Hans Kratzenberg

Hans Kratzenberg
Born	(1890-10-09)9 October 1890 Wenzlow
Died	24 January 1976(1976-01-24) (aged 85) Bad Oldesloe
Allegiance	Nazi Germany
Service / branch	Army
Years of service	1939–45
Rank	Hauptmann
Unit	3rd Panzer Division
Battles / wars	World War II Battle of France
Awards	Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross

Hans Kratzenberg (9 October 1890 – 1 January 1976) was a German infantry commander and recipient of the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross during World War II. The Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross was awarded to recognise extreme battlefield bravery or successful military leadership.

Career

Major Kratzenberg commanded III./Schützen-Regiment 3 during the battle of France. When the regiment was assigned the mission of breaking through the fortified Dyle position on 15 May 1940, his battalion played a crucial role in the penetration of this position. For his skillful leadership in this battle he would be awarded the Knight’s Cross.

Awards & decorations

• Iron Cross
  • 2nd Class
  • 1st Class
• Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross on 15 August 1940 as Kommandeur III./Schtz.Rgt. 3

References

Bibliography

• Scherzer, Veit (2007). Die Ritterkreuzträger 1939–1945 Die Inhaber des Ritterkreuzes des Eisernen Kreuzes 1939 von Heer, Luftwaffe, Kriegsmarine, Waffen-SS, Volkssturm sowie mit Deutschland verbündeter Streitkräfte nach den Unterlagen des Bundesarchives (in German). Jena, Germany: Scherzers Militaer-Verlag. ISBN 978-3-938845-17-2. {{cite book}}: Unknown parameter |trans_title= ignored (|trans-title= suggested) (help)