Siegfried Haenicke and Hans Frank in Poland

 

In the front row, from left to right: Hans Frank (Generalgouverneur im Generalgouvernement) and General der Infanterie z.V. Siegfried Haenicke (Wehrkreisbefehlshaber im Generalgouvernement). Between them in the center is Dr. Ernst Boepple (2. Staatssekretär im Generalgouvernement), while Dr. Ludwig Losacker (Hauptabteilung Innere Verwaltung im Generalgouvernement) is in the right background. The SS-Oberführer at left is Dr. Herbert Böttcher (SS- und Polizeiführer Radom). They, and other German officials, is posed in front of the hunting lodge at Spała, central Poland, in 1943.

Source :

https://audiovis.nac.gov.pl/obraz/4584/h:436/

https://www.wehrmacht-awards.com/forums/forum/wehrmacht-era-militaria/photos-and-paper-items-forum/11879237-rk-dk-in-gold-plm-general-official-w-kvk1-please-id

Ritterkreuz Action of Rolf Truxa

 

Rolf Truxa (6 June 1921 - 3 February 1983) in a pictures taken by Kriegsberichter Gerhard Ulrich. He received the Ritterkreuz des Eisernen Kreuzes on 17 December 1943 as Oberleutnant and Führer 2.Batterie / Sturmgeschütz-Abteilung 190. During the German attempt to recapture the city of Newel, Oberleutnant Truxa and his Sturmgeschütze had the mission of supporting the infantry of the 252. Infanterie-Division. After overcoming the Soviet minefields the German infantry became pinned down in their efforts to take the high ground at Sui Shmotki. At this point Truxa and his Sturmgeschütze were able to rally the attackers and then proceeded to capture the heights in a sharp, aggressive attack. This enabled the German attack to proceed once again and by evening the Soviets had been pushed back 6 km. Despite the overall failure of the German assault, Truxa was nonetheless decorated for the Ritterkreuz for his achievements in the attack.

Source:

ECPAD Archives, courtesy of Blanluet Christophe

https://www.facebook.com/groups/152986901863424/permalink/953089338519839/?__cft__[0]=AZX7I7-IjQNNjCcdtznmQJvb331bM9U5ZNYxGAxXAUJkxnY3Z_PquVMB7iX5onxn9Oqz-M7z9x4TsqYvwZxL_r155-LbXwnqqOWp9b5056HcK3ah20BNo_jLT43jVxTAn1dLFta5Flb6aZZI9Em8qhwRXMBzsYh_xmGyw2EuyVNExw&__tn__=%2CO%2CP-R

https://www.tracesofwar.com/persons/19811/Truxa-Rolf.htm

Ritterkreuz Action of Paul Adam

 Paul Adam (23 March 1892 - 1 December 1969) received the Ritterkreuz des Eisernen Kreuzes on 18 April 1943 as Major der Reserve and Führer Grenadier-Regiment 158 / 82.Infanterie-Division. The following wartime excerpt describes why Adam was awarded the Ritterkreuz: “Major der Reserve Adam and his Grenadier-Regiment were involved in heavy defensive combat east of Kursk on the 7 February 1943. In the midst of the bitter struggle to contain the enemy superiority, Major Adam ordered his reserve Bataillon to go from the defense and over to the attack. By doing this he enabled our forces to conduct their intended movements according to plan.”

 

 

Source :

ECPAD Archives, courtesy of Blanluet Christophe

https://www.facebook.com/photo/?fbid=10158857538508308&set=gm.979639932531446

Günther Tribukait and Joseph Goebbels

Reichsminister Dr. Joseph Goebbels (Gauleiter of Berlin) is looking at the Soviet leaflet for the call to surrender, which were dropped to the German defender positions at Velikiye Luki, Russia. The Ritterkreuzträger who wears Bulgarian Order of Bravery at left is Major Günther Tribukait, who received the Ritterkreuz des Eisernen Kreuzes on 8 February 1943 as Kommandeur of Jäger-Bataillon 5. At far right behind Goebbels is Karl Fröhlich, who later received the Ritterkreuz as Oberleutnant and Chef 2.Kompanie / Panzer-Abteilung 18 / 18.Panzer-Division on 28 September 1943. This picture itself was taken in Berlin (Germany) on 2 March 1943, and were first published in "Neueste Zeitung" newspaper three days later (5 March 1943).

