Hugo Primozic

Hugo Primozic
File:PRIMOZICHugo.jpg Hugo Primozic
Born	16 February 1914 Backnang, (Baden-Württemberg
Died	Fulda, Hesse
Allegiance	Nazi Germany
Rank	second lieutenant
Unit	667th Sturmgeschutz battalion
Commands held	assault gun commander
Battles/wars	World War II Battle of France Battles of Rzhev
Awards	Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross with Oak Leaves

Hugo Primozic (16 February 1914 – 18 March 1996) was one of Germany's Sturmgeschütz (assault gun) aces during World War II. In a five-month period of fighting he was awarded the two grades of the Iron Cross, the Knight's Cross and the Oak leaves. Primozic became the first noncommissioned officer in the history of the German Army, and seventh in the Wehrmacht, to be awarded the Knight's Cross with Oak Leaves. In the late summer of 1942 he was Wachtmeister (Sergeant) and squad leader of the 2nd battery of the Sturmgeschützabteilung 667.

Career

Born in 1914 to a Slovenian father and German mother, Primozic joined the Reichswehr and fought in the French campaign as a field artillery gunner. In 1942 he joined the 667th Sturmgeschutz battalion which was sent to the Eastern Front. He was awarded the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross on September 19, 1942 and promoted to Staff Sergeant. On 28 January 1943 he was awarded the Oakleaves, being simultaneously commissioned with the rank of Lieutenant.

On January 25, 1943 Oberwachtmeister Primozic was the first NCO to be awarded the Oak Leaves. His last Wehrmacht rank was Leutnant (2nd Lieutenant). He died on March 18, 1996 in Fulda.

Awards

• Iron Cross (1939)
  • 2nd Class (18 August 1942)
  • 1st Class (16 September 1942)
• Wound Badge (1939) in Black (23 September 1942)
• General Assault Badge (24 December 1942)
• Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross with Oak Leaves
  • Knight's Cross on 19 September 1942 as Wachtmeister and Zugführer (platoon leader) in the 2./Sturmgeschütz-Abteilung 667
  • 185th Oak Leaves on 25 January 1943 as Oberwachtmeister and Zugführer (platoon leader) in the 2./Sturmgeschütz-Abteilung 667