---
title: SS-Sturmbannführer Helmut Kämpfe
author: Unknown Photographer
source: https://www.worldhistory.org/image/20255/ss-sturmbannfuhrer-helmut-kampfe/
format: machine-readable-alternate
updated: 2025-03-24
---
# SS-Sturmbannführer Helmut Kämpfe
_Authored by Unknown Photographer_
## Image File
[](https://www.worldhistory.org/uploads/images/20255.jpg)
## Image Caption
Helmut Kämpfe (31 july 1909-10 june 1944) was a German officer (Sturmbannführer) in the Waffen SS during the Second World [War](https://www.worldhistory.org/disambiguation/War/) (1939-1945). He was captured on 9 June while driving alone ahead of his men near the town of Sauviat-sur-Vige, near Limoges, in the south-west of France. His capture was used as a pretext for the massacre of civilians that took place in Oradour-sur-Glane on 10 June 1944 during which 643 civilians where killed by soldiers from the 2nd SS Panzer Division Das Reich. Kämpfe was killed on the same day, either executed by local resistance leader Georges Guingouin or while trying to escape. His body was burned and buried anonimously in the town of Breuilaufa before being transfered to the German military cemetery in Berneuil, Charentes Maritimes in 1963.
## Cite This Work
### APA
Photographer, U. (2025, March 24). SS-Sturmbannführer Helmut Kämpfe. *World History Encyclopedia*.
### Chicago
Photographer, Unknown. "SS-Sturmbannführer Helmut Kämpfe." *World History Encyclopedia*, March 24, 2025. .
### MLA
Photographer, Unknown. "SS-Sturmbannführer Helmut Kämpfe." *World History Encyclopedia*, 24 Mar 2025, .
## License & Copyright
[Original image](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Kampfe.jpg) by [**Unknown Photographer**](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Kampfe.jpg). Submitted by [Babeth Étiève-Cartwright](https://www.worldhistory.org/user/bab.cartwright/ "User Page: Babeth Étiève-Cartwright"), published on 24 March 2025. The copyright holder has published this content under the following license: [Public Domain](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Public_domain). This item is in the public domain, and can be used, copied, and modified without any restrictions. Please note that content linked from this page may have different licensing terms.