SS-Hauptsturmführer Ladau RIP

[Franz Repper]

Sadly last week Finnish SS Veteran Karl Erik Ladau passed away here is a short history of his service my thanks to Jari from the Veterans organisation for the information

Name: Karl-Erik Ladau
Born: 3.6.1916 Tampere
Died: 9.9.2009 Tampere

Last rank in Waffen-SS SS-Hauptsturmführer
Last rank in Finnish Army Major in reserve

Service in armed forces:

Finnish officer course 1937
Winter War 1939-1940 1./Machinegun company, Infantry Regiment 7 (JR7) in Summa
Waffen-SS 1941-1943 12./Germania, 2./Finn. Frw. Btl, 4./Finn. Frw. Btl
Continuation war 1943-44 26. Artillery company 18.Division in Karelia Ismuts


Medals and decorations Freedom Cross 3rd class with Oakleaf, Freedom Cross 3rd class, Freedom Cross 4th
class, Iron Cross 1st class, Iron Cross 2nd class, Wound badge in Gold, Allgemeine
sturmabzeichen, Ostmedaille


K-E Ladau recruited in Waffen-SS in spring 1941 and was sent to Germany on first transport on 5.6.1941. At first Ladau served at SS-Regiment Westland and took part of battles in the east in summer 1941 when Germans invaded Soviet Union. After that he was transferred to Finnish volunteer battalion and in 1942 he became the first Finnish company commander in Waffen-SS (2nd Company of Finnish volunteer battalion). Ladau and Finnish battalion took part of fearse battles especially in East-Kaukasus 1942. In 1943 German Army and Finnish battalion with it began retreat from east. Finns moved towards west. Ladau wounded fifth time in February 1943 and was sent to field hospital. Finnish battalion was withdrawn from the frontline in April 1943. Ladau came back to Finland after the main part of the battalion. He joined the battalion in Hanko on July 1943 where Finns were gathered after one month home leave. Finnish battalion was dispanned on 11.7.1943. After that Ladau was moved to 26.Artillery company and he became its company commander. This company was connected on 18.Division and was located in Karelia Ismuths. This unit was an antitank artillery unit using 75 mm German antitank guns and it took part of large battles in Portinhoikka and Tali-Ihantala area in 1944. Continuation war ended and Ladau was released from Finnish Army service in November 1944. During the war Ladau had wounded seven times, five times in Russian front and two times in Finnish front.

Ladau was well known Finnish SS-volunteer. He was visible person in Finnish SS-volunteers organisation during the war called SS-Aseveljet ry (SS-Comrades). This organisation worked only in 1943-1944. After the war former volunteers founded an organisation called Veljesapu ry (Comrade help) in 1955 to help one an other and especially help those wounded and crippled volunteers who were left out for Government benefits for many years. This organisation in still existing today.

[der alte Landser]

Rest in peace to a soldier and condolences to his friends and family.

[John P. Moore]

Franz - Thanks for informing us.

John

[Franz Repper]

Franz - Thanks for informing us.

John

I truly wish that I did not have to make this type of post