Ritterkreuz Award Ceremony for Albrecht Krügel, Rudolf Saalbach and Georg Langendorf

The Ritterkreuz and Deutsches Kreuz in Gold award ceremony to the members of the 11. SS-Freiwilligen-Panzergrenadier-Division "Nordland", which were held in Hungerburg, Austria, on 29 March 1944. The medal was presented by SS-Gruppenführer und Generalleutnant der Waffen-SS Matthias Kleinheisterkamp (mit der Führung beauftragt III. SS-Panzerkorps). The recipients are, from left to right: SS-Sturmbannführer Albrecht Krügel (Kommandeur II.Battalion / SS-Freiwilligen-Panzergrenadier-Regiment 23 "Norge"), SS-Hauptsturmführer Rudolf Saalbach (Kommandeur SS-Panzer-Aufklärungs-Abteilung 11 "Nordland"), SS-Untersturmführer der Reserve Georg Langendorf (Führer 5.schwere-Kompanie / SS-Panzer-Aufklärungs-Abteilung 11 "Nordland"), and SS-Obersturmführer der Reserve Heinz Fechner (Chef 3.Kompanie / I.Battalion / SS-Panzergrenadier-Regiment 23 "Norge"). The first three (Krügel, Saalbach, and Langendorf) receives the Ritterkreuz des Eisernen Kreuzes, while Fechner received the Deutsches Kreuz in Gold. The Schützenpanzerwagen Sd.Kfz. 251/9 Ausf.D "Stummel" in the background belongs to the 5th Company / SS-Panzer-Aufklärungs-Abteilung 11 "Nordland." By the way, "mit der Führung beauftragt" means "Acting Commander." The original commander of the III. SS-Panzerkorps (Germanic) was Felix Steiner, but from February 25 to April 16, 1944, he took a long leave due to severe illness, so his position was temporarily filled by Kleinheisterkamp until he recovered.

Source :
https://beeldbankwo2.nl/nl/beelden/detail/34188c3c-025a-11e7-904b-d89d6717b464/media/d9aa3005-01db-94a6-324b-017debbda4cf?mode=detail&view=horizontal&q=fritz%20scholz&rows=1&page=2

Heinz Guderian in the Halftrack in France

General der Panzertruppe Heinz Guderian (Kommandierender General XIX. Armeekorps) inside the Sd.Kfz.251/3 halftrack vehicle. At left is a Horch 901 belong to the Luftwaffe, while at right is a Krupp L4500 of Panzergruppe Hoth (note the 'H' symbol). The picture was taken by Kriegsberichter Erich Borchert during the German advance in France, May 1940.

General der Panzertruppe Heinz Guderian (Kommandierender General XIX. Armeekorps) inside the Sd.Kfz.251/3 halftrack vehicle. At right is a Horch 901 belong to the Luftwaffe. The picture was taken by Kriegsberichter Erich Borchert during the German advance in France, May 1940.

Source :
Bundesarchiv Bild 101I-769-0235-31
https://www.facebook.com/photo/?fbid=897328073630834&set=a.895624837134491

Heinz Guderian and Adolf-Friedrich Kuntzen

General der Panzertruppe Heinz Guderian (Kommandierender General XIX. Armeekorps), inside the Sd.Kfz.251/3 halftrack vehicle, in conversation with Generalleutnant Adolf-Friedrich Kuntzen (Kommandeur 8. Panzer-Division), giving his last instructions before an attack to the enemy. For his bold forward drive and brave attitude during the breakthrough to the Channel coastline - especially in the Battle of Montreuil sur Mer - Divisionskommandeur Kuntzen would receive the Ritterkreuz des Eisernen Kreuzes on 3 June 1940. The picture itself was taken by Kriegsberichter Erich Borchert in France, May 1940.

