Ritterkreuz Action of Walter Dargies

Walter Dargies (13 October 1899 - 13 May 1945) received the Ritterkreuz des Eisernen Kreuzes on 11 January 1943 as Hauptmann der Reserve and Führer III.Bataillon / Grenadier-Regiment 418 / 123.Infanterie-Division. It was awarded for his actions at the start of January 1943 within the context of the fighting on the southern side of the Demyansk corridor. The Soviets succeeded in breaking into the lines of the Grenadier-Regiment 418, which included the III. Bataillon under the command of Hauptmann Dargies. In the ensuing combat he and his troops drove the Soviets back and decisively contributed to the destruction of a small group of broken-through Soviet forces. He would later be recognized appropriately for this deed.

Source :
https://www.tracesofwar.com/persons/28951/Dargies-Walter.htm

Bio of Luftwaffe Ace Herbert Huppertz

Fighter pilot Hauptman Herbert Huppertz of Jagdgeschwader 2 (JG 2) in France, 1943. Huppertz was born on 3 June 1919 at Rheydt in Rhineland. He joined the Luftwaffe in autumn 1937. In autumn 1939, Huppertz was posted to JG 51. Leutnant Huppertz was assigned to 6./JG 51. He gained his first victory during the French campaign on 28 May 1940, when he shot down a RAF Spitfire fighter near Dunkirk. He participated in the Battle of Britain gaining four victories in the aerial battles over England. In spring 1941, Huppertz was transferred to 12./JG 51 operating over the Eastern front. After gaining his 33rd victory on 9 August, he was shot down in Bf 109 F-2 (W.Nr. 8938). He baled out unhurt. On 25 August, Huppertz claimed his 34th victory. On 30 August, Leutnant Huppertz was awarded the Ritterkreuz. In September 1941, Huppertz was transferred to the Ergänzungs-Staffel/JG 51 to undertake instructing duties. He returned to the Eastern front at the end of December. He was assigned to the Gruppenstab of III./JG 51 where he gained a further five victories. On 27 January 1942, Huppertz was appointed Staffelkapitän of 12./JG 1, based initially at Brest, then Jever before being sent to Norway. He participated in Operation Donnerkeil, the aerial protection of the German battlecruisers Scharnhorst and Gneisenau and the heavy cruiser Prinz Eugen on their epic dash through the Channel from Brest. He claimed an RAF Spitfire fighter shot down on 12 February during this operation. In March, IV./JG 1 was redesignated III./JG 5. Huppertz retained command of 9./JG 5. On 2 April, he claimed a RAF Mosquito twin-engine bomber shot down off the Norwegian coast. He was injured in a forced landing of Fw 190 A-2 (W.Nr. 2208) on 15 September at Morgensbeck. Huppertz was appointed Staffelkapitän of 3./JG 2 based on the Channel front on 9 November 1942. His stay with the unit was short as he was transferred to take command 10./JG 2 shortly afterwards. On 30 December, Huppertz recorded his 60th victory. In February 1944, Hauptmann Huppertz was appointed Gruppenkommandeur of III./JG 2. He was shot down and wounded in Fw 190 A-7 (W.Nr. 340 275) on 22 February in aerial combat with USAAF four-engine bombers. On the first day of the Allied invasion in Normandy, Huppertz claimed five victories over Allied fighters shot down (73-77). On 8 June 1944, Huppertz was shot down and killed in Fw 190 A-8 (W.Nr. 730 440) by US fighters near Cintheaux in the Caen area. He was posthumously awarded the Eichenlaub (Nr 512) and promoted to the rank of Major. Herbert Huppertz was credited with at least 78 victories. He recorded 33 victories over the Eastern front. Of the 45 victories recorded over the Western front, 17 were four-engine bombers.

