Army during the Battle of the Bulge. After the war he was imprisoned by the United States for war crimes and later by West Germany for his involvement in the 1934 purge.
Sepp Dietrich was born on 28 May 1892 in Hawangen, near Memmingen in the Kingdom of Bavaria, German Empire.
In 1911 he joined the Bavarian Army with the 4. Bayerische Feldartillerie-Regiment "König" (4th Bavarian Field Artillery Regiment) in Augsburg. In the First World War he served with the Bavarian Field artillery, He was promoted to Gefreiter in 1917 and awarded the Iron Cross 2nd class. In 1918 he was promoted to Unteroffizier (sergeant). Last Bavarian army record lists Dietrich as recipient of Iron Cross 1st class and Bavarian Military Merit Order 3rd class with swords.
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