Source :

https://waralbum.ru/175937/

https://www.wehrmacht-awards.com/forums/forum/wehrmacht-era-militaria/photos-and-paper-items-forum/11844414-unbekannte-ritterkreuztr%C3%A4ger-mit-kgl-bulgar-tapferkeitsorden-iv-klasse-i-stufe

Arnold Kessler with His Parents

Ritterkreuzträger Arnold Kessler (left) with his parents. Kessler (14 April 1906 - 13 November 1967) received the Ritterkreuz des Eisernen Kreuzes on 4 October 1944 as Major and Kommandeur Panzerjäger-Abteilung 61.

 

 

Source :

Denis Daum photo collection

https://www.facebook.com/groups/152986901863424/permalink/544172819411495/?__cft__[0]=AZU8Md-s6OQ82-p69evdM27gMJrwqxqMVRH4PP58d40_Pke9TBxxLB1BQjIfiG2GzCHEl1nhrmbqRhBGbWly849gOhrTkM0B7ssIFTz_UWCb7pTAaM-bV6AhJ1qfn8acQeqhrHEj7yZ2cMFLKAuo80u-lki7VDqV_cFNm_ymmu24iIuei-3t6zaSnfB0sQOOMzaQaAvl-Rb6ydWnj2SkdFEf&__tn__=%2CO%2CP-R

Georg Jauernik Playing Cards

Stuka ace Georg Jauernik (left) playing cards with his fellow pilots. Jauernik (23 November 1915 - 8 February 1945) received the Ritterkreuz des Eisernen Kreuzes on 27 November 1942 as Stabsfeldwebel and Flugzeugführer in II.Gruppe / Sturzkampfgeschwader 77 (StG 77). The medal was awarded for his successes over the course of 500+ ground attack sorties on all fronts, which included his heavily damaging a 7000 GRT freighter in the port of Tuapse. Georg Jauernik finally reached the rank of Leutnant. He lies presumably buried as an unknown soldier at the German War Cemetery in Poznan. He flew a total of over 1000 sorties during World War II, almost all of these with the Junkers Ju 87 Stuka.

Source :

https://forum.axishistory.com/viewtopic.php?p=2296241#p2296241

https://www.tracesofwar.com/persons/23541/Jauernik-Georg.htm

Ritterkreuz Actions of Karl Koetz

Karl Koetz (8 February 1908 - 11 July 1977) received the Ritterkreuz des Eisernen Kreuzes on 2 October 1941 as Hauptmann and Kommandeur II.Bataillon / Infanterie-Regiment 463 / 263.Infanterie-Division. On 17-18 August 1941 previously the 263. Infanterie-Division was deployed to the Yelnya salient, where they faced desperate Soviet attempts to push back the Germans. In this context Hauptmann Koetz and his Bataillon distinguished themselves near Jakowlewo in the fighting around Hill 256.9, also known as the “Chimborasso”, in the time period 17-28 August 1941. The Bataillon put up a tremendous fight against the overwhelming Soviet attacks, and for this Koetz would be decorated with the Ritterkreuz.

Koetz received the Eichenlaub #374 for his Ritterkreuz on 24 January 1944 as Oberstleutnant and Kommandeur Grenadier-Regiment 185 / 87.Infanterie-Division. On 13 December 1943 previously the Soviets began a major attack against the key positions of the 3. Panzerarmee north of Vitebsk. Despite fierce German resistance, the 87. Infanterie-Division became surrounded. It was however able to break out on the 16 December 1943 along with the subordinated Grenadier-Regiment 365 in the area Choljawki/Karewy, Slyndiki. It reached the main battle line of the 20. Panzer-Division near Ambrossenki (2 km northwest of Malaschenki), thus escaping the trap. This breakout was only able to succeed due to the performance of the Grenadier-Regiment 185, commanded by Oberstleutnant Koetz, and the Sturm-Bataillon Hochgartz. For his role in saving his Division Koetz would be decorated with the Eichenlaub.

Source :

https://alchetron.com/Karl-Koetz

https://www.tracesofwar.com/persons/39158/Koetz-Karl.htm