Ritterkreuzträger Series by Wolfgang Willrich

Wolfgang Willrich (1897–1948) was a German artist and illustrator best known for his realistic portraiture and propaganda work during the Third Reich. A staunch conservative who rejected modern art movements, Willrich specialized in heroic, detailed depictions of German soldiers, peasants, and racial ideals. During World War II, he was commissioned to create the Ritterkreuzträger (Knight's Cross Bearers) series, a collection of striking portraits featuring Wehrmacht and Luftwaffe soldiers who had been awarded the prestigious Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross. These works, often reproduced as postcards and published by the Volksbund für das Deutschtum im Ausland (VDA), served as powerful propaganda tools, glorifying individual bravery and military heroism while embodying the Nazi aesthetic of the ideal Aryan warrior. Willrich’s portraits combined meticulous realism with dramatic lighting, capturing the faces, uniforms, and expressions of decorated servicemen in a style that blended artistic skill with ideological purpose, making the Ritterkreuzträger series one of the most recognizable visual records of Nazi wartime iconography.

Hauptmann Rudolf Schlee (1913-1979), a highly decorated soldier of the Wehrmacht who was born on 10 November 1913 in Ludwigshafen, Rheinland Provinz (German Empire), served as a platoon leader in the 6./Gebirgsjäger-Regiment 13 during World War II and demonstrated exceptional bravery in various campaigns. He earned the Ritterkreuz des Eisernen Kreuzes on 23 October 1941 as Oberfeldwebel for his leadership and courage during intense combat operations, particularly in the mountain warfare contexts following the campaigns in the Balkans and the advance into the Soviet Union. His repeated acts of valor continued to stand out in the harsh fighting in the Caucasus region, where he led his Jäger platoon with outstanding initiative and determination, ultimately leading to the award of the Eichenlaub zum Ritterkreuz des Eisernen Kreuzes as the 222nd recipient on 6 April 1943. Schlee later rose to the rank of Hauptmann and survived the war, becoming one of the notable recipients of these prestigious German decorations for his frontline service.

Source :
https://alifrafikkhan.blogspot.com/2010/07/karya-karya-terbaik-pelukis-perang-nazi.html

Heinz Guderian in Willrich Postcard

 

The postcard painting of Generaloberst Heinz Guderian by Wolfgang Willrich (31 March 1897 – 18 October 1948), a German artist of the 20th century, who created propaganda art during the time of Nazi Germany. In 1933, Willrich was employed by the Nazi government, for which he drew art depicting idealized racial standards and portraits of soldiers and party officials. The postcard itself was first published in August 1940, not long after the end of the "Westfeldzug" (German invasion of France and Low Countries).

Source :
https://www.allworldwars.com/Soldiers-of-the-Reich-by-Wolf-Willrich.html

Hasso von Manteuffel and Harald Krieg at Târgu Frumos

Generalleutnant Hasso von Manteuffel (left, Kommandeur Panzergrenadier-Division "Grossdeutschland") and Major Harald Krieg (right, Abteilungsführer in Panzer-Artillerie-Regiment "Grossdeutschland" / Panzergrenadier-Division "Grossdeutschland) in the trench during the second battle of Târgu Frumos in Romania, May 1944. The officer in the center of the picture wears slip-on covers over his shoulder straps. Von Manteuffel and the man in the center both wear the soft-topped "old-style" officer's field cap, while Major Krieg wears the popular Einheitsfeldmütze, introduced in June 1943, without Waffenfarbe chevron. According to accounts by von Manteuffel, one of the two German division commanders, and Ferdinand Maria von Senger und Etterlin, the German forces defeated a Soviet offensive by the 2nd Ukrainian Front that was expected to be a precursor of a much larger offensive in Northern Ukraine. The battle of Târgu Frumos has been used as a case study in officer tactical education in the United States Army and other armies, teaching how a mobile defense can defeat an armoured spearhead. There are however questions about the accounts by the two German officers, relating to the failure to include Romanian forces into their account.

