interview with the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation in January 1960, he even claimed that he would order Waffen-SS veterans to protect Jewish synagogues and graveyards if he could do so. This statement was met with severe criticism by many openly antisemitic members of HIAG, resulting in growing tensions in the organization. Meyer responded by dissolving the most extreme chapters of HIAG, and restructuring the group to solidify the control of its central leadership over the members. His tactics met with some success, and he met with numerous politicians to advocate for better treatment of former Waffen-SS members, convincing some that he and HIAG had distanced themselves from far-right extremism. He had less success in his 1959–1961 meetings with prominent SPD politician and former concentration camp inmate Fritz Erler. The latter was supposed to gauge Meyer's supposed conversion to democracy, as the SPD was prepared to support a moderate wing of HIAG to counteract more extreme elements of the group. Erler repeatedly confronted Meyer with the extreme right-wing rhetoric of many HIAG members and outlets, prompting the spokesman to shift all blame to his rivals in the lobby group. Meyer never fully convinced Erler of his position, but his meetings with him and other politicians still enabled HIAG to become more respected in the public and better spread its message. Regardless of his claims, Meyer always remained a covert, steadfast adherent of Nazism. Meyer experienced poor health later in life, with heart and kidney disease and requiring the use of a cane. After a series of mild strokes, he died of a heart attack in Hagen, Westphalia, on 23December 1961. Fifteen thousand people attended his funeral in Hagen, with a cushion-bearer carrying his medals in the cortege. Awards Iron Cross (1939) 2nd Class (20September 1939) 1st Class (8 June 1940) German Cross in Gold on 8February 1942 as SS-Sturmbannführer in SS-Division "Adolf Hitler" Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross with Oak Leaves and Swords Knight's Cross on 18May 1941 as SS-Sturmbannführer and commander of SS-Aufklärungs-Abteilung "Leibstandarte SS Adolf Hitler" 195th Oak Leaves on 23February 1943 as SS-Obersturmbannführer and commander of the SS-Aufklärungs-Abteilung "Leibstandarte SS Adolf Hitler" 91st Swords on 27August 1944 as SS-Standartenführer and commander of the SS Division Hitlerjugend Publications Notes References Citations Bibliography External links Kurt Meyer on Trial: A Documentary Record. Kingston: CDA Press, 2007 Available as a PDF download with free registration. d'Ardenne Massacres Memorial Official website of