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Magold, Hans Johann Hubert Karl "Hanns"

Date of birth:
November 16th, 1918 (Unteressfeld/Bavaria, Germany)
Date of death:
September 15th, 1944 (Lysa Gora, Poland)
Buried on:
German War Cemetery Laurahütte
Plot: 1. Row: 14. Grave: 791.
Nationality:
German

Biography

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Period:
Second World War (1939-1945)
Rank:
Oberleutnant (1st Lieutenant)
Unit:
II. Abteilung, Artillerie-Regiment 74, 2. Panzer-Division, Heer
Awarded on:
January 2nd, 1942
Deutsches Kreuz in Gold
Period:
Second World War (1939-1945)
Rank:
Oberleutnant (1st Lieutenant)
Unit:
Chef, 1. Batterie, Sturmgeschütz-Abteilung Großdeutschland, Infanterie-Division (motorisiert) "Großdeutschland", Heer
Awarded on:
April 3rd, 1943
During the initial German retreat from the Kharkov area in February 1943, Oberleutnant Magold and his 1./Sturmgeschütz-Abteilung “Großdeutschland” distinguished themselves by holding open the retreat routes from regular Red Army formations and partisans. In particular, Magold and his Batterie played a key role in holding one route long enough for the rearguard of the Großdeutschland Division (the Bataillon Remer) to pass through).

However on the 07.03.1943 the Germans in turn began their counterattack to retake Kharkov. The a Kampfgruppe including the 1./StuG.Abt. “GD” advanced through Grigorowka, destroyed a number of enemy horse-drawn columns at Hill 188 and reached Alexandrowka. Here the Kampfgruppe was halted by a Soviet blocking position with AT guns and tanks. Magold launched an energetic attack on his own initiative with his Batterie against this position, and managed to smash it. By the end of the engagement the following enemy losses were recorded…

- 4 heavy Pak (12.2 cm)
- 21 medium Pak (7.62 cm)
- 16 light Pak
- 7 tanks (of which Magold personally accounted for 5)

For these actions Magold would be decorated with the Knight’s Cross. He would achieve further success just a week later, on the 14.03.1943, during the attack on Stanowoje. Here the Germans knocked out 15 enemy tanks, of which Magold was responsible for destroying 14.
Ritterkreuz des Eisernen Kreuzes

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