The visit of Reichsführer-SS Heinrich Himmler (Chef der SS und Deutschen Polizei) to the headquarters of the SS-Panzergrenadier-Division "Totenkopf" near Kharkov, Ukraine, 24 April 1943. To the left of Himmler is SS-Oberführer Hermann Prieß (Kommandeur SS-Panzergrenadier-Division "Totenkopf"), while to his right is SS-Obersturmbannführer Otto Baum (Kommandeur SS-Panzergrenadier-Regiment "Totenkopf"). On the far left is SS-Sturmbannführer Otto Kron (Kommandeur SS-Flak-Abteilung "Totenkopf"), while second from the right is likely SS-Hauptsturmführer Anton "Toni" Laackmann (Kommandeur SS-Panzerjäger Abteilung 3 "Totenkopf").Reichsführer-SS Heinrich Himmler visited the area around Kharkov in spring 1943, during a trip that included inspecting Waffen-SS units from the SS-Panzerkorps (which included the SS Division Totenkopf on 24 April 1943, along with Leibstandarte and Das Reich). On that date, he delivered a speech to SS commanders (a "Kommandeurbesprechung" or meeting of SS division commanders) in Kharkov.
The Totenkopf Division had returned to the Eastern Front in early 1943, participated in the Third Battle of Kharkov (February–March 1943, recapturing the city), and was still operating in the region as part of Heeresgruppe Süd (Army Group South) before shifting toward the Kursk preparations later that spring/summer. Himmler's visit involved addressing senior officers from the SS divisions active there, emphasizing ideological indoctrination, racial theories, and the "dread reputation" of the SS units from the Kharkov fighting. Photos and references to Himmler examining captured Soviet equipment (e.g., a T-34 tank) or SS troops in the Kharkov sector also tie to this period.
The Totenkopf Division had returned to the Eastern Front in early 1943, participated in the Third Battle of Kharkov (February–March 1943, recapturing the city), and was still operating in the region as part of Heeresgruppe Süd (Army Group South) before shifting toward the Kursk preparations later that spring/summer. Himmler's visit involved addressing senior officers from the SS divisions active there, emphasizing ideological indoctrination, racial theories, and the "dread reputation" of the SS units from the Kharkov fighting. Photos and references to Himmler examining captured Soviet equipment (e.g., a T-34 tank) or SS troops in the Kharkov sector also tie to this period.
The visit of Reichsführer-SS Heinrich Himmler (Chef der SS und Deutschen Polizei) to the headquarters of the SS-Panzergrenadier-Division "Totenkopf" near Kharkov, Ukraine, 24 April 1943. From left to right: SS-Oberführer Hermann Prieß (Kommandeur SS-Panzergrenadier-Division "Totenkopf"), Himmler, and SS-Obersturmbannführer Otto Baum (Kommandeur SS-Panzergrenadier-Regiment "Totenkopf").
The visit of Reichsführer-SS Heinrich Himmler (Chef der SS und Deutschen Polizei) to the headquarters of the SS-Panzergrenadier-Division "Totenkopf" near Kharkov, Ukraine, 24 April 1943. From left to right: SS-Obersturmbannführer Otto Baum (Kommandeur SS-Panzergrenadier-Regiment "Totenkopf"), SS-Hauptsturmführer Josef Kiermaier (persönlicher leibwächter bei Heinrich Himmler), and Himmler.
Source :
https://alifrafikkhan.blogspot.com/2015/02/foto-otto-baum.html
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