Karl-Heinz Bühler

[Shane A Beaver]

SS-Ostubaf Karl-Heinz Bühler came to the Waffen-SS from the Ordnungspolizei in 1939. I am right in believing that he initially served with the Polizei-Division before moving to "Wiking", or with the Artillery Regiment of the SS-VT? Thanks in advance.

Regards Shane

[Michael Miller]

Here is what I have on him, gleaned mostly from his SS-Personalakte and e-mails from his son,
Dr. Klaus-Ulrich Bühler:

Karl-Heinz Felix B ü h l e r
SS-Obersturmbannführer der Waffen-SS
und Oberstleutnant der Schutzpolizei


Born: 07.08.1912 in Mannheim / Baden.
Died: 04.07.1984 in Tübingen.

NSDAP-Nr.: 3 266 024 (Joined 00.00.1933)
SS-Nr.: 98 248 (Joined 27.12.1932)

Promotions:
01.10.1936 -- Wachtmeister und Offiziersanwärter der Schutzpolizei
01.10.1936 -- Gefreiter d. R. (Heer)
15.08.1937 -- Unteroffizier d. R.
01.09.1937 -- Wachtmeister d. R.
01.04.1939 -- Leutnant d. R.
01.04.1938 -- Leutnant der Schutzpolizei
01.10.1939 -- Oberleutnant der Schutzpolizei
21.03.1938 -- SS-Untersturmführer
01.08.1939 -- Oberleutnant der Schutzpolizei
10.09.1939 -- SS-Obersturmführer (mit Wirkung vom 09.11.1939)
09.11.1941 -- SS-Hauptsturmführer d. R. der Waffen-SS (mit RDA vom 09.11.1939)
27.12.1941 -- Hauptmann der Schutzpolizei (mit Wirkung vom 01.11.1939)
01.04.1942 -- SS-Hauptsturmführer der Waffen-SS
21.06.1943 -- SS-Sturmbannführer der Waffen-SS
21.06.1943 -- Major der Schutzpolizei
01.05.1945 -- SS-Obersturmbannführer der Waffen-SS
01.05.1945 -- Oberstleutnant der Schutzpolizei

Career:
ca. 1918 - ca. 1922 -- Attended 4 classes of Volksschule.
ca. 1922 - ca. 1930 -- Attended Gymnasium (graduated and passed his Abitur).
ca. 1930 - ca. 1932 -- Studied 5 semesters of architecture at university (did not obtain a degree).
12.09.1932 - 01.12.1932 -- Hitler-Jugend service.
27.12.1932 -- Joined the SS.
00.00.1933 -- Joined the NSDAP.
29.04.1933 - 31.07.1933 -- Freiwilligen Arbeitsdienst (FAD) service.
01.10.1935 - 01.10.1936 -- Army reserve service with 8.Batterie / Artillerie-Regiment 7 (Base: Augsburg).
01.10.1936 - [01.03.1938?] -- Joined the Schutzpolizei, assigned to 1.Hundertschaft / Kommando der Schutzpolizei in München.
01.11.1936 - 01.03.1938 -- Attended the Polizeioffizierschule at Fürstenfeldbruck (graduated).
15.07.1937 - 00.09.1937 -- Army reserve training with 8.Batterie / Artillerie-Regiment 27 (Base: Augsburg).
01.04.1938 - 00.00.19__ -- Adjutant to the Kommandeur der Schutzpolizei in Gotha / Thüringen.
15.08.1938 - 15.09.1938 -- Army reserve training with 6.Batterie / Artillerie-Regiment 69 (Base: Landsberg am Lech).
00.00.1938 (?) - 01.04.1942 -- Schutzpolizei service with the Polizeiverwaltung in Gotha .
21.03.1938 - 01.03.1939 -- Assigned to Stammabteilung Süd.
01.03.1939 - 15.09.1939 (?) -- Assigned to Stammabteilung Fulda-Werra / 14.
15.09.1939 - 01.10.1939 -- Joined the SS-Verfügungstruppe, assigned to SS-Artillerie-Ausbildungs- und Ersatz-Regiment Prag.
01.10.1939 - 01.11.1939 -- Assigned as a Batterieführer to SS-Artillerie-Ersatz-Abteilung (Base: Berlin-Lichterfelde).
01.11.1939 - 23.05.1940 -- Assigned as a Batterieoffizier to SS-Artillerie-Regiment 1 / SS-Verfügungstruppe.
01.03.1940 - 24.03.1940 -- Attended a Gasschutzlehrgang at the Heeresgasschutzschule in Celle .
23.05.1940 - 00.05.1942 (?) -- Assigned as a Batterieführer to Artillerie-Regiment / SS-Polizei-Division.
01.08.1940 - 27.08.1940 -- Attended a Batteriechefs-Lehrgang at the Artillerie-Schule in Jüterbog.
01.04.1942 -- Released from the officer corps of the Ordnungspolizei and transferred to the Waffen-SS active list.
00.05.1942 - 27.08.1942 (?) -- Chef of 8.Batterie / SS-Artillerie-Regiment / SS-Division "Wiking".
27.08.1942 - 00.00.194_ -- Kommandeur of III.Abteilung / SS-Artillerie-Regiment / SS-Division "Wiking".
02.10.1942 -- Wounded in action (head and left shoulder).
10.10.1943 -- Wounded in action (left shoulder).
00.00.194_ - 25.03.1945 (?) -- Kommandeur of III.Abteilung / SS-Panzer-Artillerie-Regiment 5 / SS-Panzer-Grenadier-Division "Wiking". Succeeded by Rudolf Pintscher.
25.03.1945 - 00.05.1945 -- Kommandeur of SS-Panzer-Grenadier-Regiment 9 " Germania " / 5.SS-Panzer-Division "Wiking". Succeeded Helmut Müller. Final holder of this command.
20.01.1945 -- Wounded in action (head and right eardrum).

