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Thursday, March 26, 2026

Staff Meeting of Heeresgruppe Mitte in the HQ of 3. Panzerarmee

February 1944: A staff meeting of Heeresgruppe Mitte officers, chaired by Generalfeldmarschall Ernst Busch. Generaloberst Georg-Hans Reinhardt and Generalmajor Otto Heidkämper. Following the meeting, the general and senior officers leave the building. Generalfelfmarschall Busch departs first, accompanied by Reinhardt and Heidkämper. Field Marshal Busch leaves in a vehicle, accompanied by Generals Reinhardt and Heidkämper, as well as two senior officers who salute him, one of whom may be Colonel (Oberst i.G.) Henning von Treskow (to be verified; he could be the last man on the right in photograph PK697 F971 L24). It is noteworthy that only General Reinhardt gives a military salute, unlike the other officers who give a Nazi salute. The offices of the front newspaper "Panzerfaust," published by the 697th Armored Propaganda Company (Panzer Propaganda Kompanie 697). Generalleutnant Rolf Wuthmann is seen getting into an open-top car (PK697 F971 L27 and L28). Company Commander Fischer, commanding the 697th Propaganda Company (Panzer Propagandakompanie 697), is seen waving goodbye to staff officers as they depart. The address of the front newspaper "Panzerfaust" is displayed on the building: Panzerfaust Geschaftzimmer bei Lepelerstrasse 41, possibly in Witebsk (PK697 F971 L33 and L34).

Notes: For the dates of this report:
- Field Marshal Ernst Busch's command of Army Group Center (Heeresgruppe Mitte): October 12, 1943 to June 27, 1944;
- Busch was awarded the Oak Leaves in addition to the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross on August 21, 1943.
- General Otto Heidkämper on the staff of the 3rd Panzer Army (3.Panzerarmee): May 5, 1943 to September 1, 1944;
- General (Generaloberst) Georg-Hans Reinhardt commanded the 3rd Panzer Army (3.Panzerarmee) from January 1, 1942 to August 15, 1944.

The staff meeting of Heeresgruppe Mitte officers in the headquarters of 3. Panzerarmee in Vitebsk, Belarus, February 1944. From left to right: unknown, Generaloberst Georg-Hans Reinhardt (Oberbefehlshaber 3. Panzerarmee), Generalfeldmarschall Ernst Busch (Oberbefehlshaber Heeresgruppe Mitte), and unknown. The picture was taken by Kriegsberichter Johannes Bergmann from PK (Propaganda-Kompanie) 697.

The staff meeting of Heeresgruppe Mitte officers in the headquarters of 3. Panzerarmee in Vitebsk, Belarus, February 1944. Generalfeldmarschall Ernst Busch (Oberbefehlshaber Heeresgruppe Mitte) is in the center. The picture was taken by Kriegsberichter Johannes Bergmann from PK (Propaganda-Kompanie) 697.

The staff meeting of Heeresgruppe Mitte officers in the headquarters of 3. Panzerarmee in Vitebsk, Belarus, February 1944. From left to right: unknown, Generaloberst Georg-Hans Reinhardt (Oberbefehlshaber 3. Panzerarmee), Generalfeldmarschall Ernst Busch (Oberbefehlshaber Heeresgruppe Mitte), and unknown. The picture was taken by Kriegsberichter Johannes Bergmann from PK (Propaganda-Kompanie) 697.

The staff meeting of Heeresgruppe Mitte officers in the headquarters of 3. Panzerarmee in Vitebsk, Belarus, February 1944. From left to right: Generaloberst Georg-Hans Reinhardt (Oberbefehlshaber 3. Panzerarmee) and Generalmajor Otto Heidkämper (Chef des Generalstabes 3. Panzerarmee). The picture was taken by Kriegsberichter Johannes Bergmann from PK (Propaganda-Kompanie) 697.

The staff meeting of Heeresgruppe Mitte officers in the headquarters of 3. Panzerarmee in Vitebsk, Belarus, February 1944. From left to right: Generaloberst Georg-Hans Reinhardt (Oberbefehlshaber 3. Panzerarmee) and Generalmajor Otto Heidkämper (Chef des Generalstabes 3. Panzerarmee). The picture was taken by Kriegsberichter Johannes Bergmann from PK (Propaganda-Kompanie) 697.

The staff meeting of Heeresgruppe Mitte officers in the headquarters of 3. Panzerarmee in Vitebsk, Belarus, February 1944. In the background is Generaloberst Georg-Hans Reinhardt (Oberbefehlshaber 3. Panzerarmee). The picture was taken by Kriegsberichter Johannes Bergmann from PK (Propaganda-Kompanie) 697.

The staff meeting of Heeresgruppe Mitte officers in the headquarters of 3. Panzerarmee in Vitebsk, Belarus, February 1944. Generalfeldmarschall Ernst Busch (Oberbefehlshaber Heeresgruppe Mitte) is in the center. The picture was taken by Kriegsberichter Johannes Bergmann from PK (Propaganda-Kompanie) 697.

