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Bix, Hermann

Date of birth:
October 10th, 1914 (Strehlitz / Namslau / Schlesien)
Date of death:
July 31st, 1986 (Wiesbaden)
Nationality:
German (1933-1945, Third Reich)

Biography

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Period:
Second World War (1939-1945)
Rank:
Feldwebel
Unit:
8. / Panzer-Regiment 15
Awarded on:
November 5th, 1942
Deutsches Kreuz in Gold
Period:
Second World War (1939-1945)
Rank:
Oberfeldwebel (Warrant Officer)
Unit:
Zugführer 3. / Panzer-Regiment 35 / 4.Panzer-Division
Awarded on:
March 22nd, 1945
On the 07.03.1945 the Soviets succeeded in breaking through the sector of the 35. Infanterie-Division in the direction of Danzig. In response the armoured group of the 4. Panzer-Division was deployed to the area.

Among the German armoured commanders was Hermann Bix, who led a group of 5 Jagdpanthers. The first Sovet armoured spearhead was shot up by his group. However since most of them ran out of ammunition in the process it was down to Bix to defend all on his own with the defending Grenadiers. Here he destroyed 4 lend-lease tanks. After this he only had 25 rounds of ammunition to take on a force of attacking T-34s, but it was enough for him to knock out 11 of their number.

As Kleschau had been lost, Bix and 3 Panzers assisted a Grenadier Major during a counterthrust. With his support it was possible for this advance to liberate a trapped Volksgrenadier-Bataillon in the Klenschkau-Danzig-Ohra area. In the process 19 Soviet tanks were destroyed, including 11 by Bix himself.

After this he was recommended for the Knight’s Cross by the 35. Infanterie-Division. The following press excerpt provides an overview of why he received the award as follows…

“Oberfeldwebel Bix, a Panzer commander in the I. Abteilung of a Frankfurt am Main Panzer-Regiment, has destroyed 75 Soviet tanks over the course of 61 battle days. Of these, 21 were destroyed within the last week in the battle area south of Danzig. With this the 31 year old Oberfeldwebel from Strehlitz stands as the most successful Panzer commander of his Abteilung. Bix also holds the Wound Badge in Silver and the German Cross in Gold.”
Ritterkreuz des Eisernen Kreuzes
Period:
Second World War (1939-1945)
Rank:
Oberfeldwebel
Unit:
Zugführer 3. / Panzer-Regiment 35 / 4.Panzer-Division
Awarded on:
March 22nd, 1945
Panzerkampfabzeichen IV Stufe

Sources

Photo