Köckerbauer, Johann 'Hans' (Gebirgs-Jäg.Reg.91)

Date of birth:: October 1st, 1914 (Simbach am Inn/Pfarrkirchen, Germany)
Date of death:: July 28th, 1942 (Near Kotschewan/Kochevanchik, south of Rostov/Don, Russia)
Nationality:: German (1933-1945, Third Reich)

Biography

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Ritterkreuz des Eisernen Kreuzes

Period:: Second World War (1939-1945)
Rank:: Oberfeldwebel (Warrant Officer)
Unit:: Zugführer 13./ Gebirgs-Jäger-Regiment 91 - 4. Gebirgs-Division
Awarded on:: November 18th, 1941

Here follows an abbreviated Knight’s Cross recommendation for Oberfeldwebel Köckerbauer…

“After an exceptionally exhausting march of over 50 km, the III./Gebirgs-Jäger-Regiment 91 was able to reach the crossroads 4 km southeast of Podwyssokoje by the evening of the 02.08.1941. They then threw back the encroaching enemy during the night, and on the following day the unit repelled 16 major attacks (6 by day and 10 by night), some of which had tank support.

It is largely on account of Oberfeldwebel Köckerbauer that all enemy breakthrough attempts against the crossroads near Podwyssokoje came to nothing.”

The following newspaper excerpt provides an additional account as to why Köcherbauer received the Knight’s Cross…

“… He stood against the enemy from the very beginning of the great German fight for freedom, and already received the Knight’s Cross to the Iron Cross in November 1941. He outstandingly distinguished himself while aiding in the defense against 16 major enemy attacks over the course of a 24-hour period. He also discovered a new enemy assembly area just in the nick of time during a nocturnal reconnaissance sally that he personally executed on his own initiative.”