Joachim Peiper (30 January 1915 – 14 July 1976) was a German Schutzstaffel (SS) officer and a Nazi war criminal convicted for the Malmedy massacre of U.S. Army prisoners of war (PoW). During the Second World War in Europe, Peiper served as personal adjutant to Heinrich Himmler, leader of the SS, and as a tank commander in the Waffen-SS.
As adjutant to Himmler, Peiper witnessed the SS implement the Holocaust with ethnic cleansing and genocide of Jews in Eastern Europe; facts that he obfuscated and denied in the post–War period. As a tank commander, Peiper served in the 1st SS Panzer Division Leibstandarte SS Adolf Hitler (LSSAH) in the Eastern Front and in the Western Front, first as a battalion commander and then as a regimental commander. Peiper fought in the Third Battle of Kharkov and in the Battle of the Bulge, from which battles his eponymous battle group — Kampfgruppe Peiper — became notorious for committing war crimes against civilians and PoWs.
In the Malmedy Massacre Trial, the U.S. military tribunal established Peiper's command responsibility for having committed the Malmedy massacre (1944) and sentenced him to death, which later was commuted to life in prison. In Italy, Peiper was accused of having committed the Boves massacre (1943); that investigation ended for lack of war-crime evidence that Peiper ordered the summary killing of Italian civilians. Upon release from prison, Peiper worked for the Porsche and Volkswagen automobile companies; and later moved to France, where he worked as a freelance translator. Throughout his post-war life, Peiper was very active in the social network of ex–SS men centred upon the right-wing organisation HIAG (Mutual Aid Association of Former Members of the Waffen-SS). In 1976, Peiper was murdered in France when anti-Nazis set his house afire after the publication of his identity as a Waffen-SS war criminal.
Despite having been a minor combat leader, Peiper's idolization by aficionados of the Second World War — who romanticise the Waffen-SS in popular culture — developed a cult of personality that misrepresents Peiper as a war hero of Germany. Despite his romanticized military persona, the egocentric Peiper personified Nazi ideology as a ruthless glory-hound commander who was indifferent to the combat casualties of Battle Group Peiper, and who encouraged, expected, and tolerated war crimes by his Waffen-SS soldiers.
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Some of their strengths
Joachim Peiper has many admirable traits.
Based on spiritual traditions from around the world, they are someone who can be described as Intense, Energetic, Loyal, Generous, Honest, Bold, and Determined.
Idealistic and Altruistic
According to Mysticism’s Astrology tradition, Joachim Peiper is someone who is an idealist and an altruist who possesses an innovative, intellectual, and analytical mind, and who approaches life in an optimistic and easygoing manner. A person who is known for being a good communicator.
Charming and Sophisticated
Based on Daoism’s Ba-Zi or ‘Chinese Zodiac’ tradition, people who know Joachim Peiper well know them as someone who can be classy, glamorous, and worldly, like jewelry.
Ambitious and Forceful
According to Hinduism’s Jyotisha or ‘Vedic Astrology’ tradition, many would also describe Joachim Peiper as someone who is ambitious, hard-working, determined, and intelligent.
A person who has a knack for identifying opportunities, has amazing concentration and focus, who can work independently, who likes starting new things, and who is somewhat of an intellectual.
Charismatic and Instinctual
Based on the Mayan Tzolk’in or ‘Mayan Astrology’ tradition, Joachim Peiper is someone who handles stress better than most people, and who tends to have a powerful charisma and convictions.
They are also someone who is charismatic, compassionate, and understanding, and who is interested in expressing themselves through writing, public speaking, or teaching.
Altruistic and Innovative
According to Judaism’s Kabbalah tradition, Joachim Peiper tends to be someone who sacrifices things for the good of others and wants to do "good" in the world. Who is often thought of as an innovator or rebel who thrives when trying to chase a breakthrough of some sort, who has a clear and sound mind, and who can be charming and sociable.
Some of Joachim Peiper's challenges
While Joachim Peiper has many strengths, nobody is perfect. They also have some challenging traits they need to manage.
For example, Joachim Peiper can be Emotional, Rebellious, Emotionally Distant, Standoffish, Impulsive, Careless, and Relentless.
Rebellious and Emotionally Distant
One of Joachim Peiper's key challenges is that they are someone who can be rebellious and emotionally distant.
Joachim Peiper must also exercise caution as they can be short-tempered and aggressive.
Relentless and Inflexible
Joachim Peiper is someone who can be relentless, obsessive, and inflexible, who can be confrontational with work colleagues, can have difficulty communicating feelings and be somewhat reclusive, and who can be self-destructive, overindulgent, and extravagant.
Serious and Callous
Finally, Joachim Peiper also can be too giving, come across as too "high and mighty", and can have a hard time expressing feelings.
