| Hans Hecker | |
|---|---|
| Born | February 26, 1895 |
| Died | 1 May 1979 (aged 84) |
| Place of birth | Duisburg-Meiderich |
| Place of death | near Hannoversch Münden |
| Allegiance |
 German Empire (to 1918) Weimar Republic (to 1933) Nazi Germany |
| Service/branch | Heer |
| Years of service |
1914–1919 1924–1945 |
| Rank | Generalmajor |
| Commands held |
345. Infanterie-Division 26. Panzer-Division 3. Panzergrenadier-Division |
| Battles/wars | |
| Awards | Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross |
Hans Hecker (26 February 1895 – 1 May 1979) was a highly decorated Generalmajor in the Wehrmacht during World War II who commanded several divisions. He was also a recipient of the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross. The Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross was awarded to recognise extreme battlefield bravery or successful military leadership. Hans Hecker was captured by Allied troops in 1945 and was released in 1947.
Awards and decorations[]
- Iron Cross (1914)
- 2nd Class
- 1st Class
- Knight's Cross of the Royal House Order of Hohenzollern with Swords (22 August 1918)
- Wound Badge (1914)
- in Black
- Cross of Honor
- Iron Cross (1939)
- 2nd Class
- 1st Class
- General Assault Badge
- Medaglia d'Argento al Valore Militare
- Colonial Order of the Star of Italy
- German Cross in Gold (19 September 1942)
- Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross on 5 August 1940 as Oberstleutnant and commander of Pionier-Battalion 29 (mot.)[1]
- Ärmelband Afrika
- Mentioned in the Wehrmachtbericht (2 June 1944)
Wehrmachtbericht reference[]
| Date | Original German Wehrmachtbericht wording | Direct English translation |
|---|---|---|
| 2 June 1944 | In diesem Frontabschnitt haben sich die 65. Infanteriedivison unter Generalleutnant Pfeiffer, die durch Teile der 4. Fallschirmjägerdivision verstärkte 3. Panzergrenadierdivision unter Generalmajor Hecker und eine aus Einheiten des Heeres und der Fallschirmtruppe zusammengestellte Kampfgruppe unter Generalleutnant Greiner, hervorragend unterstützt durch Artillerie und durch Flakartillerie der Luftwaffe, besonders ausgezeichnet. [2] | In this section of the front have the 65th Infantry Division under Lieutenant General Pfeiffer, augmented by parts of the 4th Airborne Division which reinforced the 3rd Mechanized Infantry Division under Major General Hecker and units from the Army and the parachute troops assembled combat group under Lieutenant General Greiner, well supported by artillery and anti-aircraft artillery of the Luftwaffe, particularly distinguished themselves. |
References[]
- Citations
- Bibliography
- Fellgiebel, Walther-Peer (2000). Die Träger des Ritterkreuzes des Eisernen Kreuzes 1939–1945. Friedburg, Germany: Podzun-Pallas. ISBN 3-7909-0284-5.
- Scherzer, Veit (2007). 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 Miltaer-Verlag. ISBN 978-3-938845-17-2.
- Die Wehrmachtberichte 1939–1945 Band 3, 1. Januar 1944 bis 9. Mai 1945 (in German). München: Deutscher Taschenbuch Verlag GmbH & Co. KG, 1985. ISBN 3-423-05944-3.
External links[]
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The original article can be found at Hans Hecker and the edit history here.