Source :
http://www.geocities.ws/orion47.geo/WEHRMACHT/HEER/Generalleutnant2/LUZ_HELWIG.html
Source :
https://www.ebay.de/itm/184886702008?mkevt=1&mkcid=1&mkrid=707-53477-19255-0&campid=5338722076&toolid=10001
Tobruk, July 1942. Generalfeldmarschall Erwin Rommel (left in the car, Oberbefehlshaber Panzerarmee "Afrika") passes a column of English prisoners captured after the Battle of the city (Horch 901 car visible). With him in the backseat is Oberst im Generalstab Fritz Bayerlein (Chef des Generalstabes Deutsches Afrikakorps). Photo by Sonderführer Fritz Moosmüller from PK (Propaganda-Kompanie) "Afrika".
Source :
https://deutscheafrikakorps.blogspot.com/2021/06/erwin-rommel-with-british-pows.html
https://audiovis.nac.gov.pl/obraz/1269/12b23fe47a8541af41ec3c8e9adc4e97/
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Source :
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hermann_Hogeback
http://www.historicalwarmilitariaforum.com/search/?q=hogeback&type=forums_topic&item=6937
Promotions:
10.04.1901: Seekadett
22.04.1902: Fähnrich zur See
29.09.1904: Leutnant zur See
30.03.1906: Oberleutnant zur See
10.04.1911: Kapitänleutnant
21.01.1920: Korvettenkapitän
01.10.1925: Fregattenkapitän
01.01.1928: Kapitän zur See
01.10.1932: Konteradmiral
01.04.1935: Vizeadmiral
01.06.1937: Admiral
01.01.1940: Generaladmiral
Career:
Alfred Saalwächter (10 January 1883 – 6 December 1945) entered the Kaiserliche Marine as a Seekadett on 10 April 1901, and was trained on SMS Moltke and Hertha. Saalwächter then served with Bordkommando units, first with the 2. Matrosen-Division, then on Hessen with the 2. Werft-Division. Until 1908, he served with the 2. Torpedo-Division as adjutant to the I. Abteilung. Saalwächter also served on Gneisenau.
Saalwächter served on Hannover in 1910 and later on Westfalen as Flaggleutnant to Vice Admiral Hugo von Pohl, commander of the I. Marine-Geschwader then he joined the admiralty in Berlin and remained in the admiralty until 1915, with his last position there being head of the signal section in the operations department.
On 1 April 1915, Saalwächter became Flaggleutnant on Friedrich der Grosse, the flagship of the High Seas Fleet. In February 1916 he transferred to the U-boat service. After graduating from submarine school, he commanded U-25, U-46, and U-94 from September 1916 to March 1918.
In 1920, Saalwächter served on Braunschweig as an admiralty officer. After a leave of absence, Saalwächter joined the Marineleitung in the Personnel Department on 17 May 1920. From 15 October 1923 till 31 March 1925 he served as 1. Asto in the staff of the Commander of Naval Forces. On 24 September 1926 he took command of the light cruiser Amazone, and, a year later, of the battleship Schlesien. On 2 October 1933 Saalwächter was named inspector for naval instruction. During the following five years he had a strong influence on the development of the young officer corps. Saalwächter was named Commanding Admiral of Naval Station North Sea at Wilhelmshaven, one of the highest positions in the Kriegsmarine at the time, on 28 October 1938.
On 2 March 1939, Saalwächter sent a report to the Naval High Command in which he openly discussed the acquisition of bases in Norway. The report stressed both the dangers to Germany of British dominance in Norwegian waters and the favourable change in the geo-strategic position that a German occupation of Norway would bring about.
With the outbreak of World War II in September 1939, Saalwächter received command of Marine-Gruppenkommando West and was responsible for operations in the North Sea, which led to disputes between himself and the fleet commanders, Vice Admirals Hermann Boehm, Wilhelm Marschall, and Günther Lütjens.
Along with Admiral Rolf Carls, Saalwächter had tactical command of Operation Weserübung, the invasion of Norway. Beginning of summer 1940, Saalwächter led German surface operations in the North Atlantic and the English Channel. In 1940, he directed E-Boat forces against British shipping during the Kanalkampf phase of the Battle of Britain in support of the Luftwaffe. Later, he oversaw naval movements such as Operation Cerberus in February 1942. On 20 September of that year, he was replaced as head of Navy Group West by Marschall, who was himself replaced by Theodor Krancke in April 1944. Saalwächter resigned from active service on 30 November 1942.
