Hans Jordan
GermanyBiography of Hans Jordan
Hans Jordan was a German officer and participant in both the First and Second World Wars. He served as a infantry general and was a recipient of the Knight's Cross with Oak Leaves and Swords. Jordan began his military service in March 1912 as a candidate officer. By June 1913, he had become a lieutenant in a infantry regiment. He was on the front lines from the early days of the war and was severely wounded on August 26, 1914. He remained in the hospital until January 1915. From March 1915 to March 1916, he commanded a machine gun platoon and was wounded again. From April 1916, he served as the commander of a machine gun company. In August 1916, he was promoted to the rank of senior lieutenant. During the war, he was awarded the Iron Crosses of both classes and three other orders.
In January-March 1919, Jordan fought in the volunteer corps "Freikorps Himburg" on the eastern border of Germany against the Poles. He served in the Reichswehr from December 1919, and in August 1938, he became a colonel. He participated in the Polish and French campaigns as the commander of an infantry regiment. In June 1940, he was awarded the Knight's Cross (No. 57). On June 22, 1941, Colonel Jordan participated in the German-Soviet war. On December 13, 1941, he became the commander of the 7th Infantry Division (on the approaches to Moscow). In January 1942, Jordan was awarded the Oak Leaves (No. 59) to the Knight's Cross and promoted to the rank of Major General.
From November 1942, he commanded the 6th Army Corps (in the area of Rzhev), and in January 1943, he was promoted to the rank of infantry general. In December 1943, he was awarded the Golden German Cross for his battles in the area of Rzhev and Vitebsk, and in April 1944, he received the Swords (No. 64) to the Knight's Cross with Oak Leaves. From May 1944, he commanded the 9th Army. In late June 1944, the 9th Army was defeated in the Bobruisk area during the Soviet operation "Bagration." General Jordan was transferred to the command reserve.
In August 1944, he was sent to Northern Italy to oversee the creation of a defensive line in the foothills of the Alps. From March 1945, he commanded the "Tyrol" Army. After Germany's surrender on May 8, 1945, he became a prisoner of war and was released in 1947.
