VIP Biography - Johann Huber
5.Kompanie/II.Abteilung
Panzer Regiment 25
7.Panzer-Division
Eastern Front 1944-45
Johann Huber joined the Wehrmacht in 1944 at age 19 as a Reserve Offizier Bewerber
(ROB / Reserve Officer Candidate) and reported for basic training in Munich with the 4th
Kompanie PzAufklAbt 7 (Reconnaissance Battalion) assigned to 7. Panzerdivision. Having worked
as a civilian at military contractor Krauss-Maffei AG in Munich on the PzKpfw VK 601 and VK 1801,
Mr. Huber had initially hoped to join the Panzertruppe upon his enlistment - but in true military
bureaucratic style, was assigned instead to a Kradschützenkompanie (Motorcycle Company).
Still having his heart set on the Panzertruppe, Mr. Huber sought permission for transfer and
after much effort and paperwork was reassigned in January 1944 to 1st Kompanie/Pz.Rgt.25 - a
Panzer unit - which obtained new armor and education in South France - and then to 3rd ROB course.
Finally, upon completing training Mr. Huber was detached in August 1944 to the eastern front unit
5.Kp. 25th Pz.Rgt. "Rothenburg" II. Abteilung, assigned to the famous 7. Panzerdivision with the
rank of a ROB-Gefreiter.
Mr. Huber's combat experiences began on October 5th 1944 in the battle against breakthtrough
of the Red Army at Kurland, directed Baltic Sea (Memel, now Klaipeda) Serving originally as
a loader and then as gunner in the PzKpfw IV Ausf. J and the "Leicht PzJgr 39/IV (L70) armored"
vehicles, Mr. Huber earned the Panzerkampfabzeichen "Silber" badge, the Panzerkampfabzeichen "Silber 25",
and the Eisernes Kreuz II (Iron Cross) medal. Among the battle and campaigns he participated in with
the 25th Panzer Regiment include Kurland, East Prussia, Memel (Klaipeda) Narew and Wisla (Weichsel)
Danzig / Gdynia, Oxhöfter Kämpe, Mecklenburg, Penzlin, Waren, Krakow. Mr. Huber fought with the remnants
of the 7.Panzer-Division in the final battles against tanks of the Soviet Red Army before Germany's
capitulation. At surrender, Mr. Huber was interned by the British Army as a POW Hagenow-Land near Friedrichsmoor.
After the war, Mr. Huber retained his interest in the military and became a knowledgeable and respected
advisor to senior commanders of the current German Bundeswehr, particularly in the specialties of the
Panzertruppe. He is the author of the book "So War Es Wirklich" ("How It Really Was"), which chronicles
his wartime experiences and career.
Related Links
Johann Huber Exclusive Action Figure
Johann Huber Exclusive Tank
