Date of birth:

January 2nd, 1910 (Barmen/Rhineprovince, Germany)

Date of death:

February 7th, 2010 (Sankt Wolfgang, Austria)

Nationality:

German (1933-1945, Third Reich)

Eberhard Zahn finally reached the rank of Oberstleutnant der Reserve.

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Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Awarded on:

June 24th, 1940

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Awarded on:

October 16th, 1940

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Rank:

Leutnant der Reserve (2nd Lieutenant of Reserves)

Unit:

Zugführer, 2. Kompanie, Panzerjäger-Abteilung 33, 15. Panzer-Division, Heer

Awarded on:

June 30th, 1941

The following newspaper excerpt (dated 23.07.1941) describes why Zahn received the Knight’s Cross…

“On the 15.06.1941 Leutnant Zahn repulsed a strong enemy armoured thrust (which came from Capuzzo in the direction of Bardia) with just a single 5-cm Pak gun. He then entered into Capuzzo with this gun and destroyed 6 enemy armoured vehicles there. After his gun was knocked out he was taken prisoner after offering bitter resistance. However he then managed to escape the English in a display of courageous and determined resolve.”

320th Award.

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Rank:

Oberleutnant der Reserve (1st Lieutenant of Reserves)

Unit:

Chef, 2. Kompanie, Panzerjäger-Abteilung 33, 15. Panzer-Division, Heer

Awarded on:

August 17th, 1942

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Rank:

Hauptmann der Reserve (Captain of Reserves)

Unit:

Chef, 2. Kompanie, Panzerjäger-Abteilung 33, 15. Panzer-Division, Heer

Awarded on:

March 6th, 1943

The following newspaper excerpt (dated 12.03.1943) describes why Zahn received the Knight’s Cross…

“… At the start of July 1942 the south wing of [Zahn’s] Division was hit by an armoured surprise attack. Since one of the Kompanie commanders became a casualty in the bitter fighting, Hauptmann Zahn (at the time still an Oberleutnant and the Abteilung adjutant) rushed forward, saved his heavily wounded comrade under heavy fire and then took over leadership of the Kompanie. He then brought the attack to a halt with only 3 guns that were available.”

204th Award.

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

• Photo 1: Willi Schumacher Collection
• - FELLGIEBEL, W.P., Elite of theThird Reich, Helion & Company Limited, Solihull, 2003.
  - KUROWSKI, F., Knight's Cross Holders of the Afrikakorps, Schiffer Publishing Ltd., Atglen, United States, 1996.
  - THOMAS, FRANZ & WEGMANN, GÜNTER, Die Eichenlaubträger 1940-1945, Biblio-Verlag, 1998.
  - Kwasny A., Kwasny G., Die Eichenlaubträger 1940-1945 (CD), Deutsches Wehrkundearchiv, Lage-Waddenhausen, 2001
  - Ritterkreuztraeger 1939 - 1945
  - Axis Biographical Research
  - Axis History Biographical Research via Axis History Forum
  - Bochumer Anzeiger (Edition 170)