Erich Zepper

Erich Zepper
220px Erich Zepper
Born	27 November 1915 (1915-11-27) Sebnitz, Germany
Died	28 July 2005 (2005-07-29) (aged 89) Beilstein
Allegiance	Nazi Germany
Service/branch	Waffen SS
Years of service	1937–1945
Rank	Untersturmführer
Unit	SS-VT 5th SS Panzer Division Wiking
Battles/wars	World War II
Awards	Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross Iron Cross 1st Class Iron Cross 2nd Class Close Combat Clasp in Bronze Infantry Assault Badge in Silver Wound Badge Eastern Front Medal 1941/42 Anschluss Medal Sudetenland Medal

Erich Zepper (27 November 1915 – 28 July 2005) was a Untersturmführer (2nd Lieutenant) in the Waffen SS during World War II who was awarded the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross, which was awarded to recognize extreme battlefield bravery or successful military leadership by Nazi Germany during World War II.

Early life

Erich Zepper was born on 27 November 1915 in Sebnitz. He joined the Reichswehr, then the Labour Service (Arbeitsdienst) and in 1937, he volunteered to join the SS-VT. He took part in the Anschluss of Austria and the annexation of the Sudetenland in 1938.

World War II

Zepper was posted to the newly formed SS Division Wiking and sent to the Eastern Front for Operation Barbarossa, the invasion of the Soviet Union in 1941. He was awarded the Iron Cross (2nd class) in August and the Iron Cross (1st class) in December 1941.

Zepper was awarded the Knight's Cross in December 1943, for his actions in the Dnieper sector in October 1943. Zepper was later promoted to untersturmführer. He was captured in October 1944 by the British during fighting on the Western Front.

Post war

Zepper remained a prisoner of war in British captivity until his release in 1948. He died on 28 July 2005, in Beilstein.