Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Rank:

Oberleutnant (1st Lieutenant)

Unit:

Chef, 2. Kompanie, I. Bataillon, Schützen-Regiment 86, 10. Panzer-Division, Heer

Awarded on:

July 18th, 1941

88th Award.

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Rank:

Oberleutnant (1st Lieutenant)

Unit:

Führer, 2. Kompanie, I. Bataillon, Schützen-Regiment 86, 10. Panzer-Division, Heer

Awarded on:

March 7th, 1941

On the 13.05.1940 Leutnant Hanbauer and several men from his Zug were among the first German soldiers to cross the Meuse river in the sector of the 10. Panzer-Division. Hanbauer and his men crossed the Meuse on rubber boats to a point just to the left of where Feldwebel Rubarth had previously landed and taken out a commanding bunker. With only a few men at hand Hanbauer was able to eliminate the hostile bunkers and MG nests, covering the left flank of the Pionieren in the process.

After they had recovered from their surprise the French forces just beyond the riverbank (located in Wadelincourt) launched a counterattack that aimed to eliminate the German forces that had made it across. Hanbauer, Rubarth and the others defended with the courage of desperation. Despite running low on ammunition and incurring additional losses, they managed to hold back the opposition long enough for additional Pionieren and infantry to cross and reinforce them. With these additional forces the Germans went back over to the attack, and secured a breach in the second hostile bunker line. By nightfall both Hanbauer and Rubarth had advanced as far as the high ground at Wadelincourt.

For his brave actions in this battle, and the contribution he made to the conquest of this vital river obstacle, Leutnant Hanbauer would be awarded the Knight’s Cross.

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)