Generalmajor Karl Arndt and Heer Officer

Generalmajor Karl Arndt (left) chatting with another Heer officer. Arndt (10 March 1892 - 30 December 1981) received the Ritterkreuz des Eisernen Kreuzes on 23 January 1942 as Oberst and Kommandeur Infanterie-Regiment 511 / 293.Infanterie-Division / XXXV.Armeekorps / 2.Armee / Heeresgruppe Mitte, and Eichenlaub #719 for his Ritterkreuz on 1 February 1945 as Generalleutnant and Kommandeur 359.Infanterie-Division / LIX.Armeekorps / 17.Armee / Heeresgruppe A. Born at Gross-Kauen in Silesia, Karl Arndt began his military career as a private in 1908. He fought in the 1914-18 war in Inf.Rgt. 46. In 1917, he was a deputy officer and rose to the rank of Leutnant in 1918. He was taken prisoner by the British in September 1918 and released in March of the following year. In September 1939, he commanded an infantry battalion, with the rank of Oberstleutnant. Promoted to Oberst on 20 October 1940, he took command of Inf.Rgt. 511. As commanding officer of 293. Inf.Div. (10 January 1943), he rose to the rank of Generalmajor on 10 March 1943, then Generalleutnant on 8 November 1943. He went on to command 359. Inf.Div. (20 November 1943) then, at the same time, LIX. A.K. (17 January 1945). He took over command of XXXIX. Pz.K. on 25 April 1945. He was taken prisoner by the Americans on 8 May 1945, and released on 5 July 1947. He died at Balve-Langenholthausen in 1981.

Source :

"Panzertruppen: Les Troupes Blindees Allemandes German Armored Troops 1935-1945" by Francois de Lannoy and Josef Charita

A Colorized Picture of Ernst Kupfer

A really nice colorized picture of Oberstleutnant Dr.jur. Ernst Kupfer (2 July 1907 - 6 November 1943) in the cockpit of his aircraft. He was a Stuka pilot who commanded Sturzkampfgeschwader 2 (StG 2) "Immelmann" during World War II. He is wearing the Ritterkreuz des Eisernen Kreuzes on his neck, which he received on 23 November 1941 as Hauptmann and Staffelkapitän 7.Staffel / III.Gruppe / Sturzkampfgeschwader 2 "Immelmann". Kupfer was also received the Eichenlaub #173 for his Ritterkreuz on 8 January 1943 as Major and Gruppenkommandeur II.Gruppe / Sturzkampfgeschwader 2 "Immelmann", and the Schwerter for his Ritterkreuz on 11 April 1944 (posthumous) as Oberst and Geschwaderkommodore Sturzkampfgeschwader 2 "Immelmann"

Source :
https://www.boredpanda.com/a-collection-of-colourised-images-of-messerschmitt-bf-109s-and-pilots/?utm_source=google&utm_medium=organic&utm_campaign=organic
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ernst_Kupfer

Alfred Müller in Tita Binz Postcard Nr. R 296

Feldwebel Alfred Müller (11 November 1916 - 26 June 1944) in a "Heroes" postcard series Nr. R 296 by Tita (Juanita) Binz. He received the Ritterkreuz des Eisernen Kreuzes on 8 May 1943 as Feldwebel and Zugführer in 2.Kompanie / I.Bataillon / Grenadier-Regiment 256 / 112.Infanterie-Division / LIII.Armeekorps / 2.Panzerarmee / Heeresgruppe Mitte. Müller fell on the Eastern Front on June 1944. Other medals and decorations he receives: Eisernes Kreuz II.Klasse und I.Klasse; and Deutsches Kreuz in Gold (19 May 1942).

Source :
https://de.metapedia.org/wiki/M%C3%BCller,_Alfred_(1916)
http://pantorijn.blogspot.com/2013/06/tita-binz.html