Postwar Confinement & Activities:
In U.S. captivity, 00.05.1945 - 00.00.1948. From the early-1950's until his retirement in 02.1977, he was employed with the Allianz Insurance Company, rising to become one of its directors. A very talented painter, he was an avid enthusiast of military science and contributed numerous articles to the "Deutsche Zeitschrift für Heereskunde".

Decorations & Awards:
* 06.05.1945 -- Ritterkreuz des Eisernen Kreuzes as SS-Obersturmbannführer and Kdr. SS-Panzer-Grenadier-Regiment 9 “Germania” / 5.SS-Panzer-Division “Wiking” (date per Veit Scherzer; Jost Schneider gives “8.5.1945”; A document supplied by Dr. Klaus-Ulrich Bühler gives 01.05.1945, and E.G. Krätschmer gives that date in his book)
* Per Veit Scherzer, Ritterkreuzträger 1939-1945, no documentation of award appears in the Bundesarchiv. A review by the Ordenskommission of the Ordensgemeinschaft der Ritterkreuzträger e.V. [OdR], conducted in 1977, resulted in the determination: “RK nein (1.5.45?)”; a second review by this commission, in 1983, resulted in the decision (basis unknown): “RK ja, am 08.05.1945”. Gerhard von Seemen gives date of award as “07.05.1945”, E. G. Krätschmer “01.05.1945”, and Jost Schneider “06.05.1945”; Walther-Peer Fellgiebel also determined “06.05.1945” (indicating that this was a “Dietrich Award” (i.e. made without application to higher authority by the OB 6.SS-Panzer-Armee, “Sepp” Dietrich). Bühler is still recognized as a Knight’s Cross holder by the Ordensgemeinschaft der Ritterkreuzträger e.V. [OdR], of which he was a member.
14.03.1942 -- Deutsches Kreuz in Gold as SS-Hauptsturmführer d. R. und Hauptmann der Schutzpolizei and Fhr. __.Batterie / SS-Polizei-Artillerie-Regiment / SS-Polizei-Division, Eastern Front (date per Veit Scherzer and Jost Schneider; Document supplied by Bühler’s son, Dr. Klaus-Ulrich Bühler gives 10.04.1942; a document in his file gives 25.03.1942)
25.12.1944 -- Anerkennungsurkunde des Oberbefehlshabers des Heeres as SS-Sturmbannführer and Kdr. II.Abteilung / SS-Panzer-Artillerie-Regiment 5 / 5.SS-Panzer-Division “Wiking” / IV.SS-Panzer-Korps, Eastern Front (based on a recommendation for award of the Ehrenblatt-Spange des Heeres [downgraded to AU d. OB d.H.] dated 12.11.1944 and signed by Rgt. Fhr. Hans Bünning; endorsed on 14.11.1944 by Div. Fhr. Karl Ullrich; approved on 18.11.1944 by Korps Kom. Gen. Herbert-Otto Gille
25.07.1941(?) -- 1939 Eisernes Kreuz I. Klasse (date per Jost Schneider; Document supplied by Dr. Klaus-Ulrich Bühler gives 10.08.1941)
04.06.1940(?) -- 1939 Eisernes Kreuz II. Klasse (date per Jost Schneider; Document supplied by Dr. Klaus-Ulrich Bühler gives 15.06.1940)
