Hermann Alber

Hermann Alber
Born	12 October 1925 Neckargerach, Heilbronn
Died	Montchauvet, Normandy
Buried	La Cambe German war cemetery
Allegiance	Nazi Germany
Service/branch	Waffen SS
Years of service	1942–44
Rank	Sturmmann
Unit	9th SS Panzer Division Hohenstaufen
Battles/wars	World War II
Awards	Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross Iron Cross I Class Iron Cross II Class Tank Destruction Badge

Hermann Karl Alber (12 October 1925 – 2 August 1944) was a Sturmmann in the Waffen SS during World War II, who was awarded the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross. It was awarded in recognition of extreme battlefield bravery or successful military leadership by Nazi Germany during World War II.

Sturmann Alber was awarded the Knight's Cross for his action on the 2 August 1944. At 0800 hours on the road from Le Bény-Bocage, Catheolles, Montchauvet British infantry supported by five tanks started an attack. They were confronted by three Panzer IV from the 6th Company, 9th SS Panzer Regiment, and a section of the 9th Company, 20th SS Panzergrenadier Regiment which was under the command of Sturmann Alber.

Alber and his nine men attacked the feature height 221 Arcais south and kept the British infantry company and six tanks in the town of La Vaupalière which was at the bottom of heights 221 and 220 and under fire. Alber personally destroyed a Cromwell tank with hand grenades.

Alber was killed at around 1930 hours that evening in the area Le Desert, Montchauvet. Alber was awarded all his decorations posthumously on the 26 December 1944: the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross, the Iron Cross 2nd and 1st class.

Awards

• Iron Cross (1939)
  • 2nd Class (6 August 1944)
  • 1st Class (7 August 1944)
• Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross on 26 December 1944 (posthumously) as SS-Sturmmann and company messenger in the 9./SS-Panzergrenadier-Regiment 20 "Hohenstaufen"