Panzermeyer "Kurt Meyer" of Clan Malkavian

By 1918, with the end of the Great War and the treaty of Versailles, Kurt Meyer was left a lieutenant in the Reichsheer. This, the de-escalated remains of the Imperial Army, was only allowed a contingent of a hundred thousand troops for which to impose order in a post-war Germany. It is believed that in the fall of 1923, out of disgust, desperation, and the hope of securing a better future for his impoverished country, did he join the Nationales Sozialistisches Deutsches Arbeiter-Beteiligtes.

During those early years he aided the cause through party recruitment, as a member of the Hitler's security force, and by strategizing many an antagonism against both the red scourge and the Weimar Republic. By the end of the Munich Putsch, while the party's leadership was scattered and Hitler imprisoned, he, with the aid of others, would act to keep the faction ranks intact and help the party core bide its time. Hitler was released from Landsburg Fortress after nine months of imprisonment on January 8th of 1923, and from then until 1935, Meyer's life would remain a frenetic struggle of political maneuver.

In March of that year, nearly two years after Hitler's ascension to power, all adherences to the Treaty of Versailles would end and the restoration of Germany's military strength commence. Up until that time the Schultz Staffel had acted primarily in the role of political whip and party security, but with the Wehrmacht ranks increasing and the SA culled, Hitler felt that he needed a military presence solely devoted to him, the solution, the institution of a Waffen or armed SS. These solders were intended to lead from the front, by example, and act as the embodiment of Nazi idealism. From the moment of its inception ones such as Josef "Sepp" Dietrich, Artur Phleps, and Kurt Meyer were there to fill its command positions and lend a firm background of military experience.

During his trial of blood he distinguished himself in Greece and on both the Eastern and Western fronts. During the spring of 1941 Meyer was awarded "The Order of the Iron Cross with Oak Leaves," and promoted to SS-Oberführer. Later that year he was also issued command of the 1st SS Panzer Division Leibstandarte, SS Adolf Hitler, Reconnaissance detachment. This battalion, being specifically named after the Führer, would prove to be both an illustrious and demanding position to hold, one in which he would earn many an accolade, as well as, become a war criminal. An article in "Der Deutsche Volksstrum tritt an" writes of him:

"SS-Standartenführer Kurt Meyer left the main body of his battalion behind when he discovered that his small group had unwittingly passed through a gap between two Soviet units. Their infantry quickly surrounded Meyer and his troops, and then an officer stepped towards him. Meyer saluted and the two men shook hands. The Soviet officer was offered a cigarette, which he greatly accepted. The Soviets were under the illusion that Meyer and his troops wished to surrender. Meyer perceived the confusion and in his inimitable manner demanded, via his interpreter, that it was actually the Soviets who should surrender. Walking among the Soviet soldiers he indicated they should lay down their weapons while at the same time passing cigarettes among them. The Soviet officer was not impressed or taken in by Meyer's theatricals. The ever-perceptive Meyer asked his interpreter quietly to play for time, as he hoped that other elements of the battalion would be arriving. The argument about exactly who should surrender to whom continued with the Soviet officer becoming irritated. Just when it seemed that Meyer's bluff had failed a German armored car came into view, only to be hit by a Soviet anti-tank shell. Another armored car appeared and returned fire. At this point Meyer screamed to his troops to attack with everything and a furious fire-fight developed. The Balance shifted in their favor with the arrival of other German armored units and the Soviets were neutralized."

Several years later another incident concerning Meyer would take place and somewhat blemish his combat record:

"On June 7, 1944 Allied command assigned the North Nova Scotia Highlanders of the 9th Brigade, with the tanks of the Sherbrooke Fusiliers in support, the responsibility of conquering the towns of Buron and Authie near Caen, France. Once there the Canadians confronted the 12th SS Panzer Division, comprised of Hitlerjugend (teenage Hitler Youth troops) and a Panzer-Grenadier regiment led by Kurt "Panzer" Meyer, a skilled, veteran commander from the Eastern Front The green Canadians were no match for the well-led and equipped Germans, troops that had been battle hardened by four years of war. Kurt Meyer's soldiers took many Canadian prisoners. On the evening of 7 June, Meyer ordered that some of the prisoners be executed. In all, the Germans murdered 23 Canadians, most of whom were North Novas and Fusiliers. "I saw seven men from C Company [of the North Nova Scotia Highlanders]," recollected one soldier, "...just sitting there... Then I heard firing and saw some of the boys tipping over towards the road and a couple tipped over backwards. I could see the guards standing on the road firing at them..."

Later, as Allied forces began crossing the Rhein, he was ordered into Berlin to assist in a last ditch defensive effort. However, with too few men and Germany's resources depleted, the ending was inevitable. After this, the fall of Germany's forces in Berlin, a strange madness came upon him and he was embraced by darkness.