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Hohn, Hermann Dr. (Generalleutnant)

Date of birth:
October 11th, 1897 (Renchen/Baden, Germany)
Date of death:
November 13th, 1968 (Ladenburg/Baden-Württemberg, Germany)
Nationality:
German (1933-1945, Third Reich)

Biography

Promotions:
October 20th, 1917: Leutnant;
September 1st, 1935: Hauptmann;
August 1st, 1938: Major i.G.;
August 1st, 1941: Oberstleutnant i.G.;
February 1st, 1943: Oberst i.G.;
March 1st,1944: Generalmajor;
January 30th, 1945: Generalleutnant.

Career:
26.08.1939: Stab, Generalkommando, Grenztruppen Eifel
01.11.1939: Adjutant, 72. Infanterie-Division
09.12.1940: Kommandeur, II. Bataillon, Infanterie-Regiment 105
30.08.1941: Kdr, Grenadier-Ersatz-Bataillon 105
13.05.1942: Führerreserve, 72. Infanterie-Division
01.07.1942: Führer, Grenadier-Regiment 124
16.09.1942: Kommandeur, Grenadier-Regiment 105
05.11.1943: Führer, 72. Infanterie-Division
26.03.1944: Führerreserve OKH

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Period:
First World War (1914-1918)
Rank:
Leutnant (2nd Lieutenant)
Awarded on:
October 31st, 1917
Eisernes Kreuz 2.Klasse (1914)
Period:
First World War (1914-1918)
Rank:
mit Schwertern
Awarded on:
February 9th, 1918
Ritter II. Klasse zu dem Orden der Löwen von Zähringen
Period:
First World War (1914-1918)
Awarded on:
March 1919
Eisernes Kreuz 1.Klasse (1914)
Period:
First World War (1914-1918)
Awarded on:
January 1935
Ehrenkreuz für Frontkämpfer
Awarded on:
October 2nd, 1936
Dienstauszeichnung der Wehrmacht 4.Klasse, 4 Jahre
Period:
Second World War (1939-1945)
Rank:
Major
Unit:
Adjutant, 72. Infanterie-Division, Heer
Awarded on:
June 26th, 1940

Had already received the Iron Cross 2nd Class on October 31st, 1917.
1939 Spange zum Eisernes Kreuz 2er Klasse 1914
Period:
Second World War (1939-1945)
Rank:
Major
Unit:
Kommandeur, II. Bataillon, Infanterie-Regiment 105, 72. Infanterie-Division, Heer
Awarded on:
July 23rd, 1941

Had already received the Iron Cross 1st Class in March 1919.
1939 Spange zum Eisernes Kreuz 1er Klasse 1914
Period:
Second World War (1939-1945)
Awarded on:
1941
Infanterie-Sturmabzeichen in Silber
Period:
Second World War (1939-1945)
Awarded on:
March 16th, 1942
Verwundetenabzeichen 1939 in Schwarz
Period:
Second World War (1939-1945)
Awarded on:
May 1942
Medalia
Period:
Second World War (1939-1945)
Rank:
Major im Generalstab (Major to the General Staff)
Awarded on:
May 27th, 1942
Ordinul Coroana Romaniei Ofiter
Period:
Second World War (1939-1945)
Awarded on:
August 23rd, 1942
Krimschild
Period:
Second World War (1939-1945)
Awarded on:
September 1942
Verwundetenabzeichen 1939 in Silber
Period:
Second World War (1939-1945)
Rank:
Oberstleutnant (Lieutenant-colonel)
Unit:
Kommandeur, Infanterie-Regiment 105, 72. Infanterie-Division, Heer
Awarded on:
December 14th, 1942

1393th Award.
Was mentioned in the Ehrenblatt and received the Spange after its introduction for his action in Suchtino the 09.09.1942
Ehrenblattspange des Heeres und Waffen-SS
Period:
Second World War (1939-1945)
Rank:
Oberst (Colonel)
Unit:
Kommandeur, Grenadier-Regiment 105, 72. Infanterie-Division, Heer
Awarded on:
April 17th, 1943
Deutsches Kreuz in Gold

