Postwar Signature of Franz Hack, Knight’s Cross Holder with Oakleaves Holder of the SS-Panzergrenadier-Regiment 10 Westland, 5. SS-Panzer-Division “Wiking”. Signatur on a stunning and rare motive with Franz Dorr. Photograph measures 12,5 x 17,5 cm.
Oakleaves awarded for:
1) On the 20.10.1944 Hack recaptured the so-called ‘Arko-Hill’, west of Wieliezew, with only 18 men. He then defended it against three strong counterattacks.
2) On the 06.01.1945 Hack and his Regiment attacked the village of Czabdi, as part of the breakthrough of the Vertes mountains south of Tarjan. After bitter urban combat that lasted through the night, the village was firmly in his hands by the start of the day, and it was thereby possible to continue advancing towards Bicske.
3) On the 11.01.1945 Hack and his Regiment captured and held the village of Pilisszentkereszt, located in the Pilisszentlelek area southeast of Gran.
4) On the 02.02.1945 Hack allowed himself to be encircled in Ureghegy in order to tie down the enemy. Only after his side had taken the necessary countermeasures did he break-out to Seregelyes. In this battle 14 enemy tanks and 13 anti-tank guns were eliminated.
Franz Hack was the first person whose awarding of the Eichenlaub did not occur with a number. According to his own words the award was made by SS-Obergruppenführer Gille and SS-Oberführer Ulrich. The awarding was confirmed by an entry between 15th – 20th April in the recommendations book of OKH/PA/P 5 and an entry in the Soldbuch of Hack with the date of 20th April 1945. According the countings it would have been the 844th Award.