Generalleutnant Hasso von Manteuffel (left, Kommandeur Panzergrenadier-Division "Grossdeutschland") and Major Harald Krieg (right, Abteilungsführer in Panzer-Artillerie-Regiment "Grossdeutschland" / Panzergrenadier-Division "Grossdeutschland) in the trench during the second battle of Târgu Frumos in Romania, May 1944. The officer in the center of the picture wears slip-on covers over his shoulder straps. Von Manteuffel and the man in the center both wear the soft-topped "old-style" officer's field cap, while Major Krieg wears the popular Einheitsfeldmütze, introduced in June 1943, without Waffenfarbe chevron. According to accounts by von Manteuffel, one of the two German division commanders, and Ferdinand Maria von Senger und Etterlin, the German forces defeated a Soviet offensive by the 2nd Ukrainian Front that was expected to be a precursor of a much larger offensive in Northern Ukraine. The battle of Târgu Frumos has been used as a case study in officer tactical education in the United States Army and other armies, teaching how a mobile defense can defeat an armoured spearhead. There are however questions about the accounts by the two German officers, relating to the failure to include Romanian forces into their account.

The illustration by Ramiro Bujeiro showing Hasso von Manteuffel and Harald Krieg with the schwimmwagen in the background. This painting is taken from the book "Knight's Cross with Diamonds Recipients 1941-45" by Gordon Williamson.

Source :
"Panzer-Grenadier Division Grossdeutschland" by Bruce Quarrie and Mike Chappell
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/115667354524
https://enigmamuseum.com/for-sale/relic1/
https://www.facebook.com/frontsoldaten/photos/a.173823269673098/1814233015632107/?type=3

Hans-Ulrich Rudel and Erwin Hentschel Studies the Soviet Tank

The knowledge of the weak points of the enemy armored weapons was the key to further success. Hauptmann Hans-Ulrich Rudel studies recognition chart with his gunner Oberfeldwebel Erwin Hentschel (holding model of KV-1) and his aircraft mechanic Obergefreiter Wolfgang Slabbers, September 1943.  On 21 May 1941, Erwin Hentschel flew his first combat missions on the Eastern Front of World War II. In late September 1941, he became Hans-Ulrich Rudel 's regular air gunner. Flying with the I. and III. Gruppe of StG 2, he received the Ehrenpokal on 16 March 1942, was promoted to Feldwebel (technical sergeant) on 1 December 1942, received the Deutsches Kreuz in Gold on 9 January 1943, and was promoted to Oberfeldwebel (senior technical sergeant) on 1 June 1943. Hentschel flew his 1,200th combat mission on 9 October 1943, and was awarded the Ritterkreuz des Eisernen Kreuzes on 9 December 1943 after approximately 1,300 combat missions. On 20 March, Rudel landed behind enemy lines, trying to rescue a downed aircrew. The takeoff failed due to the soft ground. Walking back to German held territory, the four attempted to swim across the Dniester River. Hentschel drowned in the attempt. In total he shot down 7 Soviet fighters as a rear gunner.

Hauptmann Hans-Ulrich Rudel (Gruppenführer III.Gruppe / Sturzkampfgeschwader 2) explaining the weak points of enemy armored weapons to the pilots of 10. Staffel, September 1943. In the table is the three model of Soviet tanks : T-34, KV-1 and KV-2.

Hauptmann Hans-Ulrich Rudel (Gruppenführer III.Gruppe / Sturzkampfgeschwader 2).

Source :
Bayerische Staatsbibliothek (Image-No.: 30033088)
"St.G2 Immelmann" by Marek J. Murawski
https://www.reddit.com/r/WWIIplanes/comments/lrf71i/hauptmann_hansulrich_rudel_studies_recognition/

Hubert Brinkforth in Gunkel Postcard

Obergefreiter Hubert Brinkforth in Verlag August Gunkel postcard series. This series of postcards from Verlag August Gunkel features soldiers that were awarded the prestigious Ritterkreuz des Eisernen Kreuzes, the highest award in the German Armed Forces. The award was available to all members of the armed forces and related militias and could be won by anyone from a private to a fieldmarchall. The medal was initiated on 1st Sep 1939 with the invasion of Poland. Apart from the basic medal there were other variations that were bestowed which consisted of oak leaves, crosses, swords and diamonds. A total of 7,000 awards were made. A series of short books published by ‘Aufwarts Verlag’ Berlin NW7, was also produced that gave a little more detail of the medal winner. The books sold for 30Pf each and there was also a special wallchart that depicted some of the winners.

