Werner Baumbach with Luftwaffe Flieger

 

Oberleutnant Werner Baumbach with fellow Luftwaffe flieger. He is wearing the Ritterkreuz des Eisernen Kreuzes #14 which he received on 8 May 1940 as Leutnant and Flugzeugführer in 5.Staffel / II.Gruppe / Kampfgeschwader 30 (KG 30) "Adler". The medal was awarded for achieving a direct hit on the French cruiser “Emile Bertin” while it was located off the Norwegian coast on the 19 April 1940. By this time he had flown 26 sorties.

Source :

https://forum.axishistory.com/viewtopic.php?p=2305612#p2305612

Wilhelm Niggemeyer in a Meeting

 

Eichenlaubträger Wilhelm Niggemeyer in the meeting.

 

Wilhelm Niggemeyer in the Panzerknacker Merkblatt 77/3 Page 24.

Wilhelm Niggemeyer (9 May 1918 - 14 February 2008) received the Ritterkreuz des Eisernen Kreuzes on 18 September 1942 as Leutnant der Reserve and Führer 2.Kompanie / Pionier Bataillon 26 / 26.Infanterie Division. He received the Eichenlaub #241 for his Ritterkreuz on 17 May 1943 as Oberleutnant der Reserve and Bataillonsadjutant Pionier Bataillon 26 / 26.Infanterie-Division.

 

 

Source :

Denis Daum photo collection

https://www.facebook.com/groups/152986901863424/permalink/1000454463783326/?__cft__[0]=AZXikwJYjNtEQX5RNJx2hGZnFI2xomaDU4o8BWnftqeIKuz2-Y8m4GsgtzUGwubbjXJJ_x999aW87syYjkBguhUfWBHq83C_TlMew-MEIO3A-_SDe6Cxs4K9IayCOt3efMU4JEXNnXOo2Y-0_9MMx28RNXb_hlohzAP2DobXFvZsVOq2dF190EyqhOXt4XRe-bQ&__tn__=%2CO%2CP-R

Ritterkreuz Action of Hanns Heise

 

Hanns Heise (1 February 1913 - 18 May 1992) received the Ritterkreuz des Eisernen Kreuzes on 3 September 1942 as Hauptmann and Gruppenkommandeur IV.Gruppe / Kampfgeschwader 76 (KG 76). The medal was awarded after he flew about 180 sorties. During 1942 Heise and his Gruppe particularly distinguished themselves while supporting German ground forces at Kharkov and Kerch. Here are the units destroyed:
- 53 tanks
- 2 artillery pieces
- 2 batteries
- 6 prime movers
- 630 trucks
- 5 ammunition dumps
- 1 armoured train
- 1 large destroyer in the port of Novorossisk

His Ritterkreuz award ceremony can be seen HERE.

Source :

https://forum.axishistory.com/viewtopic.php?p=2304163#p2304163

https://www.tracesofwar.com/persons/29460/Heise-Hanns.htm

Generalleutnant Maximilian Felzmann with His Troops 1944

 Maximilian Felzmann (22 April 1894 – 8 June 1962) received the Ritterkreuz des Eisernen Kreuzes on 28 November 1943 as Generalmajor and Kommandeur 251. Infanterie-Division. He received the Eichenlaub #643 for his Ritterkreuz on 3 November 1944 as Generalleutnant and Kommandeur Korpsabteilung E.

 

 

Source :

Denis Daum photo collection

https://www.facebook.com/groups/152986901863424/permalink/995571444271628/?__cft__[0]=AZVRw2tzYGrJfkD2VhC4Epd6wBnLuLDGIQK0mD5X8YzCID9l5NgioLLGnLO2k7mwdOpRASLLdFmt_xAupRYzWxtGaI2TPR4voVQ_3LkszpBI_RhErHBCaOMjrESvEZZFZAcxWGvXKde_cM0EUWFaS7258eL2V4FMRE2rXT7xzoFpZflGLET3W7FE8eW6zltkC0I&__tn__=%2CO%2CP-R

Georg Rietscher in a Visit to His Hometown

 

Georg Rietscher (3 December 1918 - 21 September 1991) received the Ritterkreuz des Eisernen Kreuzes on 27 June 1942 as Gefreiter der Reserve and Richtschütze in 14.Kompanie / III.Bataillon / Infanterie-Regiment 513 / 294.Infanterie-Division. He received the Eichenlaub #210 for his Ritterkreuz on 14 March 1943 as Unteroffizier der Reserve and Vorgeschobener Beobachter in 14.Kompanie / III.Bataillon / Grenadier-Regiment 513 / 294.Infanterie-Division.

Source :

Denis Daum photo collection

https://www.facebook.com/groups/152986901863424/permalink/995571737604932/?__cft__[0]=AZU5SBKhy5mkamtUEqrjUEBFFr-9PosyGhMPaLR3V7ORsPCaYe2-iYW3gIdyq-e8hsJxX2izlaCxVgJWGuPJc-6H642z8klWmLuJkQFE7b-OiFU-SFaho2plfdeFr7RJm0UBx2_gdw1ssU7uFTiMEOUrwscGP6lyWvjod3OtGrjln3wMgznfoq4dexuSkjlzsyI&__tn__=%2CO%2CP-R

Generalleutnant Richard Pellengahr

 

Richard Pellengahr (19 August 1883 - 9 October 1964) received the Ritterkreuz des Eisernen Kreuzes on 9 May 1940 as Generalleutnant and Kommandeur 196. Infanterie-Division.

