Hans Kroh

Hans Kroh (13 May 1907 – 18 July 1967) was a German paratroop general in the Wehrmacht and Bundeswehr and a recipient of the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross with Oak Leaves and Swords of Nazi Germany.

Hans Kroh
Born	(1907-05-13)13 May 1907 Heidelberg, German Empire
Died	18 July 1967(1967-07-18) (aged 60) Braunschweig, West Germany
Allegiance	Nazi Germany West Germany
Branch	Luftwaffe German Army
Years of service	1935–1945 1956–1962
Rank	Generalmajor (Wehrmacht / Bundeswehr)
Commands	2nd Parachute Division
Battles / wars	World War II Battle of Crete Battle for Brest
Awards	Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross with Oak Leaves and Swords Great Cross of Merit

Kroh started his military career in 1935; he transferred to the Luftwaffe in 1936. He took part in the Battle of Crete for which he received the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross on 21 August 1941. In Africa, Kroh served in the Ramcke Parachute Brigade. Kroh commanded the 2nd Parachute Division in the Battle for Brest; he was taken prisoner on 18 September 1944. Kroh was released from custody in 1948 and joined the Bundeswehr in 1956 as Oberst. In 1957 he was promoted to Brigadegeneral and appointed a divisional commander. He retired in 1962 at the rank of Generalmajor. Kroh died in 1967.

Awards

• Iron Cross 2nd Class (22 May 1940) & 1st Class (22 May 1940)^[1]
• Medaglia d'Argento al Valor Militare (9 February 1942)^[2]
• German Cross in Gold on 24 December 1942 as Major in the I./Lw.Jg.Brig. 1^[3]
• Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross with Oak Leaves and Swords
  • Knight's Cross on 21 August 1941 as Major and commander I./Fallschirmjäger-Regiment 2^[4]
  • 443rd Oak Leaves on 6 April 1944 as Oberstleutnant and commander of the Fallschirmjäger-Regiment 2^[4]
  • 96th Schwerter on 12 September 1944 as Oberst and leader of the 2. Fallschirmjäger-Division^[4]
• Great Cross of Merit (12 September 1962)^[2]