-1939- 
Adolf
Hitler (Führer und Oberster Befehlshaber der Wehrmacht) awarded the
Ritterkreuz des Eisernen Kreuzes to
Kapitänleutnant Günther Prien (Kommandant U-47) in Reichs Chancellery,
Berlin, on 18 October 1939. After the successful Scapa Flow infiltration
by U-47, Prien returned to Germany on 17 October to instant fame. Prien
and his crew were flown to Berlin aboard Hitler's personal aircraft. At
the Reich Chancellery the following day, Hitler awarded Prien the
Ritterkreuz. Nazi propaganda exploited the success and gloated over
damaged British morale. Other pictures from this occasion can be seen HERE.
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-1940-
20 July 1940 in Reichskanzlei: Adolf Hitler (Führer und Oberste Befehlshaber der Wehrmacht) posed with General der Gebirgstruppe Eduard Dietl (Kommandierender General Gebirgskorps "Norwegen"), who wears here the just awarded Eichenlaub (Oak Leaves) to the Ritterkreuz des Eisernen Kreuzes (Knight's Cross of the Iron Crosses). After the successful end of the battle on the Norwegian Narvik, he was the first soldier of the Wehrmacht who received this award, one day previously (19 July 1940). On that day, Dietl also got promoted from Generalleutnant to General der Infanterie / General der Gebirgstruppe. The picture was taken by photographer from Presse-Illustrationen Heinrich Hoffmann, and first Published in 'Berliner Morgenpost' (21 July 1940 edition).
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-1941-
Award ceremony in Reichskanzlei, Berlin, 25 March 1941: Adolf Hitler (Führer und Reichskanzler) decorates Generalleutnant Erwin Rommel (Kommandeur 7. Panzer-Division) with Ritterkreuz des Eisernen Kreuzes mit Eichenlaub #10 (Knight's Cross with the Iron Crosses Nr.10). The man in the picture is Hitler's clossest ally, Benito Mussolini.
Adolf Hitler (Führer und Oberster Befehlshaber der Wehrmacht) receives Obergefreiter Hubert Brinkforth from Schützen-Regiment 25 / 12.Panzer-Division in the Reichskanzlei, Berlin, on Friday, 4 April 1941. Brinkforth is most notable for being the first enlisted man to be awarded the Ritterkreuz des Eisernen Kreuzes (Knight's Cross of the Iron Crosses). Prior to the restoration of the Eisernes Kreuz in 1939, most awards of German major medals for bravery were made to officers and the nobility. This award was designed to be given without regard rank or position. He was awarded the medal for his actions as a Schütze in 14.Kompanie (Panzerjäger) / III.Bataillon / Infanterie-Regiment 25 (motorisiert) / 2.Infanterie-Division (motorisiert) on 27 May 1940 during the Battle of France, when he destroyed nine British tanks near Huppy using his PAK 36 anti-tank gun. This action earned him mention in the Wehrmachtbericht: "An der Südfront wurden einzelne mit Panzern geführte feindliche Angriffe an der unteren Somme abgewiesen. Dabei wurden dreißig feindliche Panzer vernichtet, allein neun hiervon durch den Schützen Brinkforth" (On the southern front, lone enemy attacks with tanks were repulsed on the lower Somme. Here thirty enemy tanks were destroyed, nine of them by Schütze Brinkforth). Promotion to Gefreiter and the immediate award of the Eisernes Kreuz II. Klasse followed. General der Infanterie Erich von Manstein (Kommandierender General XXXVIII. Armeekorps) nominated him for the Ritterkreuz, which was awarded on 7 March 1941 (received on 1 April 1941 from Generalmajor Josef Harpe, Commander of 12. Panzer-Division) along with the Eisernes Kreuz I. Klasse and a promotion to Obergefreiter. Brinkforth later was killed in action on 5 June 1942 during a Soviet artillery attack near Pogostje, Leningrad Oblast. He was also awarded the Verwundetenabzeichen in Schwarz, Panzerkampfabzeichen, Medaille Winterschlacht im Osten 1941/42 (Ostmedaille), and was promoted to Unteroffizier shortly before his death.
