The Knight"s Cross of the Iron Cross was awarded to recognise extreme battlefield bravery or successful military leadership. Hans-Joachim Weißflog was captured by American troops at the end of the war. He was transferred to Soviet custody, but later released because of the severity of his wounds.
Bibliography.
Iron Cross (1939) 2nd Class (14 November 1941) 1st Class (31 July 1943) Wound Badge (1939) in Black in Silver in Gold (15 February 1944) Eastern Front Medal German Cross in Gold on 28 April 1944 as Leutnant in the 2./Panzer-Abteilung 116 Knight"s Cross of the Iron Cross on 5 March 1945 as Leutnant and leader of 2./Panzer-Regiment 16.
