Hans Teusen – Fallschirmjäger-Regiment 2 (2.FJD) (Corinth, Greece)

Original Postwar Signature on a Postwar Photo of Hans Teusen. Major Hans Teusen (26.07.1917 in Salz-Montabaur † 11.02.2011 in Bad Neuenahr) earned the Ritterkreuz des Eisernen Kreuzes on June 14, 1941 as Leutnant und Zugführer in the 6. Kompanie/ Fallschirmjäger-Regiment 2 of the 2. Fallschirmjäger-Division. A5 size!

Awarded for his actions at the Corinth canal on the 26.04.1941. After he and his Zug were dropped south of the canal they stormed into action and quickly eliminated an anti-aircraft battery at the south end of the bridge. They were, however, unable to prevent the demolition of this bridge. With this Teusen and the rest of his Kompanie (led by Hauptmann Schirmer) began their attack into Corinth. Teusen, with the help of two captured self-propelled AA guns, pushed into the city. There he met with Schirmer again and pressed on towards Tolos, taking hostile positions and destroying their rearguard. Teusen was wounded at this stage of the battle but remained with his troops. As the battle continued to go in the Germans’ favour, Teusen sent an English speaking Feldwebel to persuade the British to surrender. With a little bit of bluffing this attempt was successful, and Teusen’s Zug accepted the surrender of 72 British officers and 1200 men. (Source: TracesofWar)