Hans Sandrock

Hans Sandrock
Born	20 April 1913 Saarbrücken
Died	23 September 1995 (1995-09-24) (aged 82)
Allegiance	Nazi-Germany
Service/branch	German Army
Years of service	1934–45
Rank	Major
Unit	3rd Panzer Division Afrika Korps
Battles/wars	World War II  • Invasion of Poland  • Evacuation of Dunkirk  • Siege of Tobruk  • Battle of Gazala
Awards	Iron Cross First Class Panzer Assault Badge Italian Medal of Bravery Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross Luftwaffe Honor plate

Hans Sandrock, born in April 1913 in Saarbrücken, was an officer of the German Army during World War II. He was a recipient of the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross, awarded to recognize extreme battlefield bravery or successful military leadership by Nazi Germany during World War II. He survived the war, and died in 1995 at the age of 82.

Military career

On 1 September 1934, Sandrock enlisted in the army. After attending the Hanover War School in 1936, he was posted to a panzer regiment and commissioned as a Lieutenant.

On 1 September 1939, Sandrock was promoted to Oberleutnant and served with the 1 Company, Panzer Regiment 5, during the Polish campaign. Sandrock received the Iron Cross Second Class on 22 October 1939.

During the Battle of France, Panzer Regiment 5 was part of XVI Panzer Corps. On 10 March 1941, Panzer Regiment 5 was sent to North Africa as part of the Afrika Korps. For his service in North Africa, Sandrock was awarded the Iron Cross First Class in April 1941, the Italian Bravery Medal in February 1942 and the German Cross in Gold on 1 June 1942. He was promoted to the rank of Hauptmann on 1 April 1942.

On 25 July 1943, Sandrock was posted to Fallschirm-Panzerregiment Hermann Göring, which saw action in Sicily, Italy and Poland. On 18 October 1944, Sandrock was promoted to Major. During the retreat from East Prussia, he was decorated with the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross on 21 October 1944. He surrendered to United States forces in May 1945.

Sandrock died in 1995 at the age of 82.