Hans Diergarten

Hans Diergarten
Born 5 April 1913
Schalksmühle, Germany
Died 2 August 1944 (1944-08-03) (aged 31)
Petrikau, Poland
Allegiance  Nazi Germany
Service/branch Waffen SS
Years of service 1940–1944
Rank Obersturmbannführer
Unit SS Division Wiking
8th SS Cavalry Division Florian Geyer
Battles/wars World War II
Awards Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross
German Cross in Gold
Iron Cross 1st Class
Iron Cross 2nd Class
Infantry Assault Badge in Silver
Close Combat Clasp in Bronze
Wound Badge

Hans Diergarten was a Obersturmbannführer (Lieutenant Colonel) in the Waffen SS during World War II. He was awarded the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross, which was awarded to recognize extreme battlefield bravery or successful military leadership by Nazi Germany during World War II.

Hans Diegarten was born on the 5 April 1913 in Schalksmühle. He volunteered to join the SS-VT (SS number 421.976v). He was awarded the Iron Cross 2nd class in June 1940 during the Battle of France and the Iron Cross 2nd class in September 1942, during Operation Barbarossa the invasion of the Soviet Union. He was awarded the Knight's Cross when serving as the IA in the 8th SS Cavalry Division Florian Geyer in January 1944. Hans Diegarten was killed in action when the reconnaissance plane he was flying in was shot down on the 21 August 1944 near Petrikau in Poland. [1] [2]

References

Further reading

  • Fellgiebel, Walther-Peer. Die Träger des Ritterkreuzes des Eisernen Kreuzes 1939-1945. Friedburg, Germany: Podzun-Pallas, 2000. ISBN 3-7909-0284-5.
  • Mitcham, Jr.Samuel, Retreat to the Reich, Stackpole books 2007. ISBN 081173384X
  • Mitcham Samuel, The German Defeat in the East, 1944-45,Stackpole Books, 2007. ISBN 0811733718