Otto Ernst Remer Speaks in front of Grossdeutschland Soldiers

This famous video - taken from 'Die Deutsche Wochenschau Nr. 726, 3 August 1944 - shows Otto Ernst Remer (then Major, later promoted straight to Oberst!) giving a propaganda speech to troops of the Wachbataillon Großdeutschland (Greater German Guard Battalion) in Berlin, late July 1944. He stands in front of a Nazi flag, addresses the soldiers, and they march past him. This was a propaganda piece filmed to celebrate the failure of the 20 July 1944 plot and emphasize the unity between the Wehrmacht and the Nazi Party (NSDAP). In his speech, Remer, addressing his troops and emphasizing loyalty to Hitler and the state after the failed plot.

Oberst Otto Ernst Remer (Kommandeur "Wachbataillon Großdeutschland"). This is a screenshot taken from 'Die Deutsche Wochenschau' Nr. 726 (3 August 1944) which was taken shortly after the failed 20 July 1944 Plot.

From left to right: Oberleutnant Rudolf Schlee (Chef 5.Kompanie / Wachbataillon "Großdeutschland") and Oberleutnant Karl Hausmann. This is a screenshot taken from 'Die Deutsche Wochenschau' Nr. 726 (3 August 1944) which shows the speech of the commander of Wachbataillon "Großdeutschland", Oberst Otto Ernst Remer, shortly after the failed 20 July 1944 Plot.

Source :
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hX0_CfJdatQ

Erich Bärenfänger in the Training of German Grenadier

An excerpt from 'Die Deutsche Wochenschau' Nr. 722 - 5 July 1944: Oberstleutnant Erich Bärenfänger in the footage of training of new infantrymen of the German Army in 1944. Due to the immense pressure the Wehrmacht was under in 1944, training of new soldiers was often shortened to be able to deploy them to the frontlines more quickly. This was not only the case with infantry, also tank crews, fighter pilots and other specialized troops had way less training in 1944 then for example in 1940. Bärenfänger (1915-1945) himself was a German General during WWII. He was drafted to Infantry Regiment 123 in 1936 and promoted to Reserve Lieutenant in April 1939. Shortly before finishing his mandatory service, World War II broke out and he served as platoon leader in Poland and France. In September 1941, he became company commander, and took part in Operation Barbarossa, fighting in Ukraine and on Crimea. He later served as battalion commander, fighting in the Cuban bridgehead and later around Kerch. After the German retreat from Crimea, he served in various staff position in officer training. During the Battle of Berlin, Bärenfänger commanded one of the hard fought over defense areas, and was promoted from Oberstleutnant (Lieutenant-Colonel) to Generalmajor (Brigadier General), skipping the rank of Oberst (Colonel)! He tried to break out of Berlin with a small group on the night of May 2nd/3rd, and when that failed, he committed suicide with his wife. Bärenfänger was highly decorated, having received the Deutsches Kreuz in Gold (December 1941), Verwundetenabzeichen in Gold (January 1942) the Ritterkreuz des Eisernen Kreuzes (August 1942) mit Eichenlaub (May 1943) und Schwertern (January 1944).

Source :
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dHL8cxpPj1w

Léon Degrelle Speech in Berlin (1944)

The Belgian fascist leader SS-Sturmbannführer der Reserve Léon Degrelle (Kommandeur 5. SS-Freiwilligen-Sturmbrigade "Wallonien") gives a speech for Walloon soldiers and workers who resided in Berlin. An excerpt from 'Die Deutsche Wochenschau' Nr. 722 - 5 July 1944.

Source :
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dHL8cxpPj1w

Ritterkreuz Award Ceremony for Franz Bredemeyer

Ritterkreuz award ceremony for Feldwebel Franz Bredemeyer (Zugführer in 2.Kompanie / I.Bataillon / Panzergrenadier-Regiment 156 / 16.Panzergrenadier-Division) which were held at the Lazarett in August/September 1943. Awarded the medal is Generalleutnant Gerhard Graf von Schwerin (Kommandeur 16. Panzergrenadier-Division).

Franz Bredemeyer (12 October 1913 - 13 February 1985) received the Ritterkreuz des Eisernen Kreuzes on 23 August 1943 as Feldwebel and Zugführer in 2.Kompanie / I.Bataillon / Panzergrenadier-Regiment 156 / 16.Panzergrenadier-Division. The medal was awarded for distinguishing himself during the major defensive battles around Ssemenowskij in the time period 23-25 July 1943. During this period he managed to master seemingly hopeless battlefield situations on two occasions, and by doing so he significantly contributed to the successful German defense to contain the Soviets along the Mius river. The first time was when he prevented an armoured breakthrough via a counterthrust that he led at the head of a few Panzergrenadiers. The second was when he held his position despite being attacked on all sides until a friendly counterattack restored the situation.

Two days after being awarded the Ritterkreuz on 23 August 1943, Bredemeyer was seriously wounded for the fifth time since 1940 and transferred to Haupt-Verbandplatz 51 behind the frontline. There his lower leg is amputated. Shortly afterwards, Generalleutnant Gerhard Graf von Schwerin (Kommandeur 16. Panzergrenadier-Division) handed him the medal in the hospital. The award ceremony was shown in the 'Deutsche Wochenschau' (German Newsweek Reel)  Nr.680 which were published on 15 September 1943.

Source :
https://www.tracesofwar.com/persons/28674/Bredemeyer-Franz.htm
https://web.archive.org/web/20110105171709fw_/http://ritterkreuztraeger-1939-45.de/Infanterie/B/Br/Bredemeyer-Franz.htm
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8PsLnKV96Qg

Johann Thaler in Die Deutsche Wochenschau

SS-Unterscharführer Johann Thaler (Panzerfahrer in 6.Kompanie / II.Abteilung / SS-Panzer-Regiment 2 / SS-Panzergrenadier-Division "Das Reich") featured in Die Deutsche Wochenschau (German Newsweek) Nr. 680, 15 September 1943. Thaler received the Ritterkreuz des Eisernen Kreuzes on 14 August 1943 as the first tank driver to be awarded this high award!

Source :
https://www.tumbex.com/ritterkreuz1939-1945.tumblr/post/165264947660/johann-hans-thaler-der-panzerfahrer-mit-hoher
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8PsLnKV96Qg

Otto Schneider in Deutsche Wochenschau

This is a screenshot captured from the Deutsche Wochenschau video about IV. SS-Panzerkorps fighting at Poland, summer of 1944. When this SS Officer is shown, the commentary voice said that he is Hubert-Erwin Meierdress from Totenkopf Division, while in fact he is SS-Obersturmführer Otto Schneider (Chef 7.Kompanie / SS-Panzer-Regiment 5 / 5.SS-Panzer-Division "Wiking"). He received the Ritterkreuz des Eisernen Kreuzes in that capacity on 4 May 1944 for his achievement during the Battle of Kovel.

 

Source :
https://www.facebook.com/groups/703371800589703/permalink/783667979226751/?__cft__[0]=AZUNIfT-PZvryeTpnrR8qgNy2Etb-nTl6z0Q-jKS2vd9vviYjekG5BQTAS2xv8_5z_5-BLkDnBQo3xM_M2_HX7IsBa452Mims9klSemVHwrfJSKqABDPClTheaGEmpJGSGdPqoOWxa04FxA6b_1RSblYLl9ObhHLCLAAHqH-GpNrfQUPo_KQS1X0Eus8P3K6rzY&__tn__=%2CO%2CP-R