Source :
Bundesarchiv Bild 101I-769-0229-02A
https://www.gettyimages.com/detail/news-photo/world-war-ii-heinz-guderian-german-general-leader-of-the-news-photo/92423822
https://www.tracesofwar.com/persons/69888/Kuntzen-Adolf-Friedrich.htm

Heinz Guderian and Enigma Machine

General der Panzertruppe Heinz Guderian (Kommandierender General XIX. Armeekorps) in a Sd.Kfz. 251/3 halftrack during German military campaign in France, May 1940. Note early 3-rotor Enigma machine in use. The Enigma was used by the German Army, Air Force, and Navy—as shown here. The SS, police, secret services, Reichspost (postal) service, railways, and German Foreign Office all used Enigma, too. Altogether, the Germans used about 50,000 Enigma machines during the war. Guderian, like many German commanders, preferred to direct operations from as close to the frontline as possible. His vehicle is fitted with a large radio and an enigma cipher machine for communications with high command and other units in the field. Waiting close by are several motorcycle dispatch riders, ready to carry messages to units in the thick of the fighting. The picture was taken by Kriegsberichter Erich Borchert.

General der Panzertruppe Heinz Guderian (Kommandierender General XIX. Armeekorps) in a Sd.Kfz. 251/3 halftrack during German military campaign in France, May 1940. Note early 3-rotor Enigma machine in use. The Enigma was used by the German Army, Air Force, and Navy—as shown here. The SS, police, secret services, Reichspost (postal) service, railways, and German Foreign Office all used Enigma, too. Altogether, the Germans used about 50,000 Enigma machines during the war. Guderian, like many German commanders, preferred to direct operations from as close to the frontline as possible. His vehicle is fitted with a large radio and an enigma cipher machine for communications with high command and other units in the field. Waiting close by are several motorcycle dispatch riders, ready to carry messages to units in the thick of the fighting. The picture was taken by Kriegsberichter Erich Borchert.

General der Panzertruppe Heinz Guderian (Kommandierender General XIX. Armeekorps) in a Sd.Kfz. 251/3 halftrack during German military campaign in France, May 1940. Note early 3-rotor Enigma machine in use. The Enigma was used by the German Army, Air Force, and Navy—as shown here. The SS, police, secret services, Reichspost (postal) service, railways, and German Foreign Office all used Enigma, too. Altogether, the Germans used about 50,000 Enigma machines during the war. Guderian, like many German commanders, preferred to direct operations from as close to the frontline as possible. His vehicle is fitted with a large radio and an enigma cipher machine for communications with high command and other units in the field. Waiting close by are several motorcycle dispatch riders, ready to carry messages to units in the thick of the fighting. The picture was taken by Kriegsberichter Erich Borchert.

Source :
Bundesarchiv Bild 101I-769-0229-12A
https://artsandculture.google.com/asset/photograph-of-general-field-marshal-heinz-guderian-and-a-radio-operator-with-the-enigma-encryption-machine-in-a-medium-weight-radio-tank-sd-kfz-251-3-during-the-battle-of-france-in-may-1940-eric-borchert-1911-1942/egFgPmhlnuoChA?hl=en
https://www.gettyimages.com/detail/news-photo/general-heinz-guderian-france-1940-news-photo/809916960
https://ww2db.com/image.php?image_id=9077
https://weaponsandwarfare.com/2021/01/02/german-army-frontline-leadership/

Heinz Guderian Inside Sd.Kfz. 251

General der Panzertruppe Heinz Guderian (Kommandierender General XIX. Armeekorps) inside a Sd.Kfz. 251/3 halftrack. This vehicle was a familiar sight, widely associated with the German infantry during all of World War Two.The halftrack was one of the several solutions given to the problem of low off-road capabilities of trucks and associated “special purpose vehicles” (Sonderkraftfahrzeug). The picture was taken by Kriegsberichter Erich Borchert in May 1940 during German military campaign in France.