Werner Mölders in a Hoffmann Postcard

Oberst Werner Mölders in a Hoffmann Postcard Nr. R3. Mölders (18 March 1913 – 22 November 1941) was a World War II German Luftwaffe pilot, wing commander, and the leading German fighter ace in the Spanish Civil War. He became the first pilot in aviation history to claim 100 aerial victories—that is, 100 aerial combat encounters resulting in the destruction of the enemy aircraft, and was highly decorated for his achievements. Mölders was instrumental in the development of new fighter tactics that led to the finger-four formation. He died in an air crash in which he was a passenger. Mölders joined the Luftwaffe, the air force of Nazi Germany, in 1934. In 1938, he volunteered for service in the Condor Legion, which supported General Francisco Franco's Nationalist side in the Spanish Civil War, and shot down 14 aircraft. With the start of World War II, he took part in the "Phoney War", Battle of France, and the Battle of Britain. With his tally standing at 68 victories, Mölders and his unit, the Jagdgeschwader 51 (JG 51), were transferred to the Eastern Front in June 1941 for the opening of Operation Barbarossa, achieving 101 victories by mid-July 1941. Prevented from flying further combat missions for propaganda reasons, at the age of 28 Mölders was appointed Inspector of Fighters. He was inspecting the Luftwaffe units in the Crimea when he was ordered to Berlin to attend the state funeral of Ernst Udet, a Luftwaffe general and World War I flying ace. On the flight to Berlin, the aircraft in which he was traveling as a passenger attempted an emergency landing due to an engine failure. It crashed at Breslau, killing Mölders and two others. The Wehrmacht and the West German Bundeswehr both honoured him by naming two fighter wings, a destroyer and barracks after him. In 1998, the German Parliament decided that members of the Condor Legion such as Mölders, should "no longer be honoured". In 2005, the German Ministry of Defence decided to remove the name "Mölders" from the fighter wing still bearing his name.

Source :
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Werner_M%C3%B6lders
http://pantorijn.blogspot.com/2014/06/hoffmann-postcards-knight-cross-holders.html

Georg-Hans Reinhardt during Operation Barbarossa

General der Panzertruppe Georg-Hans Reinhardt (Kommandierender General XXXXI. Armeekorps) in the Russian Front during Unternehmen Barbarossa, summer of 1941. His force led the advance of Heeresgruppe Nord to the outskirts of Leningrad in October 1941. On October 5 Reinhardt was given command of the 3. Panzerarmee in Heeresgruppe Mitte, and took part in Operation Typhoon, the advance towards Moscow. After the German defeat in the Battle of Moscow, his army was driven back by Soviet counter-attack during the winter of 1941−42.

Source :
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Georg-Hans_Reinhardt
http://histomil.com/viewtopic.php?t=3918&start=7090

Alexander Conrady and Hans Gollnick (1942)

Reporting to the division commander, Orel area, 1941. From left to right: Oberstleutnant Alexander Conrady (Kommandeur I.Bataillon / Infanterie-Regiment [motorisiert] 118 / 36.Infanterie-Division [motorisiert]) and Generalmajor Hans Gollnick (Kommandeur 36. Infanterie-Division [motorisiert]). We see that they're both wearing the Ritterkreuz des Eisernen Kreuzes. Conrady received his medal on 17 October 1942, while Gollnick on 27 November 1942. Both would also received the Eichenlaub for their Ritterkreuz: Conrady on 22 August 1942, while Gollnick on 24 August 1943.

Source :
https://forum.axishistory.com/viewtopic.php?t=29879&start=11550

Alfred Ziemann in Front of a Nashorn

Hauptmann and Ritterkreuzträger Alfred Ziemann from schwere-Panzerjäger-Abteilung 93 with one of the NCO of his company. The latter is wearing the collar patches adopted for the grey Sturmartillerie-feldjacke in May 1940. Ziemann received the Ritterkreuz des Eisernen Kreuzes on 9 January 1944 as Oberleutnant and Chef 1.Kompanie / schwere-Panzerjäger-Abteilung 93. Behind them is a Panzerjäger Nashorn (Sd.Kfz. 164) of their unit. The schwere Panzerjäger-Abteilung 93 (sometimes listed as schwere Heeres-Panzerjäger-Abteilung 93) was formed on 26 July 1943 from Panzerjäger-Abteilung 93 and was equipped with Nashorn tank destroyers. It was destroyed on the Eastern front in August 1944. It was refitted and saw action on the Western Front and ended the war in the Ruhr pocket.

