Color Picture of Felix Steiner

 

 

Felix Steiner – not only the most important single influence behind the development of the dynamic tactical theories adopted by Waffen-SS, but one of the most innovative field commanders of World War II. He believed in the creation of highly mobile, well trained, elite troops, both physically and mentally, to fight within the battlegroup and emphasized teamwork rather than mindless obedience on the field of battle. Felix Steiner created a capable formation from disparate elements, and he commanded the Wiking Division competently through the many battles in the east from 1941 until his promotion to command the III. (Germanic) SS-Panzerkorps in April 1943. Felix Steiner was promoted to SS-Obergruppenführer und General der Waffen-SS on July 1 1943. After the surrender, he was incarcerated until 1948. Felix Steiner faced charges at the Nürnberg Trials, but they were all dropped and he was released. He dedicated the last decades of his life to writing his memoirs and several books about the World War II. Felix Steiner died on May 12 1966. Award among others: Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross with Oak Leaves and Swords

Source :
http://stabswache-de-euros.blogspot.com/2012/10/our-rules-are-here-to-encourage.html

Otto Skorzeny being Interrogated after Surrender

SS-Obersturmbannführer Otto Skorzeny being interrogated by U.S. officers on May 1945. Skorzeny was interned for two years before being tried as a war criminal at the Dachau trials in 1947 for allegedly violating the laws of war during the Battle of the Bulge. He and nine officers of the Panzerbrigade 150 were tried before a U.S. Military Tribunal in Dachau on 18 August 1947. They faced charges of improper use of U.S. military insignia, theft of U.S. uniforms, and theft of Red Cross parcels from U.S. POWs. The trial lasted over three weeks. The charge of stealing Red Cross parcels was dropped for lack of evidence. Skorzeny admitted to ordering his men to wear U.S. uniforms; but his defence argued that, as long as enemy uniforms were discarded before combat started, such a tactic was a legitimate ruse de guerre. On the final day of the trial, 9 September, F. F. E. Yeo-Thomas, a former British SOE agent, testified that he and his operatives wore German uniforms behind enemy lines; the Tribunal acquitted the ten defendants. The Tribunal drew a distinction between using enemy uniforms during combat and for other purposes including deception and were unable to prove that Skorzeny had given any orders to actually fight in U.S. uniforms.

Source :
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Otto_Skorzeny
http://www.historicalwarmilitariaforum.com/search/?q=skorzeny&type=forums_topic

Color Picture of Otto Skorzeny

  

 

SS-Obersturmbannführer Otto Skorzeny (12 June 1908 - 5 July 1975) was an extraordinary military man who specialized in guerrilla warfare and commando-style raids during World War II. He mounted numerous operations with varying degrees of success that involved either the rescue, kidnapping, assassination, or defense of numerous wartime leaders in Europe. As a result, he became Hitler’s favorite commando and dubbed “the most dangerous man in Europe” by the Allies. Skorzeny certainly looked the part. He was an imposing figure at 6’ 4” that sported a deep scar on his left cheek from a fencing duel. Though loyal to Hitler and a staunch Austrian Nazi, Skorzeny would ultimately turn on his former compatriots and become a hitman for Israel at the end of the war.

Source :
https://allthatsinteresting.com/otto-skorzeny
http://www.historicalwarmilitariaforum.com/search/?q=skorzeny&type=forums_topic

Heinrich Kodré and Kurt Oppenländer

From left to right: Oberstleutnant im Generalstab Heinrich Kodré (Chef des Stabes 305. Infanterie-Division) and Generalmajor Kurt Oppenländer (Kommandeur 305. Infanterie-Division). This picture was taken during the opening days of Operation 'Blau', summer of 1942. Heinrich Kodré (8 August 1899 - 22 May 1977) received the Ritterkreuz des Eisernen Kreuzes on 14 May 1941 as Major and Führer I.Bataillon / Infanterie-Regiment 123 / 50.Infanterie-Division, while Kurt Oppenländer (11 February 1892 - 17 March 1947) received the same medal on 25 July 1942 as Generalmajor and Kommandeur 305. Infanterie-Division.

Source :

"Island Of Fire: The Battle For the Barrikady Gun Factory In Stalingrad November 1942 - February 1943" by Jason D. Mark

Ritterkreuz Award Ceremony for Eitel-Friedrich Kentrat

A set of seven larger photos (9cm x 13cm) and one smaller (6cm x 9cm), showing the Ritterkreuz award ceremony for Eitel-Friedrich Kentrat, on 31 December 1941. Footnote: Kentrat sailed with the U-8, U-74 and U-196, sinking twenty-one ships on seven patrols, for a total of 42,433 gross register tons (GRT) of Allied shipping including the HMCS Levis. He is noted for completing World War II longest combat patrol. U-196 had left Kiel on 13 March 1943 and reached Bordeaux on 23 October 1943, 225 days later. Kentrat was a witness to battleship Bismarck's last battle on 27 May 1941. Naval command had ordered U-556 under the command of Kapitänleutnant Herbert Wohlfarth to retrieve Bismarck 's war diary. The order was then passed on the U-74. Both U-boats failed to reach Bismarck on time. U-74 picked up three sailors, Georg Herzog, Otto Höntzsch, and Herbert Manthey, from a rubber raft. Kentrat was severely criticised by the Befehlshaber der U-Boote (BdU) for his lack of support for U-197. Commander Robert Bartels of U-197 had radioed a distress signal on 20 August 1943. The correct response by any boat in the vicinity, according to orders, would have been to come to aid at top speed. The BdU twice ordered U-196 to come to aid before Kentrat responded accordingly by that time U-197 and the entire crew were lost at sea.

Source :
https://www.emedals.com/knight-s-cross-award-ceremony-photos-of-korvettenkapitan-eitel-friedrich-kentrat-u-8-u-74-and-u-196