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Lex, Hans

Date of birth:
January 21st, 1916 (Langengeisling/Erding, Germany)
Date of death:
August 11th, 1994 (Munich, Germany)
Nationality:
German (1933-1945, Third Reich)

Biography

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Period:
Second World War (1939-1945)
Rank:
Wachtmeister der Reserve
Unit:
2.Schwadron / Aufklärungs-Abteilung 7
Awarded on:
August 15th, 1939

Nr. 24/77/39.
Medaille zur Erinnerung an den 1. Oktober 1938
Period:
Second World War (1939-1945)
Rank:
Hauptmann (Captain)
Unit:
7. / Panzer-Regiment "Großdeutschland"
Awarded on:
August 4th, 1942
Medaille
Period:
Second World War (1939-1945)
Rank:
Oberleutnant (1st Lieutenant)
Unit:
7. / Panzer-Regiment 203
Awarded on:
August 5th, 1942
Received for wounds inflicted on 23rd Januari, 15th March and 19th July 1942.
Verwundetenabzeichen 1939 in Silber
Period:
Second World War (1939-1945)
Rank:
Oberleutnant (Lieutenant)
Unit:
7. / Panzer-Regiment 203
Awarded on:
December 8th, 1942
Deutsches Kreuz in Gold
Period:
Second World War (1939-1945)
Rank:
Oberleutnant der Reserve (Lieutenant)
Unit:
Chef 7. / Panzer-Regiment "Großdeutschland"
Awarded on:
September 10th, 1943
During the German Operation Citadel Oberleutnant Lex commanded a Kompanie of Panzer IV tanks. On the 15.07.1943 he and his Panzers were deployed as security to the west. Near Nowenskoje Lex recognized a Soviet tank assembly area, and without hesitating decided to catch the enemy armour there in a surprise attack. The Soviets were unable to offer effective resistance and soon lost 16 tanks while failing to knock out a single German tank.

By his independent action Lex had thus eliminated a potential flank threat to the German forces in this area at minimal cost. He would be decorated with the Knight’s Cross in recognition.
Ritterkreuz des Eisernen Kreuzes
Period:
Second World War (1939-1945)
Rank:
Hauptmann (Captain)
Unit:
7. / Panzer-Regiment "Großdeutschland"
Awarded on:
April 27th, 1944
Panzerkampfabzeichen II Stufe
Period:
Second World War (1939-1945)

Silver version
Panzerkampfabzeichen (ohne Zahl)

Sources

  • Photo 1: Willi Schumacher Collection
  • - TEGETHOFF, RALPH, Die Ritterkreuzträger des Panzerkorps Großdeutschland und seiner Schwesterverbände, DS- Vlg. o.J., Riesa, 1998.
    - Die Ordensträger der Deutschen Wehrmacht (CD), VMD-Verlag GmbH, Osnabrück, 2002
    - Fellgiebel W.P., Elite of the Third Reich, The recipients of the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross 1939-1945: A Reference, Helion & Company Limited, Solihull, 2003, ISBN 1-874622-46-9
    - Patzwall K., Scherzer V., Das Deutsche Kreuz 1941-1945, Geschichte und Inhaber Band II, Verlag Klaus D. Patzwall, Norderstedt, 2001, ISBN 3-931533-45-X
    - Williamson, G., World War II German Battle Insignia, Osprey Publishing Ltd., United Kingdom, 2002
    - Verleihungsurkunde 1 oktober 1938
    - Besitzzeugnis Verwundeten silber, PKwA II, Ostmedaille

Photo