Original Postwar Signature on a Postwar Photo of Leopold Hackl
Fahnenjunker-Oberfeldwebel Leopold Hackl (29 June 1916 – 15 November 2010) served as a Luftwaffe pilot during the Second World War. He distinguished himself as a Flugzeugführer with Nachtschlachtgruppe 3, a night ground-attack unit, where he earned the Knight’s Cross of the Iron Cross in the closing months of the war.
Awards and Decorations
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Iron Cross 2nd Class (Eisernes Kreuz II. Klasse)
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Iron Cross 1st Class (Eisernes Kreuz I. Klasse)
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Front Flying Clasp of the Luftwaffe in Bronze & Silver
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Knight’s Cross of the Iron Cross (Ritterkreuz des Eisernen Kreuzes) – 20 March 1945 as Oberfeldwebel und Flugzeugführer, Stab/Nachtschlachtgruppe 3
Knight’s Cross Action
Hackl received the Ritterkreuz for his outstanding bravery and skill in conducting numerous low-level night ground-attack missions against Soviet targets. His determined flying in obsolete aircraft under constant enemy fire significantly disrupted Soviet supply lines and troop concentrations during the desperate defensive battles of early 1945.
Career Highlights
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Night Ground-Attack Specialist: Operated in close air support and harassment roles at night, flying vulnerable aircraft at low altitude against heavily defended Soviet positions.
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Ritterkreuz Recognition: Awarded for his exceptional courage and effectiveness during the last phase of the war, when the Luftwaffe’s resources were stretched to the limit.
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Postwar Life: Survived the war and lived until 2010, passing away at the age of 94.
Item Details
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Type: Original postwar signed photograph
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Size: Postcard format
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Condition: Very good, clean autograph
Collector’s Note
Leopold Hackl stands out as one of the few Nachtschlachtgruppe pilots to be awarded the Knight’s Cross, highlighting the importance of low-level night attack units in the final defensive battles of the Eastern Front. His signature is a scarce addition to any collection focusing on Luftwaffe pilots or Ritterkreuzträger of late-war ground-attack formations.