Source :
"German Army Uniforms: Heer 1933-1945" by Ricardo Recio Cardona & Antonio González Sánchez
https://www.axishistory.com/books/153-germany-heer/heer-other-units/4491-schwere-heeres-panzerjaeger-abteilung-93

Josef Schreiber in Tita Binz Postcard Nr. R 356

Eichenlaubträger Oberfeldwebel Josef Schreiber (24 December 1919 - 28 January 1945) in a "Heroes" postcard series Nr. R 356 by Tita (Juanita) Binz. He is wearing the field cap (Einheitsfeldmütze) adopted in June 1943. This cap bore a machine woven national emblem on a triangular base on which a cocarde with the colors of the Reich was also woven.

Source :

"German Army Uniforms: Heer 1933-1945" by Ricardo Recio Cardona and Antonio González Sánchez

http://pantorijn.blogspot.com/2013/06/tita-binz.html

Ritterkreuz Award Ceremony for Michael Wittmann and Bobby Woll

On 14 January 1944, panzer ace Michael Wittmann was awarded the Ritterkreuz des Eisernen Kreuzes (Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross) along with his gunner, Bobby Woll, for their achievements which have so far destroyed 88 enemy tanks. The presentation was made at Vinnitsa, Ukraine, by his divisional commander SS-Oberführer Theodor "Teddy" Wisch, who also nominated him for the Eichenlaub to his Ritterkreuz. This picture shows Wittmann with his crew, from left to right. SS-Panzerschütze Werner Irrgang (Funker), SS-Rottenführer Bobby Woll (Richtschütze), SS-Untersturmführer Michael Wittmann (Zugführer in 13.Kompanie (schwere) / IV.Abteilung / SS-Panzer-Regiment 1 / 1.SS-Panzer-Division "Leibstandarte SS Adolf Hitler"), SS- Panzerschütze Sepp Rößner (Ladeschütze), and SS-Sturmmann Eugen Schmidt (Fahrer). Behind them is Wittmann's Panzerkampfwagen VI Tiger I Ausf.F "S04", with 88 victory rings on its barrel. Actually the Ritterkreuz recommendation sent by Divisionskommandeur Wisch to the Oberkommando der Wehrmacht (OKW) on 10 January 1944 "only" included Wittmann's winnings as 66 tanks, but something incredible happens: in the four day span between the submission of the proposal to the official approval notification, this tank master went berserk and destroyed no fewer than 22 additional tanks to hoist his winning score to a total 88!

Source :
https://ww2images.blogspot.com/2019/02/ritterkreuz-award-ceremony-for-michael.html

General der Artillerie Maximilian de Angelis

Born on 2 October 1889 in Budapest, Maximilian de Angelis was an Oberleutnant in thé artillery in 1910 and ended the 1914-18 World War I as a Hauptmann. He pursued his career in the Austrian army, rising to the rank of Oberst on 28 June 1933. Promoted to Generalmajor on 15 March 1938 then Generalleutnant on 1 June 1940 and General der Artillerie on 1 March 1942. During World War II, he commanded 76. Infanterie-Division. (1 September 1939), then XXXXIV. Armeekorps (26 January 1942). We again find him in command of 6. Armee (22 November-19 December 1943 and 8 April 1944-17 July 1944) then 2. Panzerarmee (18 July 1944). He kept this command until the end of the war. Sentenced to 20 years imprisonment by the Yugoslav authorities and to 25 years by the Soviet authorities, he was released on 11 October 1955. He died at Graz in Austria on 6 December 1974. Awarded the Ritterkreuz des Eisernen Kreuzes (9 February 1942) mit Eichenlaub #323 (12 November 1943).

Source :
"Panzertruppen: German Armored Troops 1935-1945" by François de Lannoy & Josef Charita
http://alifrafikkhan.blogspot.com/2014/03/album-foto-76-infanterie-division.html

Otto Weiß with His Dog

A human's best friend: A member of the Luftwaffe (German Air Force) poses for a photo with his German Shepherd dog. The Eichenlaubträger (recipient of Oakleaves) is Major Otto Weiß (25 September 1907 - 19 August 1955), the first ground-attack pilot who received the Eichenlaub for his Ritterkreuz. He received the Ritterkreuz des Eisernen Kreuzes on 18 May 1940 as Hauptmann and Gruppenkommandeur of the II.Gruppe (Schlacht) / Lehrgeschwader 2 (LG 2), and the Eichenlaub on 31 December 1941 as Major and Gruppenkommandeur of the II.Gruppe (Schlacht) / Lehrgeschwader 2 (LG 2). Weiß flew more than 500 combat missions with the Henschel Hs 123 and the Messerschmitt Bf 109.

