Klaiber, Hans

Date of birth:: October 23rd, 1919 (Biberbach, Germany)
Date of death:: May 9th, 1945 (Dauba/Sudetenland, Germany)
Nationality:: German

Biography

Do you have more information about this person? Inform us!

Ritterkreuz des Eisernen Kreuzes

Period:: Second World War (1939-1945)
Rank:: Leutnant (Pilot Officer)
Unit:: Zugführer 1./Flak-Regiment 9
Awarded on:: July 26th, 1942

The following German press article (dated 06.08.1942) describes why Klaiber would be awarded the Knight’s Cross…

“Leutnant Klaiber has especially distinguished himself through heroic devotion to duty in the tank battle south of Kharkov during the middle of May 1942. As commander of a Flakkampfgruppe he held an important position against the multiple, tank supported breakthrough attempts of the Soviets. His outstanding leadership and courageous attitude in the foremost line resulted in the destruction of 20 Soviet tanks and 2 more becoming heavily damaged. In this way the danger of an enemy armoured breakthrough towards Kharkov was averted, a testament to the decisive importance of this young officer’s deed.”