Heinz Macher and Heinz Harmel

On the left is Eichenlaubträger Heinz Macher (31 December 1919 - 21 December 2001. Eichenlaub #544 on 19 August 1944 as Kommandeur 16.Pioniere-Kompanie / SS-Panzergrenadier-Regiment 3 “Deutschland” / 2.SS-Panzer-Division “Das Reich”. Last rank: SS-Sturmbannführer) and to the right is Schwerterträger Heinz Harmel (29 June 1906 - 2 September 2000. Schwerter #115 on 15 December 1944 as Kommandeur 10. SS-Panzer-Division "Frundsberg". Last rank: SS-Brigadeführer und Generalmajor der Waffen-SS), standing with Frau Harmel. The picture was taken by Mark C. Yerger in Lenggries, 1985 or 1986.

Source :
Mark C. Yerger photo collection
https://www.wehrmacht-awards.com/forums/forum/wehrmacht-era-militaria/order-of-battle-and-individual-research-forum/358925-kc-winner-photos-after-the-war#post3586802

Four Schwerterträger of the SS in the 1980's

Four Schwerterträger (holder of the Ritterkreuz des Eisernen Kreuzes mit Eichenlaub und Schwertern) from the Waffen-SS, pictured in the 1980s. From left to right: Otto Weidinger (27 May 1914 - 11 January 1990. Schwerter #150 on 6 May 1945 as Kommandeur SS-Panzergrenadier-Regiment 4 "Der Führer" / 2.SS-Panzer-Division “Das Reich”. Last rank: SS-Obersturmbannführer), Heinz Harmel (29 June 1906 - 2 September 2000. Schwerter #115 on 15 December 1944 as Kommandeur 10. SS-Panzer-Division "Frundsberg". Last rank: SS-Brigadeführer und Generalmajor der Waffen-SS), Otto Kumm (1 October 1909 - 23 March 2004. Schwerter #138 on 17 March 1945 as Kommandeur 7. SS-Freiwilligen-Gebirgs-Division "Prinz Eugen". Last rank: SS-Brigadeführer und Generalmajor der Waffen-SS), and Otto Baum (15 November 1911 - 18 June 1998. Schwerter #95 on 2 September 1944 as Führer 17. SS-Panzergrenadier-Division "Götz von Berlichingen". Last rank: SS-Oberführer). They were all at least once served in the Das Reich Division. Mark C. Yerger photo collection.

Source :
Mark C. Yerger photo collection
https://www.wehrmacht-awards.com/forums/forum/wehrmacht-era-militaria/order-of-battle-and-individual-research-forum/358925-kc-winner-photos-after-the-war/page5#post5145486

Paul Hausser Funeral

Ritterkreuzträger who were present during the funeral of SS-Oberstgruppenführer Paul Hausser: 9.SS-Obersturmbannführer Otto Weidinger, 10.SS-Brigadeführer Heinz Harmel, 11.Oberstleutnant der Reserve Konrad Zeller, and 12.Oberst Walther Dahl. Paul Hausser died at the age of 92 on 21 December 1972 at Ludwigsburg, Germany, while the funeral taken place on 28 December 1972 in Neuer Friedhof Ludwigsburg, started from 02:45 PM.

Source :
https://www.wehrmacht-awards.com/forums/forum/wehrmacht-era-militaria/order-of-battle-and-individual-research-forum/861559-the-funeral-of-paul-hausser-gathering-of-kc-holders#post6675048

Heinz Harmel with Canadian POWs

Canadian tankists from the 6th Canadian Armoured Regiment (1st Hussars) which were captured by the SS-Panzer-Aufklärungs-Abteilung 10 of SS-Sturmbannführer Heinz Brinkmann (left) in Saint-André-sur-Orne, on 23 July 1944. At right is SS-Oberführer Heinz Harmel (Kommandeur 10. SS-Panzer-Division "Frundsberg"). The picture was taken at the end of the day, and later published in 'Hamburger Illustrierte' Issue Nr. 31 dated 29 July 1944. Various shots exist of those four Canadian soldiers, who are quite stressed and probably fearing the worse for themselves. It really shows the uncertainty of capture. Anglo-Canadian personnel feared abuse or execution at the Waffen-SS after the latter's atrocities, while Waffen-SS and Heer themselves were informed that the Allies did not take prisoners: but if they were captured, they would be shot as traitors after the war.

This German halftrack is bringing back from the battlefront three Canadian/British soldiers who were taken as prisoners. This is, supposedly, the german halftrack Sd.Kfz.251 of SS-Oberführer Heinz Harmel (Kommandeur 10. SS-Panzer-Division "Frundsberg"), as indicated in the Bundesarchiv. On the German halftrack, the British prisoners have a POW paper hanging around their neck. They look really exhausted, the face of one of the soldiers expresses the uncertainty they are facing regarding their fate.

Source :
http://peupledigital.over-blog.com/2018/01/german-opponent-forces-around-hill-112.html
https://www.pinterest.fr/pin/515169644860008974/
https://twitter.com/ReassessHistory/status/1290691479552364545/photo/4
https://www.wehrmacht-awards.com/forums/forum/wehrmacht-era-militaria/photos-and-paper-items-forum/908886-ss-themed-magazine-newspaper-covers/page2#post6953889

Heinrich von Vietinghoff and Karl-Walter Lapp

Generaloberst Heinrich von Vietinghoff (wearing ledermantel) in a picture supposedly taken on late 1944 or early 1945 in Tirol, Austria. From 24 October 1944 - 16 January 1945, he was "mit der stellvertretenden Wahrnehmung der Geschäfte als Oberbefehlshaber Südwest beauftragt" (stood in for Generalfeldmarschall Albert Kesselring who was recovering from head injuries sustained in an automobile accident). The Ritterkreuzträger at left is Major Karl-Walter Lapp (Kommandeur Tiroler Standschützen), who received the Ritterkreuz on 14 August 1944 as Kommandeur Ski-Bataillon 82. There's a very interesting and detailed chapter on the Tiroler Standschützen in Roland Kaltenegger's "Spezialverbände der Gebirgstruppe 1939-1945" (2004), a highly recommended book with many photographs of both the Standschützen and on Karl-Walter Lapp. Many high dignitaries visited Major Lapp and his Tiroler at the training grounds by the Alpini Barracks in Gossensaß. Among others were Generals like Generaloberst Heinrich von Vietinghoff, General der Gebirgstruppe Valentin Feuerstein as well as the Gauleiter of Tirol-Vorarlberg Franz Hofer. SS-Reichsführer Heinrich Himmler (as Chef of the Ersatzheer) and SS-Obergruppenführer Karl Wolff were also among the visitors as well as Reichsjugendführer Baldur von Schirach.

Source :
https://www.feldgrau.net/forum/viewtopic.php?t=6404&start=60
https://forum.axishistory.com/viewtopic.php?p=2503323#p2503323

Heinz Harmel in a Retouched Photo

 
This picture actually shows Heinz Harmel as SS-Obersturmbannführer, but already edited in war-time to become SS-Standartenführer, complete with Kragenspiegel (collar tabs) and additional rangstern (pips) in the shoulder boards. The Ritterkreuz also added, and only the Deutsches Kreuz in Gold is real. The original picture was taken in the end of 1942 by Kriegsberichter Neumann when Harmel served as the Kommandeur of SS-Panzergrenadier Regiment "Deutschland" / SS-Panzergrenadier-Division "Das Reich". The photo retouch practice was quite common when a photo agency did not have an up-to-date image to support a news or story. They just dug out an old image and "brought it up-to-date" by raising the rank and/or adding decorations. The above photo of Harmel is typical.

Other picture that was taken in the same timeframe. Now the Kragenspiegel is showing the correct rank (SS-Obersturmbannführer), but the Ritterkreuz is still obviously added. Also note the sleeve eagle that has been put in the peaked cap!

Source :
https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Bundesarchiv_Bild_183-2006-0818-500,_Heinz_Harmel.jpg
https://forum.axishistory.com/viewtopic.php?f=38&t=147049&hilit=heinz+harmel

Kaiser, Tychsen, Harmel and Reitzenstein

Officers and Ritterkreuzträger of the SS-Panzergrenadier-Division "Das Reich" in the Battle of Kursk, July 1943. From left to right: SS-Sturmbannführer Vinzenz "Zenz" Kaiser (Kommandeur III.Bataillon / SS-Panzergrenadier-Regiment "Der Führer". Ritterkreuz on 6 April 1943 and Eichenlaub on 18 April 1945), SS-Sturmbannführer Christian Tychsen (Kommandeur II.Abteilung / SS-Panzer-Regiment 2 "Das Reich". Ritterkreuz on 31 March 1943 and Eichenlaub on 10 December 1943), SS-Standartenführer Heinz Harmel (Kommandeur SS-Panzergrenadier-Regiment "Deutschland". Ritterkreuz on 31 March 1943, Eichenlaub on 7 September 1943 and Schwerter on 15 December 1944), and SS-Obersturmbannführer Hans-Albin Freiherr von Reitzenstein (Kommandeur SS-Panzer-Regiment 2 "Das Reich". Ritterkreuz on 13 November 1943).

Source :
http://alifrafikkhan.blogspot.com/2014/10/foto-christian-tychsen.html
https://reibert.info/threads/lejbshtandarte-ss-adolf-gitler-leibstandarte-ss-adolf-hitler.4910/page-41

Heinz Harmel and Werner Ostendorff

Eastern Front, April 1942. Original caption: "Kameradschaftsabend in unserem Kameradschaftsheim" (evening comradeship in our comradeship home). From left to right: SS-Sturmbannführer Heinz Harmel (Kommandeur SS-Infanterie-Regiment "Deutschland" / SS-Division "Das Reich") and SS-Standartenführer Werner Ostendorff (Ia SS-Division "Das Reich").

