Following the Donets Campaign and the recapture of Kharkov from the Soviets, award ceremonies were held at Kharkov by the SS-Panzergrenadier-Division "Das Reich" on 20 April 20 1943. The recipients are:
- Eichenlaub #221 for SS-Obersturmbannführer Otto Kumm (Kommandeur SS-Panzergrenadier "Der Führer"). Award date: 6 April 1943.
- Ritterkreuz for SS-Sturmbannführer Sylvester Stadler (Kommandeur II.Bataillon / SS-Panzergrenadier-Regiment "Der Führer"). Award date: 6 April 1943.
- Ritterkreuz for SS-Sturmbannführer Vinzenz Kaiser (Führer III.Bataillon [gepanzerten] / SS-Panzergrenadier-Regiment "Der Führer"). Award date: 6 April 1943.
- Ritterkreuz for SS-Sturmbannführer Hans Weiß (Kommandeur SS-Panzeraufklärungs-Abteilung 2 "Das Reich"). Award date: 6 April 1943.
- Ritterkreuz for SS-Sturmbannführer Christian Tychsen (Kommandeur II.Abteilung / SS-Panzer-Regiment "Das Reich"). Award date: 31 March 1943.
- Ritterkreuz for SS-Untersturmführer Karl-Heinz Worthmann (Zugführer in 6.Kompanie / II.Abteilung / SS-Panzer-Regiment 2 "Das Reich"). Award date: 31 March 1943.
Panzerkampfwagen VI Tiger I #812 "TIKI" of 8.(schwere) Kompanie / SS-Panzer-Regiment 2 "Das Reich" during the award ceremony of SS-Panzergrenadier-Division "Das Reich", which was held on 20 April 1943 at Kharkov, Ukraine. SS-Untersturmführer der Reserve Alois Kalss stand at
attention in a cupola. This is quite odd because Tiger TIKI itself in this period was recorded as being
commanded by SS-Unterscharführer Konrad Schweigert, but why is it Kalss
that the one who sticks out above? Tiger 812 "Tiki" is a somewhat famous tank that has been referenced in various mediums including artwork and model kits. The name is believed to be either in reference to a girlfriend of one of the crew members, a pet version of "Tiger", or just a nickname amongst Das Reich that stuck.
Panzerkampfwagen VI Tiger #812 "TIKI" of 8.(schwere) Kompanie / SS-Panzer-Regiment 2 "Das Reich" was present at an award ceremony on 20 April 1943. In this photo a crewman stands on the tank either before or after the proceedings. We can identify this Tiger by matching its camouflage paint to another photo of Tiger "812". The unusually shaped gun mantlet matches a photo of a whitewashed Tiger "812" and proves that this Tiger, and probably the whole company, have not been renumbered since the winter.
Award ceremony of SS-Panzergrenadier-Division "Das Reich" at Kharkov,
Ukraine, 20 April 1943. SS-Gruppenführer und Generalleutnant der
Waffen-SS Walter Krüger (Kommandeur SS-Panzergrenadier-Division "Das
Reich") gives the introductory speech while stands on the hull of
a Panzerkampfwagen VI Tiger #812 "TIKI", while below him - wearing stahlhelm - is SS-Obersturmbannführer Otto Kumm (Kommandeur
SS-Panzergrenadier "Der Führer") and SS-Obersturmbannführer Siegfried-Max Schultz (Ia Erster Generalstabsoffizier SS-Panzergrenadier-Division "Das
Reich"). The last one was promoted from SS-Sturmbannführer to SS-Obersturmbannführer in the same day as this ceremony - 20 April 1943. Tragically, just one month after this photo was taken - exactly on 22 May 1943 - Schultz committed suicide in Kharkov hospital for reasons that are still unclear!
