Ritterkreuzträger with Eye Patch (Augenklappe)

The Augenklappe, or medical eye patch, formed a standard component of the Wehrmacht’s field medical equipment and was routinely carried in the Verbandkasten issued to units of the Heer, Luftwaffe and Waffen-SS. Constructed from black fabric or leatherette with an elastic headband, the simple patch was designed to cover and protect an injured or recently operated eye, shielding it from light, dust and further trauma while allowing the soldier to remain in the field whenever possible. Eye wounds were frequent on every front, caused by shell fragments, bullets, grenades, frostbite or chemical agents, and the loss of an eye automatically qualified a recipient for the Verwundetenabzeichen in Silber regardless of the total number of wounds sustained. Many soldiers who received this award continued to serve while wearing the Augenklappe, among them Oberjäger and later Feldwebel Heinrich Boigk of Jäger-Regiment 49, who lost an eye during the fighting at the Wolchow bridgehead in January 1944 yet still earned the Eichenlaub to the Ritterkreuz. Similar cases occurred across numerous formations, from Infanterie-Divisionen on the Eastern Front to Gebirgsjäger and Panzer units, where the patch became a visible mark of combat injury rather than a barrier to further duty. In addition to the medical Augenklappe, the Wehrmacht issued protective eyewear such as the Augenschützer 42 for dust and sun, but the simple black eye patch remained the practical solution for permanent or temporary monocular vision loss. After the war many veterans continued to wear an Augenklappe in civilian life, a lasting reminder of the severe optical injuries sustained between 1939 and 1945.

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HEER


Leutnant der Reserve Heinrich Boigk (1912-2003) was born on 30 October 1912 in Cologne-Lindenthal and joined the Wehrmacht in early 1940 with Infanterie-Regiment 49, later redesignated Jäger-Regiment 49 of the 28. Jäger-Division. He took part in the French campaign and the invasion of the Soviet Union, distinguishing himself repeatedly as a reconnaissance and patrol leader. Promoted to Oberjäger der Reserve, he served as Gruppenführer in the 2. Kompanie of Jäger-Regiment 49. During combat south of Lake Ladoga he repeatedly led successful Spähtruppunternehmen, often being the first man to enter enemy positions under difficult conditions, capturing prisoners and bringing back valuable intelligence material to higher commands. For these actions he was awarded the Ritterkreuz des Eisernen Kreuzes on 5 May 1943. Later, as Feldwebel der Reserve and Zugführer in the same company, he played a decisive role in sealing a dangerous Soviet breakthrough at the Wolchow bridgehead in January 1944; despite being severely wounded and losing an eye during the fighting, his resolute leadership prevented the enemy penetration from expanding. For this achievement he received the Eichenlaub to the Ritterkreuz on 18 January 1944 as the 370th recipient. He was promoted to Leutnant der Reserve on 30 January 1945. His other awards included the Eisernes Kreuz 2. Klasse (27 June 1940), the Eisernes Kreuz 1. Klasse (29 September 1941), the Verwundetenabzeichen in Schwarz and Silber, the Ostmedaille and the Krimschild. He ended the war at the rank of Leutnant der Reserve and died in Cologne on 28 March 2003.

Source :
https://alifrafikkhan.blogspot.com/2012/07/album-foto-tokoh-nazi-jerman-yang.html