Hans Kempin

(07 June 1913 - 30 November 1992)

Place of birth Berlin-Lichtenberg

Allegiance Germany
Years of service 1931-1945
Rank Standartenführer
Unit Leibstandarte-SS Adolf Hitler, SS-Standarte Deutschland, SS-Regiment
Der Führer
Commands 547. Volksgrenadier-Division, 32.SS-Freiwilligen-Grenadier-Division
30.Januar, 38. SS-Grenadierdivision Nibelungen, Waffen-SS
Unterführerschule Laibach
Awards EK I

SS-Standartenführer Hans Wilhelm Kempin (1913-1992) was an outstanding German

Waffen-SS combat and training officer who served in the SS-Standarte Deutschland, SS-
Regiment Der Führer and later commanded the 547. Volksgrenadier-Division, 38. SS-
Grenadierdivision Nibelungen, 32.SS-Freiwilligen-Grenadier-Division 30.Januar and the
Waffen-SS Unterführerschule in Laibach

Early Life - Pre-War SS Service

Hans Kempin, a son of businessman Willi Kempin, was born in Berlin-Lichtenberg on June
07, 1913. After graduating from the Hohenzollern Gymnasium in Schwedt in 1928, Hans
worked as a banker. In the September 1930, he joined Sturmabteilung, or the SA, and in
December of the same year also the NSDAP. After two years as an SA member, in July
1932, the 19-year old Kempin entered the SS-VT and was given the rank SS-Anwärter. In
October 1933, Hans Kempin was assigned to the premier SS-VT division Leibstandarte-SS
Adolf Hitler and then send to the new SS-Junkerschule at Bad Tölz. After his graduation he
served with the SS-Standarte Deutschland and later was given command at the SS-
Junkerschule Braunschweig. In 1938, he was transferred back to SS-Standarte Deutschland and
remained with this unit until March 1941.

World War II Service

With the SS-Standarte Deutschland, SS–Hauptsturmführer Kempin participated in the
invasion of Poland and the subsequent operations in the West; receiving both classes of the
Iron Cross. Kempin remained with this unit until March 1941 when he was transferred to
the SS-Regiment Der Führer where he served first with the 13.Kompanie and later with the
II.Battalion under future SS- Brigadeführer Heinz Harmel. Unfortunately, on September 3,
1941 he was seriously wounded by shrapnel from a grenade and was hospitalized until
December 1941. After recovering from his injuries Hans Kempin returned back to the field
with the Der Führer. However, on February 1, 1942 instead of continuing on with his old
regiment, Kempin was transferred as an instructor to the SS-Junkerschule at Bad Tölz and
later also to SS-Junkerschule Braunschweig, and finally to Waffen-SS Unterführerschule in
Posen-Treskau. On December 1, 1943, he was promoted to SS- Obersturmbannführer and
two months later received command of the Waffen-SS Unterführerschule located in Laibach.
He remained its commander until late February, 1945 when he was assigned to lead first the
547. Volksgrenadier-Division then the newly formed 38. SS-Grenadierdivision Nibelungen
and finally the 32.SS-Freiwilligen-Grenadier-Division 30.Januar. Together with the remnants
of 30.Januar, SS- Standartenführer Hans Kempin surrendered to the Americans on May 8,
1945.
After the war he worked in agriculture and owned one of the most technically advanced
farms in Germany. Hans Kempin died on November 30, 1992 at the age of 79.

Personal Life
 On July 25, 1938, Kempin married Gustel Westphal and they had together one son
and one daughter.

Summary of SS career
Dates of rank
 SS-Anwärter: July, 1932
 SS-Mann: November, 1932
 SS-Rottenführer: December 01, 1933
 SS-Hauptscharführer: December 20, 1934
 SS-Oberjunker: December 20, 1934
 SS-Untersturmführer: April 20, 1935
 SS-Obersturmführer: April 20, 1936
 SS-Hauptsturmführer: August 15, 1939
 SS-Sturmbannführer : September 01, 1941
 SS-Obersturmbannführer: December 01, 1943
 SS-Standartenführer: March 01, 1945

Notable decorations
 Iron Cross Second (1940) and First (1940) Classes
 Sudetenland Medal (?) with Prague Castle bar (?)
 Anschluss Medal (?)
 Infantry Assault Badge(1940)
 Wound Badge in Black (1940)
 War Merit Cross with Swords Second (?) and First (?) Classes
 SA-Sports Badge in Bronze (?)
 Waffen-SS Long Service Award (?)

References
Yerger, Mark C. - Waffen-Ss Commanders: The Army, Corps and Divisiional Leaders of a Legend :
Augsberger to Kreutz - Atglen, PA: Schiffer Publishing (October 1997). ISBN-10: 0764303562,
ISBN-13: 978-0764303562.