Max Hansen
| Max Hansen | |
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| Born | 31 July 1908 Niebüll, Germany |
| Died | 7 March 1990 (aged 81) Niebüll, Germany |
| Allegiance |  Nazi Germany |
| Service/branch |  Waffen SS |
| Years of service | 1933–1945 |
| Rank | Standartenführer |
| Unit | 1st SS Division Leibstandarte SS Adolf Hitler |
| Commands held | 8th Company LSSAH II./1st Panzer Grenadier Regiment LSSAH 1st Panzer Grenadier Regiment LSSAH |
| Battles/wars | World War II |
| Awards | Knights Cross with Oakleaves Iron Cross 1st Class Iron Cross 2nd Class German Cross in Gold Close Combat Clasp in Gold Wound Badge in Silver War Merit Cross with Swords Bulgarian Military Order for Bravery IV class |
Max Hansen (31 July 1908 – 7 March 1990) was a Standartenführer (Colonel), in the Waffen-SS who was awarded the Knight's Cross with Oak Leaves. The Knights Cross was awarded to recognize extreme battlefield bravery or successful military leadership by Nazi Germany during World War II. The Oakleaves was a second award.
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Early life[edit]
Hansen was born on the 31 July 1908 at Niebüll, Germany. Before joining the SS he was apprenticed to a locksmith.
Military career[edit]
In 1933 he joined the SS-Verfügungstruppe and by 1939 was the commander of the 12th Company in the Leibstandarte SS Adolf Hitler. In 1941, he was awarded the German Cross in Gold and promoted to Sturmbannführer (Major). He was given command of the II./1st Panzer Grenadier Regiment LSSAH.[1]
It was whilst commanding this battalion during the Third Battle of Kharkov on 28 March 1943 that Hansen was awarded the Knight's Cross. His battalion broke through to Red Square in Kharkov, conducted house-to-house fighting and opened the way to the city centre, so that the northern part of Kharkov could be taken.[2]
Hansen later went on to command the 1st SS Panzer Grenadier Regiment LSSAH. With his regiment he took part in the Ardennes Offensive and the offensive in Hungary, Operation Spring Awakening in 1945 during which he was awarded the Oak Leaves to his Knight's Cross.[1]
He ended the war as a Standartenführer.
Later life[edit]
Max Hansen died in the town of his birth on 7 March 1990.[1]
Notes[edit]
References[edit]
- Agte, Patrick. Michael Wittmann and the Waffen SS Tiger Commanders of the SS
- Berger, Florian. Ritterkreuzträger mit Nahkampfspange in Gold. Selbstverlag Florian Berger, 2004. ISBN 3-9501307-3-X.
- Fellgiebel, Walther-Peer. Die Träger des Ritterkreuzes des Eisernen Kreuzes 1939-1945. Friedburg, Germany: Podzun-Pallas, 2000. ISBN 3-7909-0284-5.
- Mitcham, Samuel W. Panzers in Winter
External links[edit]
Media related to Max Hansen at Wikimedia Commons
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