Source :
https://forum.axishistory.com/viewtopic.php?f=38&t=248534&p=2262191&hilit=harmel#p2262191

Heinz Harmel with His Driver and Aide

SS-Brigadeführer und Generalmajor der Waffen-SS Heinz Harmel (Kommandeur 10. SS-Panzer-Division "Frundsberg") in a picture taken in the Rhineland front near Linnich, Nordrhein-Westfalen, November-December 1944. At left is his driver, SS-Oberscharführer Hinterhölzl, while at right is his "putzer" (cleaner), SS-Unterscharführer "Friedel" Friedrich. On 18 November the Frundsberg Division, by this time reduced to a battle group after its losses in Normandy and at Arnhem, was withdrawn to Aachen in Germany for rest and refit, During December its strength was built up once again to around 15,500 men – about 75 percent of establishment. In December 1944/January 1945 it saw action around Linnich and Geilenkirchen, and Julich north-east of Aachen.

Source :
Cornelius Ryan photo collection
"Operation Market-Garden 1944 (1): The American Airborne Missions" by Steven J. Zaloga
https://www.emedals.com/products/knights-cross-winner-post-war-g3008?variant=46109276274965#main-gallery-2
https://frundsberg10.tripod.com/unithistory.htm
https://stoessisheroes.com/meet-the-heroes-german-brigadefuhrer-generalmajor-heinz-harmel/

Heinz Harmel and August Dieckmann

SS-Standartenführer Heinz Harmel (center, Kommandeur SS-Panzergrenadier-Regiment "Deutschland" / SS-Panzergrenadier-Division "Das Reich") in conversation with SS-Obersturmbannführer August Dieckmann (left, Kommandeur SS-Panzergrenadier-Regiment "Westland" / SS-Panzergrenadier-Division "Wiking"), his long-time friend from the time in "Germania" and "Der Führer" Regiments. The picture was probably taken during the meeting of "Das Reich" and "Wiking" in September 1943 near Kharkov, when both divisions subordinated to the III. Panzerkorps (General der Panzertruppe Hermann Breith).

Source :
https://beeldbankwo2.nl/nl/beelden/detail/02cd0cba-025b-11e7-904b-d89d6717b464/media/b8158c9e-8f7d-b147-f35b-79bdcccdfa0d?mode=detail&view=horizontal&q=harmel&rows=1&page=1
https://www.oorlogsbronnen.nl/bron/https%3A%2F%2Fbeeldbankwo2.nl%2Fnl%2Fbeelden%2Fdetail%2F02cd0cba-025b-11e7-904b-d89d6717b464%2Fmedia%2Fb8158c9e-8f7d-b147-f35b-79bdcccdfa0d

Walter Model and Heinz Harmel

Generalfeldmarschall Walter Model (left, Oberbefehlshaber West) at a field briefing with SS-Oberführer Heinz Harmel (Kommandeur 10. SS-Panzer-Division "Frundsberg") in the Western Front, August-September 1944. Oberbefehlshaber West (OB West, High Commander in the West) was the overall commander of the Westheer, the German armed forces on the Western Front during World War II. It was directly subordinate to the Oberkommando der Wehrmacht (the German armed forces High Command). The area under the command of the OB West varied as the war progressed. At its farthest extent it reached the French Atlantic coast. By the end of World War II in Europe it was reduced to commanding troops in Bavaria.

Source :
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/OB_West

Karl-Heinz Euling Interview

This is a 1999 interview (in Münich) with Karl-Heinz Euling, ex-member of Totenkopf and Frundsberg divisions and a winner of the Ritterkreuz des Eisernen Kreuzes.

Herr Euling, what interested you in joining the Waffen SS, and what was your training like?
Karl: I was ten years old when I started following the political situation in Germany; I could not avoid it as my family always spoke about the direction Germany was taking. The Reds had made a concerted effort to turn Germany into a satellite of Russia, which worried most. It was not hard for me to see who was in the right, and who was in the wrong regarding the political situation. I joined the Hitler Youth and never looked back.
In 1938, I finished all my schooling, joined the NSDAP as a supporter, and wanted to join the SS; it was seen as the most elite formation of the NSDAP. I passed my entrance exams and after a night out with my friends dancing and drinking, I reported for duty. I was assigned to the Totenkopf Standarte Brandenburg. Training started from the moment we entered the barracks. Training in the SS was different from the other services. There was not a lot of yelling and screaming it was more “it’s your duty to perform this drill” rather than screaming “run you pig, run”, our instructors wanted to build and teach instead of tear down.
We had to rise early, go to bed early, eat well, run, march, run some more, march some more, and finally study military law and strategy. Politics were discussed as well as current news, but most focus was military drill and discipline. Later in training, we had weekends free to roam around, and heaven help the man who was late for roll call after an evening out. Our officers treated us as men, and comrades, they regularly ate and visited with us.
I would like to dispel a myth that many historians like to tell. The Waffen SS did not use “live fire exercises” on us as if we were reckless fanatics. I feel some like to portray us as being super human, which we were not, or war lovers, which we were not. The only time real bullets were used was later on for certain types of training, and it was closely watched, you would crawl low on your stomach while an enemy weapon was fired to simulate real combat.

As an American, I have always been taught the deaths head symbol of the SS is testament of the evil intentions that Himmler created the SS for. It looks sinister and satanic, can you explain why this was your symbol?
Karl: (Laughs) that is not surprising as most Americans are ignorant of their European Germanic history. Since early times the death’s head has been used for many things, but I will focus on the military side, as it is more appropriate. In the armies of old the death’s head was used to show that men were prepared to fight to the death, guided by the spirits of their fallen comrades. In recent times, the more elite units like Hussars, guards units, and many others adopted this symbol, in most every European army. Prussia used it very often and it became a symbol of esprit de corps, the Kaiser Reich used it, Freikorps units, and this is probably where RFSS Himmler decided to adopt this symbol for what was to be the very elite of the party. There is nothing sinister about it, it is a time-honored tradition for military forces, and even your “Jolly Rogers” use it today on their fighter jets. It has adopted many meanings as of today “Death before dishonor”, “Fight to the end”, “Fear not Death”, and many others. Are all armies satanic who use it? It has nothing to do with evil, only our enemies and the ignorant push that non-sense. To us it meant honoring our ancestors with loyalty until death, which would strike fear in those opposing us.

You were in Poland with Totenkopf, what was it like?
Karl: We knew something was brewing with Poland, German radio told us that ever since the border wars, some Poles had continued to attack Germans on German territory, killing some. This was common knowledge. Issued ammunition, extra rations and moved into staging areas, rumors we would attack Poland were rampart. Our officers met with us and told us plainly we may go to war, and that we must adhere to the rules of war regarding prisoners and civilians. They advised us to be careful at what we shot at, watch for the farmers who would be in their fields, and children playing.
The Polish army had become one of Europe’s largest, ever since they defeated the Reds they were brimming with confidence. We found maps and propaganda pamphlets on prisoners that showed the new Polish border stopped right at Berlin after they beat us. I remember recalling how the western part of Poland was very German-like and tidy, then the farther east we moved it was more desolate. We were disheartened to learn we were being used as a mopping up force instead of front line combat.
The reason was the Blitzkrieg tactics bypassed large numbers of enemy soldiers, so other units had to deal with them. TK came across some treacherous Polish units who were sending men out dressed in civilian clothes to try to get away, problem was they were still armed and engaged in fighting. When we caught these men, they could not be treated as soldiers as they broke rules, and killed our soldiers. This sadly was common in the area TK was in, and gave our detractors reason to accuse us of war crimes.
We dealt with sabotage, soldiers that would hide in a town, fire on us as we passed, and then play civilian when we searched for them. Some in the towns would hide these men, knowing what that meant. I remember a scene in which a Polish mob was ransacking a synagogue and had killed some Jews before we arrived and we prevented any further killings. Yes, a deaths head unit saved Jews from being beaten by an anti-Jewish mob.
Our life in Poland was not all bad, many of the people came out to either welcome us or at least see what we were like. We had good relations with the civilians, we traded food and cigarettes, many older ones remembered the soldiers from the first war with fond memories. One man was boastful in telling us his granddaughter was from a German soldier. We still hated being used as we were, collecting stragglers and fighting small bands who were trying to keep the war going. Lucky for us it was over quick.

You also took part in the war against France and the Low Countries?
Karl: No, I was selected to attend officers training in early 1940 and it went into the start of the western campaign, my unit fought but I did not. I was given leave after training, so it further delayed me from joining my comrades. I did make to the front but by then all was quiet.

What was officer training in the SS like?
Karl: Much like university with a boot camp twist, lots of studying the history of battles, tactics, but the most important was how to be a leader. The training taught us how to deal with battlefield stress, difficult men, insubordination, loss at home, loss of comrades, and to maintain morale without losing discipline. The instructors all had some form of combat experience or relevant leadership experience.
It prepared me for dealing with all the different types of people in the world, during and after the war. I enjoyed this time; I took my studies seriously and enjoyed the talks with the instructor and other candidates. One had to complete all courses and exams with good marks, but to be awarded the sword of the SS was a high honor when done.