Source :
http://www.pvoller.net/new_stamps/germany/military/ww2/ritterkreuztrager.php

Hubert Brinkforth in Willrich Series

Obergefreiter Hubert Brinkforth in "Soldiers of the Reich" series by Wolfgang Willrich. It contains forty-eight black-and-white and color drawings of the German soldiers, distinguished themselves in the campaigns of 1940 in Western Europe, by Nazi artist Wolfgang Willrich (31 March 1897 – 18 October 1948). In 1933, Willrich was employed by the Nazi government, for which he drew art depicting idealized racial standards and portraits of soldiers and party officials.

Source :
https://www.allworldwars.com/Soldiers-of-the-Reich-by-Wolf-Willrich.html
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wolfgang_Willrich

Kurt-Jürgen Freiherr von Lützow in Willrich Postcard

The painting of Eichenlaubträger Kurt-Jürgen Freiherr von Lützow by Wolfgang Willrich (31 March 1897 – 18 October 1948), a German artist of the 20th century, who created propaganda art during the time of Nazi Germany. In 1933, Willrich was employed by the Nazi government, for which he drew art depicting idealized racial standards and portraits of soldiers and party officials.

Source :
https://www.akpool.co.uk/postcards/27582103-kuenstler-postcard-willrich-wolfgang-generalleutnant-kurt-juergen-freiherr-von-luetzow-ii-wk
https://www.alexautographs.com/auction-lot/kurt-jurgen-freiherr-von-lutzow_C9345DD9C9
https://www.ebay.com/itm/164115425332
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wolfgang_Willrich

Georg Lindemann as a Model for Sculpture

A sculptor - which also a member of the German Wehrmacht - is seen busy making a bust of Generaloberst Georg Lindemann, while the general can be seen sitting in a relaxed position. This photo itself was taken in 1943 when Lindemann served asOberbefehlshaber of the 18th Armee on the Eastern Front.

Source :
https://onb.digital/result/10DE85B5

Painting of Georg Stumme

 

Painting of General der Panzertruppe Georg Stumme by Franz Graf. Stumme received the Ritterkreuz des Eisernen Kreuzes on 19 July 1940 as General der Kavallerie and Kommandierender General XXXX. Armeekorps.

Source :
https://www.weitze.com/militaria/59/Heer_Originalunterschrift_von_Ritterkreuztraeger_General_der_Kavallerie_Georg_Stumme__375759.html

Luftwaffe Night Fighter Ace Lippe-Weißenfeld with Artwork from His Victim

In wartime Britain, the strip cartoon character ‘Jane’ was hugely popular with British service personnel, her antics being eagerly followed every day in the Daily Mirror. Such was her following that she became an extremely valuable asset in boosting the morale of troops on the frontline and with civilians at home. Always appearing in the cartoons with ‘Jane’ would be her Dachshund dog, ‘Fritz’. Based on a real-life model, Chrystabel Leighton-Porter, she was drawn by the artist, Norman Pett, in adventures where she would invariably lose her clothes – or most of them. Meanwhile, faithfully yapping at her heels, would be little ‘Fritz’, with the pair becoming popular mascot adornments on military vehicles and aircraft.

One of those aircraft was a Royal Air Force Wellington of 9 Squadron, X3713, ‘J – Jane’, which was shot down on the night of 20/21 June 1942 during a bombing raid against Emden. Its pilot was Wing Commander L V James DFC, who was flying on his first operational flight as Commanding Officer of the squadron, although he was a veteran of some 27 operational sorties with other units. Wellington X3713 carried the code letters WS – J, and inevitably became ‘Jane’. At the time of her loss, ‘J – Jane’ was already a veteran of fifteen previous bombing sorties. The Wellington crashed at Leenstertillen-Leens, in the Netherlands, having fallen victim to Oberleutnant Egmont Prinz zur Lippe-Weißenfeld of 5.Staffel / II.Gruppe / Nachtjagdgeschwader 2 (NJG 2), his 26th confirmed victory. That night, Weißenfeld also shot down two other British bombers, a Halifax of 76 Squadron near Groningen and another Wellington, this time of 75 Squadron, over the sea near Ameland.

However, it was the wreck of ‘J – Jane’ which Weißenfeld visited and where he found this artwork painted on the crumpled nose of the Wellington, together with 15 bomb symbols. The trophy was duly cut from the wreckage, framed and hung in the officer’s mess at 5./NJG2’s home airfield, where Weißenfeld was pictured admiring the artwork by Propaganda-Kompanie photographer Walter Doelfs. Weißenfeld went on to score 51 aerial victories but was killed in a flying accident on 12 March 1944.

Source :
Iron Cross magazine issue 5 - 2020