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Hengstler, Friedrich

Date of birth:
July 11th, 1913 (Ofingen-Bad Dürrheim/Baden, Germany)
Date of death:
February 9th, 1998 (Murnau/Bavaria, Germany)
Nationality:
German (1933-1945, Third Reich)

Biography

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Period:
Second World War (1939-1945)
Rank:
Oberfeldwebel
Unit:
Zugführer 3. / Gebirgsjäger-Regiment 98 / 1.Gebirgs-Division
Awarded on:
September 12th, 1941
The following excerpt describes why Hengstler would receive the Knight’s Cross…

“During the battle of Podwyssokoje on the night of the 06./07.08.1941 the 1. Gebirgs-Division held onto its attained position. The encircled Russians tried desperately to break the encirclement ring around them. One of their main thrusts was launched against the I./Gebirgs-Jäger-Regiment 98. During the defense against the enemy breakthrough attempt on the left wing of this Bataillon, the already heavily wounded Oberfeldwebel Hengstler not only showed exemplary bravery, but also managed to secure a battlefield victory of great importance for the entire Division. After all the officers had fallen he personally took over the command of his Kompanie.”
Ritterkreuz des Eisernen Kreuzes

Sources

Photo