Hans Christern

Hans Christern (24 January 1900 – 17 June 1966) was a highly decorated Oberst in the Wehrmacht during World War II. He was a recipient of the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross of Nazi Germany. Christern took over command of the 7th Panzer Division in March 1945 which he surrendered to British troops in May 1945 north west of Berlin.

Hans Christern
Born	24 January 1900
Died	17 June 1966 (aged 66)
Allegiance	German Empire  Weimar Republic  Nazi Germany
Service/branch	Army
Years of service	1917–20 1936–45
Rank	Oberst
Commands held	7th Panzer Division
Battles/wars	World War II
Awards	Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross

Following the war he worked as a farmer. He was involved in the CDU, and ran for office in the West German federal election of 1949, but failed to win his seat.

Awards and decorations

• Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross on 31 January 1941 as Major and commander of the II./Panzer-Regiment 31[1]

References

Citations

1. Fellgiebel 2000, p. 130.

Bibliography

• Fellgiebel, Walther-Peer (2000) [1986]. Die Träger des Ritterkreuzes des Eisernen Kreuzes 1939–1945 — Die Inhaber der höchsten Auszeichnung des Zweiten Weltkrieges aller Wehrmachtteile [The Bearers of the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross 1939–1945 — The Owners of the Highest Award of the Second World War of all Wehrmacht Branches] (in German). Friedberg, Germany: Podzun-Pallas. ISBN 978-3-7909-0284-6.