Gerhard Franz

Gerhard Franz
Born	26 February 1902 Bobeck
Died	Bad Wildungen
Allegiance	German Empire (to 1918) Weimar Republic (to 1933) Nazi Germany
Service/branch	Heer
Years of service	1917–45
Rank	Generalmajor
Commands held	256. Volksgrenadier-Division
Battles/wars	World War II Invasion of Poland Battle of France Battle of Dunkirk Operation Barbarossa Battle of Białystok–Minsk Battle of Smolensk (1941) Battle of Moscow Second Battle of Kharkov Battle of Kasserine Pass Battle of the Scheldt Operation Nordwind
Awards	Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross

Gerhard Franz (26 February 1902 – 24 December 1975) 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. Gerhard Franz was captured by American troops in April 1945 and was held until 1947.

Awards and decorations

• Iron Cross (1939)
  • 2nd Class
  • 1st Class
• Eastern Front Medal
• German Cross in Gold (14 February 1944)
• Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross on 24 July 1941 as Oberstleutnant i.G. and Ia der 29. Infanterie-Division
• Ärmelband Afrika

External links

• World War 2 Awards.com
• Gerhard Franz @ Axis Biographical Research at the Wayback Machine (archived November 16, 2010)

Military offices
Preceded by None	Commander of 256. Volksgrenadier-Division 17 September 1944 – 8 April 1945	Succeeded by Generalmajor Fritz Warnecke