Saalwächter was imprisoned by the Soviet Union on 21 June 1945. He was convicted by a Soviet military tribunal of war crimes on 17 October and executed by firing squad in Moscow on 6 December. In 1994, after the dissolution of the Soviet Union, Saalwächter was formally exonerated by a Russian court.
Source :
https://www.alexautographs.com/auction-lot/alfred-saalwachter_390493B989
https://www.alexautographs.com/auction-lot/alfred-saalwachter_F6044DBBFE
https://ar.pinterest.com/pin/190628996713113502/
https://www.bild.bundesarchiv.de/dba/en/search/?yearfrom=&yearto=&query=alfred+Saalw%C3%A4chter#
https://ms.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alfred_Saalw%C3%A4chter
https://www.tracesofwar.com/persons/15183/Saalw%C3%A4chter-Alfred-Kriegsmarine.htm
Source :
https://forum.axishistory.com/viewtopic.php?f=5&t=248044&p=2349307#p2349307
https://www.tracesofwar.com/articles/4923/Witzleben-Erwin-von.htm
Generale di divisione Ettore Baldassarre (2nd from left, Commander of Italian 132ª Divisione corazzata "Ariete") with Generalleutnant Erwin Rommel (Kommandierender General Deutsches Afrikakorps) and Generalmajor Alfred Gause (Deutschen Verbindungsoffizier beim Italienischen Oberkommando in Nordafrika), 19 June 1941.Source :
dati.acs.beniculturali.it/SecondaGuerraMondiale/
Three bomber pilots and Ritterkreuzträger from Kampfgeschwader (bomber wing) 6 at Creil, France, 13 April 1943, from left to right: Oberstleutnant Walter Storp (Geschwaderkommodore Kampfgeschwader 6), Major Hermann Hogeback (Gruppenkommandeur III.Gruppe / Kampfgeschwader 6), and Oberleutnant Rudolf Puchinger (Staffelkapitän 8.Staffel / III.Gruppe / Kampfgeschwader 6). This picture became the cover of "Der Adler" magazine number 13, 22 June 1943 edition.
Generalmajor Alfred Gause (Chef des Generalstabes Heeresgruppe "Afrika") in a picture taken in North Africa, late February 1943. Gause (1896 - 1967) German general, chief of staff to General Erwin Rommel in North Africa to whom he soon became invaluable. Gause rejoined Rommel in his postings in Italy and Northern France. In September 1944 he became Chief of Staff of the 6. Panzerarmee, which he held through the end of November. In April he was assigned to Generalkommando II. Armeekorps in Kurland. Captured by Soviet troops in the Courland Pocket in 1945 and was a prisoner of the Soviets until his release in 1955. He received the Ritterkreuz des Eisernen Kreuzes on 13 December 1941 as Generalmajor and Chef des Generalstabes Panzergruppe Afrika.
Source :
https://www.alexautographs.com/auction-lot/alfred-gause_B454700ACF
https://www.rommel-lebt.com/major--rudolf--von--knebel--doeberitz--rkt---photo.html?viewfullsite=1
Hermann Hogeback, the son of a tax inspector, was born on 25 August 1914 in Idar-Oberstein at the time in the Grand Duchy of Oldenburg, a state of the German Empire. Growing up in Münster from 1921 on he graduated with his Abitur (diploma) in 1934. After his graduation, Hogeback joined the military service as an officer cadet in the 9th Company of Infantry Regiment 15, 5th Division of the Reichswehr in Kassel. Following his officers training he transferred to the Luftwaffe a year later where he received his pilot training at Neuruppin, Ludwigslust and at the R.B.-Strecke of the Deutsche Luft Hansa. During this training period he was promoted to Leutnant (second lieutenant) on 1 June 1936. After he completed his bomber pilot training he transferred to the III./Lehrgeschwader Greifswald (3rd group of Demonstration Wing Greifswald), which was formed on 1 April 1937 and later became the III./Lehrgeschwader 1 (LG 1—1st Demonstration Wing). Hogeback then transferred to the II./Kampfgeschwader 355 (2nd group of the 355th Bomber Wing) on 1 May 1938 and to Kampfgeschwader 253 (243rd Bomber Wing) on 1 September 1938.