Award ceremony of SS-Panzergrenadier-Division "Das Reich" at Kharkov,
Ukraine, 20 April 1943. SS-Gruppenführer und Generalleutnant der
Waffen-SS Walter Krüger (Kommandeur SS-Panzergrenadier-Division "Das
Reich") gives the introductory speech while stands on the hull of a
Panzerkampfwagen VI Tiger #812 "TIKI". Below him are, from left to right: SS-Obersturmbannführer Siegfried-Max Schultz (Ia Erster Generalstabsoffizier SS-Panzergrenadier-Division "Das
Reich") and SS-Hauptsturmführer Dieter Kesten
(Adjutant SS-Panzergrenadier-Division "Das Reich")
Award ceremony of SS-Panzergrenadier-Division "Das Reich" at Kharkov,
Ukraine, 20 April 1943. SS-Obersturmbannführer Otto Kumm (Kommandeur
SS-Panzergrenadier "Der Führer") stand beside the Panzerkampfwagen VI Tiger #812 "TIKI", while SS-Gruppenführer und Generalleutnant der
Waffen-SS Walter Krüger (only legs visible, Kommandeur SS-Panzergrenadier-Division "Das
Reich") gives the introductory speech above the hull. In this ceremony, Kumm received the Eichenlaub #221 for his Ritterkreuz, and becoming the first Eichenlaubträger of Das Reich Division
Award ceremony of SS-Panzergrenadier-Division "Das Reich" at Kharkov,
Ukraine, 20 April 1943. SS-Gruppenführer und Generalleutnant der
Waffen-SS Walter Krüger (Kommandeur SS-Panzergrenadier-Division "Das
Reich") gives the introductory speech while stands on the hull of a
Panzerkampfwagen VI Tiger #812 "TIKI". Below him are, from left to
right: SS-Obersturmbannführer Siegfried-Max Schultz (Ia Erster
Generalstabsoffizier SS-Panzergrenadier-Division "Das
Reich"), SS-Obersturmbannführer Otto Kumm (Kommandeur
SS-Panzergrenadier "Der Führer"), and SS-Hauptsturmführer Dieter Kesten
(Adjutant SS-Panzergrenadier-Division "Das Reich") 
Award ceremony of SS-Panzergrenadier-Division "Das Reich" at Kharkov, Ukraine, 20 April 1943. SS-Gruppenführer und Generalleutnant der Waffen-SS Walter Krüger (Kommandeur SS-Panzergrenadier-Division "Das Reich") gives the introductory speech while stands on the hull of a Panzerkampfwagen VI Tiger #812 "TIKI", with SS-Untersturmführer der Reserve Alois Kalss stand at attention in a cupola, while below him (wearing stahlhelm) is SS-Obersturmbannführer Otto Kumm (Kommandeur SS-Panzergrenadier "Der Führer") and SS-Hauptsturmführer Dieter Kesten (wearing lanyard, Adjutant SS-Panzergrenadier-Division "Das Reich"). Between Kumm and Kesten is SS-Obersturmbannführer Siegfried-Max Schultz (Ia Erster Generalstabsoffizier SS-Panzergrenadier-Division "Das
Reich"). The picture was taken by SS-Kriegsberichter Friedrich Zschäckel.
Award ceremony of SS-Panzergrenadier-Division "Das Reich" at Kharkov,
Ukraine, 20 April 1943. SS-Gruppenführer und Generalleutnant der
Waffen-SS Walter Krüger (Kommandeur SS-Panzergrenadier-Division "Das
Reich") gives the introductory speech above Panzerkampfwagen VI Tiger
#812 "TIKI" with SS-Untersturmführer der Reserve Alois Kalss stand at
attention in a cupola, while below him (wearing stahlhelm) is
SS-Obersturmbannführer Otto Kumm (Kommandeur SS-Panzergrenadier "Der
Führer"). The TIKI turret
number was initially 812, then changed to 833 and finally S34.
Strangely, Tiger TIKI itself in this period was recorded as being
commanded by SS-Unterscharführer Konrad Schweigert, but why is it Kalss
that the one who sticks out above? BTW, the vehicle with the
anti-aircraft gun muzzle facing up in the background is Sd.Kfz.7/1 2cm
Flakvierling 38 auf Selbsfahrlafette. The picture was taken by
SS-Kriegsberichter Friedrich Zschäckel.
Award ceremony of SS-Panzergrenadier-Division "Das Reich" at Kharkov,
Ukraine, 20 April 1943. SS-Gruppenführer und Generalleutnant der
Waffen-SS Walter Krüger (Kommandeur SS-Panzergrenadier-Division "Das
Reich") gives the introductory speech above Panzerkampfwagen VI Tiger
#812 "TIKI" with SS-Untersturmführer der Reserve Alois Kalss stand at
attention in a cupola, while below him (wearing stahlhelm) is
SS-Obersturmbannführer Otto Kumm (Kommandeur SS-Panzergrenadier "Der
Führer"), followed by SS-Obersturmbannführer Siegfried-Max Schultz (Ia Erster
Generalstabsoffizier SS-Panzergrenadier-Division "Das
Reich") behind Kumm. The vehicle with the
anti-aircraft gun muzzle facing up in the background is Sd.Kfz.7/1 2cm
Flakvierling 38 auf Selbsfahrlafette. Another Bildberichter is ready to take pictures with his camera.