Source :
Photo courtesy of Blanluet Christophe from ECPAD Archive
https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10158506806138308&set=gm.877750186053755&type=3&theater&ifg=1
http://www.luftwaffe.cz/huppertz.html

Wolfgang Meinhold Ritterkreuz Action

Wolfgang Meinhold (8 October 1902 - 3 April 1945) in a picture taken in May 1943. He received the Ritterkreuz des Eisernen Kreuzes on 15 May 1943 as Oberleutnant der Reserve and Chef 12.Kompanie / III.Bataillon / Infanterie-Regiment 122 / 50.Infanterie-Division. On the night of 25-26 March 1943 the frontline of the 50. Infanterie-Division came under a fierce Soviet bombardment that lasted throughout the night and the following morning. After this was finished the Soviet infantry attacked at 13:00, but were repulsed. They renewed their attack with additional forces, but were once again stopped in front of the German minefields. A new Soviet force of 24 tanks with mounted infantry then took their turn to attack. German artillery and MG fire managed to separate the infantry from the tanks. Divisional and corps reserves were dispatched to the area but by the time the arrived the situation had already been dealt with. Oberleutnant Meinhold had assembled parts of his Kompanie and the battalion reserve of the II./Grenadier-Regiment 122 and launched an energetic counterattack. The Soviet infantry and 6 tanks were eliminated and a further 8 tanks immobilized. Only 2 enemy tanks were ultimately able to escape. For his role in smashing this Soviet force Meinhold would be decorated with the Ritterkreuz.

Source :
https://audiovis.nac.gov.pl/obraz/35516/e56854a1b1c913864d26f94481f7f758/
https://www.tracesofwar.com/persons/11862/Meinhold-Dr-Wolfgang.htm

Bio of General der Flieger Stefan Fröhlich

Stefan Fröhlich (7 October 1889 - 2 October 1978) was the most senior operational recipient of the
Ritterkreuz des Eisernen Kreuzes in 1940, and the first Austrian to receive it. He joined the Austrian Heer in 1908 and served throughout the First World War as an engineer officer, reaching the rank of Hauptmann. He remained in the Heer after the war and by 1937 had reached the rank of Major and was responsible for flight equipment. Following promotion to Oberstleutnant he was in charge of the Flight Training Regiment. After Austria’s incorporation into the German Reich, Fröhlich joined the Luftwaffe, and in February 1939, after a short attachment to III.Gruppe / Kampfgeschwader 255 (KG 255), took command of I.Gruppe / Kampfgeschwader 158 (which became I./KG 76 in May 1939). After the Poland Campaign, by which time Fréhlich had been promoted to Oberst, he was given command of Kampfgeschwader 76 (KG 76), which he led until February 1941. During this time, he led his Geschwader successfully in the Battle of France, Battle of Britain and the Blitz, flying on a number of missions. For example, on 15 August 1940 (by which time he had been promoted to Generalmajor) during an attack on the airfield at Redhill, his pilot, Oberleutnant Hans Lommatsch, was wounded but managed to return to France; although Fröhlich was uninjured, Lommatsch died of his wounds on 7 September 1940. After having handed over the Geschwader to Oberst Ernst Bormann, Fröhlich became Fliegerführer Afrika for the next fourteen months. A series of senior staff appointments followed and he ended the war with the rank of General der Flieger.

Source :

"Knights of the Battle of Britain: Luftwaffe Aircrew Awarded the Knight's Cross in 1940" by Chris Goss

"Uniforms of the Third Reich - A Study in Photography" by A. Hayes dan J. Maguire

Ritterkreuz Action of Gustav-Adolf Blancbois

Gustav-Adolf Blancbois (13 September 1917 - 15 January 1993) received the Ritterkreuz des Eisernen Kreuzes on 20 July 1944 as Hauptmann and Kommandeur I.Kompanie (gepanzerte) / I.Bataillon / Panzergrenadier-Regiment 25 / 12.Panzer-Division. His award recommendation is written as follow: "At 02:10 on the 01.07.1944 the reinforced I./Panzergrenadier-Regiment 25 under its distinguished commander, Hauptmann Blancbois, set out for a relief attack through Pogoreloye in the direction of Svisloch. The objective was to create an opening for the German soldiers escaping from Bobruisk. The Bataillon became tied down by overwhelming Soviet forces on three sides just before the village of Svisloch, and it was thrown back a few kilometres. However during this combat a total of at least 15000 men were able to get behind the Bataillon and retreat over the Svisloch river towards Marina Gorka. By this action Hauptmann Blancbois had a decisive share in the rescue of Bobruisk’s former garrison. He would subsequently receive the Knight’s Cross for this achievement."

