Hans-Ulrich Back – Schützen-Regiment 2

Original Scarce Postwar Signature on a Postwar Photo of Hans Ulrich Back. Generalmajor Hans Ulrich Back (28 August 1896 † 14 November 1976) was a veteran officer of both world wars who rose to the rank of Generalmajor in the Panzertruppe. He earned the Knight’s Cross of the Iron Cross during the 1940 Western Campaign and went on to command several Panzer divisions on the Eastern and Western Fronts.

Awards and Decorations:

• Knight’s Cross of the Iron Cross (Ritterkreuz des Eisernen Kreuzes) – 5 August 1940, as Oberstleutnant and Kommandeur of I./Schützen-Regiment 2, 2. Panzer-Division.

  “On 20 May 1940 Oberstleutnant Back and his Vorausabteilung were able to seize Abbéville and the Somme bridges located there all without any friendly Panzer support. These were then held against major enemy armoured attacks until friendly Panzer forces arrived. This achievement was of massive importance for the German combat leadership, and it would not have been possible without the ruthless attacking spirit and exemplary leadership of Oberstleutnant Back.”

Career Highlights:

• World War I veteran who remained in the Reichswehr, later transferring into the Panzertruppe.

• Commanded I./Schützen-Regiment 2 in the 2. Panzer-Division during the French Campaign of 1940, earning the Knight’s Cross for the critical seizure and defense of Abbéville.

• Rose to Generalmajor and held several divisional commands in the final phase of the war:

  • Kommandeur of the 16. Panzer-Division

  • Kommandeur of the 178. Panzer-Division

  • Kommandeur of the 232. Panzer-Division

• On 28 March 1945, severely wounded in action, which ended his active command.

• Captured by Allied forces and later released. Lived in West Germany until his death in 1976.

Item Details:

• Authentic postwar signature of Generalmajor Hans Ulrich Back.

• Signed on a postwar photograph.

• Condition: Clear and well-preserved autograph.

Collector’s Note:
Back’s signature is sought after for his role as a Knight’s Cross holder and his later leadership of three different Panzer divisions in the final, desperate battles of 1944–45. His long career from the First World War through to the armored battles of WWII makes his autograph a significant addition to any Panzer collection.