Max Schachner

Max Schachner was an Obersturmführer (First Lieutenant) in the Waffen-SS during World War II. He was awarded the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross, which was awarded to recognize extreme battlefield bravery or successful military leadership by Nazi Germany during World War II.

Max Schachner was born on the 1 May 1914, in Haag, Austria.

He volunteered to join the SS-VT and took part in the Anschluss of Austria and the occupation of the Sudetenland in 1938. He also took part in the annexation of Bohemia and Moravia in March 1939.

He was awarded the Iron Cross 2nd class during the Battle of France in June 1940, the Iron Cross 1st class was awarded in September 1941, during Operation Barbarossa, the invasion of the Soviet Union.

He was awarded the Knight's Cross while in command of the 2nd Battery, 8th SS Panzerjäger (Tank Hunter) Battalion, 8th SS Cavalry Division Florian Geyer on 15 May 1944. It was for his actions in October 1943 while the Division was under attack by about 150 T-34 tanks. Schachner with his two remaining guns engaged and destroyed twenty four of them.

He did not survive the war but was killed in action serving on the Eastern Front on 19 October 1944.