Source :
https://www.tracesofwar.com/persons/2258/Blancbois-Gustav-Adolf.htm?c=aw

Award Ceremony for Heinrich Niemann

 

 Ritterkreuz award ceremony for Leutnant der Reserve Heinrich Niemann (Führer 3.Kompanie / Pionier-Battailon 196 / 96.Infanterie-Division) on 30 April 1943. The medal was awarded for his actions south of Lake Ladoga. Here Niemann, along with his Pionier Kompanie, endured days of enemy artillery fire while holding an important hill. They then defended this height successfully against all the enemy attacks that followed. Niemann would be heavily wounded during the second enemy attack. In the end of the World War II, he finally reached the rank of Oberleutnant der Reserve. After the Second World War Niemann served with the Bundeswehr from 1957 until 31st March 1978, and finally reached the rank of Oberstleutnant.

Source :
https://www.kpemig.de/3-Privatfotos-Leutnant-Niemann-je-9-x-12-cm
https://www.kpemig.de/Leutnant-Niemann-Privatfoto-85-x-13cm
https://www.tracesofwar.com/persons/38910/Niemann-Heinrich.htm

Hauptmann Kurt Lau on His Wedding Day

Hauptmann Kurt Lau (Staffelkapitän 1.Staffel / I.Gruppe / Sturzkampfgeschwader 2 "Immelmann") in his wedding day. He is wearing the Ritterkreuz des Eisernen Kreuzes on his neck, which he received on 6 April 1944 after flying 725 ground attack sorties. Kurt Lau (12 April 1916 - 30 April 1993) served after the war with the Bundeswehr from 1956 until 30th September 1972 and finally reached the rank of Oberstleutnant. He flew a total of 897 ground attack sorties, during which he destroyed about 70-80 tanks and achieved 2 aerial victories.

Source :
https://www.kpemig.de/2-Hochzeitsfotos-Ritterkreuztraeger-Kurt-Lau-Staffelkapitaen-1-StukaG-2-Immelmann-Stuka-Geschwader-1-Stueck-9-x-14cm-das-andere-beschaedigte-10-x-15-cm
https://www.tracesofwar.com/persons/24415/Lau-Kurt.htm

Ritterkreuz Action of Unteroffizier Arthur Becker-Neetz

Arthur Becker-Neetz (31 December 1920 - 12 October 2016) received the Ritterkreuz des Eisernen Kreuzes on 25 August 1941 as Unteroffizier and Gruppenführer in 7.Kompanie / II.Bataillon / Schützen-Regiment 394 / 3. Panzer-Division. The following wartime excerpt describes why Becker was awarded the Ritterkreuz:

“Unteroffizier Becker showed great prudence during the engagement near Lykowo on the 15 July 1941. By doing so he had a major share in the defense against strong enemy attacks along the southeastern front of Mogilev and in the prevention of his own Kompanie’s annihilation. After the Kompanie commander had fallen he went on to motivate his men through the combat against a much larger enemy force in the difficult forest terrain despite being wounded himself. His Bataillon was only able to absorb the strong enemy breakthrough attempt here on account his independent actions. During this time Becker’s Bataillon was serving as flank protection. In the fighting described in the text the Kompanie lost all of its officers in addition to the commander, and Becker thusly took over the Kompanie’s leadership on his own initiative. In the subsequent combat he pulled off a particularly successful counterthrust and later prevented the encirclement of his Kompanie and its attached units despite being badly wounded by a headshot."