You fought on the Russian front, what was it like for you and what do you remember about the invasion?
Karl: I was assigned to a few units right after graduating officer school, I ended up in a motorized infantry unit, which I was not thrilled about, as I wanted a front line combat unit, not mopping up isolated enemy forces. That is exactly what I got stuck doing again. The blitz tactics bypassed large areas of Soviets, and TK and other units had to fight them to get them to surrender.
We started from the south of Poland in July and moved into the south of Ukraine, stuck rounding up stragglers and pockets of resistance. I will comment on one odd encounter with Soviet paratroopers that we encountered. They seemed poorly led but had held out for a month, the officers told interrogators they were preparing for jumps into Poland, but we attacked first. This, along with the vast amount of material of an offensive nature, proved to us Stalin was planning an attack on us, but we struck first.
As we moved further into the Ukraine we saw our first partisans, or I call them criminals, because that is what they chose to do, break the laws of war. An army supply train was hit by a group of 20 if I remember right, they killed the soldiers clearly after they gave up, ransacked them, and a few showed signs of torture. We heard the shots, we were close by, moved toward the area, and immediately took fire, they ran off and we finally trapped them in a village.
They refused calls to surrender, and hid among the villagers, while they fired on us, we did not know this at the time, so we hit the village with mortars and machine gun fire as we saw no villagers we assumed it was abandoned. When the fight was over, we captured seven alive, and were angry that they caused the deaths of many in the village who had nowhere to hide.
We gave them a quick trial, charging them with fighting as criminals, and pronounced a sentence of death. This was hard to do, but the rage at these criminals was great. A survivor from the village said they came around a few times and demanded food, saying they were soldiers who were hiding while attacking our rear. This is the type of warfare we had to deal with, and because many of the ones we captured were fighting as illegal fighters, they were sent to camps most of the time so they could be put to use, or hung/shot if they caused any deaths. This is why so many accused us of crimes; we had to be tough with this type of war.
My unit did very well in combating the enemy behind the main front; we treated the civilians well, often welcomed as liberators. I shared the dwellings of many “enemies” whom we came to respect, and they returned that respect by giving us good meals, and good intelligence about what they heard and saw. Later in the fall, we saw Ukrainian axillaries in action, they moved into Russia with us and they had old scores to settle with their former communist masters.
Any Russian Jew or political leader who fell into their hands was shot on the spot if they proved to be no intelligence value. We were ordered to not interfere with them; we in the SS knew what the Soviet Jews did to these people during the revolution and after, millions were uprooted and killed. This was their time of revenge, we tried to get them to understand you only empower your enemies with harsh reprisals, but they would not listen. We too sought revenge when we caught those who criminally attacked areas behind the front, killing in a cowardly way.

Your unit, and anyone attached to the Totenkopf division, stands accused of committing war crimes on every front you fought on, from Poland, France, and Russia Totenkopf is accused of shooting prisoners, civilians, and killing clergy. Not to mention the Einsatzgruppen and killing of Jews. Can you comment on this?
Karl: I must be careful what I say, you understand, but these accusations come from who? It seems today anyone can make up a story. These accusations come from those who hated us from the very beginning. In regards to the “confessions” some scared or senile soldiers gave, people just do not use their deductive reasoning anymore. There is a fairytale where a person who is sentenced to die keeps telling fantastic stories each day, just to give one more day of life. This was true with many prisoners of the Allies, especially the Russians. Even today, some write memoirs supporting the Allies, but they have to in order to be published, even if it means losing your soul.
Tormented and tortured during our POW time, many would agree to anything just to stop it. I knew SS men who were sentenced to death, told the victors whatever they wanted to hear, no matter how ridiculous the stories are, just to stay alive one more day. These stories sadly made it into court testimony and the history books. It would appear all we did during our quiet time was hunt Jews and play evil games with them while we tried to eradicate them. According to the Russians, we raped everyone, even corpses, we killed babies while laughing, sometimes drunkenly ripping them out of the womb. A story I read recently about a Jewish child in Paris eating an apple while walking with her mother, when a SS man shot the mom just to have the apple and then raped the child. Or how about this, the panzer unit from the LSSAH, took babies from a Belgium orphanage and ran over them to lube the tracks. What non-sense.
I am dumbfounded by all the allegations against us that are preached as cold, hard truths. All the while, the vast crimes committed against us go unheard and researched. We will stand before our supreme judge with a clear conscience and be called blameless. The forces of darkness won the war, not the righteous as they claim.

You were in Holland during the Market Garden battles, what was it like for you?
Karl: Later in the war, I was transferred to Frundsberg, which I was proud of. I was now in a frontline panzer division that saw combat. After trying to repulse the allied onslaught in Normandy FB was forced out of the line to reorganize, or rebuild is a better term. The overwhelming superiority of the Allies was too much for us in the end. I was assigned to a panzer grenadier regiment, I fit right in as I was already a combat decorated officer. The vast allied artillery and air power made it hard for anything to move in Normandy, but FB did have some local success against the British. My boys showed tommy how to fight, even being outgunned and outnumbered. However sheer numbers wore us down in the end.
In August '44, we were a shadow of our former selves, and pulled out of the line to reorganize in Holland. A nice area to be in for my boys, friendly people, good food, and pretty girls who loved to dance. Monday thru Friday, we cleaned weapons and equipment, and repaired ourselves, but the weekends were spent mingling with the locals. September 17th our rest was interrupted by a sky full of planes and parachutes.
General Bittrich remarked in awe about the vast amount of planes the Allies had, and that if we only had half of that strength we would do well. Reports started coming in that allied paratroopers were dropping all over Holland, and right in my divisions sector. My unit was sent to the area around Nijmegen, it was easy to see the Allies wanted to capture the bridges, but we were forbidden to blown them.
We immediately started engaging Americans and blunted their attacks with our small force. I will state that the Allies bombed Nijmegen earlier, killing hundreds, and we were hesitant to use their homes as cover, there were hardly any German units inside the city, and a few NSB men went in to fight at the mayor’s request. I believe he wanted to show that the Dutch were fighting the Allies as well. The Allies had no problem throwing mortar shells and machine gun fire into the homes of civilians, killing many. Our medics had their hands full treating wounded civilians for the town.
The battle was a small victory for us, as we stopped the allied attack before Arnhem, and even though outnumbered, held the XXX corps from reaching their objective. I want to tell you also, I saw with my own eyes the Americans shoot two uniformed NSB members after they surrendered. I ordered a sharp shooter to try to hit the soldiers that did this but he was unsuccessful as they were far away. Allied planes attacked us recklessly and shot up an area where civilians were clearly marked with a red cross, killing many.

You won the Knight's Cross for your action in Normandy and Nijmegen.
Karl: Yes, I was sent to a combat unit after being on the staff of our panzer corps, and saw heavy fighting in Normandy, and then I had a hand in the defense around Nijmegen. My men were very hard fighters, so my success as an officer is owed to them. It was my men whom I wore the decoration for, as it was their sacrifice that earned this.
The Allies tried to surround my battle unit, but my officers and I were able to lead a breakout and in turn surrounded them forcing a surrender, or retreat. We held off a vastly superior force with a loose knit, motley crew of wounded soldiers, reservists, and some weary SS men. This was testament to the fighting spirit of the German soldier.

When did you see the war was lost? In addition, do you think Germany ever had a chance to win?
Karl- I studied history enough to know anything could happen at any time, so while Germany was clearly in trouble by late 1944, there was still hope for some type of negotiated peace. To me the war was not truly lost until after the Ardennes offensive. When we failed to break open the front and divide the Allies, I knew we had lost.
It is always easy to be an armchair general and second-guess decisions. The way I see it here is how we could have won. Some fronts we had to fight on, like Norway, Low Countries, Balkans, and Russia. Africa was a waste. We could have used the troops in Africa for Russia, invaded in May, took Moscow and severed the rail lines, and using greater forces on the North front to stop American aid. For Britain, we should have kept up the bombing of airfields to keep them off balance.
If we could have beaten Russia, we then could have turned our attention to Britain and America, focusing on U-boat construction to sink the convoys. The sad fact is that Germany was not prepared for war. Poland was a good example, sure, we beat them, but they had better equipment and their army was large and well-motivated, it was harder than historians admit. The Führer did not want war, but the Allies forced issues to spiral out of his control, where we were fighting the whole world, and only geared up to fight in 1943.


Source :
http://www.mourningtheancient.com/ww2-x14.htm

Otto Paetsch, Heinz Harmel and Karl-Heinz Euling

Three Ritterkreuzträger from 10. SS-Panzer-Division "Frundsberg" in February 1945. From left to right: SS-Obersturmbannführer Otto Paetsch (Kommandeur SS-Panzer-Regiment 10. Ritterkreuz on 23 August 1944 and Eichenlaub on 5 April 1945), SS-Brigadeführer und Generalmajor der Waffen-SS Heinz Harmel (Kommandeur 10. SS-Panzer-Division "Frundsberg". Ritterkreuz on 31 March 1943, Eichenlaub on 7 September 1943 and Schwerter on 15 December 1944), and SS-Hauptsturmführer Karl-Heinz Euling (Kommandeur I.Bataillon / SS-Panzergrenadier-Regiment 21. Ritterkreuz on 15 October 1944). The picture was taken by SS-Kriegsberichter Peter Adendorf. Author Mark C. Yerger said that during the two yearly visits with Harmel in Lenggries as well as correspondence, Harmel told him that, when asked about his best officers in Frundsberg, he chose Otto Paetsch, Friedrich Richter (III./SS-Pz Gren Rgt 22), Hans Löffler (II./SS-Pz.Gren.Rgt 22) and SS-Panzergrenadier-Regiment 21's commander Heinz Laubscheer as the four he respected most. With his divisional command, the Hill 112 combats in Normandy, the Falaise pocket fighting, and combats against the US 84th and 102nd Divisions in November 1944 were recalled as the most intense.

Source :
https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Bundesarchiv_Bild_183-2006-0819-500,_Heinz_Harmel,_SS-Brigadef%C3%BChrer_u._Generalmajor.jpg
https://forum.axishistory.com/viewtopic.php?f=38&t=114455&hilit=heinz+harmel

German Commanders in the Battle of Arnhem / Operation Market Garden

German commanders in the Western Front discussing the outcome of the Battle of Arnhem at Walter Harzer's headquarters in Villa de Hesselbergh, Nijmegen, 28 September 1944. From left to right: Generalfeldmarschall Walter Model (Oberbefehlshaber Heeresgruppe B), Generaloberst Kurt Student (Oberbefehlshaber 1. Fallschrimarmee), SS-Obergruppenführer und General der Waffen-SS Wilhelm Bittrich (Kommandierender-General II. SS-Panzerkorps), Major Hans-Peter Knaust (Kommandeur Kampfgruppe "Sonnenstuhl" / II.SS-Panzerkorps), and SS-Brigadeführer und Generalmajor der Waffen-SS Heinz Harmel (Kommandeur 10. SS-Panzer-Division "Frundsberg"). This picture was taken by SS-Kriegsberichter Peter Adendorf, minutes after the Ritterkreuz award ceremony for Major Knaust, (as seen from his medal ribbon which is still hanging), and first published on 4 October 1944.

