Hans von Luck

Hans von Luck
Hans von Luck during World War II
Born	(1911-07-15)15 July 1911 Flensburg
Died	1 August 1997(1997-08-01) (aged 86) Hamburg
Allegiance	Weimar Republic  Nazi Germany
Service/branch	Army
Years of service	1929–45
Rank	Oberst
Unit	7th Panzer-Division 21st Panzer-Division
Battles/wars	See battles  World War II Invasion of Poland Battle of Łódź Siege of Warsaw Battle of France Battle of Arras Operation Barbarossa Battle of Białystok–Minsk Battle of Smolensk Battle of Moscow North African Campaign Battle of Gazala Second Battle of El Alamein Battle of Kasserine Pass Normandy Campaign Battle for Caen Falaise pocket Operation Nordwind Battle of Halbe
Awards	Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross
Other work	Military lecturer, author

7th Panzer-Division

World War II

Hans–Ulrich Freiherr von Luck und Witten (15 July 1911 – 1 August 1997), usually shortened to Hans von Luck, was a German officer in the Wehrmacht of Nazi Germany during World War II. Luck served with the 7th Panzer Division and 21st Panzer Division. Luck is author of the book Panzer Commander.

Luck was born in Flensburg, into a Prussian family with old military roots. Luck's father, Otto von Luck, served in the Imperial German Navy and died during World War I. In 1929, Luck joined the Reichswehr (army). Through the winter of 1931−1932, Luck attended a nine-month course, led by Erwin Rommel, at the infantry school in Dresden. On 30 June 1934 Luck's unit took part in the Night of the Long Knives, arresting several Sturmabteilung (SA) members in Stettin. In 1939 Luck was posted to the 2nd Light Division, serving in its armoured reconnaissance battalion.

On 1 September 1939 the 2nd Light Division, under General Georg Stumme, participated in the invasion of Poland. Luck served as a company commander in the division's reconnaissance battalion. The division was reorganized and reequipped to form the 7th Panzer Division, with Rommel assuming command on 6 February 1940. Luck served as a company commander in an armoured reconnaissance battalion.