Award ceremony of SS-Panzergrenadier-Division "Das Reich" at Kharkov,
Ukraine, 20 April 1943. SS-Gruppenführer und Generalleutnant der
Waffen-SS Walter Krüger (Kommandeur SS-Panzergrenadier-Division "Das
Reich") is reading the name of the recipients one-by-one while standing above Panzerkampfwagen VI Tiger
#812 "TIKI", while all whose names are called come forward to the line. In the background we can see the first six awardee. They are, from left to right: SS-Obersturmbannführer Otto Kumm (Kommandeur SS-Panzergrenadier-Regiment
"Der Führer"), SS-Sturmbannführer Christian Tychsen (Kommandeur
II.Abteilung / SS-Panzer-Regiment "Das Reich"), SS-Untersturmführer
Karl-Heinz Worthmann (Zugführer in 6.Kompanie / II.Abteilung /
SS-Panzer-Regiment 2 "Das Reich"), SS-Sturmbannführer Sylvester Stadler
(Kommandeur II.Bataillon / SS-Panzergrenadier-Regiment "Der Führer"),
SS-Sturmbannführer Vinzenz Kaiser (Führer III.Bataillon [gepanzerten] /
SS-Panzergrenadier-Regiment "Der Führer"), and SS-Sturmbannführer Hans Weiß
(Kommandeur SS-Panzeraufklärungs-Abteilung 2 "Das Reich"). With back to the camera, third from right is SS-Obersturmbannführer Siegfried-Max Schultz (Ia Erster
Generalstabsoffizier SS-Panzergrenadier-Division "Das
Reich"), followed by SS-Hauptsturmführer Dieter Kesten
(Adjutant SS-Panzergrenadier-Division "Das Reich") second from right.
Award ceremony of SS-Panzergrenadier-Division "Das Reich" at Kharkov, Ukraine, 20 April 1943. The recipients are, from left to right: SS-Obersturmbannführer Otto Kumm (Kommandeur SS-Panzergrenadier-Regiment "Der Führer"), SS-Sturmbannführer Christian Tychsen (Kommandeur II.Abteilung / SS-Panzer-Regiment "Das Reich"), SS-Untersturmführer Karl-Heinz Worthmann (Zugführer in 6.Kompanie / II.Abteilung / SS-Panzer-Regiment 2 "Das Reich"), SS-Sturmbannführer Sylvester Stadler (Kommandeur II.Bataillon / SS-Panzergrenadier-Regiment "Der Führer"), SS-Sturmbannführer Vinzenz Kaiser (Führer III.Bataillon [gepanzerten] / SS-Panzergrenadier-Regiment "Der Führer"), SS-Sturmbannführer Hans Weiß (Kommandeur SS-Panzeraufklärungs-Abteilung 2 "Das Reich"), and SS-Hauptsturmführer Karl-Heinz Lorenz (Chef 2.Kompanie / I.Abteilung / SS-Panzer-Regiment "Das Reich"). The picture was taken by SS-Kriegsberichter Friedrich Zschäckel.
Six new Ritterkreuzträger from SS-Panzergrenadier-Division "Das Reich" posed together for the camera after the award ceremony which were held at Kharkov, Ukraine, on 20 April 1943. From left to right: SS-Sturmbannführer Sylvester Stadler (Kommandeur II.Bataillon / SS-Panzergrenadier-Regiment "Der Führer"), SS-Sturmbannführer Hans Weiß (Kommandeur SS-Panzeraufklärungs-Abteilung 2 "Das Reich"), SS-Sturmbannführer Christian Tychsen (Kommandeur II.Abteilung / SS-Panzer-Regiment "Das Reich"), SS-Obersturmbannführer Otto Kumm (Kommandeur SS-Panzergrenadier-Regiment "Der Führer"), SS-Sturmbannführer Vinzenz Kaiser (Führer III.Bataillon [gepanzerten] / SS-Panzergrenadier-Regiment "Der Führer"), and SS-Untersturmführer Karl-Heinz Worthmann (Zugführer in 6.Kompanie / II.Abteilung / SS-Panzer-Regiment 2 "Das Reich"). The picture was taken by SS-Kriegsberichter Friedrich Zschäckel.Source :
http://alifrafikkhan.blogspot.com/2014/10/foto-2-ss-panzer-division-das-reich.html
https://www.bild.bundesarchiv.de/dba/de/search/?topicid=dcx-thes_fotograf_779xk33xfvo1ev9kf6kc&page=2
http://forum-console.worldoftanks.com/index.php?/topic/185157-tiger-812-tiki/
https://tiger1.info/event-page/812-awards
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