Source :
https://www.tracesofwar.com/persons/28295/Becker-Neetz-Arthur.htm
http://www.warrelics.eu/forum/photos-papers-propaganda-third-reich/show-your-signed-photos-284539-39/

Generalmajor Wolfgang von Chamier-Glisczinski Inspecting Troops

Generalmajor Wolfgang von Chamier-Glisczinski (Kommandeur Großen Kampffliegerschule in Tutow) inspecting Luftwaffe troops

Source :
https://forum.axishistory.com/viewtopic.php?p=2273463#p2273463

Ritterkreuz and Eichenlaub Actions of Bruno Hinz

Bruno Hinz received the Ritterkreuz des Eisernen Kreuzes on 2 December 1943 as SS-Obersturmführer and Führer 2.Kompanie / I.Bataillon / SS-Panzergrenadier-Regiment 10 "Westland" / 5.SS-Panzer-Division "Wiking". His Ritterkreuz recommendation reads as follows:

“At the start of September 1943, during our great retreat movement southwest of Kharkov, the enemy committed fresh infantry and tank forces supported by artillery of all calibers and Katyushas. Using all means, they tried to break through our front towards Poltava in order to cut off the retreat route of our forces to the southeast.

In the course of the retreat, and as a result of the weeks-long and uninterrupted strong enemy pressure, the Regiment had occupied an unfavourable position north of the Kharkov-Poltava railroad between Bf. Schljach and the village of Bortschany.

The 2./SS-Pz.Gren.Rgt. Westland, under the command of SS-Untersturmführer Bruno Hinz, was positioned just before the village of Hf. Buzkij in a rough patch of terrain. It had been heavily weakened by the hard fighting of the previous days.

After reorganizing his troops, and following an extremely heavy barrage by weapons of all calibers including Katyushas and ground-attack aircraft, the enemy launched multiple attacks against the sector of the 2./SS-Pz.Gren.Rgt. Westland with strong infantry and tank forces. However, in the face of hard close combat and ruthless resistance by SS-Untersturmführer Hinz and his men (who were inspired to achieve the most that they could by their commander’s personal example) these attacks were repulsed with heavy losses.

Over the course of these repeated hostile attacks there were significant losses of men and weapons on our side, and contact with the neighbouring units and the battalion command post was interrupted for a long time.

Clearly recognizing the consequences of an enemy breakthrough in the direction of Walki, and that he could only rely on his own means to stop it, Hinz reorganized the remnants of his Kompanie in a strongpoint-like fashion so as to once again be ready for defense.

With these independently implemented measures, as well as his multiple personal interventions at various enemy penetration locations (where he would always throw himself at the head of a few men against the broken-in enemy), he was able to repeatedly fend off the powerful breakthrough attempts of the enemy. In this time he would often personally take the place of exhausted friendly machine-gunners.

During a renewed attack the enemy succeeded in getting into the rear of the 2./SS-Pz.Gren.Rgt. Westland by pushing past the open flanks of the Kompanie. While the bulk of the Kompanie continued to defend against frontal attacks, Hinz once again took up position at the head of a few men and charged into battle against the enemy in his rear. He succeeded in smashing this contingent in bitter close combat. The personal bravery of SS-Untersturmführer Hinz inspired his men to ever higher achievements of their own. In a further strong enemy attack they let the hostile tanks overrun them before completely smashing the following infantry.

In all this time SS-Untersturmführer Hinz displayed extreme determination in the defense and exemplary bravery, while repeatedly launching fierce counterattacks on his own initiative that brought the enemy significant casualties. These efforts enabled the Bataillon to reorganize and occupy a coherent front over the course of a few hours, which in turn ultimately led to the prevention of a potential enemy breakthrough.

SS-Untersturmführer Hinz began the fighting in the East as a Zugführer, and has served as a Kompanie-Führer since the 28.12.1942. He has always distinguished himself through an especially high level of bravery and readiness for battle, as well as his skillful and prudent leadership on top of exemplary steadfastness. He was awarded the German Cross in Gold during the April of this year.

I hold SS-Untersturmführer Hinz as being particularly worthy of being awarded the Knight’s Cross to the Iron Cross.”

In 23 August 1944 Hinz received the Eichenlaub #559 for his Ritterkreuz, as SS-Obersturmführer and Chef 2.Kompanie / I.Bataillon / SS-Panzergrenadier-Regiment 38 / 17.SS-Panzergrenadier-Division "Götz von Berlichingen". His Eichenlaub recommendation reads as follows:

“SS-Obersturmführer Hinz was deployed for defense with his Kompanie in a patch of dry land projecting from the village of Graignes (located within the swampy terrain along the Taute canal), with a frontline facing the east, north and west.

