Max Schachner

Max Schachner
Born 1 May 1914
Haag, Austria
Died 19 October 1944 killed in action
Eastern Front
Allegiance  Nazi Germany
Service/branch Waffen-SS
Years of service 1938–1944
Rank Obersturmführer (First Lieutenant)
Unit SS-VT
8th SS Cavalry Division Florian Geyer
Battles/wars World War II
Awards Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross
Iron Cross 1st Class
Iron Cross 2nd Class
Anschluss Medal
Sudetenland Medal with Prague castle bar

Max Schachner was a Obersturmführer (First Lieutenant) 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.

Max Schachner was born on the 1 May 1914, in Haag, Austria.

He volunteered to join the SS-VT and took part in the Anschluss of Austria and the occupation of the Sudetenland in 1938. He also took part in the annexation of Bohemia and Moravia in March 1939.

He was awarded the Iron Cross 2nd class during the Battle of France in June 1940, the Iron Cross 1st class was awarded in September 1941, during Operation Barbarossa, the invasion of the Soviet Union.

He was awarded the Knight's Cross while in command of the 2nd Battery, 8th SS Panzerjäger (Tank Hunter) Battalion, 8th SS Cavalry Division Florian Geyer on 15 May 1944. It was for his actions in October 1943 while the Division was under attack by about 150 T-34 tanks. Schachner with his two remaining guns engaged and destroyed twenty four of them.

He did not survive the war but was killed in action serving on the Eastern Front on 19 October 1944.[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