Erich Heintze and Arnold Huebner Interviewed by Kriegsberichter

Unteroffizier Erich Heintze (left) and Gefreiter Arnold Huebner (right), in a conversation with a radio war correspondent, April 1942. They were just received the coveted Ritterkreuz des Eisernen Kreuzes (Knight's Cross of the Iron Crosses) a month before, in 7 March 1942. Heintze as a  Geschützführer, while Huebner as a  Richtkanonier. Both from 3.Batterie / I.Abteilung / Flak-Regiment 33 (motorisiert). The picture was taken by Bildberichter Eisenhardt.

Source :
https://audiovis.nac.gov.pl/obraz/3993/16681a180a83d321351d3a71c29af66e/

Herbert Nau in Award Ceremony for the Sailors of His Ship

Kapitänleutnant Herbert Nau awarding the Eisernes Kreuzes (Iron Crosses) to the sailors of his ship, July 1944. Herbert Georg Nau was born in Lüneburg, Germany, on 8 April 1913 and was a serving member of the Kriegsmarine during World War II and managed to attain the final rank of Korvettenkapitän. He received the Ritterkreuz des Eisernen Kreuzes (Knight's Cross of the Iron Crosses) in 11 July 1944 as Chef 10. Räumbootsflottille. Nau was killed in an automobile accident in Yvetot, France, in 28 August 1944 (a month after this picture was taken!). The picture was taken by Kriegsberichter Goer.

Source :
https://audiovis.nac.gov.pl/obraz/2877/7be4f9f6d8b1a7277f789888a6c19ba0/
http://www.gutenberg.us/articles/herbert_nau

Albert Frey After Received Ritterkreuz

The tried and tested commander of the I.Bataillon / SS-Panzergrenadier-Regiment 1 / SS-Panzergrenadier-Division "Leibstandarte SS Adolf Hitler" (LSSAH), SS-Sturmbannführer Albert Frey, photographed after he was awarded the Ritterkreuz des Eisernen Kreuzes (Knight’s Cross of the Iron Crosses) in 3 March 1943 for his achievements during the operations in the Kharkov campaign at the beginning of 1943.

Source :
http://5sswiking.tumblr.com/post/165835734412/the-tried-and-tested-commander-of-the

Otto Skorzeny Spoke on the Podium

SS-Sturmbannführer der Reserve Dipl.-Ing. Otto Skorzeny spoke before the invited guests consisting of Nazi party officials, SS officers and Hitlerjugend figures. This photo was taken on January 1944 by Kriegsberichter Boesig.

Source :
https://audiovis.nac.gov.pl/obraz/36814/225bb3e03f200e19502b97e764a0e74b/

Otto Skorzeny during the Thanksgiving Celebration at the Berliner Sportspalast

'The Liberator of Mussolini', SS-Sturmbannführer der Reserve Dipl.-Ing. Otto Skorzeny, saluted to Reichsminister Joseph Goebbels - as a speaker in the podium - after being introduced to the audience, during the Thanksgiving (Erntedanktag) celebration at Berliner Sportspalast on 3 October 1943. Sitting in the front row, from left to right: x , x, SS-Brigadeführer Dipl.-Landwirt Hans-Joachim Riecke (Militärverwaltungschef), x, x, General der Infanterie Otto Stapf (Chef Wehrwirtschaftsstab Ost), General der Infanterie Joachim von Kortzfleisch (blocked by Skorzeny, Kommandierenden General Stellvertretenden Generalkommando III. Armeekorps in Berlin), Skorzeny (Kommandeur Sonderverband z.b.V. Friedenthal), and Dipl.-Landwirt Dr.sc.nat. Fritz Reinhardt (Militärverwaltungsvizechef).

Source :
https://audiovis.nac.gov.pl/obraz/36809/225bb3e03f200e19502b97e764a0e74b/

SS-Sturmbannführer Otto Skorzeny in 1943

SS-Sturmbannführer der Reserve Dipl.-Ing. Otto Skorzeny (Kommandeur Sonderverband z.b.V. Friedenthal) in a studio portrait after he received the Ritterkreuz des Eisernen Kreuzes (directly from Adolf Hitler) in 13 September 1943, a day after the successful operation to liberate Italian dictator Benito Mussolini from his prison hotel in Gran Sasso, Italy. In the same day, Skorzeny got promoted from SS-Hauptsturmführer d.R. to SS-Sturmbannführer d.R. Note that this picture had been edited before, - in the kragenspiegel and schulterklappen - and the edited version had been circulated not long after this picture was taken!