Following his promotion to Oberleutnant (first lieutenant) Hogeback volunteered for combat service with the Condor Legion (Legion Condor) where he flew more than 100 missions in the Spanish Civil War. The Condor Legion was a unit composed of volunteers from the Luftwaffe and from the German Army (Heer) which served in the Spanish Civil War in support of the Nationalists. His Heinkel He 111 was shot down by republican anti-aircraft artillery on his first mission with 1. Kampfgruppe 88 in Spain. The mission was to attack positions at Móra d'Ebre and Ebro. Hogeback's starboard engine was hit and caught fire. Attempting to return to Zaragoza-Sanjurjo, he had to give the order to abandon the aircraft. The combat observer, Poppenhagen, and the flight engineer, Hermann, managed to bail out but the radio operator Unteroffizier Gerhard Pacht, was wounded and failed to escape. Hogeback bailed out as well but sustained skull and lung injuries when he struck the antenna and vertical stabilizer and came down in no man's land where he was recovered the following night. For his services in Spain he was awarded the Spanish Cross in Gold with Swords in June 1939.
At the outbreak of World War II on 1 September 1939, Hogeback was back with III./LG 1 where he flew the He 111 in combat missions in the Invasion of Poland. His Gruppe (group) converted to the then new Junkers Ju 88 at the beginning of 1940. He flew further combat missions in the Battle of France. In summer of 1940 he flew missions against England in what would become the Battle of Britain, including 28 missions over London.
Hogeback and III./LG 1 was relocated to Sicily for operations in the siege of Malta and on 20 January 1941 he was appointed Staffelkapitän (squadron leader) of the 8./LG 1. On one of his first missions in the Mediterranean theatre he was credited with the sinking of a 10,000 gross register tons (GRT) freighter. His Ju 88 came under attack from 12 British fighters during an aerial reconnaissance flight over the Mediterranean Sea in July 1941. The British fighters broke off the attack following aerial combat, during the course of which Hogeback's radio operator Feldwebel (Sergeant) Willy Lehnert managed to shoot down two of the attackers.
On 8 September 1941, after 163 combat missions, Oberleutnant Hogeback received the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross (Ritterkreuz des Eisernen Kreuzes) from the hands of Fliegerführer Afrika Generalmajor (Major General) Stefan Fröhlich at Derna in North Africa. On 20 February 1943, for his leadership of III.(Kampf)/LG 1, Hogeback was awarded the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross with Oak Leaves (Ritterkreuz des Eisernen Kreuzes mit Eichenlaub), the 192nd German soldier so honoured. The award was presented at the Wolf's Lair, or Wolfsschanze (Führer Headquarters, at Rastenburg, East Prussia) in early March 1943. Hogeback together with Hauptmann Erwin Fischer, an aerial reconnaissance pilot with Fernaufklärungs-Gruppe 121 (Long–range Reconnaissance Group 121), received the award directly from Adolf Hitler. At this presentation Hitler commented that eligibility for high awards was most difficult to achieve for reconnaissance pilots, next were the bomber pilots, and last and most easy for the "fine gentlemen" from the fighter force. Hitler then said that this procedure would be changed before inviting them to tea along with Luftwaffe adjutant Oberst Nicolaus von Below.
On 12 August 1943 Hogeback was appointed to succeed Oberst Walter Storp as Geschwaderkommodore (Wing Commander) of Kampfgeschwader 6 (KG 6—6th Bomber Wing) and was promoted to Oberstleutnant (Lieutenant Colonel) with effect from 1 May 1944. On 18 October 1944 KG 6, along with Kampfgeschwader 27 (KG 27—27th Bomber Wing), Kampfgeschwader 30 (KG 30—30th Bomber Wing) and Kampfgeschwader 55 (KG 55—55th Bomber Wing) were subordinated to the newly formed IX. (J) Fliegerkorps. KG 6 received the suffix "J" to its name—J stands for Jagd (fighter aircraft)—and was now known as Kampfgeschwader (J) 6, denoting its fighter aircraft character. Hogeback ordered all the remaining Junkers Ju 88 and Junkers Ju 188 units transferred to other units. KG(J) 6 then transferred to Prague for conversion to the Messerschmitt Me 262 jet fighter.
Between 1943 and 1945 every member of Hogeback's Junkers Ju 88 crew was awarded the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross, making it the most highly and only so decorated crew in the Luftwaffe. Air gunner Oberfeldwebel Günter Glasner—crew member since early 1940—received the Knight's Cross on 31 December 1943, radio operator Oberfeldwebel Willy Lehnert—crew member since March 1941—on 5 April 1944, and observer Fahnenjunker-Oberfeldwebel Wilhelm Dipberger—crew member since 1940—on 9 January 1945.