Source :
Bundesarchiv Bild 101I-769-0229-15A
https://www.bridgemanimages.com/en/noartistknown/heinz-guderian/photo/asset/2556960

Hasso von Manteuffel using Field Telephone on a Halftrack

Generalleutnant Hasso von Manteuffel (Kommandeur Panzergrenadier-Division "Grossdeutschland") chatting through the field telephone while sitting on the Sd.Kfz.250 halftrack, during the battle in the Eastern Front, 1944. At right is a Gefreiter from Nachrichtentruppe (signal unit), possibly a radio operator. Interestingly, the corporal sported a Panzervernichtungsabzeichen in his right sleeve, meaning that he had at least destroyed an enemy tank by hand-held weapon, such a rare feat for a rear-echelon man!

 
Source :
https://onb.digital/result/10DE77E5

Hasso von Manteuffel and Oldwig von Natzmer

Generalleutnant Hasso von Manteuffel (in the halftrack, Kommandeur Panzergrenadier-Division "Grossdeutschland") with his Operations Officer (Ia), Oberst i.G. Oldwig von Natzmer in the Eastern Front. The book "Panzergrenadier-Division Großdeutschland" by Horst Scheibert said that this picture was taken in the end of January 1944, but the summer uniform wore by Von Manteuffel and Von Natzmer suggests that it was probably taken in the spring or summer 1944. Other picture taken from the same occasion (see below) is added with the "May 1944" writing by Von Manteuffel himself.

Generalleutnant Hasso von Manteuffel (in the halftrack, Kommandeur Panzergrenadier-Division "Grossdeutschland") with his Operations Officer (Ia), Oberst i.G. Oldwig von Natzmer in the Eastern Front. The book "Panzergrenadier-Division Großdeutschland" by Horst Scheibert said that this picture was taken in the end of January 1944, but the summer uniform wore by Von Manteuffel and Von Natzmer suggests that it was probably taken in the spring or summer 1944. This picture itself is added with the "May 1944" writing by Von Manteuffel himself.

Source :
"Panzergrenadier-Division Großdeutschland" by Horst Scheibert
"The History of Panzerregiment Grossdeutschland" by Hans-Joachim Jung

Hasso von Manteuffel in a Halftrack

Divisionskommandeur Hasso von Manteuffel on the Sd.Kfz.251/3 armored personnel carrier in the Baltics. Original caption: "Der General in der Schlacht. Schwerterträger Generalleutnant von Manteuffel, Kommandeur der Pz.Gren.Div. "Großdeutschland", sich in allen Einsätzen auf das Höchste bewährt gibt von seinem Befehlspanzer aus den Füsilieren Anweisung zum Angriff." (The general in battle. Sword holder Lieutenant General von Manteuffel, commander of the Pz.Gren.Div. "Greater Germany", which has proven itself to the highest degree in all operations, gives the fusiliers instructions to attack from its command tank). This propaganda picture was taken by Kriegsberichter Broenner in August 1944 and was first published on 31 August 1944. Of interest is the fact that Manteuffel elected to wear his AFRIKA band on his right sleeve - the location the Heer reserved for unit cufftitles.  Generalmajor von Manteuffel served in Africa from the beginning of 1943, assuming command of 'Division von Broich' in February, which was redesignated 'Division von Manteuffel' at that time.  The division fought in until surrender on 9 May 1943, but von Manteuffel was only in command through March 1943.

Generalleutnant Hasso von Manteuffel (Kommandeur Panzergrenadier-Division "Grossdeutschland") sitting on the ground during situation briefing in the command post of his division. In the background is a Sd.Kfz.251 armored personnel carrier with camouflaged branches. With back to the camera is possibly Oberst Horst Niemack (Kommandeur Panzer-Füsilier-Regiment "Grossdeutschland"). This picture was taken in the Eastern Front in August 1944.

