Hans Kreysing

Hans Kreysing (17 August 1890 – 14 April 1969) was a German general who commanded the 3rd Mountain Division and the 8th Army in World War II. He was a recipient of the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross with Oak Leaves and Swords.

Life and career

Hans Kreysing was born in Göttingen in the Prussian Province of Hanover on 17 August 1890. He entered the Royal Prussian Army in October 1909, later joining the 10th Jäger battalion. He fought in World War I and served as the commander of a machine gun company in the 10th Reserve Jäger battalion. At the end of the war, he was an Oberleutnant. He remained in the post-war Reichswehr as a career officer. He became a battalion and regimental commander between 1934 and 1940.¹

At the outbreak of World War II, he was in command of the 16th Infantry Regiment. From October 1940 to August 1943 he commanded the 3rd Mountain Division, serving in Norway, Lapland and the eastern front. Continuing on the eastern front, Kreysing led the XVII Army Corps from November 1943 to April 1944, when he took command of the 8th Army,² which surrendered to Allied troops in Austria in May 1945. Kreysing ended the war with the rank of General of Mountain Troops (German: General der Gebirgstruppe).²