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Drexler, Hans (WH-Panzer)

Date of birth:
November 25th, 1913 (Niederwiesa / Chemnitz)
Date of death:
August 12th, 1993 (Stade)
Nationality:
German (1933-1945, Third Reich)

Biography

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Period:
Second World War (1939-1945)
Rank:
Oberleutnant (1st Lieutenant)
Unit:
Chef 5. / Panzer-Aufklärungs-Abteilung 129
Awarded on:
August 15th, 1944
Ehrenblattspange des Heeres und Waffen-SS
Period:
Second World War (1939-1945)
Rank:
Hauptmann (Captain)
Unit:
Chef 4. / Panzer-Aufklärungs-Abteilung 129 / 29.Panzer-Grenadier-Division
Awarded on:
January 12th, 1945
During the fighting in the Emilia-Romagna area (south of Bologna) in late 1944 the Allies managed to tear a hole in the weakly held frontline of the 29. Panzergrenadier-Division. In response Hauptmann Drexler launched a counterattack with a handful of men from his Kompanie. He not only managed to close the frontline gap but was also able to capture a large number of prisoners in the process. He would thus later be awarded the Knight’s Cross for this successful action.
Ritterkreuz des Eisernen Kreuzes

Sources

  • Photo 1: Known to STIWOT
  • - SCHINDLER, MICHAEL G., Ritterkreuzträger aus Sachsen 1939-1945, libergraphix.
    - 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
    - Ehrenblatt des Deutschen Heeres dated August 15th 1944

Photo