German commanders in the Western Front discussing the outcome of the Battle of Arnhem at Walter Harzer's headquarters in Villa de Hesselbergh, Nijmegen, 28 September 1944. From left to right: Generalfeldmarschall Walter Model (Oberbefehlshaber Heeresgruppe B), SS-Obergruppenführer und General der Waffen-SS Wilhelm Bittrich (Kommandierender-General II. SS-Panzerkorps), unknown Heer officer, SS-Brigadeführer und Generalmajor der Waffen-SS Heinz Harmel (Kommandeur 10. SS-Panzer-Division "Frundsberg"), and SS-Obersturmbannführer Walter Harzer (back to the camera, Ia 9. SS-Panzer-Division "Hohenstaufen" und Führer Kampfgruppe Sperrverband "Harzer"). The picture was taken by SS-Kriegsberichter Peter Adendorf and first published on 4 October 1944.

Two German commanders in the Western Front discussing the outcome of the Battle of Arnhem at Walter Harzer's headquarters in Villa de Hesselbergh, Nijmegen, 28 September 1944. From left to right: Generalfeldmarschall Walter Model (Oberbefehlshaber Heeresgruppe B) and SS-Brigadeführer und Generalmajor der Waffen-SS Heinz Harmel (Kommandeur 10. SS-Panzer-Division "Frundsberg"). The picture was taken by SS-Kriegsberichter Peter Adendorf and first published on 4 October 1944.

Source :
Bayerische Staatsbibliothek (Image-No.: 50071125)
http://alifrafikkhan.blogspot.com/2011/10/album-foto-operasi-market-garden.html
http://www.battle-of-arnhem.com/walter-harzer-the-german-commander-who-eventually-defeated-the-british/
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Bundesarchiv_Bild_146-1971-033-49,_Lagebesprechung,_Arnheim.jpg
https://www.gelderlander.nl/arnhem-e-o/archeologen-stuiten-op-resten-van-hoofdkwartier-waffen-ss-in-arnhem~a09799ef/155912085/

Heinz Harmel on Sd.Kfz.251 in the Eastern Front

SS-Standartenführer Heinz Harmel (left, Kommandeur SS-Panzergrenadier-Regiment "Deutschland" / SS-Panzergrenadier-Division "Das Reich") on a Schützenpanzer (infantry fighting vehicle) Sd.Kfz.251. The officer wearing ärmelstreifen (sleeve band) "Deutschland" behind him is SS-Hauptsturmführer Helmuth Schreiber (Chef 10.Kompanie / III.Bataillon / SS-Panzergrenadier-Regiment "Deutschland" / SS-Panzergrenadier-Division "Das Reich"). The picture was taken in September 1943 in the Eastern Front by SS-Kriegsberichter Hermann Grönert.

Source :
https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Bundesarchiv_Bild_101III-Groenert-026-029,_Russland,_Heinz_Harmel_auf_Sch%C3%BCtzenpanzer.jpg
https://de.wikipedia.org/wiki/Heinz_Harmel

Ritterkreuz Award Ceremony for Helmuth Schreiber and Günther Wisliceny

This picture shows three officers from the SS-Panzergrenadier-Regiment "Deutschland" / SS-Panzergrenadier-Division "Das Reich", from left to right: SS-Hauptsturmführer Helmuth Schreiber (Chef 10.Kompanie / III.Bataillon / SS-Panzergrenadier-Regiment "Deutschland"), SS-Standartenführer Heinz Harmel (Kommandeur SS-Panzergrenadier-Regiment "Deutschland"), and SS-Sturmbannführer Günther-Eberhardt Wisliceny (Kommandeur III.Bataillon / SS-Panzergrenadier-Regiment "Deutschland"). They were photographed near the settlement of Stepanovka, on the so-called "Mius Front" (fortified defensive line of the Wehrmacht on the western bank of the Mius River) in early August 1943, during the Ritterkreuz award ceremony for Kompaniechef Schreiber and Bataillonskommandeur Wisliceny. Schreiber received the Ritterkreuz on 30 July 1943 after successfully capturing a strategic hill from the Russian troops whose presence threatened the flank of the Regiment Deutschland. Wisliceny also received the Ritterkreuz on the same day, awarded for his leadership and personal bravery when leading his battalion during the battles for the Kursk salient. The Regimentskommandeur Harmel received his own Ritterkreuz on 31 March 1943 after successfully leading the Deutschland in the successful recapture of Kharkov from the hands of Russian troops in February-March 1943. Author Mark C. Yerger said that during the two yearly visits with Harmel in Lenggries as well as correspondence, Harmel told him the three subordinates in "Das Reich" he admired most for bravery in leadership: Helmuth Schreiber, Heinz Macher and Günther Wisliceny. During his “Deutschland” period the combats in Jelnja-Bogen in 1941, the Rzhev battles of early 1942, and at Kharkov the following year were his hardest combat engagements.

Source :
http://alifrafikkhan.blogspot.com/2013/11/album-foto-upacara-penyerahan.html
https://forum.axishistory.com/viewtopic.php?f=38&t=114455&hilit=heinz+harmel
http://souvenezvous44.blogspot.com/2021/10/officers-of-ss-panzer-grenadier.html
https://waralbum.ru/312314/

Heinz Harmel in a Kübelwagen

This picture was taken in the summer of 1944, and it shows SS-Oberführer Heinz Harmel (Kommandeur 10. SS-Panzer-Division "Frundsberg") in the Kübelwagen Typ 82 on the street of Longchamps, Normandy (during this time, his personal driver is SS-Schütze Gerd Rommel). The Frundsberg Division spent the rest of July 1944 repulsing British attacks against Hill 112 and Hill 113, most notably during Operation Jupiter.

SS-Schütze Gerd Rommel from 10. SS-Panzer Division "Frundsberg". Rommel was the driver of the command vehicle used by Divisional commander Heinz Harmel. In this picture, he wears the standard M40 field blouse with plain black collar patch for enlisted men. (This field blouse differs from the later M43 in still featuring pleated pockets and scalloped edges to the pocket flaps) Interestingly, his field cap is either an Army pattern, with scalloped front edge and obsolete branch of service "soutache". Standard machine woven insignia has been applied. The collar is worn open with grey shirt and black tie.

Source :
"Panzerdivision Frundsberg: Ukraine-Normandie 1944" by Stephan Cazenave
https://www.thirdreichmedals.com/article/WSS.html
https://waralbum.ru/183948/

Heinz Harmel in His Command Post in Normandy

This picture was taken in July 1944 during the Battle of Normandy, and it shows SS-Oberführer Heinz Harmel (Kommandeur 10. SS-Panzer-Division "Frundsberg") in his command post near the town of Avrecy, around 12 km southwest of Caen. At this point, the "Frunsbergers" were subordinate to the II. SS-Panzerkorps and had the task of preventing the Allies from breaking out of the landing area to the east.

Source :
https://www.facebook.com/frontsoldaten/photos/a.173823269673098/1609023089486435/
https://www.reddit.com/r/GermanWW2photos/comments/awgyy7/1944_venoix_normandy_brigadef%C3%BChrer_fritz_witt/
https://waralbum.ru/178440/

Heinz Harmel in the Halftrack

France, end of June 1944. During the Battle for Hill 112 in Normandy, near the town of Avrecy, around 12 km southwest of Caen. The commander of the 10. SS-Panzer-Division “Frundsberg”, SS-Oberführer Heinz Harmel (on the Sd.Kfz.251/17 Kommandofunkwagen), discusses further action with SS-Hauptsturmführer Erich Grätz (Chef 18.Panzerjäger-Kompanie / SS-Panzergrenadier-Regiment 1 / 1.SS-Panzer-Division "Leibstandarte SS Adolf Hitler"), while the man in the halftrack looking straight into the camera is SS-Oberscharführer Sven-Erik Olsson, chefsfunker with Harmel. During this time, the aim of the II. SS-Panzerkorps - and the Frundsberg division subordinate to it - was to prevent the Allies from breaking out of the landing area to the east.

Source :
"The story of a Normandy battle field find radio rack. Panzergruppe West - Raid on la Caine - Hill 112"
https://www.facebook.com/frontsoldaten/photos/a.173823269673098/1195765724145509/
https://forum.axishistory.com/viewtopic.php?f=38&t=47453&hilit=heinz+harmel
https://forum.odkrywca.pl/topic/766629-historia-jednego-zdj%C4%99cia-sdkfz-25117/page/3/
https://www.pinterest.es/pin/572520171355018131/

Artur Phleps and August Schmidhuber

SS-Gruppenführer und Generalleutnant der Waffen-SS Artur Phleps as commander of the SS-Freiwilligen-Gebirgs-Division "Prinz Eugen". On the left of him with binoculars is SS-Standartenführer August Schmidhuber (Kommandeur SS-Gebirgsjäger-Regiment 2), the later SS-Brigadeführer and commander of the 21st Waffen Mountain Division of the SS Skanderberg (as well as the last commander of the Prinz Eugen). This picture was taken in the Yugoslavian front on 2 July 1943. From 15 May – 15 June, the Prinz Eugen took a part in the subsequent Fifth anti-Partisan Offensive (Operation Schwarz) aiming to pin Tito's main force of about 20,000 Partisans against the Zelengora mountain, in south-eastern Bosnia. During the battle, the division received a task to move through the Italian occupation zone in order to block the possible advance of Partisans towards the Adriatic Sea and the Italian-occupied Albania, to close the south-east part of the encirclement and then advance north over mountainous terrain to crush the Partisan forces. In eleven-day fightings from May 20, division captured Šavnik. For this success, Sturmbannführer Dietsche as well as commander Phleps both received first two Ritterkreuzes for the division. The medal for the Divisionskommandeur Phleps would be given two days after this picture was taken.