Source :
https://forum.axishistory.com/viewtopic.php?f=5&t=29879&start=16035#p2186587

Helmut Wick in a Hoffmann Postcard Nr. R2

Major Helmut Wick (5 August 1915 - 28 November 1940) in a Hoffmann postcard Nr. R2. Wick joined the Luftwaffe in 1935 at the age of twenty. He was posted to Jagdgeschwader 2 "Richthofen" just before war broke out and scored his first aerial victory in November 1939. This was followed by a further twelve confirmed and two unconfirmed during the 1940 French campaign. His success continued into the Battle of Britain, reaching his 22nd victory on 26th August 1940, for which he was awarded the Ritterkreuz des Eisernen Kreuzes. Yet more victories followed, and on 5th October 1940 he shot down five RAF fighters in a single day. This feat earned him the Eichenlaub for his Ritterkreuz. Within two weeks he was promoted to Major (the youngest in the Luftwaffe), and given command of the now famous JG2. On 6th November 1940, Wick again shot down five RAF fighters in a single day, and by 28th November his total had reached 55. This briefly made him the world's most successful fighter ace. Later that same day his unit became involved in combat over the Isle of Wight. Wick shot down yet another Spitfire (his 24th) but was then attacked by Flight Lieutenant John Dundas of No.609 Squadron. His Bf109 severely damaged, Wick was forced to bale out over the English Channel. His body was never found.

Source :
https://www.aviartnutkins.com/individuals/IN1_Major_Helmut_Wick.php
http://pantorijn.blogspot.com/2014/06/hoffmann-postcards-knight-cross-holders.html

U-Boat Ace Günther Prien in the First Series of Hoffmann Postcard

U-boat ace Korvettenkapitän Günther Prien in a Hoffmann Postcard nr. R001. This is the first of the Ritterkreuzträger postcard series published by the Photo-Hoffmann company in Münich (owned by Hitler's personal photographer, Heinrich Hoffmann). These series depicted the Ritterkreuzträger, recipients of the German Knight's Cross of the Iron Crosses, the most prestigious medal for the extreme bravery or the brilliant leadership in the battlefield.

Source :
http://pantorijn.blogspot.com/2014/06/hoffmann-postcards-knight-cross-holders.html

Hellmuth Mäder in a Hoffmann Postcard

Oberst Hellmuth Mäder (5 July 1908 - 12 May 1984) in a Hoffmann postcard Nr. R261. he received the Ritterkreuz des Eisernen Kreuzes on 3 April 1942 as Major and Kommandeur III.Bataillon / Infanterie-Regiment 522 / 297.Infanterie-Division / LI.Armeekorps / 6.Armee / Heeresgruppe Süd, Eichenlaub #560 to his Ritterkreuz on 27 August 1944 as Oberst and Infanterie-Lehrbrigade Heeresgruppen-Waffenschule Nord und Kampfkommandant von die Stadt Schaulen, and Schwerter #143 to his Ritterkreuz on 18 April 1945 as Generalmajor and Kommandeur Führer-Grenadier-Division. Other medals and decorations that he receives: Eisernes Kreuz II.Klasse (27 June 1941) und I.Klasse (1 August 1941); Infanterie-Sturmabzeichen; Verwundetenabzeichen in Silber; and Nahkampfspange in Bronze

Source :
http://pantorijn.blogspot.com/2015/03/
https://www.tracesofwar.com/persons/34592/M%E4der-Hellmuth.htm?c=aw

Otto Pollmann in a Hoffmann Postcard

Oberleutnant zur See Otto Franz Pollmann (3 March 1915 - 28 February 1958) in a Hoffmann Postcard nr. R251. He received the Ritterkreuz des Eisernen Kreuzes on 19 May 1943 as Leutnant zur See der Reserve and Kommandant U-Jäger "UJ 2210" / 22.Unterseebootsjagdflottille, and Eichenlaub #461 for his Ritterkreuz on 25 April 1944 as Oberleutnant zur See der Reserve and Kommandant U-Jägers "UJ 2210" / 22.Unterseebootsjagdflottille. Other medals and decorations that he receives: Eisernes Kreuz II.Klasse (22 May 1940); Kriegsabzeichen für Minensuch-, U-Boots-, Jagd- und Sicherungsverbände (23 November 1940); Verwundetenabzeichen in Schwarz (17 July 1942); Eisernes Kreuz I.Klasse (3 March 1943); and Deutsches Kreuz in Gold (26 January 1944). He was also mentioned in the Wehrmachtbericht twice (24 January 1944 and 9 May 1944). His last war-time rank was Kapitänleutnant der Reserve, while his last post-war rank was Korvettenkapitän.