Another picture of Otto Skorzeny taken in September 1943, in front of the train with finger holding a cigarette

Source :
https://audiovis.nac.gov.pl/obraz/36794/16681a180a83d321351d3a71c29af66e/
https://audiovis.nac.gov.pl/obraz/36795/
https://audiovis.nac.gov.pl/obraz/36798/225bb3e03f200e19502b97e764a0e74b/

Ritterkreuzträger with Artur Axmann at Reichsjugendführung (1)

In 3 November 1942, a big delegation of Ritterkreuzträger (German Knight's Cross recipients) visited the Reichsjugendführung, doing inspections of training places and communications with young Hitlerjugend members. This picture was taken when they met the HJ leader, Reichsjugendführer Artur Axmann. The identification as follow: 1.Hauptmann Karl Langesee (Kommandeur II.Bataillon / Jäger-Regiment 207 / 97.Jäger-Division. Ritterkreuz in 10 August 1942), 2.Leutnant der Reserve Gerhard Hein (Führer 5.Kompanie / II.Bataillon / Infanterie-Regiment 209 / 58.Infanterie-Division. Ritterkreuz in 3 September 1940 and Eichenlaub in 6 September 1942), 3.Hauptmann Harald von Hirschfeld (Führer II.Bataillon / Gebirgsjäger-Regiment 98 / 1.Gebirgs-Division. Ritterkreuz in 15 November 1941), 4.Hauptmann Erich Löffler (Kommandeur II.Bataillon / Infanterie-Regiment 57 / 9.Infanterie-Division. Ritterkreuz in 7 October 1942), 5.Oberleutnant Wilhelm Henz (Kommandeur 2.Kompanie / Kradschützen-Bataillon 29 / 29.Infanterie-Division. Ritterkreuz in 8 August 1941), 6.Oberleutnant der Reserve Günther Hilt (Führer 7.Kompanie / II.Bataillon / Jäger-Regiment 56 / 5.Jäger-Division. Ritterkreuz in 14 September 1942), 7.Hauptmann Max Sachsenheimer (Kommandeur II.Bataillon / Jäger-Regiment 75 / 5.Jäger-Division. Ritterkreuz in 5 April 1942), 8. Hauptmann Hans-Gotthard Pestke (Chef 3.Kompanie / I.Bataillon / Infanterie-Regiment 176 / 61.Infanterie-Division. Ritterkreuz in 15 November 1941), 9.Reichsjugendführer Artur Axmann, and Generalleutnant Friedrich Herrlein (General der Infanterie beim Oberkommando des Heeres. Ritterkreuz on 22 September 1941)

Source :
https://audiovis.nac.gov.pl/obraz/35930/16681a180a83d321351d3a71c29af66e/
https://audiovis.nac.gov.pl/obraz/35968/16681a180a83d321351d3a71c29af66e/
https://forum.axishistory.com/viewtopic.php?f=5&t=29879&sid=720a5c554e7cf7ce16c3069de2e5f95e&start=13770
http://www.wehrmacht-awards.com/forums/showthread.php?p=7650210

Joseph Goebbels with Ritterkreuzträger in 1940

September 1940 : Reichsminister Joseph Goebbels in conversation with Ritterkreuzträger (German Knight's Cross recipients) of the Western Front. First row, from left to right: Oberleutnant der Reserve Joachim Meißner (Ritterkreuz in 12 May 1940 as stellvertreter Führer Sturmgruppe "Eisen" in der Fallschirmjäger-Sturmabteilung "Koch"), Oberleutnant Otto Zierach (Ritterkreuz in 15 May 1940 as Lastenseglerpilot Fallschirmjäger-Sturmabteilung "Koch"), Hauptmann z.V. Horst von Petersdorff (Ritterkreuz in 29 June 1940 as Kommandeur III.Bataillon / Infanterie-Regiment 189 / 81.Infanterie-Division), Joseph Goebbels (Reichsminister für Volksaufklärung und Propaganda), Viktor Lutze (S.A. Stabschef), and Oberleutnant der Reserve Ludwig Klotz (Ritterkreuz in 4 July 1940 as Chef 9.Kompanie / III.Bataillon / Infanterie-Regiment 423 / 212.Infanterie-Division).

