Hans Eckert
| Hans Eckert | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Born |
1 June 1916 Mittelfranken, Germany |
| Died |
11 July 1974 (aged 58) Kitzingen on the Main, Germany |
| Allegiance |
.svg.png){kind=small} Nazi Germany |
| Service/branch |
 Waffen-SS |
| Years of service | 1934–1945 |
| Rank | Hauptsturmführer |
| Unit | 2nd SS Panzer Division Das Reich |
| Battles/wars | World War II |
| Awards |
Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross Iron Cross 1st Class Iron Cross 2nd Class German Cross in Gold Close Combat Clasp in Gold |
Hans Eckert (1 June 1916 — 11 July 1974) was a Hauptsturmführer (Captain), in the Waffen-SS during World War II who was awarded the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross. This was awarded to recognize extreme battlefield bravery or successful military leadership by Nazi Germany during World War II.
Early life
Hans Eckert was born at Zailach in Middle Franconia on 1 June 1916. He joined the SS-VT in 1934.
World War II
Eckert was selected to become an officer and was promoted to Untersturmführer (Second Lieutenant) in July 1941. He commanded 14th Company, 3rd SS Panzer Grenadier Regiment Deutschland and on 9 November 1942, was promoted to Obersturmführer (First Lieutenant).[1]
In February 1943 Eckert was given command of 8th Company, Deutschland Regiment and was awarded the German Cross in Gold.[1][2] In March 1944, he was given command of a Battalion in the Kampfgruppe, Das Reich.
On 5 April his Kampfgruppe started a dawn attack in the Stratkowze, Wysuzka, Olexinze and Skypowce sector which by 7 April had reached Tluste - Miasto, capturing a number of Red Army men and equipment.[1] For these actions Eckert was awarded the Knight's Cross, the Close Combat Clasp in Gold and promoted to Hauptsturmführer (Captain), and given command of the I. Battalion, 3rd SS Panzer Grenadier Regiment Deutschland.[1][2]
Postwar
Eckert survived the war and died on 11 July 1974.[1]
References
- Citations
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4 "personregister".
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 "frontkjemper".
- Bibliography
- Berger, Florian (2004). Ritterkreuzträger mit Nahkampfspange in Gold [Knight's Cross Bearers with the Close Combat Clasp in Gold] (in German). Vienna, Austria: Selbstverlag Florian Berger. ISBN 978-3-9501307-3-7.
- Fellgiebel, Walther-Peer (2000). Die Träger des Ritterkreuzes des Eisernen Kreuzes 1939–1945 – Die Inhaber der höchsten Auszeichnung des Zweiten Weltkrieges aller Wehrmachtsteile [The Bearers of the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross 1939–1945 — The Owners of the Highest Award of the Second World War of all Wehrmacht Branches] (in German). Friedberg, Germany: Podzun-Pallas. ISBN 978-3-7909-0284-6.
- Mattson, Gregory SS-The realm. The History of the Second SS division, 1939-45. Staplehurst 2002, ISBN 1-86227-144-5
- Scherzer, Veit (2007). Die Ritterkreuzträger 1939–1945 Die Inhaber des Ritterkreuzes des Eisernen Kreuzes 1939 von Heer, Luftwaffe, Kriegsmarine, Waffen-SS, Volkssturm sowie mit Deutschland verbündeter Streitkräfte nach den Unterlagen des Bundesarchives [The Knight's Cross Bearers 1939–1945 The Holders of the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross 1939 by Army, Air Force, Navy, Waffen-SS, Volkssturm and Allied Forces with Germany According to the Documents of the Federal Archives] (in German). Jena, Germany: Scherzers Miltaer-Verlag. ISBN 978-3-938845-17-2.