Adolf Hitler (Führer und Oberster Befehlshaber der Wehrmacht) at Eichenlaub award ceremony for Oberst Kurt-Jürgen Freiherr von Lützow (Kommandeur Infanterie-Regiment 89 / 12.Infanterie-Division) which were held at the Führerhauptquartier Wolfsschanze in Rastenburg, East Prussia, on 26 October 1941. This picture was taken by unknown photographer from Presse-Illustrationen Heinrich Hoffmann and was published by 'Berliner Morgenpost' on 4 January 1942. Oberst Lützow received the Eichenlaub #37 for his Ritterkreuz on 21 October 1941 for his actions during Operation Barbarossa. After breaking through the Soviet border security lineeast of Schoßbach, Lützow led his Regiment in a 65 km march that reached the attack objective of Szeszupa. Later, during the attack on Kowno, he and his Regiment formed a bridgehead over the Njemen while capturing two forts despite having had to fight through bitter resistance by Soviet Kyrgyzstani and Tatar regiments. On the 15-16 July 1941 the Regiment especially distinguished itself near Putoschka. Finally, after hard fighting, the Regiment reached the line Nikitina—Kokotschina and from here were able to repel all tank-supported Soviet breakthrough attempts. This last victory was of special importance for securing the encirclement of several Soviet divisions near Nevel.
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-1942-
Eichenlaub
award ceremony for three Kriegsmarine officers which were held at the
Führerhauptquartier Wolfsschanze, Rastenburg, on 1 january 1942 (and was
first published on 12 January 1942). From left to right: Kapitän zur
See Karl-Jesko von Puttkamer (Marine-Adjutant beim Führer und Oberster
Befehlshaber der Wehrmacht), Adolf Hitler (Führer und Oberster
Befehlshaber der Wehrmacht), Kapitän zur See Bernhard Rogge (Kommandant
Hilfskreuzer "Atlantis". Received the Eichenlaub #45 on 31 December 1941
for having sunk/captured a grand total of 22 merchant ships with
145,697 GRT and travelled 110,000 nautical miles over the course of 655
days with his ship), Kapitänleutnant Heinrich Lehmann-Willenbrock
(Kommandant U-96. Received the Eichenlaub #51 on 31 December 1941 for
further successes with his ship over the course of another five war
patrols, during which he sunk another 10 ships with 58,746 GRT), and
Oberleutnant zur See Reinhard Suhren (Kommandant U-564. Received the
Eichenlaub #56 on 31 December 1941 for three successful patrols during
which he sunk 10 ships with 28,324 GRT - including the British corvette
"Zinnia" on 23 August 1941 - and damaged a further 2 with 11,596 GRT).
Ironically enough, Rogge was one of the highest decorated jews, and he
had been also a member of the KPD (communist party of Germany)! His
membership card is displayed, together with an uniform, at the museum in
Hamburg.
Generalmajor Josef Harpe (Kommandeur 12. Panzer-Division) received the Ritterkreuz des Eisernen Kreuzes mit Eichenlaub #55 from the hand of Adolf Hitler (Führer und Oberster Befehlshaber der Wehrmacht), on the award ceremony held at Führerhauptquartier Wolfsschanze (Rastenburg/East Prussia), early January 1942. Harpe already got the award announcement from 31 December 1941. He had been awarded the Ritterkreuz previously on 13 August 1941 (as Generalmajor and Kommandeur 12. Panzer-Division), and would received the Schwerter #36 for his Ritterkreuz and Eichenlaub on 15 September 1943 as General der Panzertruppe and Kommandierender General XXXXI.Panzerkorps. This picture was first published in 'Deutsche Allgemeine Zeitung', 21 January 1942 edition.
Adolf
Hitler (Führer und Oberster Befehlshaber der Wehrmacht) chats with two
Luftwaffe fighter aces, Leutnant Adolf Dickfeld (left, Flugzeugführer in
7.Staffel / III.Gruppe / Jagdgeschwader 52) and Leutnant d.R. Hermann
Graf (Staffelkapitän 9.Staffel / III.Gruppe / Jagdgeschwader 52), who
just both receives the Eichenlaub and Schwerter respectively. Dickfeld
received the Eichenlaub #94 on 19 May 1942 for 101 aerial victories,
while Graf received the Eichenlaub #93 and Schwerter #11 on 17 and 19
May 1942 for 104 and 106 aerial victories. The picture was taken at the
Führerhauptquartier Wolfsschanze in Rastenburg, East Prussia, on 8 June
1942.
23 September 1942 in Führerhauptquartier Vinnitsa, Ukraine: Major Gordon Gollob (Geschwaderkommodore Jagdgeschwader 77) receives the highest German award from Adolf Hitler (Führer und oberste Befehlshaber der Wehrmacht) as the third soldier of the Wehrmacht: Ritterkreuz des Eisernen Kreuzes mit Eichenlaub, Schwertern und Brillanten (Knight's Cross of the Iron Crosses with Oak Leaves, Swords and Diamonds). Gollob himself received the news from 30 August 1942, and he got the Brillanten after becoming the first pilot in history who reached 150 fliegerabschüsse (air victories)!