On the 10.07.1944 Hinz and his Kompanie were cut off from the rest of their Bataillon (positioned further to the south) by a strong enemy infantry/tank thrust.

SS-Obersturmführer Hinz thereby assembled his Kompanie and attacked the enemy force that had penetrated into his rear on his own initiative. He inflicted heavy losses on the enemy and in doing so was also able to collected individual straggling squads of his Bataillon. However Hinz’s attach to the south did not lead to the intended unification with the rest of the Bataillon, as he came across strong enemy tank forces instead. In response SS-Obersturmführer decided to fight his way westwards through an extensive swampland (containing many creeks and depressions) while covering his southern flank. This could only be conducted on the following night however, and until then Hinz defended with his Kompanie in a hedgehog position. At dusk he engaged the enemy, breaking through their lines and into the swampland to the west.

The difficulties associated with this terrain, especially those encountered while crossing the numerous small streams under strong artillery fire, meant that the Kampfgruppe could only make slow forward progress. By the time it got light they had only completed the first half of the distance to their own lines. Hinz decided to lie low during the day and launch reconnaissance missions to determine which approach to the Bataillon would be the best one to take on the following night. During this day the Kampfgruppe was continually harassed by enemy artillery and aircraft, as the traces of the nighttime retreat were ultimately not covered up by the tall grass and swampland.

In the following night Hinz was able to complete the journey back to his Bataillon.

It was only on account of the independent and determined action by SS-Obersturmführer Hinz that the Kampfgruppe, containing about 100 men, was able to reach the safety of friendly lines.

Hinz, who continues to suffer from an old wound which was reopened during the hours-long pauses in the water, has shown the utmost courage and determination during this action.

I therefore hold SS-Obersturmführer Hinz to be worthy of the award of the Oakleaves to the Knight’s Cross.”

Sources :
https://www.germanpostalhistory.com/php/viewitem.php?itemid=74146&germany%20cover=search&
https://www.tracesofwar.com/persons/8830/Hinz-Bruno.htm?c=aw

SS-Hauptsturmführer Bruno Hinz in Color

SS-Hauptsturmführer Bruno Hinz photographed by Walter Frentz not long after he received the Eichenlaub for his Ritterkreuz on 23 August 1944.

Source :
https://forum.axishistory.com/viewtopic.php?f=38&t=249325
http://www.historicalwarmilitariaforum.com/search/?q=bruno%20hinz&type=forums_topic&item=6937
https://ww2gravestone.com/people/hinz-bruno/

