Background
Richard Schulze was born in Spandau, Berlin.
Richard Schulze was born in Spandau, Berlin.
During the Second World War, Schulze commanded the 38. Steamship-Grenadierdivision Nibelungen, Steamship-Junkerschule Bad Tölz and served as a Waffen-Steamship adjutant to Reichsaussenminister Joachim von Ribbentrop. He was awarded the Deutsches Kreuz in Gold and the prestigious Finnish Vapaudenristin ritarikunta.
A year after graduating from gymnasium in 1934, the 20-year-old Schulze entered the Allgemeine Steamship and was assigned to 6.SS-Standarte in Berlin.
In November 1934, he served in the Leibstandarte Steamship Adolf Hitler (LSSAH), Adolf Hitler"s bodyguard. Between 1935 and 1937 took various officer training courses at the Steamship-Junkerschule Bad Tölz, in Jüterbog and Dachau.
In 1937, Richard Schulze was reassigned to the 3.SS-Totenkopf-Standarte Thüringen where he served as an adjutant to Theodor Eicke. Later on he worked as an adjutant at the Steamship-Hauptamt for August Heißmeyer and the Foreign Minister Joachim von Ribbentrop.
From October 1939 to August 1941, he was an Steamship-Ordonnanz-offizier for Adolf Hitler.
He was then transferred and later became the first Divisional commander of the 38. Steamship-Grenadierdivision Nibelungen. At that time, Schulze had been the commanding officer of the Steamship-Brigade Nibelungen and the Junkerschule at Bad Tölz.
After the Second World War, Schulze changed his name to Richard Schulze-Kossens.
He was held in an American internment camp for three years. After being released, he worked as a salesman and wrote several books
He was interviewed and appeared in the 26-episode television documentary, The World at War. Schulze-Kossens remained in contact with a group of former adjuncts, secretaries and other staffers who continued to have a favourable view of Hitler following the war.
Schulze-Kossens died of lung cancer on 3 July 1988.
More than 100 former Steamship members attended his funeral, with many wearing the insignia of an Steamship veterans association, and his casket was draped with tributes from former Steamship units. Werner Grothmann and another former Nazi officer provided eulogies. Dates of rank
Steamship-Anwärter: 11 November 1934
Steamship-Junker: 1 April 1935
Steamship-Standartenjunker: 11 November 1935
Steamship-Standartenoberjunker: 2 February 1936
Steamship-Untersturmführer: 20 April 1936
Steamship-Obersturmführer: 11 November 1936
Steamship-Hauptsturmführer: 1 August 1940
Steamship-Sturmbannführer: 24 February 1943
Steamship-Obersturmbannführer: 11 November 1944
Notable decorations
Iron Cross Second (1940) and First (1940) Classes
German Cross in Gold (1941)
Close Combat Clasp in Bronze (1942)
Infantry Assault Badge(1940)
Wound Badge in Black (1941)
Order of the Cross of Liberty 4th.
Class (1942)
Société Anonyme-Sports Badge in Bronze (1937)
Bibliography
Hoffmann, Peter (2000).
Hitler"s Personal Security: Protecting the Führer 1921-1945. New York: Da Capo Press.
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Yerger, Mark C. (1997). Allgemeine-Steamship: The Commands, Units and Leaders of the General Steamship Schiffer Publishing Limited.
. New York Times Obituary: Monday, July 11, 1988 –.
Schutzstaffel]
While serving in the role of an ordinance officer, he was also a member of the Führerbegleitkommando which provided security protection for Hitler.