Source :
http://archive.li/R9iVI
https://audiovis.nac.gov.pl/obraz/36834/16681a180a83d321351d3a71c29af66e/

Generalfeldmarschall Albert Kesselring

Generalfeldmarschall Albert Kesselring wearing Ritterkreuz des Eisernen Kreuzes mit Eichenlaub (Knight's Cross of the Iron Crosses with Oak Leaves) in his neck. The picture is the edited version of Kesselring as a General der Flieger and wearing Ritterkreuz (without Eichenlaub) that was taken in 1940.

Source :
https://audiovis.nac.gov.pl/obraz/30794/16681a180a83d321351d3a71c29af66e/

Ritterkreuzträger Romanian General Ioan Dumitrache

Romanian general Ioan Dumitrache (25 August 1889 - 6 March 1977) received the German Ritterkreuz des Eisernen Kreuzes (Knight's Cross of the Iron Crosses) in 2 November 1942 after commanded the Romanian 2nd Mountain Division, which captured the Soviet town of Nalchik in the Caucasus, the farthest, or most southern, Axis advance on the Eastern Front. He also received a promotion to the rank of General de divizie or Major General shortly afterwards.

Source :
https://audiovis.nac.gov.pl/obraz/54471/
https://www.feldgrau.com/WW2-Romanian-Knights-Cross-Holders

Ritterkreuzträger Romanian General Petre Dumitrescu

Romanian general Petre Dumitrescu received the German Ritterkreuz des Eisernen Kreuzes (Knight's Cross of the Iron Crosses) in 1 September 1942 after leading his Third Army to victories against the Soviet forces in Crimea, Eastern Front. Back in the summer of 1941, after Hitler convinced Ion Antonescu to continue the war beyond Romania's pre-1940 borders, Dumitrescu then led the Third Army to the Crimea, taking part in the Battle of the Sea of Azov. By October 10, the Third Army had marched 1,700 kilometres from Romania, fought four major battles and 42 minor engagements. By this time, Dumitrescu's Third Army had inflicted casualties of over 20,000 killed and 40,000 wounded and also captured 15,565 prisoners of war, 149 tanks, 128 artillery pieces, and more than 700 machine guns, while suffering 10,541 casualties (2,555 dead, 6,201 wounded and 1,785 missing in action.). For his effort in this campaign, Dumitrescu was awarded the Ritterkreuz, the second Romanian to receive the award after Ion Antonescu. Later on he was even given the Eichenlaub (4 April 1944). In 17 October 1941, he was awarded the Order of Michael the Brave, 3rd class, and 2nd Class (19 February 1944).

Source :
https://audiovis.nac.gov.pl/obraz/54472/16681a180a83d321351d3a71c29af66e/
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Petre_Dumitrescu

Hans Piekenbrock and Klaus Sinram in Ritterkreuz Award Ceremony

From left to right: Generalleutnant Hans Piekenbrock (Kommandeur 208. Infanterie-Division) and Major Klaus Sinram (Führer Grenadier-Regiment 309 / 208.Infanterie-Division) pass before a number of soldiers in the Ritterkreuz award ceremony for Sinram, 1 November 1944. Sinram already received the news for his medal awarding from 23 October 1944. The picture was taken by Kriegsberichter Lucke.

