Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Rank:

Hauptmann (Captain)

Unit:

III. / Infanterie-Regiment 232

Awarded on:

October 18th, 1942

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Rank:

Major

Unit:

Kommandeur III. / Grenadier-Regiment 232 / 102.Infanterie-Division

Awarded on:

August 14th, 1943

The following wartime excerpt describes why Drexler would be awarded the Knight’s Cross…

“On the 25.07.1943 Major Hans Drexler and his Grenadier-Bataillon were tasked with holding the important village of Krassn. Snamia and Hill 251.1, both located in the area south of Orel. This position was the cornerstone of the Division’s left flank. On this day he and his men held this position for 11 hours long against repeated enemy attacks launched by much larger forces. Although he was temporarily encircled by the Soviets he held out with his Grenadiers (which had been engaged in combat for weeks) until his Bataillon was relieved by Sturmgeschütze. By their actions Drexler and his men had decisively prevented the front from being torn open to the west.”