Source :
Bayerische Staatsbibliothek photo archive (Image-No.: 50070393)
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Bundesarchiv_Bild_146-1979-035-19,_Hasso_von_Manteuffel.jpg
https://waralbum.ru/144141/
https://www.wehrmacht-awards.com/campaign_awards/cufftitles/afrika_files/wear_regulations.htm

Heinz Harmel Huddled inside the Halftrack

Inside the Sd.Kfz.251 half-track, the men of Frundsberg Division seemed tense and were all huddled inside the armored body. Perhaps because of artillery fire falling nearby? SS-Oberscharführer Sven-Erik Olsson (chefsfunker with the Divisionskommandeur) is in the left foreground, while Eichenlaubträger SS-Oberführer Heinz Harmel (Kommandeur 10. SS-Panzer-Division "Frundsberg") looks towards the rear of the armored vehicle. DKiGträger SS-Obersturmbannführer Wilhelm Schulze (Kommandeur SS-Panzergrenadier-Regiment 22) is just behind the MG42. The picture was taken during the Battle of Normandy in the summer 1943. During this time, the aim of the II. SS-Panzerkorps - and the Frundsberg division subordinate to it - was to prevent the Allies from breaking out of the landing area to the east.



Another picture of SS-Oberführer Heinz Harmel (Kommandeur 10. SS-Panzer-Division "Frundsberg") with his Chefsfunker, SS-Oberscharführer Sven-Erik Olsson (left), taken at the same time frame as above. It's a myth that Olsson was a Swedish volunteer. He was a Baltic German from Estonia, with a Swedish grandfather, which is how he came to have a Swedish name. But he wasn't from Sweden, nor did he hold Swedish citizenship!

Source :
"Panzerdivision Frundsberg: Ukraine-Normandie 1944" by Stephan Cazenave
https://www.facebook.com/groups/152986901863424?multi_permalinks=1697170594111706&hoisted_section_header_type=recently_seen

Heinz Harmel on Sd.Kfz.251 in the Eastern Front

SS-Standartenführer Heinz Harmel (left, Kommandeur SS-Panzergrenadier-Regiment "Deutschland" / SS-Panzergrenadier-Division "Das Reich") on a Schützenpanzer (infantry fighting vehicle) Sd.Kfz.251. The officer wearing ärmelstreifen (sleeve band) "Deutschland" behind him is SS-Hauptsturmführer Helmuth Schreiber (Chef 10.Kompanie / III.Bataillon / SS-Panzergrenadier-Regiment "Deutschland" / SS-Panzergrenadier-Division "Das Reich"). The picture was taken in September 1943 in the Eastern Front by SS-Kriegsberichter Hermann Grönert.

Source :
https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Bundesarchiv_Bild_101III-Groenert-026-029,_Russland,_Heinz_Harmel_auf_Sch%C3%BCtzenpanzer.jpg
https://de.wikipedia.org/wiki/Heinz_Harmel

Heinz Harmel in the Halftrack

France, end of June 1944. During the Battle for Hill 112 in Normandy, near the town of Avrecy, around 12 km southwest of Caen. The commander of the 10. SS-Panzer-Division “Frundsberg”, SS-Oberführer Heinz Harmel (on the Sd.Kfz.251/17 Kommandofunkwagen), discusses further action with SS-Hauptsturmführer Erich Grätz (Chef 18.Panzerjäger-Kompanie / SS-Panzergrenadier-Regiment 1 / 1.SS-Panzer-Division "Leibstandarte SS Adolf Hitler"), while the man in the halftrack looking straight into the camera is SS-Oberscharführer Sven-Erik Olsson, chefsfunker with Harmel. During this time, the aim of the II. SS-Panzerkorps - and the Frundsberg division subordinate to it - was to prevent the Allies from breaking out of the landing area to the east.

Source :
"The story of a Normandy battle field find radio rack. Panzergruppe West - Raid on la Caine - Hill 112"
https://www.facebook.com/frontsoldaten/photos/a.173823269673098/1195765724145509/
https://forum.axishistory.com/viewtopic.php?f=38&t=47453&hilit=heinz+harmel
https://forum.odkrywca.pl/topic/766629-historia-jednego-zdj%C4%99cia-sdkfz-25117/page/3/
https://www.pinterest.es/pin/572520171355018131/

Legion Wallonie Parade in Brussels and Charleroi

When 5. SS-Freiwilligen-Sturmbrigade "Wallonien" and its commander SS-Sturmbannführer der Reserve Léon Degrelle returned from Cherkassy Pocket in March 1944, there were a parade for the survivors that were held in Brussels and Charleroi, Belgium (the unit had just been rebuilt at Wildflecken). The Cherkassy breakout itself was exploited in a masterly manner. Degrelle even performed the amazing feat of turning a hurtful defeat into a sensational victory, as attention was only focused on his successful escape from the encirclement.