Source :
"Totenkopf und Edelweiß: General Artur Phleps und die südosteuropäischen Gebirgstruppen der Waffen-SS 1942-1945" by Roland Kaltenegger
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/7th_SS_Volunteer_Mountain_Division_Prinz_Eugen

Das Reich Command Conference in 1943

A Das Reich command conference in the Eastern Front, late summer of 1943. SS-Gruppenführer und Generalleutnant der Waffen-SS Walter Krüger (Kommandeur SS-Panzergrenadier-Division "Das Reich") is at center, surrounded by his regimental commanders. From the left are SS-Obersturmbannführer Hans-Albin Freiherr von Reitzenstein (Kommandeur SS-Panzer-Regiment 2 "Das Reich"), SS-Standartenführer Heinz Harmel (Kommandeur SS-Panzergrenadier-Regiment "Deutschland"), Divisionskommandeur Krüger, unknown orderly officer, and SS-Obersturmbannführer Sylvester Stadler (Kommandeur SS-Panzergrenadier-Regiment "Der Führer").

Source :
"Images of War: Knight's Cross Winners of the Waffen SS" by Marc Rikmenspoel

Walter Nowotny Watching a Game

Oberleutnant Karl-Heinz Schmidt from 2.Staffel / FAGr 5 (Fernaufklärungsgruppe 5) welcomes Hauptmann Walter Nowotny (Geschwaderkommodore Jagdgeschwader 101) upon his arrival at Mont-de-Marsan airfield, a long-range reconnaissance base in southwestern France, 24 May 1944. Nowotny arrived on his own Focke-Wulf Fw 190A-4 aircraft to watch a handball game between JG 101 and FAGr 5. Note the execution of the landing gear flap (meaning the presence of an internal flap) and the highly polished paintwork of this Fw 190. The crosses on the fuselage of the planes from JG 101 have an unusual proportion. It is believed that this particular aircraft also had a yellow spiral on the spinner. In this picture you can also see Nowotny's personal symbols - the "13" marking and the "Green Heart" emblem. Even in the presence of their encouraging commander, the handball team of JG 101 lost with a score of 17:4 to the FAGr 5 team.



Hauptmann Walter Nowotny (Geschwaderkommodore Jagdgeschwader 101) and Oberleutnant Karl-Heinz Schmidt (Staffelkapitän 2.Staffel / Fernaufklärungsgruppe 5) watching a handball game between JG 101 and FAGr 5 teams. The match were held on 24 May 1944 in Mont-de-Marsan airfield, a long-range reconnaissance base in southwestern France. Even in the presence of their encouraging commander, the handball team of JG 101 lost with a score of 17:4 to the FAGr 5 team.

White Triple Chevron 8, flown by Hauptmann Walter "Nowi" Nowotny, Jagdgeschwader 101 (JG 101), Pau-Ost/France, 24 May 1944.

Source :
https://www.asisbiz.com/il2/Fw-190A/JG54-S/pages/Focke-Wulf-Fw-190A-Stab-I.JG54-Walter-Nowotny-Russia-1944-01.html
https://live.warthunder.com/post/323272/en/
http://luftwaffeinprofile.se/Fw%20190%20A4%20Nowi%20JG%20101.html
https://reibert.info/threads/valter-novotny-walter-nowotny.81263/

Bio of Generaloberst Heinrich von Vietinghoff (1887-1952)

Heinrich Gottfried Otto Richard von Vietinghoff-Scheel

Date of Birth: 06.12.1887 - Mainz, Großherzogtum Hessen und bei Rhein (German Empire)
Date of Death: 23.02.1952 - Pfronten, Landkreis Ostallgäu, Bayern (West Germany)
Buried: Stadtfriedhof Pfrontenried-Berg, Landkreis Ostallgäu, Bayern (West Germany)

Parents: Generalleutnant Heinrich Otto Konrad von Vietinghoff-Scheel (01.01.1857 - 13.05.1917) and Leona Gräfin von Schmettow (23.08.1861 - 00.00.1942), married 26.02.1887
Spouse: Elfriede Wagner (07.03.1892 - 04.02.1989), married 06.01.1920
Children: 1 daughter (1921) and 1 son (1926)
Religion: Evangelical
Height: 180cm (5'11")
Hair color: Dark brown
Eyes color: Brown

Promotions:
27.01.1907 Leutnant mit Patent vom 14.06.1905
19.06.1914 Oberleutnant
24.07.1915 Hauptmann (G)
01.02.1922 neues RDA vom 24.07.1915 (3) erhalten
01.03.1926 Major (1)
01.02.1931 Oberstleutnant im Generalstab (3)
01.04.1933 Oberst im Generalstab (19)
01.04.1936 Generalmajor (10)
01.03.1938 Generalleutnant (8)
01.06.1940 General der Panzertruppe (5)
17.09.1943 Generaloberst mit RDA vom 01.09.1943 (1)

Career:
06.03.1906 Entered the military as Fähnrich
01.10.1911 Bataillonsadjutant
01.12.1912 Regimentsadjutant
01.07.1916 Ordonnanzoffizier im Stab des Grenadierregiments 2
01.10.1916 im Generalstab der 2. Armee
16.12.1916 im Generalstab des Feldheeres
01.07.1919 im Großen Generalstab
01.10.1919 im Reichswehrministerium
01.10.1923 im Infanterieregiment 8
01.01.1924 im Stab des Gruppenkommandos 1 (Berlin)
01.10.1924 Chef der 1. / Infanterieregiment 9 (Potsdam)
01.02.1927 im Stab des Infanterieführers II (Schwerin)
01.10.1928 im Wehramt (Berlin)
01.04.1931 Kommandeur des I. / Infanterieregiment 14 (Meiningen)
01.03.1933 Leiter der Wehrmachtsabteilung im Reichswehrministerium (Berlin)
01.04.1934 Leiter der Landesverteidigungsabteilung im Wehrmachtsamt (Berlin) [laut Stellenbesetzung]
01.07.1935 im Stab der 3. Kavalleriedivision (Weimar)
15.10.1935 Kommandeur der 1. Schützenbrigade (Weimar)
12.10.1937 Inspekteur der Panzertruppen und für Heeresmotorisierung (Berlin)
24.11.1938 Kommandeur 5. Panzer-Division (Oppeln)
23.10.1939 Kommandierender General XIII. Armeekorps
25.10.1940 Kommandierender General XXXXVI. Armeekorps
02.06.1942 - 08.08.1942 mit der stellvertretenden Führung 9. Armee beauftragt
01.09.1942 Führerreserve OKH (VIII)
06.12.1942 mit der stellvertretenden Führung 15. Armee beauftragt
09.12.1942 Oberbefehlshaber 15. Armee
05.08.1943 Führerreserve OKH (Chef OKW)
22.08.1943 mit der Führung 10. Armee beauftragt
25.08.1943 Oberbefehlshaber 10. Armee
20.09.1943 - 28.09.1943 zugleich mit der stellvertretenden Führung der Heeresgruppe B beauftragt
24.10.1944 - 16.01.1945 mit der stellvertretenden Wahrnehmung der Geschäfte als Oberbefehlshaber Südwest beauftragt (stood in for Generalfeldmarschall Albert Kesselring who was recovering from head injuries sustained in an automobile accident)
30.01.1945 Oberbefehlshaber Heeresgruppe Kurland in Latvia
11.03.1945 Oberbefehlshaber Südwest (also Oberbefehlshaber Heeresgruppe C)
05.04.1945 - 07.04.1945 Generaloberst von Vietinghoff declares his willingness to participate in the special surrender in two detailed conversations with SS-Obergruppenführer Karl Wolff, highest SS and police leader and authorized general of the German Wehrmacht in Italy, after Wolff had fully informed him of the plans after returning to Italy from Switzerland. The Allied negotiators in Ascona are informed via intermediaries
23.05.1945 Captured in Bozen, Italy
02.03.1946 transferred to Island Farm Special Camp 11 from LDC (London District Cage)
01.04.1947 transferred to LDC from Island Farm Special Camp 11 to Allendorf on loan
30.09.1947 transferred to US custody for discharge


Awards and Decorations:
13.09.1914 1914 Eisernes Kreuz II.Klasse
23.04.1915 1914 Eisernes Kreuz I.Klasse
00.00.191_ Turkish Harp Madalyasi (Gallipoli Star)
00.00.191_ Wilhelm-Ernst-Kriegskreuz
00.00.191_ Ritterkreuz II.Klasse des Königlich Sächsischer Albrechtsordens
00.00.191_ Ritter III.Klasse zum Kaiserlicher Orden der Eisernen Krone mit Kriegsdekoration
00.00.191_ Militärverdienstkreuz III.Klasse
00.00.191_ Bulgarian Order of Military Merit, 5th Class
18.04.1918 Ritterkreuz des königlichen Hausordens von Hohenzollern mit Schwertern
00.00.1918 Verwundetenabzeichen 1918 in Schwarz
00.00.19__ Hanseatenkreuz
05.07.1934 Ehrenkreuz für Frontkämpfer 1914-1918
02.10.1936 Dienstauszeichnung der Wehrmacht III.Klasse (12 Jahre)
02.10.1936 Dienstauszeichnung der Wehrmacht I.Klasse (25 Jahre)
21.09.1939 1939 spange zum 1914 Eisernes Kreuz II.Klasse
28.09.1939 1939 spange zum 1914 Eisernes Kreuz I.Klasse
24.06.1940 Ritterkreuz des Eisernen Kreuzes #85, as General der Panzertruppe and Kommandierender General XIII. Armeekorps. The following wartime excerpt (dated 30.08.1940) describes why Vietinghoff received the Ritterkreuz: “General von Vietinghoff, gen. von Scheel’s skillful and swift leadership was a key factor that helped his Armeekorps to create and hold a major bridgehead south of the Ardennes Canal in a timely fashion. During this combat General von Vietinghoff hurried between each of his subordinate units in order to provide them with their necessary instruction and to ensure their proper coordination both with each other and the Panzer-Divisionen. His clear commands to his subordinated Divisionen and Korps artillery enabled the expansion of this important bridgehead on the afternoon of the very first day of battle. This in turn meant that, following the completion of the heavy bridges, this was (initially) the only bridgehead which permitted the employment of multiple Panzer and motorized Divisionen for a decisive breakthrough of the enemy’s Aisne Position (made strong via both nature and man-made efforts). 3 Panzer/motorized Divisionen were committed through the bridgehead on this first day due to the actions of Vietinghoff and his men
00.00.1941 Panzerkampfabzeichen in Silber
22.04.1942 Deutsches Kreuz in Gold #111/1
00.08.1942 Medaille "Winterschlacht im Osten 1941/42" (Ostmedaille)
16.04.1944 Ritterkreuz des Eisernen Kreuzes mit Eichenlaub #456, as Generaloberst and Oberbefehlshaber 10. Armee. Vietinghoff's award justification for the Eichenlaub reads as follows: "Generaloberst von Vietinghoff, commander-in-chief of an army on the southern Italian front, directed the withdrawal movements of his forces in southern Italy and their multiple defensive battles against successive Allied offensive operations. The army's successful defense of its positions for six months against overwhelming Allied superiority in land, naval and air forces can be largely credited to the leadership of the commander-in-chief."