Source :
http://pantorijn.blogspot.com/2015/03/
https://www.tracesofwar.com/persons/15090/Pollmann-Otto.htm

Walter Mix in a Hoffmann Postcard Nr. R286

Major Walter Mix (21 December 1917 - 17 November 2004) in a Hoffmann Postcard nr. R286. He received the Ritterkreuz des Eisernen Kreuzes #1378 on 18 December 1942 as Oberleutnant der Reserve and Chef 9.Kompanie / III.Bataillon / Grenadier-Regiment 174 / 81.Infanterie-Division / II.Armee-Korps / 16.Armee / Heeresgruppe Nord, and Eichenlaub #405 for his Ritterkreuz on 22 February 1944 as Hauptmann der Reserve and Kommandeur II.Bataillon / Grenadier-Regiment 174 / 81.Infanterie-Division / VIII.Armee-Korps / 16.Armee / Heeresgruppe Nord. Other medals and decorations that he receives: Eisernes Kreuz II.Klasse (1 July 1941) und I.Klasse (2 August 1941); Medaille Winterschlacht im Osten 1941/42; Verwundetenabzeichen in Schwarz; and Deutsches Kreuz in Gold (3 June 1942).

Source :
http://pantorijn.blogspot.com/2015/03/
https://www.tracesofwar.com/persons/12184/Mix-Walter.htm
https://wartimeline.com/heer/7880-11927-major-walter-mix-ritterkreuztrager-eichenlaub-heer-photo-heinrich-hoffmann-munchen-nr-r-286.html

Josef Rettemeier After Receiving Ritterkreuz

Hauptmann Josef Wilhelm Rettemeier (17 September 1914 - 19 December 1997) in a studio picture after receiving the Ritterkreuz des Eisernen Kreuzes #2302 on 5 December 1943 for his time as Hauptmann and Kommandeur 2.Kompanie / I.Abteilung / Panzer-Regiment 5 / 21.Panzer-Division / 5.Panzerarmee / Heeresgruppe Afrika in North Africa. His last rank in World War II was a Major. After the war he joined the Bundeswehr. He was commander of Panzer-Brigade at various locations and most recently - after being promoted to Oberst - became deputy commander of the 2. Panzergrenadier-Division in Marburg. From 1973 to 1975 Rettemeier was a military advisor in Taiwan. Oberst a. D. Rettemeier died on 19 December 1997 in Bad Nauheim, and the funeral speech held General a. D. Günter Kießling. His medals and decorations were as follow: Eisernes Kreuz II.Klasse und I.Klasse; Panzerkampfabzeichen II.Stufe; Verwundetenabzeichen in Gold; Ärmelband Afrika; Ritterkreuz des Eisernen Kreuzes (5 December 1942) mit Eichenlaub (13 March 1944); and Verdienstkreuz des Verdienstordens der Bundesrepublik Deutschland I.Klasse

Source :
https://de.wikipedia.org/wiki/Datei:Bundesarchiv_Bild_146-2007-0111,_Josef_Rettemeier.jpg

Josef Rettemeier in a Hoffmann Postcard

Major Josef Wilhelm Rettemeier (17 September 1914 - 19 December 1997) in a studio picture after receiving the Eichenlaub #425 for his Ritterkreuz des Eisernen Kreuzes on 13 March 1944 as Hauptmann and Kommandeur Panzer-Abteilung 5 / 25.Panzergrenadier-Division / XXVII.Armeekorps / 4.Armee / Heeresgruppe Mitte on the Eastern Front. His last rank in World War II was a Major. After the war he joined the Bundeswehr. He was commander of Panzer-Brigade at various locations and most recently - after being promoted to Oberst - became deputy commander of the 2. Panzergrenadier-Division in Marburg. From 1973 to 1975 Rettemeier was a military advisor in Taiwan. Oberst a. D. Rettemeier died on 19 December 1997 in Bad Nauheim, and the funeral speech held General a. D. Günter Kießling. His medals and decorations were as follow: Eisernes Kreuz II.Klasse und I.Klasse; Panzerkampfabzeichen II.Stufe; Verwundetenabzeichen in Gold; Ärmelband Afrika; Ritterkreuz des Eisernen Kreuzes (5 December 1942) mit Eichenlaub (13 March 1944); and Verdienstkreuz des Verdienstordens der Bundesrepublik Deutschland I.Klasse

