Halim Malkoč
Halim Malkoc | |
|---|---|
| Allegiance | Bosnia |
| Service/ |  , Waffen SS |
| Years of service | 1943–1945 |
| Rank | Obersturmführer |
| Unit | Handschar |
| Battles/wars | World War II |
| Awards | Iron Cross |
Halim Malkoć (1917 - 7 March 1947) was a Bosnian Muslim Imam and SS Obersturmführer in the Waffen-SS division Handschar, best known for his involvement in the suppression of the Villefranche-de-Rouergue mutiny of 1943 and also believed to be the only Muslim awarded the German Iron Cross during World War Two.
Malkoc was a young Imam in Bosnia when the war broke out. He "had served on active duty as an officer in the Yugoslav army and was a gifted military leader."[1] In 1943 he joined the newly formed Waffen-SS Division "Handschar" and was initially appointed an Imam to the "SS-Gebirgs-Pioneer Bataillion 13". In July he and several other Bosnian ulema were sent to Dresden for an important three week "Imam Training Course" organised by SS Obergruppenführer Gottlob Berger and honorary SS officer Mohammad Amin al-Husayni, the Grand Mufti of Jerusalem. Classes included lessons on "The Waffen-SS: Its Organization and Ranks" and German language tuition. There were also excursions to the Berlin Opera and the Babelsberg castle, Potsdam and the Nicholaisee .
During training in France Communist "agents provocateurs" in the Division staged a mutiny on 17 September and executed several German officers. Malkoć and the German Dr. Schweiger quickly assumed control of the situation, and Malkoć played a pivotal role in persuading the men to surrender and disarm.
"To complete this task the doctor sought the assistance of Imam Malkoć, who proved to be quite helpful, demanding complete obedience from the troops."[2]
In recognition of his services he was awarded the Iron Cross, second Class, in October 1943. A year later he was appointed Imam for the entire Division when the first appointee, Imam Abdullah Muhasilović, deserted on 21 October 1944.
After the war the Communist authorities of Yugoslavia had Imam Halim Malkoć hanged in Bihac on 7 March 1947.
References
Literature
* Lepre, George. Himmler's Bosnian Division: The Waffen-SS Handschar Division 1943-1945. Atlgen, PA: Schiffer Military History, 1997 ISBN 0-7643-0134-9
* Munoz, Antonio J., editor.The East Came West: Muslim, Hindu and Buddhist Volunteers in the German Armed Forces. (chapters 2 and 13) Bayside, NY: Axis Europa, 2001 ISBN 1-891227-39-4
* Redžić, Enver, “Muslimansko Autonomastvo I 13. SS Divizija". Sarajevo: Svjetlost, 1987.