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Heinrich von Vietinghoff was born in Mainz, Grand Duchy of Hesse into a family of Westphalian Uradel. His military career was strongly supported by his parents, Artillery Lt. Gen. Heinrich Otto Konrad von Vietinghoff gen. Scheel (1857–1917) and Leona von Vietinghoff gen. Scheel (nee von Schmettow) (1861–1942). He joined the army at the age of 15, lying about his age in the first few years!

On 24 November 1938, Heinrich Vietinghoff was appointed commander of the 5th Panzer Division and took part in the invasion of Poland under Wilhelm Ritter von Leeb. He was promoted to General in June 1940 after which he led the German XLVI Panzer Corps in the invasion of Yugoslavia.

During Operation Barbarossa, his Corps was part of Army Group Centre under Field Marshal Fedor von Bock. As all commanders of the German corps on the Eastern Front during the invasion, Vietinghoff implemented the criminal Commissar Order. Vietinghoff also later served with General Heinz Guderian in the 2nd Panzer Army.

From December 1941 to August 1943, he was Commander-in-Chief of the German Fifteenth Army in France. In Italy from August 1943 he commanded German Tenth Army, which was responsible for the delaying actions through the successive defensive lines built across Italy. This involved opposing General Mark Clark and his Allied forces when they landed at Salerno in September 1943. Notable in this context were the defences on the Winter Line from November 1943 to May 1944 and the fighting in the autumn of 1944 on the Gothic Line.

Vietinghoff returned to Germany in May 1944 to receive the Eichenlaub for his Ritterkreuz from Adolf Hitler. While he was away General Harold Alexander, Supreme Allied Commander in Italy, ordered a new offensive at Monte Cassino. On 12th February the exhausted US Army at Cassino were replaced by the New Zealand Corps. Alexander now decided to use these fresh troops in another attempt to capture Cassino. General Bernard Freyberg, who was in charge of the infantry attack, asked for the monastery be bombed. Despite claims by troops on the front-line that no fire had come from the monastery, General Harold Alexander agreed and it was destroyed by the United States Air Force on 15th February, 1944.

Once the monastery had been bombed, the German Army moved into the ruins. As Basil Liddell Hart pointed out later in his book The Other Side of the Hill the bombing "turned out entirely to the tactical benefit of the Germans. For after that they felt free to occupy the ruins, and the rubble provided mud better defensive cover than the Monastery would have been before its destruction. As anyone with experience of street-fighting knows, it is only when buildings are demolished that they are converted from mousetraps into bastions of defence."

After the bombing the Germans were able to halt several attempts to capture Monte Cassino. It was not until troops led by General Wladyslaw Anders (Polish Corps) and General Alphonse Juin (French Corps) that the monastery was taken on 18th May, 1944.

On 25th October 1944 Generalfeldmarschall Albert Kesselring was seriously injured when his car collided with a gun coming out of a side road. He was in hospital for three months and his overall command in Italy (Heeresgruppe C) was taken over by Vietinghoff. In January 1945, on Kesselring's return, he left Italy to command Army Group Courland in East Prussia. When Kesselring was moved in March 1945 to command German Army Command West (OB West) in France, Vietinghoff returned as the supreme German commander in Italy.

At the end of April 1945, he made contact with the Allied forces and on 29 April, his representative General Karl Wolff signed on his behalf at the Royal Palace in Caserta the instrument of surrender on 2 May 1945 at noon. Afterwards he spent two and a half years in British captivity at Bridgend Island Farm (Special Camp XI) among high-ranking German prisoners. He was released in September 1947.

After the war Vietinghoff was a member of the expert group dealing with the question of German rearmament. In October 1950 he wrote the Himmerod memorandum, named after the Himmerod Abbey where it was written, on behalf of the Adenauer government, on West German contributions to European defence. He died on 23 February 1952 in Pfronten.

Heinrich von Vietinghoff as an Oberstleutnant i.G. in 1932. The picture was taken by Willy Römer.



Heinrich von Vietinghoff as an Oberst i.G. in 1933.



Two Wehrmacht generals, from left to right: Generalleutnant Heinrich von Vietinghoff and General der Kavallerie Maximilian Reichsfreiherr von Weichs. This photo was most likely taken on October 26 1939 in Trier, Western Germany, during the handover ceremony for Commander of XIII. Armeekorps from Von Weichs to Von Vietinghoff. In the invasion of Poland which took place one month previously, this German Army Corps was in charge of three divisions: 10. Infanterie-Division, 17. Infanterie-Division, and 221. Infanterie-Division (for some time, Leibstandardte SS Adolf Hitler was also subordinated to XIII. Armeekorps)



General der Panzertruppe Heinrich von Vietinghoff smoking. There is no information about when and where this picture was taken, but at least after he received the 1939 spange for his 1914 Eisernes Kreuz I.Klasse on 28 September 1939 as Kommandeur 5. Panzer-Division, but before he received the Ritterkreuz des Eisernen Kreuzes on 24 June 1940 as Kommandierender General XIII. Armeekorps.



From left to right: two unknown officers, Oberst i.G. Rudolf Hofmann (Chef des Generalstabes XIII. Armeekorps), Generalleutnant Heinrich von Vietinghoff (Kommandierender General XIII. Armeekorps), and Generalleutnant Herbert Loch (Kommandeur 17. Infanterie-Division). The picture was probably taken in the spring 1940 before the German invasion of the West (Westfeldzug).



General der Panzertruppe Heinrich von Vietinghoff (center, Kommandierender General XIII. Armeekorps) with his two staff officers during map discussion in 1940. At left is Oberst i.G. Rudolf Hofmann (Chef des Generalstabes XIII. Armeekorps), while at right is Oberstleutnant i.G. Anton Glasl (Ia Erster Generalstabsoffizier XIII. Armeekorps). These three people would later become Ritterkreuzträger (recipients of the Ritterkreuz des Eisernen Kreuzes): Vietinghoff on 24 June 1940 and 16 April 1944 (Eichenlaub), Hofmann on 7 May 1945, and Glasl on 11 October 1943. Other pictures from this occasion can be seen HERE.



Heinrich von Vietinghoff (centre) with his driver. There is no information about when or where this picture was taken.



Heinrich von Vietinghoff as a General der Panzertruppe with added Ritterkreuz.

The Wehrmacht generals sat in the Krolloper (Kroll Opera House) during the Reichstagssitzung (Reichstag session) on July 19 1940, where Germany had just won the war over France and England in the Battle of France, and several new Marshals were appointed by Hitler with other generals in the lower rank. For the identification based on numbers: 1: Hans-Günther von Kluge (promoted to Generalfeldmarschall), 2: Fedor von Bock (promoted to Generalfeldmarschall), 3: Gerd von Rundstedt (promoted to Generalfeldmarschall), 4: Wilhelm Ritter von Leeb (promoted to Generalfeldmarschall), 5: Wilhelm List (promoted to Generalfeldmarschall), 6: Johannes Blaskowitz (promoted to Generaloberst), 7: Ernst Busch (promoted to Generaloberst), 8: Georg von Küchler (promoted to Generaloberst), 9: unknown admiral, 10: Alfred von Vollard Bockelberg (General der Artillerie), 11: Curt Ludwig Freiherr von Gienanth (General der Kavallerie z.V.), 12: Ewald von Kleist (promoted to Generaloberst), 13: Friedrich "Fritz" Fromm (promoted to Generaloberst), 14: Franz Halder (promoted to Generaloberst), 15: Walter Heitz (General der Artillerie), 16: Adolf Strauß (promoted to Generaloberst), 17: unknown, 18: unknown, 19: unknown, 20: Walther von Reichenau (promoted to Generalfeldmarschall), 21: Alexander von Falkenhausen (Char. General der Infanterie), 22: Werner Kienitz (General der Infanterie), 23: Hermann Hoth (promoted to Generaloberst), 24: Sigismund von Förster (Generalleutnant), 25: unknown, 26: unknown, 27: Richard Ruoff (General der Infanterie), 28: Erich Hoepner (promoted to Generaloberst), 29: unknown, 30: Emil Leeb (General der Artillerie), 31: Alfred Streccius (bearded, Charakter als General der Infanterie), 32: unknown, 33: Friedrich Olbricht (General der Infanterie), 34: Curt Haase (promoted to Generaloberst), 35: Georg Hans Reinhardt (General der Panzertruppe), 36: Rudolf Schmidt (General der Panzertruppe), 37: Heinrich von Vietinghoff (General der Panzertruppe), 38: Erich von Manstein (hand on nose, General der Infanterie), 39: Georg Stumme (General der Kavallerie), 40: unknown, 41: unknown, 42: unknown, 43: Joachim von Kortzfleisch (Generalleutnant), 44: unknown, and 45: unknown. The one who gave the "Hitlergruß" (Nazi salute) is Ewald von Kleist, who stand after his name is mentioned from the loud spaker. Additional Information: BTW, the rank in the brackets is the rank when this photo was taken (July 19, 1940) and not their last rank! Other pictures from this occasion can be seen HERE.