Following the German capitulation in May 1945, Hogeback was taken prisoner of war by United States Army forces. He was held captive in London, England, and at Sainte-Mère-Église, France, before being released in September 1945.
After the war Hermann Hogeback studied law and worked in the automobile industry. He died on 15 February 2004 in Dötlingen, Lower Saxony, and was buried with full military honors.
Awards and Decorations :
Medalla de la Campaña (4 May 1939)
Spanish Medalla Militar
Spanienkreuz in Gold mit Schwertern (6 June 1939)
Frontflugspange der Luftwaffe in Gold with Pennant "500"
Flugzeugführer- und Beobachterabzeichen
Italian aviator badge
Krimschild
Verwundetenabzeichen in Schwarz
Eisernes Kreuz II.Klasse (20 May 1940)
Eisernes Kreuz I.Klasse (26 September 1940)
Deutsches Kreuz in Gold on 24 September 1942 as Hauptmann in the III./LG 1
Ritterkreuz des Eisernen Kreuzes on 8 September 1941 as Oberleutnant and Staffelkapitän of the 9.(K)/LG 1
Ritterkreuz des Eisernen Kreuzes mit Eichenlaub #192 on 19 February 1943 as Hauptmann and Gruppenkommandeur of the III./LG 1
Ritterkreuz des Eisernen Kreuzes mit Eichenlaub und Schwertern #125 on 26 January 1945 as Oberstleutnant and Geschwaderkommodore of KG 6
Source :
https://www.alexautographs.com/auction-lot/hermann-hogeback_FCD4A3191B
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hermann_Hogeback
Source :
https://forum.axishistory.com/viewtopic.php?p=2344847#p2344847
https://www.tracesofwar.com/persons/29704/Hogeback-Hermann.htm
Generalmajor Ernst Rupp (Kommandeur 97. Jäger-Division) in the bunker with his stabsoffizier (staff officers). Behind him is Major Kurt Ferchl (Ia Erster Generalstabsoffizier 97. Jäger-Division). Ferchl was born on 15 June 1909, and was promoted to Oberstleutnant on 1 March 1943. He received the following decorations during the war: Eisernes Kreuzes II.Klasse (29 September 1939) und I.Klasse (4 June 1941), and Deutsches Kreuz in Gold (28 July 1943). The picture was taken in 1942.Source :
https://forum.axishistory.com/viewtopic.php?p=2348563#p2348563
Source :
https://www.alexautographs.com/auction-lot/gerhard-matzky_3944429A92
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gerhard_Matzky
Source :
http://alifrafikkhan.blogspot.com/2009/01/generalleutnant-adolf-galland-1912-1996.html
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Adolf_Galland
Gero von Schulze-Gaevernitz (2nd from left) visited German headquarters in Bolzano on May 12, 1945, to express his thanks for the German officers' cooperation during the surrender of the southern front. Enjoying a relaxed moment in the courtyard of SS headquarters are, left to right: General der Panzertruppe Hans Röttiger (Chef des Generalstabes Heeresgruppe C), Gero von Schulze-Gaevernitz (German emigrant and assistant of Allen Dulles in Europe), Generaloberst Heinrich von Vietinghoff-Scheel (Oberbefehlshaber Heeresgruppe C), and SS-Obergruppenführer und General der Waffen-SS Karl Wolff (Höchster SS und Polizeiführer "Italien"). In the background: SS-Sturmbannführer Eugen Wenner (Adjutant Höchster SS und Polizeiführer Karl Wolff ) and SS-Standartenführer Dr. Eugen Dollmann (Verbindungsmann Höchster SS und Polizeiführer "Italien" beim Oberbefehlshaber Süd). Schulze-Gaevernitz was awarded the U.S. Medal of Freedom in 1945 for his skillful negotiations in Ascona, Switzerland, for the surrender of a million Nazi forces in World War II, with specific reference to Italy (Operation Sunrise). Photograph by T. S. Ryan.
Source :
NARA RG 226, Entry 110, Box 1, OSS photo
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gero_von_Schulze-Gaevernitz
ORIGINAL COLOR
Generalfeldmarschall
Walter Model (Oberbefehlshaber Heeresgruppe Nordukraine) chats with
Major General vitéz noble Mihály Ibrányi de Vaja et Ibrány (Commander of
Hungarian 25th Infantry Division). The Ritterkreuzträger in the
background is Oberst (later Generalmajor) Arthur Finger (Führer 291.