This
picture was taken by Heinrich Hoffmann, and it shows Adolf Hitler
(Führer und Oberster Befehlshaber der Wehrmacht) ceremonially awards the
Ritterkreuz des Eisernen Kreuzes mit Eichenlaub, Schwertern und
Brillanten to Major Hermann Graf (Staffelkapitän 9.Staffel / III.Gruppe /
Jagdgeschwader 52). The ceremony were held at the Führerhauptquartier
Werwolf in Vinnitsa, Ukraine, on 7 October 1942. Luftwaffe fighter ace
Hermann Graf formally received the Brillanten on 16 September 1942 after
achieving 172 aerial victory. Other pictures from this occasion can be seen HERE.
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-1943-
Schwerter
and Eichenlaub award ceremony for two brilliant Wehrmacht officers who
excelled in warfare, which was held at the Berghof Obersalzberg on March
31, 1943. This photo shows when Adolf Hitler (Führer und Oberster
Befehlshaber der Wehrmacht) shook hands with Generalmajor Georg-Wilhelm
Postel (Kommandeur 320. Infanterie-Division), who earned the Eichenlaub
#215 for his Ritterkreuz. Meanwhile, behind Postel wearing a black
Panzertruppen uniform and giving a salute is Oberst der Reserve Hyazinth
Strachwitz von Groß-Zauche (Kommandeur Panzer-Regiment
"Großdeutschland"), who earned Schwerter #27 for his Ritterkreuz. On the
same day and place, but at a different hour, was the awarding ceremony
of the Schwerter #26 medal for SS-Obergruppenführer und General der
Waffen-SS Josef "Sepp" Dietrich (Kommandeur SS-Panzergrenadier-Division
"Leibstandarte SS Adolf Hitler").
Eichenlaub
award ceremony for Heer officers, awarded by Adolf Hitler at
Führerhauptquartier Wolfsschanze, Rastenburg, April 1943. The recipients
are, from left to right: Oberst Ernst Nobis (Kommandeur Jäger-Regiment
204 / 97.Jäger-Division. Eichenlaub #151 on 5 December 1942), Oberst
Hans Mikosch (Kommandeur Pionier-Regiment-Stab z. b. V. 677. Eichenlaub
#201 on 6 March 1943), Hauptmann der Reserve Dr.rer.oec. Eberhard Zahn
(Chef 2.Kompanie / Panzerjäger-Abteilung 33 / 15.Panzer-Division.
Eichenlaub #204 on 6 March 1943), Hauptmann Helmut Hudel (Kommandeur
I.Abteilung / Panzer-Regiment 7 / 10.Panzer-Division. Eichenlaub #219 on
2 April 1943), and Leutnant der Reserve Bruno Kohnz (Zugführer in
11.Kompanie / III.Bataillon / Jäger-Regiment 207 / 97.Jäger-Division.
Eichenlaub #207 on 6 March 1943). Behind Hitler is his adjutant from
Heer, Oberstleutnant Gerhard Engel, who would also receives the
Ritterkreuz and Eichenlaub one year later after he went to the front.
5 April 1943: From left to right: Oberstleutnant Gerhard Engel (Adjutant des Heeres und Verbindungsoffizier des Heeres zu Führer und Oberster Befehlshaber der Wehrmacht), Generalfeldmarschall Wilhelm Keitel (Chef des Oberkommando der Wehrmacht), Generalleutnant Rudolf Schmundt (Chefadjutant des Heeres beim Führer und Oberster Befehlshaber der Wehrmacht), Adolf Hitler (Führer und Oberster Befehlshaber der Wehrmacht), Generale di Brigata Efisio Marras (Head of the Italian Mission in connection with the Oberkommando der Wehrmacht), Generale d'Armata Italo Gariboldi (Commander Italian Army in Russia), and unknown Italian Generale di Divizione. The picture was taken by Presse-Hoffmann photographer at the Ritterkreuz award ceremony for Gariboldi, held in Berghof Obersalzberg. Gariboldi already received the radio/telegram news for his award from 1 April 1943.
