Allegiance Nazi Germany Commands held assault gun commander Role Military Officer | Rank second lieutenant Name Hugo Primozic | |
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Unit 667th Sturmgeschutz battalion Battles/wars World War II
Battle of France
Battles of Rzhev Died March 18, 1996, Fulda, Germany Awards Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross Battles and wars Battle of France, Battles of Rzhev, World War II | ||
Hugo Primozic (16 February 1914 – 18 March 1996) was one of Germany's Sturmgeschutz (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 Sturmgeschutzabteilung 667.
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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.