Ritterkreuzträger with Ushanka (Russian fur hat)

During World War II, the Ushanka—a classic Russian winter hat with a rounded fur or sheepskin crown and oversized ear flaps that could be tied up on top or secured under the chin—unexpectedly became part of the equipment of many German soldiers on the Eastern Front, despite being an iconic symbol of Soviet forces. The Wehrmacht and Waffen-SS entered the Soviet Union in 1941 with inadequate winter clothing, and the catastrophic first winter of 1941–42 brought temperatures plunging to −40 °C (−40 °F), causing widespread frostbite and non-combat casualties because standard German field caps and helmets offered little protection against the extreme cold and wind. As a result, frontline troops routinely scavenged or captured Soviet winter gear from battlefields, supply dumps, and prisoners; among the most sought-after items were authentic Ushankas made of rabbit fur, sheepskin, or heavy felt, which provided far superior insulation and comfort. These captured hats were frequently modified to avoid confusion with the enemy: Soviet red stars or cockades were removed and replaced with German insignia such as the Wehrmacht eagle, branch-specific emblems (for example, artillery crossed cannons), or even Waffen-SS runes, with surviving examples—including 1940-dated enlisted Ushankas bearing period-applied Heer artillery badges—now preserved in museums and private collections. Historical photographs from the battles around Moscow, the Rzhev salient, and early Stalingrad frequently show German infantrymen, artillerymen, and panzer crews wearing these altered Ushankas alongside their greatcoats or captured Soviet padded jackets, demonstrating both the dire supply shortages faced by the German army and the practical resourcefulness of its soldiers in one of the most brutal theaters of the war.

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HEER

Oberleutnant Viktor Lindemann (1916-1942) was born on 23 November 1916 in Koblenz in the Rhine Province of Germany and served as an officer in the Heer during the Second World War. As Leutnant and Adjutant of the III. Bataillon of Infanterie-Regiment 124 he was awarded the Ritterkreuz des Eisernen Kreuzes on 21 September 1941 for his conduct during operations on the Eastern Front in the opening phase of the German campaign against the Soviet Union. He later received promotion to Oberleutnant and was appointed Chef of the 4. Schwadron of Radfahr-Abteilung 72 in the 72. Infanterie-Division. In addition to the Ritterkreuz des Eisernen Kreuzes he was decorated with the Eisernes Kreuz 1. Klasse and the Eisernes Kreuz 2. Klasse. Lindemann was killed in action on 9 September 1942 near Dubakino on the southern sector of the Eastern Front while serving in his command role with the bicycle reconnaissance unit. The precise action or series of actions that led to the award of his Ritterkreuz des Eisernen Kreuzes is not described in detail in the available biographical entries on the internet, which record only the date, his rank and his assignment at the time of the bestowal.

Source :
https://alifrafikkhan.blogspot.com/2012/11/album-foto-tokoh-nazi-jerman-yang.html