Laios, Konstantinos Sylvester Stadler

The Military Career of an SS-Brigadeführer

Born in 1910 in Fohnsdorf, Austria, Sylvester Stadler emerged as one of the Waffen-SS's most capable frontline commanders, serving in every major theater of World War IIfrom the initial campaigns to the war's final days. He began the war as a radio operator in the "Der Führer" Regiment and rose through the ranks to command a battalion, a regiment, and eventually a division. Stadler led his regiment through some of the fiercest fighting of 1943from Kharkov and Kursk and the Mius Front to the retreat to the Dnieperbefore being transferred to France. While the unit was moving north to counter the Allied landings in Normandy, elements of his regiment perpetrated the infamous massacre at Oradour-sur-Glane. After being appointed commander of the 9th SS Panzer Division "Hohenstaufen," Stadler led the formation through the brutal fighting in Normandyincluding the battles for Hill 112 and Operations Jupiter, Goodwood, and Springuntil he was wounded and forced to temporarily relinquish command. Upon his return in October 1944, he commanded the division during the Ardennes Offensive, the final battles in Hungary as part of Operation "Spring Awakening," and the concluding retreat into Austria; he ended the war just over 100 kilometers from his birthplace. Drawing on extensive archival research, official documents, maps, and a wealth of photographsmany previously unpublishedthis book presents the first comprehensive English-language study of Stadler's military career.