Bio of SS-Hauptsturmführer Bruno Hinz

 Bruno Hinz was born on August 25 1915 in Petersdorf, Sachsen. In 1933, he joined the SS and became a member of the SS-Standarte "Deutschland" / SS-Verfügungstruppe. He participated in the Polish Campaign and in the Campaign in France. In October 1941, now an SS-Untersturmführer, Hinz reached SS-Division Wiking at the Eastern Front. He was designated a platoon leader in SS-Regiment Westland, fighting alongside many Scandinavian and West-European volunteers of the Waffen-SS. By that winter, Bruno Hinz had already earned the Eisernes Kreuz I.Klasse (Iron Cross First Class) and the Infanterie-Sturmabzeichen in Silber (Infantry Assault Badge in Silver) for his bravery. Demonstrating decisiveness at the head of his soldiers, defensive prowess when needed and bravery in close combat, Hinz was always involved in critical situations. Hinz experienced some difficult months during the offensive through the southern Ukraine, the fighting in the Caucasus and the bloody withdrawal from Grozny. In the spring of 1943, the constantly attacking SS-Panzergrenadier-Division Wiking took some heavy casualties but Hinz was able to demonstrate his capabilities in the weeks that followed. He received the Deutsches Kreuz in Gold (German Cross in Gold) for his successful command and accumulated so many close-combat days in such a short period that he was not given the Nahkampfspange in Bronze (Close Combat Clasp in Bronze), instead, Hinz started with the Nahkampfspange in Silber! His company had showed its combat expertise in countless assaults, bouts of house-to-house and street fighting, patrols and hunting down enemy armor. Wounded several times in the fighting around Kharkov, Hinz was awarded the Wound Badge in Silver. He rallied his men through several crises as a result of his own initiative and bravery. In September 1943 his company was in a defensive position on the Dnieper which allowed the Wiking to cross the Dnieper River. Hinz held the position but was badly wounded by a rifle round through the lung. It was only weeks later, after Hinz had regained some strength and had escaped death by the narrowest of margins, that he was informed of his award of the Ritterkreuz (Knight's Cross). On November 9 1943, he was promoted SS-Obersturmführer. In February 1944 Hinz was given command of the SS-Panzergrenadier-Regiment 38 of the newly formed 17.SS-Panzergrenadier-Division Götz von Berlichingen. Involved in heavy fighting in Normandy and separated from his battalion, the veteran of the Eastern Front railed his company, incorporated elements from other companies into his own force and formed a Kampfgruppe. In the space of two days, Hinz led his men around enemy strongpoints. Often involved in intense firefights and without any sort of rations, he, and 100 of his combat effectives and a few wounded made it back to the German lines by exploiting terrain. For his actions, Hinz was awarded the Eichenlaub (Oakleaves) to his Ritterkreuz as one of the lowest-ranking individuals to receive that award in the entire German armed forces! A few days after receiving the award, Hinz was wounded for the ninth time. In the military hospital, the news reached him that he had been awarded the Nahkampfspange in Gold. At his own request, the SS-Hauptsturmführer, who had been promoted on November 9 1944, was sent back to the field in January 1945. He participated in hard fighting in the Alsace and Franconia during the withdrawals. His regimental commander was the Austrian Knight's Cross Holder SS-Obersturmbannführer Vinzenz “Zenz” Kaiser. Hinz lost almost his entire battalion as a result of Allied air attacks and became prisoner of U.S. Army in late March 1945, Götz von Berlichingen could only muster some 800 men at the time. The remaining Kampfgruppen surrendered in southern Germany in May 1945. As well as being awarded the Oakleaves to the Knight's Cross and Wound Badge in Gold, Hinz was awarded the very rare Close Combat Clasp in Gold, which was only awarded 631 times during World War II! Only 98 received both the Knight's Cross and the Close-Combat Clasp in Gold. Bruno Hinz rebuilt his life after the war and died aged 52 on February 28 1968 in München.

Source :
Book "The Face of Courage" by Florian Berger
http://stabswache-de-euros.blogspot.com/2013/04/hauptsturmfuhrer-der-waffen-ss-bruno.html

Alois Weber Ritterkreuz Action

Alois Weber

Alois Weber (30 November 1915 - 19 January 2003) received the Ritterkreuz des Eisernen Kreuzes on 30 July 1943 as SS-Hauptscharführer and Zugführer in 16.Kompanie (Pionier) / SS-Panzergrenadier-Regiment “Deutschland” / SS-Panzergrenadier-Division “Das Reich” / II.SS-Panzerkorps / Heeresgruppe Süd.

Weber's Ritterkreuz recommendation reads as follows...

"During the attack on the 5.7.1943 the II./SS-Pz.Gren.Rgt. "Deutschland" had the order to break open the deep fortified enemy lines near Beresoff. After they had annihilated the enemy combat outposts, they were to take the village itself, then storm the heavily defended high ground to the NE behind Beresoff and take possession of it.

To support this attack of the Battalion a Tiger-Kompanie was attached, as well as a Pioneer-Zug of the 16./SS-Pz.Gren.Rgt. "Deutschland" under the leadership of SS-Hauptscharführer Weber. After elimination of the combat outpost, the Pioneerstosstrupp got the order to penetrate the tank-ditch before Beresoff together with the 6./SS-Pz.Gren.Rgt. "Deutschland", and then to knock-out the bunkers lying behind (which where in controlling positions).

After they penetrated into the tank-ditch they came under enemy fire. Out of camouflaged positions came the II./SS-Pz.Gren.Rgt. "Deutschland", who then gained a foothold in this tank-ditch. Further movement was prevented through well-aimed and non-stop enemy artillery, mortar and sniper fire. A further attack appeared impossible and high bloody losses began to mount; mine damage was also caused to the supporting Tiger-Kompanie, who as a result could not give further support.

