Franz Bäke

Dr. med. dent. Franz Bäke (28 February 1898 – 12 December 1978) was a German Army officer and tank commander during World War I. He was a recipient of the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross with Oak Leaves and Swords. The Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross and its higher grade Oak Leaves and Swords was awarded to recognise extreme battlefield bravery or successful military leadership. A reservist, Bäke was a dentist in civilian life, having received his doctorate in dental medicine in 1923.

Early life and World War I

Bäke was born on 28 February 1898 in Schwarzenfels, present-day part of Sinntal, in the Province of Hesse-Nassau, Kingdom of Prussia, as part of the German Empire.

In August 1914, the outbreak of World War I changed his plans. In May 1915, Bäke volunteered for the German Army. He was posted to Infanterie-Regiment Nr. 3, based in Köln. After basic training, Bäke was transferred to Infanterie-Regiment Nr.11, which was in action on the Western Front.

In mid-1916, Bäke accepted an offer to become an officer candidate and was briefly transferred to Infanterie-Regiment Nr.10. In November 1916, Bäke was transferred to the artillery arm and served with Artillerie-Regiment zu Fuß Nr.7. After the armistice, Bäke remained in the army until his demobilisation on 25 January 1919.