He was a Nazi General of the rank of SS gruppenfuhrer and General leutaanat in Waffen ss. He commanded SS div Totenkopf part of Ist Panzer Corps during WW II and took part in the famous battle of bulge in the final stages of war.It was Hitlers last decisive battle with armoured assault to Cut allied armies into two halves (americans and Britsh army) and to encircle them with intention to sue for peace. It was a gruesome battle. After this battle Gen Herman withhis div was sentto Hungary to fight Soviets who wee advancing.After the war he surrendered to soviets was arrested and tried in the Malmedy massacre trials at Dachau camp by US military tribunal and was sentenced to 20 years jail term for war crimes for killing 300 POW and 100 belgian civilians.. This trial drew great criticism. due to faulty American prosecution in which the defendants were tortured very badly to draw confessions. It was also observed tat the court worked with vengeance as a victor, with the aim of punishing the defendants. The case was refered to American supreme court and even to International court and American justice system came under great criticism, Consequently the sentences delivered were reviewed and were much reduced. None was hanged. Death sentenses were reduced to life term. He was released in 1954. He passed away in 1985 on 2 Feb 1985
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