Within this Battalion, to which the enemy artillery fire was causing higher losses hour after hour (shown through our dead and wounded), the leader of the Pioneerstosstrupp, SS-Hauptscharführer Weber, took the bold decision to take full control of the tank-ditch. Without Tiger support he alone took his Zug and stormed towards the bunker line in order to provide relief for the II./SS-Pz.Gren.Rgt. "Deutschland". In the strongest enemy fire, he explored any attack possibility. He took his Zug through the running trenches and moved through the violent enemy barrage. Moving through this tank-ditch his men threw the enemy out of one position after another and reached the Soviet bunker system that controlled it.

They exploited this success further and Weber stormed on with his Pioneers. Avoiding the enemy in Beresoff, he quickly took the calm decision to move through the village and onto the controlling high ground. In bitter close combat with his group, they attacked the bunker field there (around 15 bunkers) and forced the Soviets out of each position. This also forced the enemy to abandon the north and southern parts of Beresoff, who retreated in a wild flight over the high ground and moved northwards. Through this it was possible for the II./SS-Pz.Gren.Rgt. "Deutschland" to begin their advance out of the tank-ditch and push the enemy northwards, also gaining access to the main road to Kursk.

Through the go-getting advance, outstanding courage and superior leadership of SS-Hauptscharführer Weber (his attack group had only six casualties), as well the bold decision done on his own initiative, his Pioneerstosstrupp made the attack possible. They had a decisive share of the 20km breakthrough by the SS-Pz.Gren. Div "Das Reich" of the fortified Soviet field positions on both sides of Beresoff."

Source :
Expired ebay auction
https://www.tracesofwar.com/persons/14064/Weber-Alois.htm

Alfred Jodl as a Generalmajor in 1941

Generalmajor Alfred Jodl (Chef des Wehrmachtsführungsamtes) in a signatured picture that was taken on 4 April 1940.

Source :
https://www.pinterest.ca/rodsangala/alfred-jodl/

Albert Speer and Karl Dönitz After their Surrender

Two members of Flensburg Government, Dr. Albert Speer and Karl Dönitz, after their arrest by the British Army at Flensburg, 23 May 1945. The Flensburg Government (German: Flensburger Regierung), also known as the Flensburg Cabinet (Flensburger Kabinett), the Dönitz Government (Regierung Dönitz), or the Schwerin von Krosigk Cabinet (Kabinett Schwerin von Krosigk), was the short-lived government of Nazi Germany during a period of three weeks around the end of World War II in Europe. The government was formed following the suicide of Adolf Hitler on 30 April 1945 during the Battle of Berlin. It was headed by Grand Admiral Karl Dönitz as the Reichspräsident and Lutz Graf Schwerin von Krosigk as the Leading Minister.

Source :
https://historicalsocietyofgermanmilitaryhistory.com/german-history-of-world-war-ii/wehrmacht-armed-forces-of-world-war-two/officers-and-personnel-of-the-wehrmacht/kriegsmarine-officers-and-men/kriegsmarine-officers/grand-admiral-karl-donitz/
https://thereaderwiki.com/en/Flensburg_Government

Erich von Manstein in a Meal Reception

Generalfeldmarschall Erich von Manstein in a table.

Source :
https://id.pinterest.com/

Walther von Brauchitsch Looking through Binoculars

Generalfeldmarschall Walther von Brauchitsch (Oberbefehlshaber des Heeres) looking through binoculars.

Source :
http://alifrafikkhan.blogspot.com/2018/10/foto-walther-von-brauchitsch-panglima.html

Heinrich Voigtsberger in a Hoffmann Postcard

Generalmajor Heinrich Paul Hermann Voigtsberger (10 February 1903 – 17 March 1959) captured by British troops in May 1945 and was released in 1947. Ritterkreuz des Eisernen Kreuzes on 9 July 1941 as Major and commander of MG-Bataillon 2; Eichenlaub #351 on 9 December 1943 as Oberst and commander of Grenadier-Regiment 60 (motorisiert).

