Künzel, Hans-Joachim (Schützen-Regiment 10)

Date of birth:: November 6th, 1914 (Schwarzenberg, Germany)
Date of death:: November 25th, 2000 (Ettlingen, Germany)
Nationality:: German

Biography

Hans-Joachim Künzel served in the Bundeswehr and reached the rank of Oberstleutnant.

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Eisernes Kreuz 2. Klasse

Period:: Second World War (1939-1945)

Eisernes Kreuz 1. Klasse

Period:: Second World War (1939-1945)
Awarded on:: September 28th, 1939

Ritterkreuz des Eisernen Kreuzes

Period:: Second World War (1939-1945)
Rank:: Oberleutnant (1st Lieutenant)
Unit:: Führer, 3. Schwadron, Schützen-Regiment 10, 9. Panzer-Division
Awarded on:: September 22nd, 1941

On the 18.08.1941 Oberleutnant Künzel and his 3./Schützen-Regiment 10 captured two vital Dnieper bridges at Zaporozhye. Being protected from Soviet aircraft due to the surrounding smoke clouds, he and his men stormed the two bridges one after the other, eliminating their garrisons in close combat and preventing their destruction. This deed was of decisive importance for the further German offensive operations, and for his actions Künzel would be decorated with the Knight’s Cross.

Medaille "Winterschlacht im Osten 1941/42" (Ostmedaille)

Period:: Second World War (1939-1945)
Awarded on:: August 1942

Sources

Photo 1: Known to STIWOT
- SCHINDLER, MICHAEL G., Ritterkreuzträger aus Sachsen 1939-1945, libergraphix, 2013.
- das-ritterkreuz.de