Paul Freiherr von Hauser

Paul Freiherr von Hauser (24 April 1911 – 1 April 1999) was an officer in the Wehrmacht during World War II who commanded the Panzer Lehr Division. He was a recipient of the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross with Oak Leaves of Nazi Germany. Oberst (colonel) Hauser surrendered the division to the American forces in the Ruhr Pocket on April 15, 1945.

Paul Freiherr von Hauser
Born	24 April 1911 Graz, Austria-Hungary
Died	1 April 1999(1999-04-01) (aged 87)
Allegiance	First Austrian Republic Nazi Germany
Branch	German Army
Years of service	1930–1945
Rank	Oberst
Commands	Panzer Lehr Division
Battles / wars	World War II Invasion of Poland Battle of France Operation Barbarossa Battle of Białystok–Minsk Battle of Kiev (1941) Battle of Moscow Battle of the Caucasus Third Battle of Kharkov Battle of Kursk Lower Dnieper Offensive Dnieper–Carpathian Offensive Cherkassy Pocket First Jassy-Kishinev Offensive Operation Overlord Operation Cobra Battle of the Bulge Siege of Bastogne Ruhr Pocket
Awards	Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross with Oak Leaves

Not to be confused with SS general Paul Hausser.

Awards and decorations

• Iron Cross (1939) 2nd Class (3 November 1939) & 1st Class (1 August 1940)^[1]
• Honour Roll Clasp of the Army (5 October 1942)^[1]
• German Cross in Gold on 20 September 1942 as Hauptmann in Kradschützen-Battalion 61^[2]
• Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross with Oak Leaves
  • Knight's Cross on 25 January 1943 as Hauptmann and commander of Kradschützen-Battalion 61^[3]
  • 635th Oak Leaves on 28 October 1944 as Oberstleutnant and commander of Panzergrenadier-Lehr-Regiment 901^[4]