Source :
https://audiovis.nac.gov.pl/obraz/4035/16681a180a83d321351d3a71c29af66e/

Ugo Cavallero and Albert Kesselring

28 July 1942: Italian Marshal Ugo Cavallero (left) in conversation with Generalfeldmarschall Albert Kesselring (Oberbefehlshaber Süd). Cavallero is the recipient of the Ritterkreuz des Eisernen Kreuzes (Knight's Cross of the Iron Crosses), which he received in 19 February 1942 as Generale di Corpo d'Armata and Chief of the Defence Staff of the Royal Italian Army. He is one of nine Italian Ritterkreuzträger. After Mussolini’s government was toppled by the King, the newly appointed Prime Minister Pietro Badoglio ordered the arrest of Cavallero. In a document written in own defense, Cavallero claimed the merit of having opposed Mussolini and his regime. After the Armistice of Cassibile in September 1943, he was freed by the Germans, and was offered by Kesselring the command of the forming armed forces of the Italian Social Republic, but the finding of the letter led to some suspicions. In the morning of 14 September 1943, he was found dead by a gunshot in the garden of a hotel in Frascati, after having dined and talked with Kesselring the night before. It is still up to debate whether he committed suicide or was assassinated by the Germans. It seems, however, that he firmly expressed his will to refuse to continue collaborating with the Germans.

Source :
https://audiovis.nac.gov.pl/obraz/56856/16681a180a83d321351d3a71c29af66e/
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ugo_Cavallero

Konstantin Hierl with Two Ritterkreuzträger from RAD

12 June 1943: Reichsarbeitsführer Konstantin Hierl (Leiter des Reichsarbeitsdienst, RAD), right, in conversation with two Ritterkreuzträger from RAD who served in the Wehrmacht. From left to right: Hauptmann der Reserve Rudolf Kreitmair (Ritterkreuz in 31 March 1943 as Führer 7.Kompanie / II.Bataillon / Grenadier Regiment 282 / 98.Infanterie-Division) and Oberleutnant der Reserve Günter Vollmer (Ritterkreuz in 20 April 1943 as Führer 3.Kompanie / I.Bataillon / Grenadier-Regiment 411 / 122.Infanterie-Division). The picture was taken by Kriegsberichter Barthold.

Source :
https://audiovis.nac.gov.pl/obraz/47226/16681a180a83d321351d3a71c29af66e/

Luftwaffe Ace Gordon Gollob Received Brillanten from Adolf Hitler

23 September 1942 in Führerhauptquartier Vinnitsa, Ukraine: Major Gordon Gollob (Geschwaderkommodore Jagdgeschwader 77) receives the highest German award from Adolf Hitler (Führer und oberste Befehlshaber der Wehrmacht) as the third soldier of the Wehrmacht: Ritterkreuz des Eisernen Kreuzes mit Eichenlaub, Schwertern und Brillanten (Knight's Cross of the Iron Crosses with Oak Leaves, Swords and Diamonds). Gollob himself received the news from 30 August 1942, and he got the Brillanten after becoming the first pilot in history who reached 150 fliegerabschüsse (air victories)!

Source :
https://audiovis.nac.gov.pl/obraz/35652/16681a180a83d321351d3a71c29af66e/

Adolf Hitler Decorates Erwin Rommel with Eichenlaub

Award ceremony in Reichskanzlei, Berlin, 25 March 1941: Adolf Hitler (Führer und Reichskanzler) decorates Generalleutnant Erwin Rommel (Kommandeur 7. Panzer-Division) with Ritterkreuz des Eisernen Kreuzes mit Eichenlaub #10 (Knight's Cross with the Iron Crosses Nr.10). The man in the picture is Hitler's clossest ally, Benito Mussolini.

Source :
https://audiovis.nac.gov.pl/obraz/35529/16681a180a83d321351d3a71c29af66e/

Oberstleutnant Eberhard Rodt

Oberstleutnant Eberhard Rodt with his newly received Ritterkreuz des Eisernen Kreuzes (Knight's Cross of the Iron Crosses). He got the coveted medal in 25 June 1940 as an Oberstleutnant and Kommandeur Aufklärungs-Abteilung 25 / 25.Infanterie-Division.

Source :
http://www.lexikon-der-wehrmacht.de/Personenregister/R/RodtE-R.htm

Eberhard Rodt in Color Picture

Eichenlaubträger Generalleutnant Eberhard Rodt. It is possible that this color picture was taken after the war (note the missing Hoheitsadler in the uniform!).