Infanterie-Division). There is no information about when and where this
picture was taken, but probably in Kovel-Lublin area in the summer of
1944.
Johann "Hans" Sandner (15 October 1921 - 26 December 1983) received the Ritterkreuz des Eisernen Kreuzes on 13 June 1941 as Oberjäger and Gruppenführer in 11.Kompanie / III.Bataillon / Gebirgsjäger-Regiment 100 / 5.Gebirgs-Division. The following newspaper excerpt describes why Sandner received the Ritterkreuz: “Acting on his own initiative, Oberjäger Sandner was the first man of his attacking Kompanie to clear the only possible approach route to the Greek Kelkajia fortified complex (which consisted of over 10 bunkers). This act was of decisive importance for the storming of this position, which in turn was the key to breaking through the Metaxas Line in this area. Such a success was only possible thanks to his great personal bravery and sound judgement on the battlefield.”
Source :
https://forum.axishistory.com/viewtopic.php?p=2347566#p2347566
https://www.tracesofwar.com/persons/17161/Sandner-Johann-Hans.htm
Kurt Heyser (27 August 1894 - 20 April 1974) received the Ritterkreuz des Eisernen Kreuzes on 26 May 1940 as Oberst and Kommandeur Infanterie-Regiment 47 / 22.Infanterie-Division (Luftlande). The following wartime excerpt (dated 30 August 1940) describes why Heyser received the Ritterkreuz: “Oberst Kurt Heyser tied down strong enemy forces with his air landed Infanterie-Regiment. Due to the lack of contact with his Division, this was an action that he executed totally independently. Despite being wounded twice in the process he retained command over his Regiment and demonstrated great personal bravery in the battle.”
Source :
https://www.ebay.de/b/General-in-Militaria-Uniformen-Effekten-1918-1945/15508/bn_7004517826
https://www.tracesofwar.com/persons/47679/Heyser-Kurt.htm
Generalmajor Julius Ringel visits the Küstenwachen (coast guards) in
Crete. Austrian-born Ringel commanded the 5. Gebirgs-Division in Greece
and Crete. On 22 May 1941 he was given control of all German forces on
Crete and told to secure the island. While he achieved this objective,
Ringel’s decision to push his troops eastwards towards Retimo allowed
the bulk of British Creforce to escape south to Sfakia for evacuation.
For his leadership during the battle he was awarded the prestigious
Ritterkreuz des Eisernen Kreuzes in June 1941.Source :
https://nzhistory.govt.nz/media/photo/general-julius-ringel
Promotions:
General der Infanterie: 1. Aug. 1940
Generalleutnant: 1. Feb. 1940
Generalmajor: 1. Mar. 1938
Oberst: 1. Sep 1934
Oberstleutnant: 1. Oct. 1932
Major:
Hauptmann:
Oberleutnant:
Leutnant: 27. Jan. 1910 (Patent 19. Jun. 1908)
Fähnrich: 13. Mar. 1909
Career:
Retired: 1. Jun. 1944
Oberbefehlshaber 19.Armee: 13. Aug. 1943 - 1. Jun. 1944
Chef Generalstab Heeresgruppe Süd: 10. Jun. 1941 - 13. Aug. 1943
Chef Generalstab Oberbefehlshaber West: 1. Oct. 1940 - 10. Jun. 1941
Chef Generalstab Heeresgruppe A: 6. Feb. 1940 - 1. Oct. 1940
Chef Generalstab Grenzkommando 2: 1. Dec. 1938 -
Commissioned/assigned to Infanterie-Regiment 62: 27. Jan. 1910 -
Entered service as Fähnrich: 13. Mar. 1909
Decorations & Awards:
19.07.1940 Ritterkreuz des Eisernes Kreuzes
02.01.1943 Deutsches Kreuz in Gold as General der Infanterie and Chef des Generalstabes Heeresgruppe B
1939 Spange zum 1914 Eisernes Kreuz I. Klasse
1939 Spange zum 1914 Eisernes Kreuz II. Klasse
1914 Eisernes Kreuz I. Klasse
1914 Eisernes Kreuz II. Klasse
Ehrenkreuz für Frontkämpfer
Wehrmacht-Dienstauszeichnungen
Source :
Gregg Tolbert photo collection
http://www.geocities.ws/orion47.geo/WEHRMACHT/HEER/General2/SODENSTERN_GEORG.html
Robert Wilhelm Jean Thomas
*08.10.1892 Minden
+24.08.1976 Hameln
Vater: Rudolf Thomas, Oberstabsarzt (+24.03.1899)