Source :
https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Bundesarchiv_Bild_146-1975-138-12,_Josef_Rettemeier.jpg
https://de.wikipedia.org/wiki/Joseph_W._Rettemeier

Erhard Raus during Operation Winter Storm

Generalleutnant Erhard Raus (Kommandeur 6. Panzer-Division) during the operation to rescue the trapped 6. Armee in Stalingrad, winter 1942-43. Raus was one of the most talented commanders to fight on the Eastern Front in Russia, where he was eventually appointed to army group command in early 1945. By the time the war ended, Raus had established a reputation as one of the German army's foremost tacticians of armored warfare, which made him a prized capture by U.S. Army intelligence. In American captivity, Raus wrote a detailed memoir of his service in Russia. His battlefield experience and keen tactical eye makes his memoir especially valuable, and covered the Russian campaign from the first day of the war to his being relieved of his command at Hitler's order in the spring of 1945. It includes a detailed examination of Raus's 6th Panzer Division's drive to Leningrad, his experiences in the Soviet winter counteroffensive around Moscow, the unsuccessful attempt to relieve Stalingrad and the final desperate battles inside Germany at the end of the war.

Source :
"Winter Storm: The Battle for Stalingrad and the Operation to Rescue 6th Army" by Hans Wijers
https://www.amazon.com/Panzer-Operations-Eastern-General-1941-1945/dp/0306814099

Erich von Manstein during Operation Winter Storm

Generalfeldmarschall Erich von Manstein during the operation to rescue the German 6. Armee that trapped in Stalingrad. Previously, The Red Army launched a huge counteroffensive on 19 November 1942, codenamed Operation Uranus, which was designed to encircle the German armies and trap them in the city of Stalingrad; this goal was accomplished on 23 November. Hitler, aware that if Stalingrad were lost it would likely never be retaken, appointed Manstein as commander of the newly created Army Group Don (Heeresgruppe Don), tasked with mounting a relief operation named Unternehmen Wintergewitter (Operation Winter Storm), to reinforce the German hold on the city. Manstein's initial assessment on 24 November was that the 6th Army, given adequate air support, would be able to hold on.

Source :

"Winter Storm: The Battle for Stalingrad and the Operation to Rescue 6th Army" by Hans Wijers
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Erich_von_Manstein#Battle_of_Stalingrad

Major i.G. Hans-Heinrich Krüger

Hans-Heinrich Krüger (born 17 June 1915 in Schwerin/Mecklenburg) received the Ritterkreuz des Eisernen Kreuzes on 3 December 1943 as Major im Generalstab and Führer of a Kampfgruppe in the 321.Infanterie-Division / LV.Armeekorps / 9.Armee / Heeresgruppe Mitte. Other medals and decorations he receives were as follow: Eisernes Kreuz II.Klasse und I.Klasse; and Nahkampfspange. The picture was taken by Rudolph Wiesbaden, and published in postcard format in 1945 by Carl Ritter & Co. Wiesbaden.

Source :
https://wartimeline.com/heer/7825-11822-major-hans-heinirhc-kruger-ritterkreuztrager-heer-carl-ritter-wiesbaden-foto-rudolph-wiesbaden.html

Oberleutnant d.R. Gottfried Kupsch

Gottfried Kupsch (19 April 1919 - 16 June 1942) received the Ritterkreuz des Eisernen Kreuzes posthumously on 3 September 1942 as Oberleutnant der Reserve and Führer 1.Schwadron / Radfahr-Abteilung 72 / 72.Infanterie-Division / XXX.Armeekorps / 11.Armee / Heeresgruppe Süd (that is why you see the added Ritterkreuz in the photo above!). Other medals and decorations that he receives were as follow: Eisernes Kreuz II.Klasse und I.Klasse; and mentioned in Wehrmachtbericht (21 June 1942).

Source :
http://www.tracesofwar.com/persons/30266/Kupsch-Gottfried.htm