Hans Freiherr von Funck

Hans Emil Richard Freiherr von Funck (23 December 1891 – 14 February 1979) was a German general in the Wehrmacht during World War II, who commanded the 7th Panzer Division and the XXXXVII Panzer Corps.

Early Life

Hans Emil Richard Freiherr von Funck was born in Aachen, Germany. He was the son of the president of the Prussian region of Köslin, , and Marie von Funck von Lützow. Funck was retained in the Reichswehr after the war. In July 1933, he was appointed to the General Staff. In 1936, he served in the Spanish Civil War as a leader of the German National Army in Spain. In 1940, he was appointed as the commander of the 3rd Panzer Brigade.

In 1941, Funck was given command of the 7th Panzer Division as the successor to Erwin Rommel. During the Battle for Normandy, he accused Gerhard von Schwerin of "passive resistance, cowardice and incompetence" over the Vire counterattack on 28 July. Less than four hours before the start of Operation Luttich, Gunther von Kluge received an order from Hitler that Heinrich Eberbach rather than Funck was to lead it, although Kluge managed to persuade OKW to postpone the transfer of command.

On 4 September 1944, Funck was moved into the reserve of the OKH. Funck was interned as a war criminal in the Soviet Union from August 1945 until his release in 1955. Hanseatic Cross of Hamburg Medalla Militar Individual de España Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross with Oak Leaves Knight's Cross on 15 July 1941 as Generalmajor and commander of the 7. Panzer-Division 278th Oak Leaves 22 August 1943 on 22 August 1943 as Generalmajor and commander of 7. Panzer-Division