Mutter: Hanna Thomas, geb. Schmidt (+16.09.1924)
02.10.1919 Heirat mit Else Wolffgramm, geb. Schickert
22.06.1912 Leutnant (Ee)
18.08.1917 Oberleutnant (E3e)
01.07.1922 neues RDA vom 18.08.1917 (24) erhalten
01.05.1925 Hauptmann (3)
01.05.1934 Major (22)
01.10.1936 Oberstleutnant (21)
01.06.1939 Oberst (18)
01.05.1942 Generalmajor mit RDA vom 01.04.1942 (32c1)
xx.xx.1943 Generalleutnant mit RDA vom 01.07.1943 (2a)
22.03.1912 aus der Hauptkadettenanstalt in das Infanterie-Regiment “Prinz Friedrich der Niederlande” (2. Westfälisches) Nr. 15, Minden, überwiesen
14.09.1914 Bataillonsadjutant im Infanterie-Regiment “Prinz Friedrich der Niederlande” (2. Westfälisches) Nr. 15
04.10.1915 Führer der 12. Kompanie des Infanterie-Regiments “Prinz Friedrich der Nieder-lande” (2. Westfälisches) Nr. 15
04.10.1916 Regimentsadjutant des Infanterie-Regiments “Prinz Friedrich der Niederlande” (2. Westfälisches) Nr. 15
19.12.1917 stellvertretender Brigadeadjutant der 26. Infanterie-Brigade
14.07.1918 Ordonanz-Offizier der 13. Infanterie-Division
00.10.1918 Regimentsadjutant des Infanterie-Regiments “Prinz Friedrich der Niederlande” (2. Westfälisches) Nr. 15
20.06.1919 Adjutant beim Infanterieführer der Reichswehr-Brigade 7, Münster
01.10.1919 im Westfälischen Reichswehr-Schützen-Regiment 14/Reichswehr-Infanterie-Regiment 14 der Reichswehr-Brigade 7, Münster, der Vorläufigen Reichswehr
01.01.1921 Adjutant im Stab des II. Bataillons des 18. Infanterie-Regiments, Münster
22.03.1923 Wehrkreisprüfung abgelegt
00.00.1924 Kompanieoffizier in der 2. Kompanie des 18. Infanterie-Regiments, Paderborn
01.10.1924 Chef der 9. Kompanie des 18. Infanterie-Regiments, Hameln
00.00.1930 Chef der 8. (MG.) Kompanie des 18. Infanterie-Regiments, Münster in Westfalen
01.10.1932 zur Verfügung des Chefs der Heeresleitung / sonstige Offiziere; zur Absolvierung der Reinhardt-Kurse nach Berlin kommandiert
01.04.1933 im Reiter-Regiment 8, Oels/Niederschlesien (heute: Oleśnica/Polen)
01.07.1933 Taktiklehrer an der Infanterieschule Dresden
15.10.1935 Lehrer an der Kriegsschule Dresden [laut Stellenbesetzung]
06.10.1936 Adjutant der Kriegsschule Dresden [laut Stellenbesetzung]
12.10.1937 Kommandeur des III. / Infanterieregiment 71 (Erfurt)
25.09.1939 Kommandeur des Infanterieregiments 267
07.09.1940 Kommandeur des Infanterieregiments 71
01.02.1942 Kommandeur der Schule I für Offizieranwärter der Infanterie
05.08.1942 Führerreserve OKH (IV)
15.11.1942 Führerreserve OKH (IX)
26.11.1942 Kommandeur der 321. Infanteriedivision
10.10.1943 Führerreserve OKH (IX)
01.03.1944 kommandiert zum Wehrkreisbefehlshaber Böhmen und Mähren
01.04.1944 Kommandeur der Division z.b.V. 539
04.09.1944 Führerreserve OKH (IX)
08.09.1944 mit der stellvertretenden Führung der 286. Sicherungsdivision beauftragt
18.11.1944 Kommandeur der 203. Infanteriedivision (bis 16.12.1944)
26.12.1944 Kommandeur der 286. Infanteriedivision
26.01.1945 Führerreserve OKH (IX)
20.03.1945 kommandiert zur Wehrersatzinspektion Hannover
01.04.1945 Wehrersatzinspekteur Hannover
22.09.1939 Spange zum EK II
04.10.1939 Spange zum EK I
05.11.1941 Infanteriesturmabzeichen
13.10.1941 Ritterkreuz, as Oberst and commander of Infanterie-Regiment 71 / 29.Infanterie-Division
Source :
https://www.alexautographs.com/auction-lot/wilhelm-thomas_FD04CA48E4/
https://forum.axishistory.com/viewtopic.php?t=230471
Inspection of the high-ranking officials to the Wehrmacht training at Döberitz, February 1943. Facing the camera in the center is General der Panzertruppe Werner Kempf (Kommandierender General Armee-Abteilung Kempf), while the Ritterkreuzträger at his right is General der Infanterie Friedrich Olbricht (Chef Allgemeine Heeresamt in Oberkommando der Wehrmacht). The SS general at left is SS-Gruppenführer Hans Jüttner (Leiter SS-Führungshauptamt).Source :
