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Engelien, Hans (Panzergrenadier-Regiment 25)

Date of birth:
May 30th, 1913 (Berlin-Lichterfelde/Brandenburg, Germany)
Date of death:
May 9th, 1945 (near Libau, Latvia)
Buried on:
German War Cemetery Frauenburg / Saldus
Nationality:
German

Biography

Hans Engelien was reported missing from May 9th, 1945 in Kurland.
He served as Kommandeur with Grenadier-Regiment 118, as Adjutant Stab / 41. Panzerkorps, as Panzeraufklärungs-Abteilung 12 and as Kommandeur with Panzergrenadier-Regiment 25.

Promotions:
1933: Fahnenjunker
1934: Fähnrich
01.04.1935: Leutnant - Inf.Rgt.11
1936: Oberleutnant
01.05.1941: Hauptmann
20.03.1943: Major
1945: Oberstleutnant

Career:
01.04.1933: entered Inf.Rgt.11
1939: Oberleutnant and Adjutant - I./ Schützen-Regiment 3 - 3. Panzer Division- campaign in Poland
18.04.1940: Oberleutnant and Chef 6./ Schützen-Regiment 3 - 3. Panzer Division - campaign in France
End 1940: Führer-Reserve
01.07.1941: Hauptmann and Kdr II./ Schützen-Regiment 3 - 3. Panzer Division
09.1941: Generalstab / General Staff Officer Course, then appointed to the 12. Panzer Division
20.03.1943: Major and Kdr Grenadier Regiment 118
06.1944: Adjutant - XXXXI. Stab./ Panzer Korps
07.1944: Panzer-Aufklärungs-Abteilung 12
09.1944: Kommandeur - Panzergrenadier-Regiment 25 - campaign in Kurland





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Period:
Second World War (1939-1945)
Rank:
Hauptmann
Unit:
6./Schützen-Regiment 3
Awarded on:
November 5th, 1941
Deutsches Kreuz in Gold
Period:
Second World War (1939-1945)
Rank:
Major
Awarded on:
April 7th, 1944
Ehrenblattspange des Heeres und Waffen-SS
Period:
Second World War (1939-1945)
Rank:
Major
Unit:
Führer Panzeraufklärungs-Abteilung 12
Awarded on:
August 12th, 1944
Awarded for closing the frontline gap between the 4. Armee and 9. Armee along the Njemen river between Belitsa and northeast of Orlya during July 1944.
Ritterkreuz des Eisernen Kreuzes
Period:
Second World War (1939-1945)
Rank:
Oberstleutnant (Lieutenant-colonel)
Unit:
Kommandeur Panzergrenadier-Regiment 25
Awarded on:
March 16th, 1945
Ritterkreuz mit Eichenlaub
Oberstleutnant Engelien had already prevented a Soviet breakthrough against Frauenburg with minimal forces of his own by launching a counterattack on his own initiative during the Third Battle of Courland. He would launch a similar such maneuver at the end of January 1945. He led his reserve Kompanie in a flank attack against Soviet forces that had penetrated the frontline, broke the Soviet resistance and eliminated the breach. Engelien would be awarded the Oakleaves for these successful actions.

788th Award.
Period:
Second World War (1939-1945)
Rank:
Oberleutnant (1st Lieutenant)
Awarded on:
October 24th, 1939
Eisernes Kreuz 1. Klasse
Period:
Second World War (1939-1945)
Rank:
Oberleutnant (1st Lieutenant)
Awarded on:
September 22nd, 1939
Eisernes Kreuz 2. Klasse
Period:
Second World War (1939-1945)
Rank:
Oberleutnant (1st Lieutenant)
in silver
Infanterie-Sturmabzeichen
Period:
Second World War (1939-1945)
Rank:
Hauptmann (Captain)
Awarded on:
1942
Medaille
Period:
Second World War (1939-1945)
Rank:
Hauptmann (Captain)
Awarded on:
1941
Dienstauszeichnung der Wehrmacht  3.Klasse, 12 Jahre

Sources

Photo