The Knight"s Cross of the Iron Cross and its higher grade Oak Leaves was awarded to recognise extreme battlefield bravery or successful military leadership. Hanns Laengenfelder was captured by Soviet troops in May 1945 and was held until 1955. Iron Cross (1939) Bibliography.
Iron Cross (1939) 2nd Class (17 September 1939) 1st Class (1 November 1939) Infantry Assault Badge War Merit Cross with Swords 2nd Class Eastern Front Medal Knight"s Cross of the Iron Cross with Oak Leaves Knight"s Cross on 21 October 1943 as Oberstleutnant and commander of Grenadier-Regiment 106 (856th) Oak Leaves on 30 April 1945 as Generalmajor and commander of 15. Infanterie-Division.
