Gradl, Hans

Date of birth:: December 8th, 1903 (Nuremberg/Bavaria, Germany)
Date of death:: March 10th, 1980 (Neuhaus am Schliersee/Bavaria, Germany)
Nationality:: German

Biography

Hans Gradl finally reached the rank of Oberst.

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Ritterkreuz des Eisernen Kreuzes

Period:: Second World War (1939-1945)
Rank:: Major
Unit:: Kommandeur I. / Panzer-Regiment 39
Awarded on:: November 15th, 1941

The following press article describes why Gradl was awarded the Knight’s Cross…

“Major Gradl and his Panzerabteilung particularly distinguished themselves on the 06.10.1941. Acting on his own initiative, Major Gradl deviated from his ordered axis of attack and launched a bold thrust through the enemy occupied Briansk forest. After destroying a large forest supply dump he captured the 250 metre long bridge over the Desna river and subsequently the city of Briansk itself despite determined Soviet resistance. Through this bold deed the Soviet divisions fighting further to the west were deprived of their main supply base, and their retreat road was blocked. As a result the encirclement ring around the enemy divisions near Briansk was closed at a decisive point.”