From left to right: Admiral Günther Lütjens (Flottenchef), Generaloberst Franz Halder (Chef des Generalstabes des Heeres), General der Panzertruppe Heinrich von Vietinghoff (Kommandierender General XIII. Armeekorps), Generalmajor Otto von Knobelsdorff (back to the camera, Kommandeur 19. Infanterie-Division), and Generalfeldmarschall Walther von Brauchitsch (Oberbefehlshaber des Heeres). There is no information about when or where this photo was taken, but at least after the end of the war on the Western Front in 1940, possibly during war manoeuvre

This photograph of Akira Takiguchi's personal collection shows, from left to right: General der Panzertruppe Heinrich von Vietinghoff-Scheel (Kommandierender General XXXXVI. Armeekorps [motorisiert]) and Major im Generalstab Joachim Sadrozinski (Ia Operationsführer XXXXVI. Armeekorps [motorisiert]). They are chatting in front of an Omnibus which functioned as the Befehlswagen (Command Vehicle) of the Corps. Note: ① unit marking of the corps, ② carmine color trouser stripe for general staff officers, ③ deep red color stripe for generals, and ④ "Befehlswagen Ia" (command vehicle for the operation officer). There is no information when and where this photo was taken, but most likely in Russia in the summer of 1941 during Unternehmen Barbarossa. In the German invasion of the Soviet Union, XXXXVI. Armeekorps (motorisiert) operates in the central sector of the Eastern Front and is under the command of Heeresgruppe Mitte. Von Vietinghoff became Commander-General of XXXXVI. Armeekorps (motorisiert) from 1 November 1940 to 10 June 1942 (when the motorized infantry corps was upgraded to a panzer corps), while Sadrozinski became Head of Operations of XXXXVI. Armeekorps (motorisiert) from October 1940 to May 1942.



This photograph by SS-Bildberichter Friedrich Zschäckel show the Ritterkreuz award ceremony for SS-Gruppenführer und Generalleutnant der Waffen-SS Paul Hausser (Kommandeur SS-Division "Reich"), which was held on 8 August 1941 on the Eastern Front during Unternehmen Barbarossa. The one who presented the medal was General der Panzertruppe Heinrich von Vietinghoff (Kommandierender General XXXXVI. Armeekorps). Even though he was a "Reich" Divisionskommandeur, Hausser was not the first person from this unit to receive this prestigious medal, but in fact was the seventh! The six men who preceded him were as follows: SS-Oberführer Georg Keppler (15 August 1940), SS-Oberführer Felix Steiner (15 August 1940), SS-Hauptscharführer Ludwig Kepplinger (4 September 1940), SS-Obersturmführer Fritz Vogt (4 September 1940 ), SS-Sturmbannführer Fritz Witt (4 September 1940), and SS-Hauptsturmführer Fritz Klingenberg (14 May 1941). Other pictures from this occasion can be seen HERE.

From left to right: General der Infanterie Gotthard Heinrici (Kommandierender General XXXXIII. Armeekorps) and General der Panzertruppe Heinrich von Vietinghoff (Kommandierender General XXXXVI. Armeekorps). The picture was probably taken in the autumn of 1941 when both Army Corps were under the command of 4. Armee (Hans-Günther von Kluge). The picture was taken from the photo album of XXXXVI. Panzerkorps, courtesy of Akira Takiguchi.

From the color slide group of XXXXVI. Armeekorps (motorisiert): Generalfeldmarschall Günther von Kluge (rightmost, Oberbefehlshaber 4. Armee) and General der Panzertruppe Heinrich von Vietinghoff (shaking hands with Kluge, Kommandierender General XXXXVI. Armeekorps), autumn of 1941. The Horch 901 kfz 21 Kommandeurwagen vehicle is Vietinghoff's with a commander pennant.



From the color slide group of XXXXVI. Armeekorps (motorisiert): General der Panzertruppe Heinrich von Vietinghoff in the Horch 901 kfz 21 Kommandeurwagen. The picture was probably taken in 1941.



General der Panzertruppe Heinrich von Vietinghoff examining a map with one of his officer. He is wearing the Ritterkreuz des Eisernen Kreuzes which he received on 24 June 1940 as Kommandierender General XIII. Armeekorps. There is no information about when and where this picture was taken.



General der Panzertruppe Heinrich von Vietinghoff (center, mit der stellvertretenden Führung 9. Armee beauftragt) in an inspection tour to the operational area of 1. Panzer-Division around Rzhev, central sector of the Eastern Front. At left is Generalmajor Walter Krüger (Kommandeur 1. Panzer-Division). The picture was taken on 6 August 1942 during Unternehmen Seydlitz. In the aftermath of the Soviet winter counteroffensive of 1941–1942, substantial Soviet forces remained in the rear of the German Ninth Army. These forces maintained a hold on the primitive forested swamp region between Rzhev and Bely. On 2 July 1942, the Ninth Army launched Operation Seydlitz to clear the Soviet forces out. The Germans first blocked the natural breakout route through the Obsha valley and then split the Soviet forces into two isolated pockets. The battle lasted eleven days and ended with the elimination of the encircled Soviet forces.



General der Panzertruppe Heinrich von Vietinghoff.



General der Panzertruppe Heinrich von Vietinghoff (3rd from right, Oberbefehlshaber 15. Armee) during the inspection tour to the German fortifications in northern France. Fifth from right with hand raised is General der Panzertruppe Adolf Kuntzen (Kommandierender General LXXXI. Armeekorps). The picture was probably taken in the spring of 1943. Other pictures from this occasion can be seen HERE.



General der Panzertruppe Heinrich von Vietinghoff (with moustache, Oberbefehlshaber 15. Armee) during a briefing on the Channel coast, 3 May 1943. The officer wearing ledermantel (leather mantel) in front of him is General der Infanterie Ernst Dehner (Kommandierender General LXXXII. Armeekorps). Other pictures from this occasion can be seen HERE.



This picture was taken by SS-Kriegsberichter Damm-Jensen in the first half of 1943 when General von Vietinghoff visiting the newly created SS-Panzergrenadier-Division "Hohenstaufen" in Ypres, Belgium. The guests and Divisionstab were entertained by the the Musikzug in the terrace of the château that being used as Division's HQ. From left to right: SS-Obersturmbannführer Thomas Müller (Kommandeur SS-Panzergrenadier-Regiment 20 "Hohenstaufen"), SS-Hauptsturmführer Wilfried Schwarz (Adjutant SS-Panzergrenadier-Division "Hohenstaufen"), Generalmajor Rudolf Eibenstein (Kommandeur 16. Flak-Division), SS-Obersturmbannführer Gustav Wiehle (Kommandeur SS-Artillerie-Regiment 9 "Hohenstaufen"), SS-Gruppenführer und Generalleutnant der Waffen-SS Wilhelm "Willi" Bittrich (Kommandeur SS-Panzergrenadier-Division "Hohenstaufen"), SS-Sturmbannführer Walter Harzer (Ia SS-Panzergrenadier-Division "Hohenstaufen"), and General der Panzertruppe Heinrich von Vietinghoff (Oberbefehlshaber 15. Armee). Other pictures from this occasion can be seen HERE.



Generalfeldmarschall Gerd von Rundstedt (center, Oberbefehlshaber West) is greeted by two Kriegsmarine officers, from left to right: Konteradmiral Friedrich Rieve (Kommandierender Admiral Kanalküste) and Konteradmiral Hans-Udo von Tresckow (Seekommandant Seine-Somme). Behind Rundstedt is General der Panzertruppe Heinrich von Vietinghoff (Oberbefehlshaber 15. Armee). The picture itself was taken in France, summer 1943.

In the center is General der Panzertruppe Heinrich von Vietinghoff (Oberbefehlshaber 15. Armee), while at left is Generalleutnant Friedrich-Wilhelm Neumann (Kommandeur 712. Infanterie-Division). The picture was taken by Kriegsberichter Zoll (Propaganda-Kompanie 698) in the summer of 1943 in Northern France / Belgium, possibly during the inspection by General Vietinghoff to the area of 712. Infanterie-Division.



Three Wehrmacht generals in the podium. From left to right: General der Panzertruppe Heinrich von Vietinghoff (Oberbefehlshaber 10. Armee), General der Panzertruppe Dr.jur. Alfred Ritter von Hubicki (Befehlshaber Sonderstab II in Oberkommando des Heeres), and General der Infanterie Friedrich Siebert (Chef des Wehrmacht-Streifendienstes in Oberkommando der Wehrmacht). No information about the date or place, but possibly in the autumn of 1943.



Generaloberst Heinrich von Vietinghoff (Oberbefehlshaber 10. Armee) gives a smile to a Luftwaffe soldier at an observation post near Napoli/Naples, Italy, September 1943. The optical device in front of him is a 10x80 Flakfernrohr. Due to allied bombing, the Flakfernrohr were primarily used for identifying attacking aircraft and directing the large 4m rangefinders, searchlights and cannons of the anti-aircraft batteries. They also proved useful on the battlefield, and a version with 20-deg inclined eyepieces was produced for use at sea. A single half of the 10x80 binocular served as Z.F. (Zielfernrohr) 10x80, a sight for the 8.8cm artillery



Generalfeldmarschall Albert Kesselring (left, Oberbefehlshaber Süd) and Generaloberst Heinrich von Vietinghoff (Oberbefehlshaber 10. Armee) in the car on the Italian front. The picture was taken by Kriegsberichter Lüthge (Propaganda-Kompanie 699) in September 1943. At the Battle of Salerno in September 1943, Kesselring launched a full-scale counterattack against the US Fifth Army landings there with Generaloberst Vietinghoff's Tenth Army. The counterattack inflicted heavy casualties on the Allies, forced them back in several areas, and, for a time, made Allied commanders contemplate evacuation. The short distance from German airfields allowed Luftflotte 2 to put 120 aircraft over the Salerno area on 11 September 1943. The German offensive ultimately failed to throw the Allies back into the sea because of the intervention of Allied naval gunfire which decimated the advancing German units, stubborn Allied resistance and the advance of the British Eighth Army. On 17 September 1943, Kesselring gave Vietinghoff permission to break off the attack and withdraw. Other pictures from this occasion can be seen HERE.