Adolf
Hitler (Führer und Oberster Befehlshaber der Wehrmacht)
congratulates the new recipients of Eichenlaub zum Ritterkreuz des
Eisernen Kreuzes during award ceremony which were held at the Große
Halle, Berghof (Obersalzberg), 16 April 1943. In this occasion, there
were 14 members of the Wehrmacht (7 from the Heer, 6 from the Luftwaffe
and 1 from the Waffen-SS) who got the honor to came to Berghof and have
an audience with Hitler. This picture shows, from left to right:
Hauptmann Walter Scheunemann (Kommandeur I.Bataillon /
Grenadier-Regiment 272 / 93.Infanterie-Division. Eichenlaub #202 on 6
March 1943), Oberleutnant der Reserve Josef Bremm (Chef 5.Kompanie /
II.Bataillon / Grenadier-Regiment 426 /126.Infanterie-Division.
Eichenlaub #165 on 23 December 1942), Hauptmann der Reserve Heinrich
Schüler (Kommandeur II.Bataillon / Grenadier-Reimengt 525 /
298.Infanterie-Division. Eichenlaub #218 on 2 April 1943), Hauptmann
Peter Frantz (Kommandeur Sturmgeschütz-Abteilung "Großdeutschland" /
Infanterie-Division "Großdeutschland" [motorisiert]. Eichenlaub #228 on
14 April 1943), Oberleutnant Werner Baumgarten-Crusius (Führer
I.Bataillon / Grenadier-Regiment 156 [motorisiert] /
16.Infanterie-Division [motorisiert]. Eichenlaub #199 on 27 February
1943), Oberfeldwebel Rudolf Schlee (Zugführer in 6.Kompanie /
II.Bataillon / Gebirgsjäger-Regiment 13 / 4.Gebirgs-Division "Enzian".
Eichenlaub #222 on 6 April 1943), Unteroffizier der Reserve Georg
Rietscher (shaking hands with Hitler. Vorwärtser Beobachter in
14.Kompanie / III.Bataillon / Grenadier-Regiment 513 /
294.Infanterie-Division. Eichenlaub #210 on 14 March 1943),
Oberstleutnant Paul-Werner Hozzel (Geschwaderkommodore
Sturzkampfgeschwader 2 "Immelmann". Eichenlaub #230 on 14 April 1943),
Major Werner Streib (Gruppenkommandeur I.Gruppe / Nachtjagdgeschwader 1.
Eichenlaub #197 on 26 February 1943), Oberleutnant Theodor Nordmann
(Gruppenführer III.Gruppe / Sturzkampfgeschwader 1. Eichenlaub #214 on
17 March 1943), Oberleutnant Hans Ulrich Rudel (Staffelkapitän 1.Staffel
/ I.Gruppe / Sturzkampfgeschwader 2 "Immelmann". Eichenlaub #229 on 14
April 1943), Hauptmann Egon Mayer (Gruppenkommandeur III.Gruppe /
Jagdgeschwader 2 "Richthofen". Eichenlaub #232 on 16 April 1943),
Hauptmann Georg Dörffel (Gruppenführer I.Gruppe / Sturzkampfgeschwader
1. Eichenlaub #231 on 14 April 1943), and SS-Standartenführer Hinrich
Schuldt (Kommandeur SS-Brigade "Schuldt". Eichenlaub #220 on 2 April
1943). It is worth noting that all the Heer members were photographed by
the famous photographer Tita Binz in her own studio and photos were
later published by the Film Foto Verlag company for its series dealing
with Ritterkreuzträger.
Adolf Hitler (Führer und Oberster Befehlshaber der Wehrmacht)
congratulating Heer officers for their newly awarded Eichenlaub of the
Ritterkreuz des Eisernen Kreuzes. The picture was taken at the
Führerhauptquartier Wolffschanze on 15 September 1943. The recipients
are, from left to right: Oberst Paul Schultz (blocked by Hitler,
Kommandeur Grenadier-Regiment 308 / 198.Infanterie-Division, Eichenlaub
#284 on 26 August 1943), Oberst der Reserve Dr.med.dent. Walter Lange
(Kommandeur Grenadier-Regiment 43 / 1.Infanterie-Division, Eichenlaub
#300 on 13 September 1943), Major Theodor Tolsdorff (Kommandeur
I.Bataillon / Füsilier-Regiment 22 / 1.Infanterie-Division, Eichenlaub
#302 on 15 September 1943), Oberst Günther Pape (Kommandeur
Panzergrenadier-Regiment 394 / 3.Panzer-Division, Eichenlaub #301 on 15
September 1943), and Major der Reserve Dr.med.dent. Franz Bäke
(Kommandeur II.Abteilung / Panzer-Regiment 11 / 6.Panzer-Division,
Eichenlaub #262 on 1 August 1943). Interestingly, two out of the five
officers who depicted in this picture are certified dentists (Lange and
Bäke)! Other pictures from this ceremony can be seen HERE.
