Our man is Hermann Tanczos, born in Sulz, Burgenland, Austria on November 30th, 1.921.
He entered the Wehrmacht on August 1st, 1.940 serving with A.R. 14.
Now is when things get interesting, according to some info he served with A.R. 157 but as you can see his EK II citation is signed by Kommandeur der 255 I.D. Generalmajor Walter Poppe on July 16th, 1.942 while serving with 4./A.R. 255 (Poppe is a DKiG winner, won on May 30th, 1942)
Next medal is his Ostmedaille won on August 10th, 1.942 and this time the stamp is for Feldpost number 15118 A for the Stab II./A.R. 157 and with rank of Wachtmeister.
Now his EK I on June 23th, 1.943 and again with the same unit and signing officer (now as Generalleutnant) he also won around this time the General Assault Badge and Wound Badge in black while serving as Geschützführer and VB for his Batterie.
A.R. 255 was part of 255 I.D. that was destroyed on November 43 and first was named Division Gruppe 255, later (together with remanents of 112, 255 and 332 I.D.s) Division Gruppe 112 met Kampfgruppe 255 and finally Korps Abteilung B
This unit fought in Tscherkassy and on March 44 used to reinforce 157 and 88 I.D.s
Someone has an idea why this mix of units from June 41 till November 43?
Last piece of the group is his RK citation with a nice story. Looks like he was ordered to retreat but he decided, together with two other Austrian artillery men, put back in action an abandoned 8.8 cm. Flak gun and stop the Russian attacks till the batteries where safe. At first one can think this feat will be rewarded, wrong, he was accused of disobey orders, court martial and even sentenced to death penalty, but thanks to his attorney who find officers and other witnesses not only was overturn but he received the RK on May 23rd, 1.944 back dated to February 21st, 1.944.
After a well won leave with include some propaganda shows he was back to the fight with A.R. 157 till he was taken prisoner on July 17th, 1.944.
His last rank was Leutnant.
Tanczos returned from Russia on December 27th, 1.947 and die on November 4th, 1.960.
He entered the Wehrmacht on August 1st, 1.940 serving with A.R. 14.
Now is when things get interesting, according to some info he served with A.R. 157 but as you can see his EK II citation is signed by Kommandeur der 255 I.D. Generalmajor Walter Poppe on July 16th, 1.942 while serving with 4./A.R. 255 (Poppe is a DKiG winner, won on May 30th, 1942)
Next medal is his Ostmedaille won on August 10th, 1.942 and this time the stamp is for Feldpost number 15118 A for the Stab II./A.R. 157 and with rank of Wachtmeister.
Now his EK I on June 23th, 1.943 and again with the same unit and signing officer (now as Generalleutnant) he also won around this time the General Assault Badge and Wound Badge in black while serving as Geschützführer and VB for his Batterie.
A.R. 255 was part of 255 I.D. that was destroyed on November 43 and first was named Division Gruppe 255, later (together with remanents of 112, 255 and 332 I.D.s) Division Gruppe 112 met Kampfgruppe 255 and finally Korps Abteilung B
This unit fought in Tscherkassy and on March 44 used to reinforce 157 and 88 I.D.s
Someone has an idea why this mix of units from June 41 till November 43?
Last piece of the group is his RK citation with a nice story. Looks like he was ordered to retreat but he decided, together with two other Austrian artillery men, put back in action an abandoned 8.8 cm. Flak gun and stop the Russian attacks till the batteries where safe. At first one can think this feat will be rewarded, wrong, he was accused of disobey orders, court martial and even sentenced to death penalty, but thanks to his attorney who find officers and other witnesses not only was overturn but he received the RK on May 23rd, 1.944 back dated to February 21st, 1.944.
After a well won leave with include some propaganda shows he was back to the fight with A.R. 157 till he was taken prisoner on July 17th, 1.944.
His last rank was Leutnant.
Tanczos returned from Russia on December 27th, 1.947 and die on November 4th, 1.960.
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