Source :

https://forum.axishistory.com/viewforum.php?f=5

Gerardus Mooyman Giving Autographs

 

 

Dutch Ritterkreuzträger Gerardus Mooyman is visiting Amsterdam and being “stormed” by dutch Jeugdstorm members who want his autograph. Mooyman received the Ritterkreuz des Eisernen Kreuzes on 20 February 1943 as SS-Sturmmann and Geschützführer in 14.Kompanie (Panzerjäger) / SS-Freiwilligen-Legion “Nederland”.He has the distinction of being the first ever non-German to be awarded the Ritterkreuz!

Source :

https://dutchmilitaria.com/product/pressphoto-dutch-knightscross-winner-gerardus-mooyman/

Albert Kesselring Visiting Luftwaffe Units

Generalfeldmarschall Albert Kesselring visiting Luftwaffe units. Date and location unknown.

Source :

https://www.facebook.com/groups/152986901863424/

Guderian Inspecting Schnelle Brigade West

On 15 July 1943 Generaloberst Heinz Guderian (Generalinspekteur der Panzertruppen) visited the training camp of Schnelle Brigade West in France. The Schnelle Brigade West was formed in France in the summer of 1943 and was used to reform 21. Panzer-Division in July.

Generaloberst Heinz Guderian (Generalinspekteur der Panzertruppen)

 

 

 

Generaloberst Heinz Guderian (Generalinspekteur der Panzertruppen) chat with Oberst Edgar Feuchtinger (Kommandeur Schnelle Brigade West)

 

Generaloberst Heinz Guderian (Generalinspekteur der Panzertruppen) chat with Oberst Edgar Feuchtinger (Kommandeur Schnelle Brigade West), while behind Feuchtinger is Major der Reserve Alfred Becker (Kommandeur Sturmgeschütz-Abteilung 200) who is wearing Sturmartillerie uniform.

 Generaloberst Heinz Guderian (Generalinspekteur der Panzertruppen) speaks in front of the member of Schnelle Brigade West. Behind him wearing mantel is General der Panzertruppe Leo Freiherr Geyr von Schweppenburg (Generals der Panzertruppen mit Oberbefehlshaber West).

Generaloberst Heinz Guderian (Generalinspekteur der Panzertruppen).

Source :

Jim Haley photo collection

https://www.axishistory.com/books/152-germany-heer/heer-brigaden/4430-schnelle-brigade-west

Hugo Sperrle in Montpellier 1943

 

Generalfeldmarschall Hugo Sperrle (Chef der Luftflotte 3 im Westen) in the inspection tour of Luftwaffe Flak units at Montpellier, France, 1943. The officer accompanied him is General der Flieger Erich Petersen.

Source :

ECPAD Archive, courtesy of Blanluet Christophe

https://www.facebook.com/groups/152986901863424/permalink/983170222178417/?__cft__[0]=AZXQKvXuQ5OY5kq7qVVjopmpXulrWEuG8ttFcwXYH_B6KTYqvZbXkDbdVRtQMoId4i-kdbp_EqgfYfIwKZpieJdBm4X8jlZh708Dr8JJ78BtokL0xv7BDS7z34asb07gHchIKRj8QSwAaRxLPTf0SrfnXlZpfQ6VZddPMYptFgsQHIboOpSCGCmkAwUk3FnARrc&__tn__=%2CO%2CP-R

Ritterkreuz Action of Ludwig Stautner

 

Ludwig Stautner (4 May 1895 - 5 January 1983) received the Ritterkreuz des Eisernen Kreuzes on 20 June 1940 as a Major and Kommandeur I.Bataillon / Gebirgsjäger-Regiment 139 / 3.Gebirgs-Division. The following press article summarizes the action near Narvik in the spring of 1940 that led to the awarding of the Ritterkreuz for Stautner:

"Major Stautner has following detailed personal reconnaissance conducted the successful attack of Kompanie Schönbeck. The resulting repulse of enemy forces in this area was of great importance to the whole Kampfgruppe. The resumption of the enemy attack was delayed for days, buying Major Stautner's battalion valuable time to set up a strong defense. Ultimately the enemy did not dare to try and make any more major attacks west of Elvenes, where enemy landings were always to be expected."

In this battle Stautner and his battalion were initially thrown back by a Norwegian battalion on 24 April 1940, being driven east of the town of Elvenes. The Norwegian battalion commander decided to let his men rest for the night, and then resume the attack at 05:30 the next day. However Stautner would give them no rest. Attacking from the southern heights on 04:30 the next morning, they were able to successfully assault the Norwegians still quartered in the houses below and wipe them out by 11:00. 144 prisoners were taken in this battle.

For his success here, and the resulting ramifications of it, Stautner received the Ritterkreuz.

Source :

Martijn Houtermans photo collection

https://www.facebook.com/photo/?fbid=1313751228966656&set=gm.983824592112980

https://www.tracesofwar.com/persons/66760/Stautner-Ludwig.htm