Hocke, Franz-Rainer

Date of birth:: December 29th, 1923 (Berlin/Brandenburg, Germany)
Date of death:: October 15th, 1944 (Calisese, Italy)
Buried on:: German War Cemetery Futa-Pass
Plot: 31. Grave: 150.
Nationality:: German (1933-1945, Third Reich)

Biography

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Ritterkreuz des Eisernen Kreuzes

Period:: Second World War (1939-1945)
Rank:: Obergefreiter (Corporal)
Unit:: Gruppenführer 7. / Grenadier-Regiment 200 (motorisiert)
Awarded on:: November 5th, 1944

On the 15.10.1944 Allied forces captured an important hill position just to the west of Calisese. Recognizing the danger this posed for his Regiment, Obergefreiter Hocke launched a counterattack with a handful of Grenadiers on his own initiative. It succeeded in recapturing this piece of vital ground after a bitter battle, however it would cost Hocke his life. He would be awarded the Knight’s Cross for this tactically significant accomplishment.

Awarded posthumously.