German generals in the Italian Front. From left to right: General der Panzertruppe Heinrich von Vietinghoff (Oberbefehlshaber 10. Armee), Generalfeldmarschall Albert Kesselring (Oberbefehlshaber Südwest und Oberbefehlshaber Heeresgruppe C), General der Panzertruppe Fridolin von Senger und Etterlin (Kommandierender General XIV. Panzerkorps), Generalleutnant Siegfried Westphal (Chef des Generalstabes Oberbefehlshaber Südwest), and Generalleutnant Wilhelm Raapke (Kommandeur 71. Infanterie-Division). The picture was taken in 1943-1944.



Generaloberst Heinrich von Vietinghoff (Oberbefehlshaber 10. Armee) talking on the phone at his desk in the Italian Front, December 1943. Between December 1943 and May 1944, 10. Armee fought defensive battles at Gargliano and Sangro, followed by defensive battles at Monte Cassino.




Generaloberst Heinrich von Vietinghoff at his desk in the Italian Front, 1944. This picture was taken at least before April 1944 when Vietinghoff received the Eichenlaub to his Ritterkreuz.



This picture was taken by Kriegsberichter Vinzenz Engel, and it shows German commanders from the 10. Armee during war conference in the Cassino front, Italy, January 1944. From left to right: Generaloberst Heinrich von Vietinghoff (Oberbefehlshaber 10. Armee); General der Panzertruppe Fridolin von Senger und Etterlin (Kommandierender General XIV. Panzerkorps); Generalleutnant Wilhelm Raapke (Kommandeur 71.Infanterie-Division); unknown staff officer; and Generalleutnant Dr.rer.pol. Friedrich "Fritz" Franek (Kommandeur 44. Infanterie-Division). The latter is wearing the Ritterkreuz des Militär-Maria-Theresien-Orden (Austro-Hungary's highest award for bravery in World War I) which shown under his Ritterkreuz des Eisernen Kreuzes.



From left to right: Generalfeldmarschall Albert Kesselring (Oberbefehlshaber Südwest und Oberbefehlshaber Heeresgruppe C) and Generaloberst Heinrich von Vietinghoff (Oberbefehlshaber 10. Armee). The picture was taken by Kriegsberichter Dohm in the Italian Front on 12 February 1944 when Kesselring just finishing the war conference with his subordinate officers from 10. Armee. Other pictures from this occasion can be seen HERE.



Generaloberst Heinrich von Vietinghoff (Oberbefehlshaber 10. Armee) in the Italian front, April 1944. The picture was taken by Kriegsberichter Gutjahr from PK (Propaganda-Kompanie) 699.



This picture was taken by Kriegsberichter Gutjahr of PK (Propaganda-Kompanie) 699, and it shows Generaloberst Heinrich von Vietinghoff (center, Oberbefehlshaber 10. Armee) inspects camouflaged Pantherturm in the Italian front, April 1944. From 1943 onwards, Panther tank turrets were mounted in fixed fortifications; some were normal production models, but most were made specifically for the task, with additional roof armour to withstand artillery fire. Two types of turret emplacements were developed; the Pantherturm III – Betonsockel — on a concrete base, and the Pantherturm I – Stahluntersatz — on a steel base. These turrets were built into a larger structure in which they could house ammunition and crew quarters. A total of 182 of these were installed in the fortifications of the Atlantic Wall and Siegfried Line (Westwall), 48 in the Gothic Line and Hitler Line, 36 on the Eastern Front, and two for training and experimentation, for a total of 268 installations by March 1945. With barely any part other than the turret itself showing above ground, a well camouflaged position could dominate a vast swathe of ground, or vital approaches to towns or other objectives, and would prove extremely costly to approach. Other pictures from this occasion can be seen HERE.



Generaloberst Heinrich von Vietinghoff in a Hoffmann postcard series Nr. R 296.



Generalfeldmarschall Albert Kesselring (second from right, Oberbefehlshaber Südwest und Oberbefehlshaber Heeresgruppe C) during a conversation with General der Panzertruppe Heinrich von Vietinghoff (left, Oberbefehlshaber 10. Armee) on the Italian front, June 1944. German officers visible in the background is, from left to right: Generalleutnant Siegfried Westphal (Chef des Generalstabes Oberbefehlshaber Südwest) and Generalleutnant Hans Röttiger (Chef des Generalstabes Heeresgruppe C). The picture was taken by Kriegsberichter Otfried Schmidt.



From left to right: Generaloberst Heinrich von Vietinghoff (Oberbefehlshaber 10. Armee), Generalmajor Alfred-Hermann Reinhardt (Kommandeur 98. Infanterie-Division), and unknown officer. This picture was taken in the Italian Front, September 1944. In August and September 1944 the 98th Infantry Division was used in the fighting for Rímini. She then withdrew fighting through the Apennines to the Senio.



Generaloberst Heinrich von Vietinghoff as a temporary Oberbefehlshaber Südwest (October 1944 - January 1945), replacing Generalfeldmarschall Albert Kesselring. In this picture, he is wearing a Luftwaffe tropical tunic converted for a Heer general! On 25 October 1944 Kesselring was seriously injured when his car collided with a gun coming out of a side road. He was in hospital for three months and his overall command in Italy was taken over by Vietinghoff. In January 1945, on Kesselring's return, Vietinghoff left Italy to command Heeresgruppe Kurland in East Prussia. When Kesselring was moved in March 1945 to command Oberbefehlshaber West (OB West) in France, Vietinghoff returned as the supreme German commander in Italy. Other pictures from this series can be seen HERE.



Generaloberst Heinrich von Vietinghoff (wearing ledermantel) in a picture supposedly taken on late 1944 or early 1945 in Tirol, Austria. From 24 October 1944 - 16 January 1945, he was "mit der stellvertretenden Wahrnehmung der Geschäfte als Oberbefehlshaber Südwest beauftragt" (stood in for Generalfeldmarschall Albert Kesselring who was recovering from head injuries sustained in an automobile accident). The Ritterkreuzträger at left is Major Karl-Walter Lapp (Kommandeur Tiroler Standschützen), who received the Ritterkreuz on 14 August 1944 as Kommandeur Ski-Bataillon 82. There's a very interesting and detailed chapter on the Tiroler Standschützen in Roland Kaltenegger's "Spezialverbände der Gebirgstruppe 1939-1945" (2004), a highly recommended book with many photographs of both the Standschützen and on Karl-Walter Lapp. Many high dignitaries visited Major Lapp and his Tiroler at the training grounds by the Alpini Barracks in Gossensaß. Among others were Generals like Generaloberst Heinrich von Vietinghoff, General der Gebirgstruppe Valentin Feuerstein as well as the Gauleiter of Tirol-Vorarlberg Franz Hofer. SS-Reichsführer Heinrich Himmler (as Chef of the Ersatzheer) and SS-Obergruppenführer Karl Wolff were also among the visitors as well as Reichsjugendführer Baldur von Schirach.



Ritterkreuzträger of German units in Courland pocket (Latvia) with their Commander-in-Chief von Vietinghoff, February-March 1945. From left to right: unknown Wehrmacht officer (not Ritterkreuzträger), Oberfeldwebel Ludwig Bellof (Flugzeugführer in 1.Staffel / Nachtschlachtgruppe 3. Ritterkreuz on 28 January 1945), Major Franz Dutter (Führer Grenadier-Regiment 2 / 11.Infanterie-Division. Ritterkreuz on 20 March 1944), Generaloberst Heinrich von Vietinghoff (Oberbefehlshaber Heeresgruppe Kurland. Ritterkreuz on 24 June 1940 and Eichenlaub on 16 April 1944), Oberfeldwebel der Reserve Walter Süß (Zugführer in Stabskompanie / Grenadier-Regiment 273 / 93.Infanterie-Division. Ritterkreuz on 9 June 1944 and Eichenlaub on 24 January 1945), unknown Kriegsmarine officer (hidden), and Stabsgefreiter Adolf Teuwsen (Machinengewehr Schütze 1 in 3.Kompanie / I.Bataillon / Luftwaffen-Jäger-Regiment 25 / 13.Luftwaffen-Feld-Division. Ritterkreuz on 14 May 1944).



Generaloberst Heinrich von Vietinghoff (Oberbefehlshaber Südwest und Oberbefehlshaber Heeresgruppe C) is questioned by U.S. Captain Ralph C. Opperman, interpreter for Lieutenant-General Lucian K. Truscott, after the capitulation of all German forces in Italy. At the end of April 1945, Vietinghoff made contact with the Allied forces and on 29 April, his representative SS-Obergruppenführer Karl Wolff signed on his behalf at the Royal Palace in Caserta the instrument of surrender on 2 May 1945 at noon. Afterwards he spent two and a half years in British captivity at Bridgend Island Farm (Special Camp XI) among high-ranking German prisoners. He was released in September 1947.

Generaloberst Heinrich von Vietinghoff (Oberbefehlshaber Südwest und Oberbefehlshaber Heeresgruppe C), pictured prior to his arrest in Modena, Italy, June 1945. Interestingly, in this picture he didn't wore a single medal in his uniform, including the coveted Ritterkreuz des Eisernen Kreuzes mit Eichenlaub!

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. Other pictures from this occasion can be seen HERE.

Vorläufiges Besitzzeugnis (Preliminary Certificate) for the award of the Eichenlaub zum Ritterkreuz des Eisernen Kreuzes for Generaloberst Heinrich von Vietinghoff (Oberbefehlshaber 10. Armee), dated 13 May 1944.

Source :
Bundesarchiv photo archive
Bayerische Staasbibliothek photo archive
Bildarchiv Reichskommissariat Norwegen photo archive
Corbis Historical photo archive
NARA photo archive
Akira Takiguchi photo collection
Edgar Alcidi photo collection
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