Hanskurt Höcker

Hanskurt Höcker (2 August 1894 – 10 August 1961) was a German general during World War II who commanded several divisions. He was a recipient of the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross of Nazi Germany.

Biography

Hanskurt Hermann Höcker was born on 2 August 1894 in Stadthagen in the Principality of Schaumburg-Lippe in the German Empire as the son of Hermann Höcker (†1928) and Charlotte, née Meyer (†1924).

Höcker began his military service as a Fahnenjunker (officer candidate) on 26 February 1912 in the and was commissioned a Leutnant (lieutenant) on 18 August 1913 with a patent of 19 August 1911.

Upon Höcker's return to Germany, he was assigned to Reichswehr-Infanterie-Regiment 14 of the preliminary Reichswehr and subsequently assigned to the Reichswehr's 18. Infanterie-Regiment. In 1922, he received a seniority date as Oberleutnant of 5 October 1916. He was promoted to Hauptmann on 1 February 1924 and Major on 1 October 1933.

Höcker was in Allied captivity from April 1945 to June 1947. He died on 10 August 1961 in Detmold.

Awards and decorations Kingdom of Prussia: Iron Cross 2nd Class (24 October 1914) Kingdom of Prussia: Iron Cross 1st Class (5 September 1915) Principality of Lippe: War Merit Cross (24 December 1914) Principality of Schaumburg-Lippe: Cross for Loyal Service (19 June 1915) Germany: Honor Cross of the World War 1914/1918 for Combatants (1935) Germany: Wehrmacht Long Service Award 4th through 1st Class (27 February 1937) Germany: West Wall Medal (18 April 1940) Germany: 1939 Clasp to the Iron Cross 2nd Class (1 June 1940) Germany: 1939 Clasp to the Iron Cross 1st Class (21 June 1940) Germany: German Cross in Gold (26 December 1941) Germany: Infantry Assault Badge (20 Februar 1942) Germany: Eastern Front Medal (22 August 1942) Germany: Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross (14 April 1943)