From
left to right: SS-Standartenführer Heinz Harmel (Kommandeur
SS-Panzergrenadier Regiment "Deutschland" / SS-Panzergrenadier-Division
"Das Reich"), SS-Obersturmbannführer Otto Baum (Kommandeur
SS-Panzergrenadier-Regiment 5 “Totenkopf” / SS-Panzergrenadier-Division
"Totenkopf"), Adolf Hitler (Führer und Oberster Befehlshaber der
Wehrmacht), and Reichsführer-SS Heinrich Himmler (Chef der SS und
deutschen Polizei). The picture was taken in October 1943 during the
Eichenlaub award ceremony for Harmel and Baum, which were held at
Führerhauptquartier Wolfsschanze in Rastenburg, East Prussia. Harmel
formally received the Eichenlaub #296 on 7 September 1943, while Baum
received the Eichenlaub #277 on 22 August 1943. In this picture, you can
see the bandage still wrapped around Harmel's injured neck, a wound he
received on the battlefield on 2 October 1943. This photo itself was
taken from the book "On the Field of Honor: A History of the Knight's
Cross Bearers" by John R. Angolia.
Adolf
Hitler (Führer und Oberster Befehlshaber der Wehrmacht) congratulates
and shakes hands with SS-Hauptsturmführer Erwin Meierdrees (Kommandeur
I.Abteilung /
SS-Panzer-Regiment 3 "Totenkopf" / SS-Panzergrenadier-Division
"Totenkopf") during the audience which were held at Führerhauptquartier
Wolfsschanze in Rastenburg, East Prussia, 13 October 1943.
Abteilungskommandeur Meierdrees received the Eichenlaub #310 on 5
October 1943 for his many heroic deeds during the Battle of Kursk and
the months after that. The other recipients of the Eichenlaub in
Totenkopf were (in order of awarding): Theodor Eicke, Georg Bochmann,
Otto Baum, Hermann Priess, Karl Ulrrich, Helmut Becker, Max Simon, and
Fritz Biermeier.
Brillanten
award ceremony for Hauptmann Walter Nowotny (Gruppenkommandeur I.Gruppe
/ Jagdgeschwader 54) which were held at Führerhauptquartier
Wolfsschanze, Rastenburg (East Prussia), on 20 October 1943. The medal
was presented by Adolf Hitler in his capacity as Führer und Oberster
Befehlshaber der Wehrmacht. Luftwaffe fighter ace Walter Nowotny
formally received the Ritterkreuz des Eisernen Kreuzes mit Eichenlaub,
Schwerter und Brillanten #8 on 19 October 1943 after became the first
person in history who scores 250 aerial victories. After the award
ceremony, Nowotny immediately went on a short vacation to Vienna before
returning to his front-line unit.
Adolf
Hitler (Führer und Oberster Befehlshaber der Wehrmacht) received two
officers from 5. SS-Panzer-Division "Wiking" who had just awarded the
Eichenlaub for their Ritterkreuz des Eisernen Kreuzes. In this picture -
taken at the
Führerhauptquartier Wolfsschanze in Rastenburg, East Prussia, in
November 1943 - the Führer shakes hands with SS-Sturmbannführer Hans
Dorr (Kommandeur I.Bataillon / SS-Panzergrenadier-Regiment "Germania" /
5.SS-Panzer-Division "Wiking"), while at left stands SS-Gruppenführer
und Generalleutnant der Waffen-SS Herbert Otto Gille (Kommandeur 5.
SS-Panzer-Division "Wiking"). Other pictures from this occasion can be seen HERE.
Special audience with Hitler for the new Eichenlaubträger of the Heer,
which were held at the Führerhauptquartier Wolfsschanze in Rastenburg,
East Prussia, late December 1943. In this occasion, four officers of the
Wehrmacht was congratulated by the Führer for their recent award and
achievements. From left to right: Generalmajor
Hasso von Manteuffel (Kommandeur 7. Panzer-Division. Eichenlaub #332 on 23 November 1943), Oberst Ernst Wellmann
(Kommandeur Panzergrenadier-Regiment 3 / 3.Panzer-Division. Eichenlaub
#342 on 30 November 1943), Oberst Willy Langkeit (Kommandeur Panzer-Regiment 36 /
14.Panzer-Division. Eichenlaub #348 on 7 December 1943), Oberstleutnant Karl Baacke
(Kommandeur Grenadier-Regiment 266 / 72.Infanterie-Division. Eichenlaub
#352 on 10 December 1943), and Adolf Hitler (Führer und Oberster Befehlshaber der Wehrmacht). Other pictures from this occasion can be seen HERE.
