Hans was born in 1925 in Berlin, Germany to German born parents Erich and Elli nee Schleier. The family arrived in England in July 1939.

Hans enlisted in December 1942 and was sent for training at 19 O.T.U. at RAF Kinloss. He joined 101 Squadron at RAF Ludford Magna on 18 January 1944. Hans served under the name Henry Blake.

Hans was the special operator on Lancaster PB258 which departed RAF Ludford Magna at 21.34 on 12 August 1944 on ABC duties. The aircraft was shot down by a night fighter and crashed at Barver, Germany killing Hans and the W/Op John Andrews. Hans and John Andrews were initially buried together before they were moved to Heverlee. The other six crew members became prisoners of war.

F/O, Gene Mitchell Atyeo, RCAF J/28179, POW Stalag Luft L3
F/E, Sgt, Charles Trevor Keeling, POW Stalag Bankau-Kreulberg L7
Sgt, John Williams Lovatt, POW Stalag Bankau-Kreulberg L7
W/Op, Sgt, John French Andrews, J/89901, Killed
F/O, Blake Latimer Patterson, J/29695, POW Stalag Luft Sagan and Belaria L3
F/S, Clement Fred Pearce, POW Stalag Bankau-Kreulberg L7
Sgt, David Henry Balchin, J/89965, POW Stalag Bankau-Kreulberg L7