https://forum.axishistory.com/viewtopic.php?p=2346570#p2346570
Johann "Hans" Theodor von Ravenstein was born in Strehlen, near Breslau, on 1 January 1889 into a family with a military tradition. His father was an officer in the Silesian Hussars and an ancestor was an adjutant to Generalfeldmarschall Blücher during the Napoleonic Wars. He had a harsh upbringing; his father had a major head injury while Johann was young and this affected his interactions with his children. Eventually his mother left his father, later obtaining a divorce in 1893, and raised Ravenstein and his sister on her own.
Despite an early interest in becoming a pastor in the Lutheran Church, Ravenstein began a military education in 1899 when he entered Wahlstatt Cadet School. He went onto the Cadet Academy in Berlin in 1903. During his time there, he made the acquaintance of Kaiser Wilhelm II while occasionally serving as a page at the Neues Palais (New Palace) at Potsdam. Following graduation from the Cadet Academy in 1909 he was posted to the King's Grenadier Regiment, stationed at Liegnitz, as a leutnant (second lieutenant). The same year he met his future wife, Elisabeth von Oriola, who was from an aristocratic Silesian family of Portuguese descent.
After two years at Liegnitz, Ravenstein transferred to the 155th Infantry Regiment as a battalion adjutant officer. On the outbreak of World War I, his regiment marched into Belgium and he fought in the Battle of Longwy on 22 August 1914. He subsequently saw action in the Battle of Verdun. In 1915 he was promoted to oberleutnant and was soon commanding a company in his regiment. Apart for periods of leave, he served continuously on the Western Front throughout the war. He proposed to Elisabeth in 1917 and married her early the following year while on leave.
Ravenstein was selected for a training course in general staff duties and, after completion, joined the General Staff of the Imperial German Army. He soon sought a return to the frontlines and rejoined the 155th Infantry Regiment which was to soon be involved in the third phase of the German spring offensive. In the Third Battle of the Aisne in May 1918, Ravenstein was given command of his regiment's 1st Battalion and led it through the opposing line. Shortly afterwards, with only a small squad of men, he captured a bridge over the Aisne near Chemin des Dames. Later in the battle, he was in charge of a patrol which executed an ambush of a French battalion, routing it completely. Pushing on with his battalion towards the Marne, his troops eventually took 1,500 prisoners and captured in excess of 30 field guns and machine guns. For his accomplishments, Ravenstein received the Pour le Mérite on 9 June.
Promoted to hauptmann (captain), Ravenstein was posted to the Imperial Guard as a battalion commander. He was serving at the Kaiser's headquarters when the war ended. Attached to the Freikorps from 1919, he was engaged in defending against Polish incursions along the border in the east of Germany. When the border disputes settled, he decided to leave the military rather than stay in the newly formed Reichsheer. He was discharged on 31 March 1920 having received an honorary promotion to the rank of major.
Entering a university at Essen, he graduated in 1921 with a degree in administration. He secured employment with a large electrical company and was soon transferred to Duisburg. He made the acquaintance of the city's mayor, Dr. Karl Jarres, who, in 1926, offered him a role as the manager of the Duisburg tramway system. He was a success in the role and Jarres soon moved Ravenstein to his mayoral office as director of public relations. By this stage of his career, he had adopted his sister's daughter.