Source :
https://forum.axishistory.com/viewtopic.php?t=14230&start=6795

Adolf Galland with Hitler After Receives Ritterkreuz

25 September 1940 : Major Adolf Galland (Geschwaderkommodore Jagdgeschwader 26) chats with Adolf Hitler after Galland received the Ritterkreuz des Eisernen Kreuzes mit Eichenlaub (Knight's Cross of the Iron Crosses with Oak Leaves) directly from the Führer at Reichskanzlei, Berlin/ Galland was the third person who received the coveted medal after Eduard Dietl and Werner Mölders. The picture itself was first published in "Berliner Morgenpost", 27 September 1940 edition.

Source :
https://audiovis.nac.gov.pl/obraz/35489/16681a180a83d321351d3a71c29af66e/

SS-Brigadefuhrer Herbert Gille Decorates SS-Obersturmführer Hans Drexel with Ritterkreuz

14 October 1943: SS-Brigadefuhrer und Generalmajor der Waffen-SS Herbert Otto Gille (Kommandeur 5. SS-Panzer-Division "Wiking"), at right, visited the Feldlazarett (Field Hospital) and decorates SS-Obersturmführer Hans Drexel (stellvertreter Führer II.Bataillon / SS-Panzergrenadier-Regiment "Westland" / 5.SS-Panzer-Division "Wiking"), second from left, with the Ritterkreuz des Eisernen Kreuzes (Knight's Cross of the Iron Crosses). The picture was taken by SS-Kriegsberichter Koch.

Source :
https://audiovis.nac.gov.pl/obraz/4022/16681a180a83d321351d3a71c29af66e/

General Georg von Küchler Decorates Stabsfeldwebel Georg Jura with Ritterkreuz

28 April 1943: Generalfeldmarschall Georg von Küchler (Oberbefehlshaber Heeresgruppe Nord) decorates Stabsfeldwebel Georg Jura (Führer 14.Kompanie / III.Bataillon / Jäger-Regiment 49 / 28. Jäger-Division) with Ritterkreuz des Eisernen Kreuzes (Knight's Cross with the Iron Crosses) for his exceptional bravery in the battle at Lake Ladoga area. The picture was taken by Kriegsberichter Freckmann.

Source :
https://audiovis.nac.gov.pl/obraz/3998/

General Johann Sinnhuber Decorates Oberjäger Walter Möse with Ritterkreuz

11 March 1943: Generalleutnant Johann Sinnhuber (Kommandeur 28. Jäger-Division) decorates Oberjäger Walter Möse ( Zugführer in 13.Kompanie / III.Bataillon / Jäger-Regiment 49 / 28.Jäger-Division) with Ritterkreuz des Eisernen Kreuzes (Knight's Cross with the Iron Crosses) for his exceptional bravery in the battle at Lake Ladoga area. The picture was taken by Kriegsberichter Ebert.

Source :
https://audiovis.nac.gov.pl/obraz/3997/16681a180a83d321351d3a71c29af66e/

Hans-Joachim Marseille with His Victim

Hans-Joachim Marseille poses next to a downed enemy aircraft in the western desert of North Africa, March 1942. Marseille shot down 158 British planes in the desert war; and no other pilot claimed as many Allied aircraft! He was one of very few decorated with the Ritterkreuz des Eisernen Kreuzes mit Eichenlaub, Schwertern und Brillanten (Knight's Cross with Oak Leaves, Swords, and Diamonds). Marseille was killed on 30 September 30 1942 in an unsuccessful attempt to bail out.

Source :
https://audiovis.nac.gov.pl/obraz/1365/16681a180a83d321351d3a71c29af66e/

Irnfried Freiherr von Wechmar with His Officers

Oberstleutnant Irnfried Freiherr von Wechmar (Kommandeur Aufklärungs-Abteilung 3 (motorisiert) / 5.leichte-Division / Deutsches Afrikakorps) during a conversation with his officers at the front in North Africa, May 1941. The picture was taken by Kriegsberichter Gessl.

Source:
https://audiovis.nac.gov.pl/obraz/1356/16681a180a83d321351d3a71c29af66e/