Hans Ender – Grenadier-Regiment 545 (389. Infanterie-Division)

Original Postwar Signature on a Postwar Photo of Hans Ender. Hauptmann Hans Ender (06.08.1910 † 11.01.1993) earned the Ritterkreuz on April 5, 1945 as Hauptmann und Kommandeur of the II. Bataillon/ Grenadier-Regiment 545 of the 389. Infanterie-Division.

Knight’s Cross: “During the 389. Infanterie-Division’s fierce defensive battles in the Tucheler Moor the enemy launched attacks with the ultimate aim of taking Danzig, an act which would cut off the German resupply and prevent the evacuation of the German civilian population. In this context Hauptmann Ender and his II./Grenadier-Regiment 545 were ordered to defend the Frankenhagen sector (10 km NW of Tuchel), one of the hotspots of the fighting. On the 10.02.1945, following a one hour artillery barrage, the enemy attacked the Bataillon’s flank with strong infantry forces and 18 tanks. Their goal was to tear a hole in our defensive positions and roll them up. This created a dangerous situation for the entire divisional sector. In response the Bataillon commander placed himself at the head of the last reserve forces and succeeded in separating the enemy infantry from their tanks. He and his men were able to destroy 15 tanks, 4 anti-tank guns (7.62 cm) and 5 assault guns in close combat via Panzerfausts. The position was ultimately held by its hard-pressed garrison. Over the course of this 10 hour long defensive battle our own artillery only played a minor support role, meaning that the actual combat was almost exclusively at close range.”

Provenance: This signature comes from one of the largest postwar signature collection I’ve ever commissioned. This collection was started by a Waffen-SS Veteran, Werner H., in the 1950’s until he passed away.