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Eichert, Hans-Henning

Date of birth:
January 25th, 1917 (Breslau/Silesia, Germany)
Date of death:
July 9th, 1943 (Nowo Chuto-Orel/Russian SFSR, USSR)
Nationality:
German

Biography

Promotions:
January 1st, 1938: Leutnant;
October 1st, 1939: Oberleutnant;
April 1st, 1942: Hauptmann;
September 10th, 1943: Major (posthumously).

Career:
April 1st, 1935: Schützen-Regiment 1;
January 3rd, 1939: Zugführer, 7. Schwadron, Kavallerie-Schützen-Regiment 11;
November 18th, 1939: Stabs-Schwadron, Kavallerie-Schützen-Regiment 11;
October 25th, 1942: IIa, 9. Panzer-Division;
February 18th, 1943: Reserve-Lazarett 129;
?: IIa, 9. Panzer-Division.

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Period:
Second World War (1939-1945)
Rank:
Oberleutnant (1st Lieutenant)
Unit:
6. Kompanie, II. Bataillon, Schützen-Regiment 11, 9. Panzer-Division, Heer
Awarded on:
January 2nd, 1942
Deutsches Kreuz in Gold
Period:
Second World War (1939-1945)
Rank:
Oberleutnant (1st Lieutenant)
Unit:
Chef, 6. Kompanie, II. Bataillon, Schützen-Regiment 11, 9. Panzer-Division, Heer
Awarded on:
March 14th, 1942
The following wartime excerpt describes why Eichert would be awarded the Knight’s Cross…

“Oberleutnant Eichert and his Kompanie repelled a total of 8 overwhelming enemy attacks in the time period 22.-24.12.1941. During one attack on the 22.12.1941 he distinguished himself through his extraordinary bravery and total devotion to duty, qualities he knew would also be passed down to his subordinates. This act was crucial for the further defense of the Tim river. The loss of the Lipowskoje bridgehead would have led to the loss of the whole position on the east bank of the Tim, while also putting the Brigade into an extremely critical situation.”

The following press article further supplements this description…

“Oberleutnant Hans-Henning Eichert has outstandingly distinguished himself during the defense of an important bridgehead in the southern sector of the eastern front against far numerically-superior enemy forces. The enemy hordes, including several suddenly appearing tanks, were in no way able to cripple the will to resist of Eichert’s Kompanie. After taking bloody losses the Soviets gave up their futile attacks. This outstanding defensive success is first and foremost due to the shining example of Oberleutnant Eichert.”
Ritterkreuz des Eisernen Kreuzes
Period:
Second World War (1939-1945)
Awarded on:
December 8th, 1940
Eisernes Kreuz 1. Klasse
Period:
Second World War (1939-1945)
Rank:
Oberleutnant (1st Lieutenant)
Unit:
6. Kompanie, II. Bataillon, Schützen-Regiment 11, 9. Panzer-Division, Heer
Awarded on:
July 22nd, 1941
Ehrenblattspange des Heeres und Waffen-SS

Sources

Photo