Krohn, Hans

Date of birth:: October 9th, 1919 (Niebüll, Germany)
Date of death:: January 13th, 1978 (Hanover, Germany)
Nationality:: German

Biography

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Ritterkreuz des Eisernen Kreuzes

Period:: Second World War (1939-1945)
Rank:: Gefreiter (Lance Corporal)
Unit:: Richtschütze 1./PzJägAbt 20
Awarded on:: April 6th, 1942

During March 1942 the Soviets launched an attack against German forces of the 20. Infanterie-Division (located on the Volkhov front) with a strong infantry force and over 30 tanks. Here Gefreiter Krohn, a German anti-tank gunner, was positioned for defense. With his Pak he destroyed 5 enemy tanks from a range as close as 50 metres. When his ammunition ran out Krohn was forced to leave his gun in order to avoid the Soviet tank fire. However in an exemplary show of duty he immediately returned to his gun under the strongest of barrages. Suddenly he received a resupply of ammunition, and Krohn was once again able to engage the attackers. He knocked out another Soviet tank and forced the rest to retreat through his accurate fire.

By his brave and decisive action, Gefreiter Krohn was able to prevent a Soviet breakthrough, an action with important consequences for the German defensive front in this area. He would subsequently be decorated with the Knight’s Cross.