01.05.1945 -- Nahkampfspange I.Stufe (Bronze)
15.04.1942(?) -- Allgemeines-Sturmabzeichen (date per SS-Personalakte; Document supplied by Dr. Klaus-Ulrich Bühler gives 15.03.1942)
20.01.1945 -- Verwundetenabzeichen, 1939 in Silber
02.10.1942(?) -- Verwundetenabzeichen, 1939 in Schwarz (date per SS-Personalakte; Document supplied by Dr. Klaus-Ulrich Bühler gives 10.10.1942)
01.09.1942 (?) -- Medaille “Winterschlacht im Osten 1941/42” (date per SS-Personalakte; Document supplied by Dr. Klaus-Ulrich Bühler gives 09.11.1942)
00.00.193_ -- Abzeichen der Deutschen Lebensrettungsgesellschaft- DLRG- in Bronze
[01.12.1938] -- Deutsches Reichssportabzeichen in Bronze
[01.12.1938] -- SA-Sportabzeichen in Bronze
[01.10.1944] -- Ehrendegen des Reichsführers-SS
00.00.19__ -- Totenkopfring der SS (?)
00.00.193_ -- SS-Zivilabzeichen (Nr. 74 826)
00.12.1938 (?) -- Julleuchter der SS
00.02.1934 -- Ehrenwinkel für alte Kämpfer

Notes:
* Son of a civil servant.
* Religion: Protestant until 08.09.1936, then left the church and declared himself "gottgläubig".
* Married on 11.11.1939 to Gisela Amthor (born 22.10.1919, died 09.10.2003). Two daughters (born 11.11.1940 and 00.02.1945 [died 00.05.1945]) and two sons (____, born 1951 and Klaus-Ulrich, born 1962).

[bogo]

Very interesting info. However, must oppose the myth that Bühler at some time served in the SS-Polizeidivision.
Correct is that he was earmarked for the new Polizei Art. Rgt in April 1940. Instead he stayed with the Art. Rgt. of the SS-Verfügungsdivision and saw action during the campaign in the West as BO in the 4th battery.
15.11.40 he became Chef of the 8./AR Wiking and stayed in that position until 23.6.42, then taking over the "Kanonenbatterie".
Trying to help and best wishes,
Bogo

(Always looking for info (documents, private pictures, etc.) re SS-Wachtruppen and SS-Totenkopfverbände 1933-1939)

[Mikedc]

Hello folks,
I've found the following.
SS-Untersturmführer Bühler. In 05-40 Batterie-Offizier with II.Abteilung/SS.VT-Artillerie-Standarte.
SS - Artillerie-Regiment/VT (SS-Art.Rgt./VT) (D)
SS - Verfügungstruppe - Division.
ANLAGE I
zur Regiments-Sonderbefehl v. 15.4.1940 für Neuaufstellung
der V. Abteilung.
F Ü H R E R S T E L L E N B E S E T Z U N G
(Als Anhalt).
II. Abteilung
Kommandeur SS-Sturmbannführer Erspenmüller
Adjutant SS-Untersturmführer Richter
4. Batterie
SS-Hauptsturmführer Kreutz
5. Batterie
SS-Obersturmführer Drexler
6. Batterie
SS-Obersturmführer von Sauken
Batterie-Offizieren
SS-Untersturmführer Nix
SS-Untersturmführer Langer
SS-Untersturmführer Lange
SS-Untersturmführer Röntsch
SS-Untersturmführer Bühler
This info comes from http://gliederungundstellenbesetzung.bl ... chive.html