Source :
https://id.pinterest.com/pin/447897125426292956/

Nashorn Ace Albert Ernst

Nashorn Ace Albert Ernst was nicknamed the "Tiger of Vitebsk" for he knocked out 19 Soviet tanks during the Battle of Vitebsk. His gunner Kramer destroyed a Russian JS-2 at 4,800 Meters! He received the Ritterkreuz des Eisernen Kreuzes on 22 January 1944 as Leutnant and Zugführer in 1.Kompanie / schwere Panzerjäger-Abteilung 519. Albert Ernst and his Jagdtiger unit of 1/s.Pz.Jg.Abt.512 surrendered at Iserlohn in the Ruhr pocket on April 16,1945 (3 Jagdtigers, 1 bergepanther G, 5 sdkfz 251, one sdkfz 250 and a M3A1 scout car)

 

 

 

Source :
ECPAD Archives
https://www.tracesofwar.com/persons/30017/Ernst-Albert.htm

Bio of Major Adolf Hempel

Adolf Hempel (born January 26, 1915 in Dürrenbach, Schleiz District Office - died June 2, 1971 in Bonn-Bad Godesberg) was an officer in the Air Force of the Wehrmacht and later the Air Force of the Bundeswehr. Hempel joined the police in 1934 and switched to the flak group of the newly formed Luftwaffe on August 1, 1935. After he was promoted to first lieutenant on June 1, 1939, he took over a battery in flak regiment 8 as battery chief in November, followed as Zweiter Generalstabsoffizier (Ib) in the staff of the 17. Flak-Division. On December 30, 1942, he received the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross as chief of the staff battery in the anti-aircraft training regiment (motorized). Then he returned to the division staff. From February 24, 1944, he held the same position on the staff of III. Flakkorps from where, after being promoted to major, he was transferred to the General Staff of the Luftwaffe on September 1, 1944.

After the war Hempel studied philology. With a work on George Gissing as a naturalist in his youth works, he was awarded a Dr. phil. doctorate. Among other things, he worked as an exchange teacher in France, passed the state examination for teaching at higher schools in 1952 and worked as a study assessor. On May 2, 1956, he joined the Air Force of the Bundeswehr and served as Brigadier General from March 1, 1962 to September 30, 1962 and then again from April 1, 1966 to March 31, 1968 as Deputy Inspector of the Air Force. In between he was chief of staff in the Air Force command staff and from April 1, 1964 to March 31, 1966 commanded the 3. Luftwaffen-Division. He then took over the Air Force Office as a lieutenant general from April 1, 1968 to June 2, 1971.

Source :
https://de.wikipedia.org/wiki/Adolf_Hempel
https://www.liveauctioneers.com/item/73796668_adolf-hempel

Adolf Galland in a Hoffmann Postcard

Oberst Adolf Galland posed in a studio portrait, with the Photographer from Presse-Illustrationen Heinrich Hoffmann. First published by 'Dame' in 1941.

Adolf Joseph Ferdinand Galland (March 19, 1912 – February 9, 1996) was a Luftwaffe General and Flying Ace, taking part in the Spanish Civil War, the Polish Campaign, the Battle of Belgium, the Battle of France, the Battle of Britain, the Western Front, as well as during the Final Defense of the Reich. In 705 combat missions during the Second War, all on the Western Front, he claimed 104 aerial victories and was shot down himself on four occasions. Galland was a close friend with Hermann Göring, but eventually fell out of favour when he criticized Göring’s use of the Luftwaffe. After the war he worked for the Argentinian Air Force for a short period of time. Throughout his career he was awarded, among other decorations, the Spanish Cross in Gold with Swords and Diamonds (June 6, 1939), the Front Flying Clasp of the Luftwaffe in Gold with Pennant, Pilot/Observer Badge in Gold with Diamonds (August 1940), the Knight’s Cross with Oak Leaves, Swords, and Diamonds, and he was mentioned in the Wehrmachtbericht seven times.

Source :
https://www.emedals.com/a-signed-photo-of-luftwaffe-ace-general-adolf-galland
https://www.worthpoint.com/worthopedia/nazi-ww-ii-luftwaffe-ace-signed-photo-1850481068