Hans Havik

Hans Havik
Born 5 May 1923
Groningen, Netherlands
Died 21 September 1997 (aged 76)
Nürnberg, Germany
Allegiance Nazi Germany Nazi Germany
Service/branch Waffen SS
Years of service 1940–45
Rank Untersturmführer
Unit 4th SS Polizei Panzergrenadier Division
Battles/wars World War II
Awards Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross
Iron Cross 1st Class
Iron Cross 2nd Class

Hans Havik (5 May 1923 – 21 September 1997) was a Untersturmführer (Second Lieutenant) and Major of Polizei in the Waffen SS during World War II who 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 Havik was born in Groningen in the Netherlands on the 5 May 1923. He volunteered to join the SS (service number 456 022) and was posted to the 4th SS Polizei Panzergrenadier Division.

He was awarded the Knight's Cross on the 6 May 1945 when serving as a platoon commander in the 1st Company, 4th SS Panzer Battalion, 4th SS Polizei Panzergrenadier Division.[Note 1]

Havik survived the war and died on the 21 September 1997 at Nürnberg.

Notes

  1. ↑ The nomination by the troop was received by the Heerespersonalamt (HPA—Army Staff Office) via teleprinter on 6 April 1945. This can be verified in the book "Verliehene Ritterkreuze" (Awarded Knight Crosses) and file card. A HPA nomination was never created or was not retained and according to the file card the nomination was numbered Nr. 5023 and forwarded for further processing. The file card indicates no further information. The presentation date according to Ernst-Günther Krätschmer was the 6 May 1945. Mr Meentz of the German National Archive stated on 20 July 2004 that it cannot be verified that Hans Havik (Johann Havik according to Scherzer) received the Knight's Cross. The presentation date 9 May 1945 was assigned by Fellgiebel.[1]

References

Citations
  1. ↑ Scherzer 2007, pp. 138–139.
Bibliography
  • Fellgiebel, Walther-Peer (2000). Die Träger des Ritterkreuzes des Eisernen Kreuzes 1939–1945 – Die Inhaber der höchsten Auszeichnung des Zweiten Weltkrieges aller Wehrmachtteile [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.
  • Huseman, Friedrich (2003). In Good Faith: The History of 4. SS-Polizei-Panzergrenadier-Division: Volume 1, 1939-1943. Winnipeg, Canada: J.J. Fedorowicz. ISBN 0-921991-74-6
  • Mitcham, Jr. Samuel (2007). Retreat to the Reich. Stackpole books. ISBN 0-8117-3384-X
  • Henschler Henri & Fay Will (2003). Armor Battles of the Waffen-SS, 1943-45. Stackpole Books. ISBN 0-8117-2905-2
  • 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.