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-1944-
Adolf
Hitler (Führer und Oberster Befehlshaber der Wehrmacht) congratulates
SS-Gruppenführer und Generalleutnant der Waffen-SS Herbert Otto Gille
(Kommandeur 5. SS-Panzer-Division "Wiking") during the award ceremony
for "Cherkassy Heroes" which were held at the Führerhauptquartier
Wolfsschanze in Rastenburg, East Prussia, on 20 February 1944. At left
is another recipient, SS-Hauptsturmführer der Reserve Léon Degrelle
(Kommandeur 5. SS-Freiwilligen-Sturmbrigade "Wallonien"), while at right
is SS-Brigadeführer und Generalmajor der Waffen-SS Hermann Fegelein
(Verbindungsoffizier der Waffen-SS zum Führerhauptquartier) and
Reichsführer-SS Heinrich Himmler (Chef der SS und deutschen Polizei). Other pictures and video from this occasion can be seen HERE.
The
reception ceremony for the new Eichenlaub and Schwerter recipients from
the Wehrmacht, held at Hitler's vacation home at the Berghof,
Obersalzberg, in the end of March 1944. This photo shows Adolf Hitler
(Führer und Oberster Befehlshaber der Wehrmacht) greeting the heroic
German officers one by one. They are, from left to right: Generalmajor
Eduard Hauser (Kommandeur 13. Panzer-Division. Eichenlaub #376 on 26
January 1944), Generalmajor Dr.rer.pol. Hermann Hohn (Führer 72.
Infanterie-Division. Eichenlaub #410 on 1 March 1944), Oberstleutnant
der Reserve Dr.med.dent. Rudolf Kolbeck (wearing eyepatch, Kommandeur
Grenadier-Regiment 316 / 212.Infanterie-Division. Eichenlaub #403 on 22
February 1944), Oberstleutnant der Reserve Hans Joachim Kahler
(Kommandeur Panzergrenadier-Regiment 5 / 12.Panzer-Division. Eichenlaub
#355 on 17 December 1943), Oberstleutnant Robert Kaestner (Führer
Grenadier-Regiment 105 / 72.Infanterie-Division. Eichenlaub #401 on 21
February 1944), and Hauptmann der Reserve Walter Mix (Kommandeur
II.Bataillon / Grenadier-Regiment 174 / 81 Infanterie-Division.
Eichenlaub #405 on 22 February 1944). Actually on that day there were 13
officers who had an audience with Hitler. The other seven officers who
do not appear in this photo are: Generalmajor Wend von Wietersheim
(Kommandeur 11. Panzer-Division. Schwerter #58 on 26 March 1944),
General der Infanterie Friedrich Mieth (Kommandierender General IV.
Armeekorps. Eichenlaub #409 on 1 March 1944), General der Panzertruppe
Erich Brandenberger (Kommandierender General XXIX.Armeekorps. Eichenlaub
#324 on 12 November 1943), General der Artillerie Robert Martinek
(Kommandierender General XXXIX. Panzerkorps. Eichenlaub #388 on 10
February 1944), General der Artillerie Helmuth Weidling (Kommandierender
General XXXXI. Panzerkorps. Eichenlaub #408 on 22 February 1944),
Generalleutnant Werner Forst (Kommandeur 106. Infanterie-Division.
Eichenlaub #407 on 22 February 1944), and Generalleutnant Smilo Freiherr
von Lüttwitz (Kommandeur 26. Panzer-Division. Eichenlaub #426 on March
16, 1944). Other pictures from this occasion can be seen HERE.
The Eichenlaub award ceremony for three outstanding Heer members, which held on 14 May 1944 at the Führerhauptquartier Berghof Obersalzberg (Münich), and was presented directly by Adolf Hitler (Führer und oberster Befehlshaber der Wehrmacht). The recipients are, from left to right: Oberst der Reserve Werner Mummert (Kommandeur Panzergrenadier-Regiment 103 / 14.Panzer-Division. Eichenlaub # 429 dated 20 March 1944), Leutnant der Reserve Josef Schneider (Führer 13.Kompanie / III.Bataillon / Jäger-Regiment 207 / 97.Jäger-Division. Eichenlaub # 389 dated 10 February 1944), and Oberfeldwebel Johann Schwerdfeger (Zugführer at 1.Kompanie / I.Bataillon / Jäger-Regiment 228 / 101.Jäger-Division. Eichenlaub # 474 dated 14 May 1944).