This same site also has the following info:
II. Abteilung der SS - Artillerie-Regiment/VT (IV./SS-Art.Rgt./VT) (D)
SS - Verfügungstruppe - Division.
Offizierstellenbesetzung 13.4.1940.
4. Batterie
Batterieführer SS-H'Stuf Karl Kreuz
Beob.-Offizier SS-O'Stuf Karlheinz Bühler
Batterie-Offizier SS-O'Schrf Adolf Leineweber
l. Mun.-Staffelführer SS-O'Schrf Fritz Gerster.

Furthermore I did find the following:
SS - Artillerie-Regiment d. SS - Verfügungstruppe - Division (D)
SS - Verfügungstruppe - Division".
Offizierstellenbesetzung 1.9.1940.
II. Abteilung (II./SS-Art.Rgt.)
Abt.-Kommandeur SS-Stubaf Wiehle
Abt.-Adjutant SS-O'stuf Cladoß
Führer d. AVKo.
Abt.-Arzt SS-H'stuf Tiedjen
Waffenmeister U.F.
T.F.K. I SS-H'stuf Wolferseder
T.F.K. II U.F.
Werkmeister (K) U.F.
Zahlmeister SS-O'stuf Vogel
Führer A.V.T. U.F.
Nachrichtenzug
Zugführer SS-U'stuf Sinn.
4. Batterie
Führer SS-H'stuf Kreutz
Beob.-Offz. SS-O'scha Behrens
Nachführender Offz. SS-O'stuf Bühler
Muni.-Staffel.-Fhr. SS-O'scha Zäh.
This info comes from http://gliederungundstellenbesetzung.bl ... chive.html

The mentioned SS-Ostuf Karlheinz Bühler must be identical to Karl-Heinz Felix Bühler. But I'm not sure about the SS-Ustuf Bühler. This because Karl-Heinz was already promoted to SS-Ostuf 10-09-1939. Hope somebody can help here....


Greetings, Mike

[Mark C. Yerger]

Bühler was the first commander of the 8.Batterie of the "Wiking" Artillerie Regiment when the regiment formed in December 1940.

In March 1942 he moved to command of the new 10cm gun equipped 13.Batterie was added to the IV./Artillerie Regiment.

When Sturmbannführer Karl Schlamelcher was severely wounded, Bühler succeeded him as commander of the III./Artillerie Regiment on August 27, 1942, and Hauptsturmführer Walter Pauck became 13.Batterie Chef

Piles on him in volume 7 of my German Cross series at the publisher, to much to type.

All till next year with a surgery tomorrow.

I managed to complete volume 8 this week so now working on volume 9: "Totenkopf" (in the hospital LOL)

[spottedcow]

Mr. Yerger,
I wish you the best of health and a speedy recovery.

An appreciative AHF member,
Patrick

[GenevieveR]

Hello,
I have these documents from the inheritage from my German great-uncle. They were sent by Frau G. Bühler from Tübingen. I hope it can help...

[smetanin albert]

About Gerster

[DougENash]

Here's a nice photo of him with Franz Hack, Herbert Gille, and Wilhelm Klose. Here's the photo caption from Volume 2 of my series, "From the Realm of a Dying Sun:" SS-Obersturmbannführer Franz Hack, Commander, SS-Pz.Gren.Rgt. 10 Westland, shown here in the center in April 1945 with (from left to right) SS-Sturmbannführer Karl-Heinz Bühler, Acting Commander SS-Pz.Gren.Rgt. 9 Germania, Hack, SS-Sturmbannführer Wilhelm Klose (Division Ia), and Gille with back to camera. (Photo courtesy of Guenther Lange, fomer ADC to Gille)