In Spring 1944, the Das Reich Division had been withdrawn from Russia and sent to the south of France for refitting in preparation for the anticipated Allied invasion of occupied Europe. While in the southern France, Kämpfe was ordered to begin operations against the Maquis (rural guerillas who - according to German intelligence reports - were active in the southern uplands of central France). On 9 June 1944, he was captured east of Saint-Léonard-de-Noblat by a group led by a Sergeant Jean Canou from "Colonel Georges Guingouin's Brigade", a militant Communist group in the Maquis du Limousin. Canou handed him over to Guingouin. The following day Kämpfe was murdered on the orders of Guingouin. He was burned alive in front of an audience.