Generalleutnant
Hasso von Manteuffel (Kommandeur Panzergrenadier-Division
"Grossdeutschland") meeting with Hitler at Berghof Obersalzberg on 14
May 1944 on the occasion of receiving a Schwerter #50 for his
Ritterkreuz, which he formally received since 22 February 1944. Von
Manteuffel was a very tiny man as can be clearly seen in this photo!
Note the "Großdeutschland" cuff title on his right sleeve: von
Manteuffel commanded this elite Army panzer division on the Eastern
Front from February to September 1944. Other pictures from this occasion can be seen HERE.
Adolf
Hitler (Führer und Oberster Befehlshaber der Wehrmacht) shaking hands
and congratulates Hauptmann d.R. Hogrebe for his newly awarded
Eichenlaub. On 25 May 1944 Hitler welcomes nine Wehrmacht officers - who
just recently receives the higher grade of Ritterkreuz - in his retreat
in Berghof Obersalzberg. They were, from left to right: Generalleutnant
Dietrich von Saucken (Kommandeur 4. Panzer-Division. Schwerter #46 on
31 January 1944), Generalleutnant Georg-Wilhelm Postel (Kommandeur 320.
Infanterie-Division. Schwerter #57 on 26 March 1944), Oberst Franz
Griesbach (Kommandeur Grenadier-Regiment 399 / 170.Infanterie-Division.
Schwerter #53 on 6 March 1944), General der Artillerie Maximilian
Fretter-Pico (Kommandierender General XXX. Armeekorps. Eichenlaub #368
on 16 January 1944), Generalleutnant Friedrich Schulz (mit der Führung
beauftragt III. Panzerkorpa. Eichenlaub #428 on 20 March 1944),
Generalmajor Ernst-Günther Baade (Kommandeur 90.
Panzergrenadier-Division. Eichenlaub #402 on 22 February 1944), Oberst
Herbert Schwender (Kommandeur Grenadier-Regiment 45 /
21.Infanterie-Division. Eichenlaub #442 on 6 April 1944), Oberstleutnant
Heinz Wittchow von Brese-Winiary (Kommandeur II.Bataillon /
Panzergrenadier-Regiment 108 / 14.Panzer-Division. Eichenlaub #441 on 6
April 1944), and Hauptmann der Reserve Heinrich Hogrebe (Kommandeur
II.Bataillon / Grenadier-Regiment 422 / 126.Infanterie-Division.
Eichenlaub #454 on 13 April 1944). The signature is belong to Von
Brese-Winiary. Other pictures from this occasion can be seen HERE.
Schwerter
award ceremony for Oberstleutnant Theodor Tolsdorff (Kommandeur
Grenadier-Regiment 1067 / Heeresgruppe Mitte) with Adolf Hitler (Führer
und Oberster Befehlshaber der Wehrmacht), which were held at the
Führerhauptquartier Wolfsschanze in Rastenburg, East Prussia, between
18-20 July 1944. Tolsdorff rerecived the Schwerter #80 for his
Ritterkreuz on 18 July 1944 for his achievements during the Soviet
operation Bagration, where he took over command of a
scratch force of alert and leave companies, Grenadier-Regiment 1067. He
was first ordered to break through to the garrison at Vilnius, which he
succeeded in doing (on the way rescuing a German field hospital with
3,000 wounded men). He then took part in the city's defense, later
breaking out with other units when a narrow corridor had been created by
German relief forces. He and his men had distinguished themselves
during the time they defended the city, so much so that Tolsdorff was
christened "The Lion of Vilnius" by German propaganda!
Eichenlaub
award ceremony for SS-Standartenführer Karl Ullrich (Kommandeur
SS-Panzergrenadier-Regiment 6 “Theodor Eicke” / 3.SS-Panzer-Division
“Totenkopf”), which were held at Führerhauptquartier Wolfsschanze in
Rastenburg, East Prussia, on 1 August 1944. Ullrich received the
Eichenlaub #480 on 14 May 1944 previously for his outstanding leadership
and bravery in the many battles against the Red Army in the Eastern
Front, from March 1943 to March 1944. From left to right: Adolf Hitler
(Führer und Oberster Befehlshaber der Wehrmacht), Reichsführer-SS
Heinrich Himmler (Chef der SS und Polizei), SS-Standartenführer Ullrich,
and SS-Gruppenführer und Generalleutnant der Waffen-SS Hermann Fegelein
(Verbindungsoffizier zwischen dem Reichsführer-SS und dem
Führerhauptquartier).