Award 359/19
Period:
Second World War (1939-1945)
Rank:
Oberst (Colonel)
Unit:
stellvertretender Führer, 72. Infanterie-Division, Heer
Awarded on:
November 28th, 1943
Starting on the 14.11.1943 Oberst Hohn and his battered Division were stationed as the primary defenders of the city of Cherkassy, a cornerstone of the Dnieper front, against a much superior enemy. On the 15.11.1943, in response to the formation of the dangerous Soviet bridgehead around Swidowok, Hohn launched a flank attack that got as far as Swidowok itself by dangerously exposing the remainder of his front. The risk paid off however, and by doing so he prevented the penetration of strong Soviet forces into the flank and rear of the German lines.

Later, on the 22.11.1943, the Soviets launched a powerful combined arms assault with 7 regiments backed up with AFVs and artillery. It managed to create a broad gap in the German frontline and penetrate into the rear of the defense, while advancing eastwards. Coupled with the simultaneous massed assaults east of Cherkassy itself, there was a real danger the city would be encircled. In response Hohn made the independent decision to send a Kampfgruppe from the south into the flank and rear of the penetrating enemy, which busted open the encirclement ring southeast of Cherkassy. Hohn would subsequently play a major role in destroying the Soviet forces that were trapped by this maneuver.

He would later be awarded the Knight’s Cross for his notable defensive achievements during this time.

2375th Award.
Ritterkreuz des Eisernen Kreuzes
Period:
Second World War (1939-1945)
Rank:
Oberst (Colonel)
Unit:
stellvertretender Führer, 72. Infanterie-Division, Heer
Awarded on:
December 6th, 1943
Wehrmachtbericht
"The Moselle 72nd Infantry Division in this section of the front has particularly distinguished itself. Led by Colonel Hohn, together with parts of the SS Panzer Division "Wiking" and units of the 10th Anti-Aircraft Division, this division has shown exemplary fighting spirit in the battles over the past days, which swayed back and forth."
Period:
Second World War (1939-1945)
Rank:
Oberst (Colonel)
Unit:
Führer, 72. Infanterie-Division, Heer
Awarded on:
March 1st, 1944
Ritterkreuz mit Eichenlaub
The following newspaper article (dated 08.03.1944) describes why Hohn received the Oakleaves…

“During the fierce combat west of Cherkassy in February 1944 the 72. Infanterie-Division belonged to the Kampfgruppe of General der Artillerie Stemmermann. Oberst Hohn was the soul of the resistance of his Division on this occasion also. He repeatedly reorganized the defenses, built up new defensive fronts on his own initiative and prevented the enemy’s sought-after breakthrough through the encircled Kampfgruppe via furious countermoves of his own. He and his men formed the vanguard during the smashing of the Soviet encirclement ring. Despite the weeks of heavy fighting in the muddied-up terrain he was able to draw on his own outstanding bravery and tireless energy to inspire his Grenadiers to give their best and force the breakthrough of the enemy lines.”

410th Award.
Period:
Second World War (1939-1945)
Rank:
Generalmajor (Brigadier)
Unit:
Kommandeur, 72. Infanterie-Division, Heer
Awarded on:
August 19th, 1944
Wehrmachtbericht
"In the fierce defensive battles in the great bend of the Vistula, the under the command of General of Infantry Recknagel standing Franco-Sudeten 88th Infantry Division, led by Major General Graf von Rittberg and the Hessian-Moselle 72nd Infantry Division under the leadership of Major General Hohn, have excelled themselves by showing unshakeable courage in battle and bold recklessness."
Period:
Second World War (1939-1945)
Rank:
Generalmajor (Brigadier)
Unit:
Kommandeur, 72. Infanterie-Division, Heer
Awarded on:
October 31st, 1944
Ritterkreuz mit Eichenlaub und Schwertern
Awarded for the outstanding leadership of his Division during the fighting in summer 1944 in the Sandomierz-Opatow-Ostrowice area.

109th Award
Period:
Second World War (1939-1945)
Rank:
mit Schwertern am Ring
Tsarski Orden

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