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Hundt, Gustav

Date of birth:
September 27th, 1894 (Pfaffenhofen/Upper Palatinate, Germany)
Date of death:
April 21st, 1945 (Troppau, Slovakia)
Nationality:
German

Biography

Promotions:
August 7th, 1914: Leutnant;
March 22nd, 1918: Oberleutnant;
September 12th, 1921: Hauptmann (Reichsheer);
July 1st, 1934: Hauptmann (Heer);
April 1st, 1937: Major;
September 1st, 1940: Oberstleutnant;
February 1st, 1942: Oberst (RDA: -286-);
August 1st, 1944: Generalmajor (RDA: -8a-);
?: Generalleutnant.

Career:
April 1st, - August 1st, 1914: Kriegsschule Metz;
?: Feldartillerie-Regiment 31;
July 1st, 1934: Heer;
?: Führer, 5. Batterie, II. Abteilung, Artillerie-Regiment 20;
August 26th, 1939: Kommandeur, I. Abteilung, Artillerie-Regiment 66;
September 20th, 1941: Kommandeur, Artillerie-Regiment 30;
October 10th, 1942: Führer, 122. Infanterie-Division;
May 1943: Artillerie-Kommandeur 113;
August 1st, 1943: Artillerie-Kommandeur 138;
May 8th, 1944 - August 9th, 1944: Kommandeur, 304. Infanterie-Division;
October 3rd, 1944 - November 15th, 1944: Kommandeur, 1. Skijäger-Division.
December 1944 - April 21st, 1945: Kommandeur, 1. Skijäger-Division.

Was missing from April 21st 1945. Gustav Hundt was officially declared dead on June 7th 1950 with as date of deceased April 21st 1945.

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Period:
First World War (1914-1918)
Rank:
Leutnant (2nd Lieutenant)
Awarded on:
November 21st, 1914
Eisernes Kreuz 2.Klasse (1914)
Period:
First World War (1914-1918)
Rank:
Leutnant (2nd Lieutenant)
Awarded on:
July 31st, 1917
Eisernes Kreuz 1.Klasse (1914)
Period:
Second World War (1939-1945)
Rank:
Hauptmann (Captain)
Unit:
Führer, 5. Batterie, II. Abteilung, Artillerie-Regiment Rendsburg, Heer
Awarded on:
January 17th, 1935
Ehrenkreuz für Frontkämpfer
Period:
Second World War (1939-1945)
Rank:
Hauptmann (Captain)
Unit:
Führer, 5. Batterie, II. Abteilung, Artillerie-Regiment 20, 20. Infanterie-Division, Heer
Awarded on:
October 2nd, 1936
Dienstauszeichnung der Wehrmacht 4.Klasse, 4 Jahre
Period:
Second World War (1939-1945)
Rank:
Major
Unit:
Kommandeur, I. Abteilung, Artillerie-Regiment 66, Heer
Awarded on:
January 27th, 1939
Dienstauszeichnung der Wehrmacht  3.Klasse, 12 Jahre
Period:
Second World War (1939-1945)
Rank:
Major
Unit:
Kommandeur, I. Abteilung, Artillerie-Regiment 66, Heer
Awarded on:
September 25th, 1939

Had already received the Iron Cross 2nd Class on November 21st 1914.
1939 Spange zum Eisernes Kreuz 2er Klasse 1914
Period:
Second World War (1939-1945)
Rank:
Major
Unit:
Kommandeur, I. Abteilung, Artillerie-Regiment 66, Heer
Awarded on:
January 13th, 1940
Medaille zur Erinnerung an den 1. Oktober 1938
Period:
Second World War (1939-1945)
Rank:
Major
Unit:
Kommandeur, I. Abteilung, Artillerie-Regiment 66, Heer (Commander I.Battalion, 66th Artillery-Regiment)
Awarded on:
May 28th, 1940

Had already received the Iron Cross 1st Class on July 31st 1917.
1939 Spange zum Eisernes Kreuz 1er Klasse 1914
Period:
Second World War (1939-1945)
Rank:
Oberstleutnant (Lieutenant-colonel)
Unit:
Kommandeur, Artillerie-Regiment 30, 30. Infanterie-Division, Heer
Awarded on:
December 15th, 1941
Deutsches Kreuz in Gold
Period:
Second World War (1939-1945)
Rank:
Oberst (Colonel)
Unit:
Kommandeur, Artillerie-Regiment 30, 30. Infanterie-Division, Heer
Awarded on:
August 8th, 1942
Medaille
Period:
Second World War (1939-1945)
Rank:
Generalleutnant (Major-general)
Unit:
Kommandeur, 1. Skijäger-Division, Heer
Awarded on:
April 15th, 1945
Hundt’s Knight’s Cross recommendation reads as follows…

“Generalmajor Hundt, who had already distinguished himself through decisiveness and outstanding bravery in early January 1945 during the capture of Torna & Szadudvarnek as well as in the fighting around Szepsi (Hungary), received orders to go to Rybnik on the 26.01.1945. When he got there he found just one Bataillon of his Division available for employment, and it was immediately sent out to strike against Orzupowitz.

The Bataillon launched a surprise thrust against the overwhelming enemy forces that had strong tank support, and was pinned down north of Rybnik. During the night the Russians suddenly attacked the city with strong forces, their only opposition here being hastily assembled alarm and straggler units. After making a deep penetration into the city, the enemy succeeded in reaching the city centre with support from several tanks. The situation had become threatening, with a very real danger that the enemy would assume total control over the city.

In spite of all the incoming bad news, the General remained the lord of the situation. Undeterred by the strong enemy fire, he rushed to every hotspot of the battle while escorted by just a single officer. At every threatened position he rallied fleeing alarm units and sent them back into the battle. As the sole senior commander he was the soul of the resistance. With great initiative and exemplary bravery he fought at the head of the alarm units, inspiring them forwards through his example and personally led all counterattacks. In this way he succeeded in recapturing all but a small part of the city by the morning, a product of countless minor actions. The General immediately organized the defense of Rybnik and the mopping up of the enemy remnants, all while acting tirelessly and intervening all over the city.

Due to this outstanding accomplishment, the key crossroads of Rybnik (crucial for the defense of the Oder) was cleared of the enemy. Furthermore the Russian objective of outflanking the left wing of the 17. Armee came to naught, and a continuous defensive line was created.

If Generalmajor Hundt had hesitated for just a moment in this critical situation, or deferred the key decision-making to others, Rybnik would have fallen to the enemy. This would have resulted in the loss of the entire coalfield that lay to the south of the city, which contained 7 pits that together provided a daily production of 10000 tons of coal. In the end however his decisive leadership and initiative proved to be the deciding factor for Rybnik’s destiny.”

5056th Award
Ritterkreuz des Eisernen Kreuzes
Period:
Second World War (1939-1945)
Rank:
Generalleutnant (Major-general)
Unit:
Kommandeur, 1. Skijäger-Division, Heer
Awarded on:
April 18th, 1945
Wehrmachtbericht

Sources

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