Karl-Maria Demelhuber – Befehlshaber der Waffen-SS in den Niederlanden

Original Scarce Postwar Signature on a Postwar Photo of Karl-Maria Demelhuber. SS-Obergruppenführer und General der Waffen-SS Karl-Maria Demelhuber
(27 May 1896, Freising – 18 March 1988, Seeshaupt, Bavaria) was a senior Waffen-SS officer who rose to the rank of SS-Obergruppenführer und General der Waffen-SS during the Second World War. A career officer, he held a series of high-level commands including the SS-Standarte “Germania”, the 6. SS-Gebirgs-Division “Nord”, and later the XII. and XVI. SS-Korps. His wartime service placed him among the key organizational leaders of Waffen-SS formations, particularly in the Netherlands and on secondary fronts.

Awards and Decorations

• German Cross in Silver (Deutsches Kreuz in Silber) – 9 November 1943, as SS-Gruppenführer und Generalleutnant der Waffen-SS, Befehlshaber der Waffen-SS in den Niederlanden

• Other decorations included the Iron Cross (WWI & WWII) and long-service awards of the SS and Wehrmacht

Career Highlights

• Early SS Leadership: Commanded the SS-Standarte “Germania”, one of the formative regiments of the Waffen-SS.

• Mountain Division Command: Led the 6. SS-Gebirgs-Division “Nord”, a unit that saw action in Finland and northern theaters.

• Higher SS Corps Commands: Later commanded the XII. SS-Korps and the XVI. SS-Korps, overseeing Waffen-SS formations in the later stages of the war.

• Occupation Duties: Served as Befehlshaber der Waffen-SS in the Netherlands, where he was awarded the German Cross in Silver for his role.

• Postwar: Captured and interned after 1945, Demelhuber lived quietly in Bavaria until his death in 1988.

Item Details

• Authentic scarce postwar signature of Karl-Maria Demelhuber.

• Postcard size format.

• Condition: Good, clear and well-preserved autograph.

Collector’s Note

Demelhuber’s signature is regarded as scarce, given his relatively low postwar profile and limited correspondence compared to other high-ranking SS generals. His career—spanning from regimental leadership with “Germania” to corps command in the final stages of the war—makes his autograph a significant addition for collectors focused on the leadership structure of the Waffen-SS and the history of its major divisional commanders.