Matthäus Hetzenauer

Matthäus Hetzenauer (December 23, 1924 in Tyrol, Austria – October 3, 2004) was an Austrian sniper in the 3rd Mountain Division on the Eastern Front of the World War II, who was credited with 345 kills. His longest confirmed kill was reported at 1100 metres. Hetzenauer was also a recipient of the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross (Ritterkreuz des Eisernen Kreuzes). The Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross was awarded to recognise extreme battlefield bravery or successful military leadership.

Career
After spending most of 1943 in basic training, Hetzenauer trained as a sniper during March - July 1944 at the Truppenübungsplatz Seetaler-Alpe in Steiermark, before being assigned as Gefreiter to the 3rd Gebirgsjäger Division. He utilised both a Karabiner 98k sniper variant with 6x telescopic sight and a Gewehr 43 with ZF4 4x telescopic sight. He saw action against Soviet forces in the Carpathians, Hungary and Slovakia.

On 6 November 1944 he suffered head trauma from artillery fire, and was awarded the Verwundeten-Abzeichen three days later.

On multiple occasions he served with fellow sniper Josef Allerberger. They were able to inflict heavy casualties on Soviet infantry.

Gefreiter Hetzenauer received the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross on 17 April 1945. Generalleutnant and Divisions commander Paul Klatt had recommended Hetzenauer because of his numerous sniper kills, which totalled two enemy companies, without fear for his own safety under artillery fire and enemy attacks. This recommendation was approved by General der Gebirgstruppe Karl von Le Suire and General der Panzertruppe Walter Nehring.

Hetzenauer was captured by Soviet troops the following month, and served 5 years in routinely appalling conditions in a Soviet prison camp.

He died on 3 October 2004 after several years of deteriorating health.

Awards

 * Iron Cross 2nd Class - September 1, 1944
 * Wound Badge (1939) in Black November 9, 1944
 * Infantry Assault Badge (silver) - November 13, 1944
 * Iron Cross 1st Class - November 25, 1944
 * Sniper's Badge (1st class - gold) - December 3, 1944
 * Close Combat Clasp
 * Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross on April 17, 1945 as Gefreiter and sniper in the 7./Gebirgsjäger-Regiment 144