Georg Hachtel

Georg Hachtel (29 June 1894 – 20 July 1943) was a highly decorated Generalmajor in the Wehrmacht during World War II. He was also a recipient of the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross. The Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross was awarded to recognise extreme battlefield bravery or successful military leadership. Georg Hachtel died on 20 July 1943 in a military hospital in Konstanz, Germany. He was posthumously promoted to Generalmajor.

On completion of his cadet training on March 22, 1913, Georg Hachtel joined the 4th Württemberg Fusilier regiment. He served in this regiment for the duration of the First World War until his capture by the British Army in August 1918.

Following his release from captivity he joined the German Army and was integrated in the 5th Division. He then progressed through a series of appointments in that division, rising through the ranks. By the Polish Campaign, Hachtel, then a major, commanded an infantry battalion on the Upper Rhine. At the beginning of the Western campaign he was promoted commander of the 14th regiment. On 1 June 1940, he was promoted to lieutenant-colonel, acting as divisional adjudant to the General Command of V. Army Corps.

On August 28, 1941, he took over as commander of Infantry Regiment 258 of the 112th Infantry Division, serving on the Eastern Front. On May 5, 1942, he was awarded the German Cross in Gold. In the fall of 1942 his division was considerably weakened following heavy fighting. On October 16, 1942, he was placed on the officers' reserve list. On February 1, 1943, Hachtel assumed command of Jäger Regiment 56 of the 5th Jäger-Division. While on leave, he died on July 20, 1943 at the military hospital at Konstanz, in southern Germanyfollowing a heart attack.

• Iron Cross (1914)
  • 2nd Class
  • 1st Class
• Honour Cross of the World War 1914/1918
• Iron Cross (1939)
  • 2nd Class
  • 1st Class
• Eastern Front Medal
• German Cross in Gold (5 May 1942)
• Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross on 30 April 1943 as Oberst and commander of Jäger-Regiment 56

• Fellgiebel 2000, p. 173.