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GEBIRGSJAGER NORTHWEST 95.AUFKLRN ABTL 5.GJD |
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HORRIDO! |
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Born to Gerhardt and Boudicca Klix in 1898 in a village of Austria, Jacob was the oldest of four. Growing up Jacob spent most of his time between his family’s home in Austria and his Grandmother’s home in Pecs Hungary (His Mother was Hungarian). His father was a professor at the University in Salzburg, so Jacob received an above average education but showed a particular talent for mountain craft. With the outbreak of WW1, Jacob patiently waited until he could join in the conflict. At 18 he was accepted to be a pilot and swiftly completed his training. Luck was not with him, as on his third patrol his aircraft was severely damaged and he was forced to crash land. Severely injured, his family moved him to his Grandparent’s farm in Pecs Hungary to recover and until the end of the war. With the breakup of the Hapsburg Empire and due to his injuries Jacob was mustered out of service. He took a job as a forest manager in his native Austrian province, because his injuries meant he would never be able to fly again. With the looming situation in German, Jacob decided that he would not become embroiled in with the current events prior to WW2 unless his native Austria was involved. When Germany formally “annexed” Austria into itself, Jacob joined the military again, but only because of his faithfulness to Austria, not because of any desire to further Germany’s goals. Because of his injuries, Jacob could not join the Luftwaffe, but with his mountain skills, he soon joined the 95th Reconnaissance Battalion of the forming 5th Mountain Division. Because of his prior experience with parachuting, he was selected to be part of the Mountaineers who parachuted into Narvik. With the conclusion of the Norway campaign, he returned to the 5th Mountain and participated in both the invasion of Greece and Crete. With the invasion of Russia, Jacob continued his service with the 95th Recon. When the 95th was ordered to Finland for a year, Jacob went with them and trained extensively with the Finnish Ski troops. He returned home on leave for an extended period to recover from another wound, but caught up with his until when they were posted to Italy. He was one of the surviving members of the Division to take part in the defense to allow many German units to escape into Austria and away from the Russian Forces. With the end of the war, Jacob returned to working the forests and mountains of Austria. |
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To contact us: |
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Oberjager Jacob Klix Phone: 503-753-8166 Fax: 503-557-5202 E-mail: Oberjager@gebirgsjagernw.org |