Adolf
Hitler (Führer und Oberster Befehlshaber der Wehrmacht) shaking
hands and congratulates SS-Obergruppenführer Steiner for his newly
awarded Schwerter, while SS-Sturmbannführer Degrelle saluting. This
picture was taken by Heinrich Hoffmann on 28 August 1944 during award
ceremony for the two SS officers veteran of the Battle of Narva, which
were held at Führerhauptquartier
Wolfsschanze in Rastenburg, East Prussia. SS-Obergruppenführer und
General der Waffen-SS Felix Steiner
(Kommandierender General III. SS-Panzerkorps) received the Schwerter for
his Ritterkreuz (bestowal date 10 August 1944), while
SS-Sturmbannführer der
Reserve Léon Degrelle (Kommandeur 5. SS-Freiwilligen-Sturmbrigade
"Wallonien") received the Eichenlaub (bestowal date 27 August 1944).The
tall guy at left is Hitler's adjutant, SS-Sturmbannführer Richard
Schulze. BTW, in his memoirs, Degrelle said that every time he met Steiner, his
boss always looked calm and fragrant, even in the midst of the war!
German people at that time used to use Rassierwasser (aftershave) after
shaving, and Steiner was no exception. Famous brands during the Third
Reich include TARR, "Eau de Cologne", (Kölnisch Wasser) 4711, and
Pitralon. Other pictures from this occasion can be seen HERE.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
-1945-
The
first, the last and the only award ceremony of the Ritterkreuz des
Eisernen Kreuzes mit Goldenem Eichenlaub, Schwertern und Brillanten
(Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross with Golden Oak Leaves, Swords, and
Diamonds) for Stuka ace Hans-Ulrich Rudel, which were held at the
Führerhauptquartier Adlerhost near Langenhain-Ziegenberg, Hesse, on 1
January 1945 (Rudel had already received the announcement from 29
December 1944). He received the fifth grade of the Ritterkreuz after
completing his 2,400th combat mission with his dive-bomber aircraft and
destroying his 463rd tank! This picture was taken by Heinrich Hoffmann
and it first published in "12 Uhr", 4 January 1945 edition. From left to
right: Joachim von Ribbentrop (Reichsminister des Auwärtigen),
Oberstleutnant
Hans-Ulrich Rudel (Geschwaderkommodore Schlachtgeschwader 2
"Immelmann"), SS-Gruppenführer und Generalleutnant der Waffen-SS
Hermann Fegelein (Verbindungsoffizier der Waffen-SS zum
Führerhauptquartier), Generaloberst Alfred Jodl (Chef der
Wehrmacht-Führungsamt)), Adolf Hitler (Führer und oberster Befehlshaber
der Wehrmacht), Generalfeldmarschall Wilhelm Keitel (Chef des
Oberkommando der Wehrmacht), General der Infanterie Wilhelm Burgdorf
(Leiter des Heeres-Personalamt), Reichsmarschall Hermann Göring
(Oberbefehlshaber der Luftwaffe), Großadmiral Karl Dönitz
(Oberbefehlshaber der Kriegsmarine), and Generaloberst Heinz Guderian
(Chef des Generalstabes des Heeres). Other pictures from this occasion can be seen HERE.
This
photo - taken inside the Führerbunker in Berlin - was shot in late
February or early March 1945 and shows Adolf Hitler (Führer und Oberster
Befehlshaber der Wehrmacht) congratulating Generaloberst Ferdinand
Schörner on the award of the Brillanten #23 for his Ritterkreuz, which
he had received previously on 1 January 1945 as Oberbefehlshaber
Heeresgruppe Nord. Standing by the door was Hitler's loyal Chief Aide,
SS-Obergruppenführer Julius Schaub. Some sources say that this photo was
taken in April 1945, but this claim is false because no photographers
or cameramen were allowed to remain in the bunker since 20 March 1945!
Source :
http://alifrafikkhan.blogspot.com/2011/11/album-foto-upacara-penganugerahan.html
https://www.bpk-bildagentur.de/shop
https://forum.axishistory.com/viewtopic.php?f=5&t=46430&hilit=ol+award
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