The staff meeting of Heeresgruppe Mitte officers in the headquarters of 3. Panzerarmee in Vitebsk, Belarus, February 1944. The picture was taken by Kriegsberichter Johannes Bergmann from PK (Propaganda-Kompanie) 697.

The staff meeting of Heeresgruppe Mitte officers in the headquarters of 3. Panzerarmee in Vitebsk, Belarus, February 1944. The picture was taken by Kriegsberichter Johannes Bergmann from PK (Propaganda-Kompanie) 697.

The staff meeting of Heeresgruppe Mitte officers in the headquarters of 3. Panzerarmee in Vitebsk, Belarus, February 1944. In the center is Generaloberst Georg-Hans Reinhardt (Oberbefehlshaber 3. Panzerarmee). The picture was taken by Kriegsberichter Johannes Bergmann from PK (Propaganda-Kompanie) 697.

The staff meeting of Heeresgruppe Mitte officers in the headquarters of 3. Panzerarmee in Vitebsk, Belarus, February 1944. Generalfeldmarschall Ernst Busch (Oberbefehlshaber Heeresgruppe Mitte) in the headquarters of 3. Panzerarmee. The picture was taken by Kriegsberichter Johannes Bergmann from PK (Propaganda-Kompanie) 697.

The staff meeting of Heeresgruppe Mitte officers in the headquarters of 3. Panzerarmee in Vitebsk, Belarus, February 1944. From left to right: Generalfeldmarschall Ernst Busch (Oberbefehlshaber Heeresgruppe Mitte) and Generaloberst Georg-Hans Reinhardt (Oberbefehlshaber 3. Panzerarmee). The picture was taken by Kriegsberichter Johannes Bergmann from PK (Propaganda-Kompanie) 697.

The staff meeting of Heeresgruppe Mitte officers in the headquarters of 3. Panzerarmee in Vitebsk, Belarus, February 1944. From left to right: Generalfeldmarschall Ernst Busch (Oberbefehlshaber Heeresgruppe Mitte) and Generaloberst Georg-Hans Reinhardt (Oberbefehlshaber 3. Panzerarmee). The picture was taken by Kriegsberichter Johannes Bergmann from PK (Propaganda-Kompanie) 697.

The staff meeting of Heeresgruppe Mitte officers in the headquarters of 3. Panzerarmee in Vitebsk, Belarus, February 1944. From left to right: two unknown, Generalfeldmarschall Ernst Busch (Oberbefehlshaber Heeresgruppe Mitte), and Generaloberst Georg-Hans Reinhardt (Oberbefehlshaber 3. Panzerarmee). The picture was taken by Kriegsberichter Johannes Bergmann from PK (Propaganda-Kompanie) 697.

The staff meeting of Heeresgruppe Mitte officers in the headquarters of 3. Panzerarmee in Vitebsk, Belarus, February 1944. From left to right: unknown, Generalfeldmarschall Ernst Busch (Oberbefehlshaber Heeresgruppe Mitte), and Generaloberst Georg-Hans Reinhardt (Oberbefehlshaber 3. Panzerarmee). The picture was taken by Kriegsberichter Johannes Bergmann from PK (Propaganda-Kompanie) 697.

The staff meeting of Heeresgruppe Mitte officers in the headquarters of 3. Panzerarmee in Vitebsk, Belarus, February 1944. 2nd from right is Generalmajor Otto Heidkämper (Chef des Generalstabes 3. Panzerarmee). The picture was taken by Kriegsberichter Johannes Bergmann from PK (Propaganda-Kompanie) 697.

The staff meeting of Heeresgruppe Mitte officers in the headquarters of 3. Panzerarmee in Vitebsk, Belarus, February 1944. From left to right: two unknown, Generalfeldmarschall Ernst Busch (Oberbefehlshaber Heeresgruppe Mitte), and Generaloberst Georg-Hans Reinhardt (Oberbefehlshaber 3. Panzerarmee). The picture was taken by Kriegsberichter Johannes Bergmann from PK (Propaganda-Kompanie) 697.

The staff meeting of Heeresgruppe Mitte officers in the headquarters of 3. Panzerarmee in Vitebsk, Belarus, February 1944. Generalfeldmarschall Ernst Busch (Oberbefehlshaber Heeresgruppe Mitte) ready to depart the place. The picture was taken by Kriegsberichter Johannes Bergmann from PK (Propaganda-Kompanie) 697.

The staff meeting of Heeresgruppe Mitte officers in the headquarters of 3. Panzerarmee in Vitebsk, Belarus, February 1944. Generaloberst Georg-Hans Reinhardt (Oberbefehlshaber 3. Panzerarmee) walking out of the room. The picture was taken by Kriegsberichter Johannes Bergmann from PK (Propaganda-Kompanie) 697.

The staff meeting of Heeresgruppe Mitte officers in the headquarters of 3. Panzerarmee in Vitebsk, Belarus, February 1944. Generalfeldmarschall Ernst Busch (Oberbefehlshaber Heeresgruppe Mitte) ready to depart the place, accompanied by Generaloberst Georg-Hans Reinhardt (Oberbefehlshaber 3. Panzerarmee) and Generalmajor Otto Heidkämper (Chef des Generalstabes 3. Panzerarmee). The picture was taken by Kriegsberichter Johannes Bergmann from PK (Propaganda-Kompanie) 697.