Ravenstein lost his job when Jarres lost his mayoralty in 1933. As an anti-Nazi, he found it hard to secure employment so in 1934 he rejoined the army as a major attached to the 2nd Battalion of the 60th Infantry Regiment. On 1 October 1936 he was promoted to oberstleutnant (lieutenant colonel) and shortly afterwards was given command of the 4th Rifle Regiment, 1st Light Division, based at Iserlohn. He led the regiment when it was involved in the occupation of Sudetenland, having been promoted oberst (colonel) in August 1938. The following year the regiment was part of the occupation force that marched into Czechoslovakia.
The 1st Light Division was involved in the Polish campaign as part of the 10th Army. After the end of the fighting in Poland, the division's structure was considered inadequate and it was re-organised as the 6th Panzer Division. Ravenstein remained in command of his regiment and led it through the Battle of France. At one stage, having crossed the Meuse and Oise Rivers and accompanied by several panzers, his regiment captured the headquarters of the French 9th Army although its commander, General Henri Giraud, was away at the front at the time. As a result of his regiment's endeavours, Ravenstein was awarded the Ritterkreuz des Eisernen Kreuzes.
The campaign in France concluded, Ravenstein was appointed commander of 16th Rifle Brigade, 16th Panzer Division, and was sent to the Balkans. During his time there he was briefly part of the German Military Mission to Romania and later, after the Battle of Greece, was a liaison officer at the court of King Boris III of Bulgaria. On 20 May 1941, he was promoted to Generalmajor and appointed commander of the 5th Light Division, which was serving in Libya as part of Generalleutnant Erwin Rommel's Afrika Korps.
Ravenstein arrived in North Africa a few days later to take up command of the 5th Light Division and was almost immediately brought into action when the British commenced Operation Battleaxe. Ordered by Rommel to attack the flank of the British advance, his division performed well, inflicting severe damage to the 7th Armoured Brigade, and threatening encirclement of the 7th Armoured Division and the Indian 4th Infantry Division.
After the battle, Ravenstein's division was redesignated the 21st Panzer Division although it did not receive any additional units to its order of battle. For the next few months, the Afrika Korps built up its stores in preparation for offensive operations against Tobruk and during this period Ravenstein went on leave to Rome.
In the evening of 18 November 1941, the British Eighth Army commenced Operation Crusader, intended to relieve the Siege of Tobruk. Ravenstein's division, located to the west of Bardia, was soon engaged in counterattacks during which his command vehicle was struck by gunfire. By 26 November his command was reduced to 22 tanks. While traveling in a staff car on 28 November 1941 to visit the headquarters of the neighbouring 15th Panzer Division with an orderly and driver, Ravenstein was ambushed by soldiers of 21st Battalion, 2nd New Zealand Division, near Point 175. One of his companions was wounded when the New Zealanders opened fire and the trio surrendered. Taken back to battalion headquarters, it was discovered that one of their captives was a general. Ravenstein was promptly taken into Tobruk and maps he was carrying were helpful in preparing against forthcoming attacks by the 21st Panzer Division. He was the first German general to be made a prisoner of war by Allied forces in the war!
Ravenstein was transported by ship from Tobruk but it was sunk by an Italian torpedo bomber and was rescued by a British corvette after spending two hours in the sea. Taken to Alexandria, he was held in a series of prisoner of war camps, firstly in Egypt, then South Africa and later in Ontario, where he spent the majority of the war. While a POW, he was promoted to Generalleutnant on 1 October 1943. After the war, he was transferred to a POW camp in Bridgend, Wales, which was designated for senior German officers. He soon developed heart problems and was medically repatriated to Germany in November 1947.
Settling back in Iserlohn with his wife Elisabeth, Ravenstein secured a job with the Düsseldorf Corporation. In 1951, he and his wife moved to Duisburg, where he took up employment again with the city's administration. He eventually retired in 1954. Soon afterwards he declined an offer from King Farouk of Egypt to command his country's army. An active Christian throughout his life, he was involved in the Lutheran Church in addition to other civic and charitable organisations. While attending church in Duisburg, he died on 26 March 1962 of a heart attack.
Source :
Docarchiv photo collection
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Johann_von_Ravenstein
https://forum.axishistory.com/viewtopic.php?p=2343573#p2343573
From left to right: General der Infanterie Friedrich Materna (Kommandierender General XX. Armeekorps) and Generalfeldmarschall Hans-Günther von Kluge (Oberbefehlshaber Heeresgruppe Mitte). The picture was taken in July 1942 at Samoschje-Temkino, east of Wjasma, in the area of XX. Armeekorps commanded by General Materna.Source :
https://forum.axishistory.com/viewtopic.php?p=2346570#p2346570