Georg Ritter von Hengl

Georg Ritter von Hengl (21 October 1897 – 19 March 1952) was a highly decorated General der Gebirgstruppe in the Wehrmacht during World War II who commanded the XIX Mountain Corps. He was also a recipient of the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross, which was awarded to recognise extreme battlefield bravery or successful military leadership.

During World War I, he had served in the Luftstreitkrafte and shot down a total of 7 aircraft between July and October 1918. From 1921 to 1934, he also served in the German police, reaching the rank of Hauptmann. Georg Ritter von Hengl was captured by Allied troops in May 1945 and was released in 1947.

World War I service
Hengl served initially in Reserve Infantry Battalion Nr. 21 near Ypres in 1914. The following year saw him transferred to the Eastern Front to serve in Russia. In October 1915, he was transferred south to the Serbian sector. He transferred back to France in 1916, to serve near Verdun; on 23 March he was promoted into the officer's ranks as a Leutnant. He then returned to duties in Russia. After requesting a transfer to aviation duty, he started aerial observer's training on 23 February 1918. Upon graduation, he was posted to the Kingdom of Bavaria's FA(A) 295. His usual pilot in the two-seater reconnaissance aircraft was Johann Baur. The duo were credited with six confirmed aerial victories together, beginning with a double victory over SPADs on 17 July 1918 over Courton Wood. The aircrew of Hengl and Baur were shot down behind British lines during the Third Battle of the Aisne; however, they were rescued from captivity by troopers from Württemberg. The pair would score another four victories in October 1918, with Hengl scoring a seventh while crewing for another pilot.

Georg Hengl emerged from World War I having been awarded both classes of the Iron Cross and the Royal House Order of Hohenzollern. His native Kingdom of Bavaria also bestowed the Military Order of Max Joseph upon him; one of the entitlements of this decoration was an award of lifetime nobility for him, signified by the addition of the phrase "Ritter von" to one's name. Georg Hengl thus became George Ritter von Hengl.

Awards and decorations

 * Iron Cross (1914)
 * 2nd Class (8 May 1915)
 * 1st Class (1 August 1917)
 * Wound Badge (1914)
 * in Black
 * in Silver
 * in Gold
 * Knight's Cross of the Military Order of Max Joseph (29 October 1918)
 * Knight's Cross of the Royal House Order of Hohenzollern with Swords
 * Military Merit Order, 4th class with Swords and 4th class with Swords and crown (Bavaria)
 * Cross of Honor
 * Anschluss Medal
 * Iron Cross (1939)
 * 2nd Class (21 September 1939)
 * 1st Class (29 September 1939)
 * Eastern Front Medal
 * Order of the Cross of Liberty 1st Class with Swords (13 May 1943)
 * German Cross in Gold (20 June 1944)
 * Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross on 25 August 1941 as Oberstleutnant and commander of Gebirgsjäger-Regiment 137