Franz Staudegger

Franz Staudegger (12 February 1923 – 16 March 1991) was a German Waffen-SS tank commander during the Second World War. He is known for being "panzer ace" and the first Tiger tank commander awarded the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross. He was part of the Leibstandarte SS Adolf Hitler (LSSAH).

Franz Staudegger
Born	(1923-02-12)12 February 1923 Unterloibach, Bleiburg, Corinthia, Austria
Died	16 March 1991(1991-03-16) (aged 68) Frankfurt am Main, Germany
Allegiance	Nazi Germany
Branch	Waffen SS
Years of service	1940–1945
Rank	SS-Unterscharführer
Unit	SS Division Leibstandarte 101st SS Heavy Panzer Battalion
Battles / wars	World War II Eastern Front Operation Barbarossa Battle of Kursk Operation Citadel Western Front Western Allied invasion of France Battle of Normandy
Awards	Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross

Early life

Franz Staudegger was born on 12 February 1923, in Unterlaibach, Carinthia (Austria). His father was an innkeeper, and he had three brothers. Franz finished school in Klagenfurt and Spanheim in 1940 and volunteered for the Waffen-SS at just 17 years of age. He was accepted into the reserve training battalion of the Leibstandarte SS Adolf Hitler (LSSAH).