Wienke, Hans

Date of birth:: February 23rd, 1907 (Berlin/Brandenburg, Germany)
Date of death:: August 23rd, 1943 (Northwest of Charkov, Soviet Union)
Nationality:: German (1933-1945, Third Reich)

Biography

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Deutsches Kreuz in Gold

Period:: Second World War (1939-1945)
Rank:: Hauptmann der Reserve (Captain of Reserves)
Unit:: I. / Grenadier-Regiment 196
Awarded on:: April 5th, 1943

Ritterkreuz des Eisernen Kreuzes

Period:: Second World War (1939-1945)
Rank:: Hauptmann der Reserve (Captain of Reserves)
Unit:: Kommandeur 1. / Grenadier-Regiment 196
Awarded on:: October 13th, 1943

The following newspaper excerpt (dated 06.11.1943) describes why Wienke received the Knight’s Cross…

“During the heavy defensive combat northwest of Kharkov Hauptmann der Reserve Hans Wienke eliminated two major hostile penetrations with only 30 of his own Märkischen Grenadiers. Later, in one of the subsequent days of combat, the Soviets would again achieve a deep penetration into the lines of his unit. However Hauptmann Wienke and his Grenadiers were able to hold the positions to the left and right of the penetration with iron determination, even though some elements of the Bataillon were already overrun. Although he was without friendly support, he [Wienke] eventually succeeded in throwing the Bolsheviks back via a counterthrust. In the process this brave officer fell at the head of his troops.”