The staff meeting of Heeresgruppe Mitte officers in the headquarters of 3. Panzerarmee in Vitebsk, Belarus, February 1944. The picture was taken by Kriegsberichter Johannes Bergmann from PK (Propaganda-Kompanie) 697.

The staff meeting of Heeresgruppe Mitte officers in the headquarters of 3. Panzerarmee in Vitebsk, Belarus, February 1944. Generalfeldmarschall Ernst Busch (Oberbefehlshaber Heeresgruppe Mitte) ready to depart the place. The picture was taken by Kriegsberichter Johannes Bergmann from PK (Propaganda-Kompanie) 697.

The staff meeting of Heeresgruppe Mitte officers in the headquarters of 3. Panzerarmee in Vitebsk, Belarus, February 1944. Generalfeldmarschall Ernst Busch (Oberbefehlshaber Heeresgruppe Mitte) shaking hands with Generaloberst Georg-Hans Reinhardt (Oberbefehlshaber 3. Panzerarmee) before departing the place, while Generalmajor Otto Heidkämper (Chef des Generalstabes 3. Panzerarmee) is looking at right. The picture was taken by Kriegsberichter Johannes Bergmann from PK (Propaganda-Kompanie) 697.

The staff meeting of Heeresgruppe Mitte officers in the headquarters of 3. Panzerarmee in Vitebsk, Belarus, February 1944. Generalfeldmarschall Ernst Busch (Oberbefehlshaber Heeresgruppe Mitte) ready to depart the place. The picture was taken by Kriegsberichter Johannes Bergmann from PK (Propaganda-Kompanie) 697.

The staff meeting of Heeresgruppe Mitte officers in the headquarters of 3. Panzerarmee in Vitebsk, Belarus, February 1944. Generalfeldmarschall Ernst Busch (Oberbefehlshaber Heeresgruppe Mitte) depart the place, while saluted by Generaloberst Georg-Hans Reinhardt (Oberbefehlshaber 3. Panzerarmee) and Generalmajor Otto Heidkämper (Chef des Generalstabes 3. Panzerarmee). The picture was taken by Kriegsberichter Johannes Bergmann from PK (Propaganda-Kompanie) 697.

The staff meeting of Heeresgruppe Mitte officers in the headquarters of 3. Panzerarmee in Vitebsk, Belarus, February 1944. The picture was taken by Kriegsberichter Johannes Bergmann from PK (Propaganda-Kompanie) 697.

The staff meeting of Heeresgruppe Mitte officers in the headquarters of 3. Panzerarmee in Vitebsk, Belarus, February 1944. General der Artillerie Rolf Wuthmann (Kommandierender General IX. Armeekorps) ready to depart the place. The picture was taken by Kriegsberichter Johannes Bergmann from PK (Propaganda-Kompanie) 697.

The staff meeting of Heeresgruppe Mitte officers in the headquarters of 3. Panzerarmee in Vitebsk, Belarus, February 1944. General der Artillerie Rolf Wuthmann (Kommandierender General IX. Armeekorps) ready to depart the place. The picture was taken by Kriegsberichter Johannes Bergmann from PK (Propaganda-Kompanie) 697.

The staff meeting of Heeresgruppe Mitte officers in the headquarters of 3. Panzerarmee in Vitebsk, Belarus, February 1944. Leutnant Fischer (front, Chef Propaganda-Kompanie 697) ready to bids farewell to the staff officers of Heeresgruppe Mitte as they depart. The address of the 'Panzerfaust' front newspaper is on the building: "Panzerfaust Geschaftzimmer bei Lepelerstrasse 41", possibly in Vitebsk, Belarus. The picture was taken by Kriegsberichter Johannes Bergmann from PK (Propaganda-Kompanie) 697.

The staff meeting of Heeresgruppe Mitte officers in the headquarters of 3. Panzerarmee in Vitebsk, Belarus, February 1944. Leutnant Fischer (Chef Propaganda-Kompanie 697) shaking hands with staff officers of Heeresgruppe Mitte as they depart. The address of the 'Panzerfaust' front newspaper is on the building: "Panzerfaust Geschaftzimmer bei Lepelerstrasse 41", possibly in Vitebsk, Belarus. The picture was taken by Kriegsberichter Johannes Bergmann from PK (Propaganda-Kompanie) 697.

The staff meeting of Heeresgruppe Mitte officers in the headquarters of 3. Panzerarmee in Vitebsk, Belarus, February 1944. Leutnant Fischer (left, Chef Propaganda-Kompanie 697) bids farewell to the staff officers of Heeresgruppe Mitte as they depart. The address of the 'Panzerfaust' front newspaper is on the building: "Panzerfaust Geschaftzimmer bei Lepelerstrasse 41", possibly in Vitebsk, Belarus. The picture was taken by Kriegsberichter Johannes Bergmann from PK (Propaganda-Kompanie) 697.