Backed up by the exploits of his men and the impact caused by the "Tcherkassykämpfer" all over the Reich and occupied Europe, to such an extent that Degrelle was featured on the cover of the May 1944 issue of the periodical 'Signal' magazine. the Chef felt that the moment had come to step forward and impose himself as the sole recognized interlocutor of the Germans in Belgium.

The parade Degrelle organized on 1 April 1944 in Charleroi, and in Brussels on the following day, not only proved to be an important personal political victory, it also had the side-effect of dissatisfying the Flemish collaboration deeply because they had been refused the favours granted to Degrelle. Contrary to Degrelle, the Flemish were not allowed to organize a similar public demonstration although the Sturmbrigade Langemarck had faced around Zhitomir/February 1944 as hard combat as that fought by the Wallonie during the breakout.

During the event, Degrelle proudly proclaimed "We were a battalion and we became a brigade. Tomorrow we will be a division!!!" Degrelle was in many respects the poster-child for the Waffen-SS volunteer movement, and as such was used a propaganda tool by Himmler to illustrate the supposed "pan-European" nature of the fight against Communism. The purpose of the parade was also to intimidate the local Belgian population that the Germans, and specifically the SS, still were in charge. Most of the cheering crown photographed by the SS war correspondents were relatives of the Walloon SS.

After the parade in Brussels - with vehicles who were given temporally by the 12. SS-Panzer-Division "Hitlerjugend" - Degrelle make a speech in the Palais des Sports, where a lot of high ranking SS Leibstandarte and Hitlerjugend officers were present. The parade were filmed and broadcast in the 'Die Deutsche Wochenschau' (German Weekly News) № 713 (1944) from minute 2:47:08.

Degrelle obviously intended to use to the utmost the publicity made around the "victorious" return of the Walloon legionnaires. The post-Cherkassy period was consequently very fertile in political steps, speeches and spreading of the political ideas so dear to Degrelle, more particularly the Burgundy myth.

On 5 March 1944, Degrelle gave a speech in Paris, at the Palais de Chaillot. On that occasion, addressing the cream of French collaboration, he glorified the common commitment in the East.

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CHARLEROI (1 APRIL 1944)


SS-Sturmbannführer der Reserve Léon Degrelle (Kommandeur 5. SS-Freiwilligen-Sturmbrigade "Wallonien") and SS-Gruppenführer und Generalleutnant der Polizei Richard Jungclaus (Höherer SS- und Polizeiführer Belgien-Nordfrankreich). The picture was taken on 1 April 1944 at Place Charles II Charleroi, Belgium, during the Sturmbrigade Wallonien's "Return to Homeland" parade



From left to right: SS-Obergruppenführer und General der Waffen-SS Josef "Sepp" Dietrich (Kommandierender General I. SS-Panzerkorps), SS-Gruppenführer und Generalleutnant der Polizei Richard Jungclaus (Höherer SS- und Polizeiführer Belgien-Nordfrankreich), and SS-Sturmbannführer der Reserve Léon Degrelle (Kommandeur 5. SS-Freiwilligen-Sturmbrigade "Wallonien"). In the background we can see a big flag of the Rexist paramilitary "Formations de Combat", which used the Cross of Burgundy.as their symbol. The flag is placed in front of Hôtel de ville de Charleroi. The picture was taken on 1 April 1944 in Charleroi, Belgium, during the Sturmbrigade Wallonien's "Return to Homeland" parade.

From left to right: unknown SS officer saluting, SS-Obergruppenführer und General der Waffen-SS Josef "Sepp" Dietrich (Kommandierender General I. SS-Panzerkorps), SS-Gruppenführer und Generalleutnant der Polizei Richard Jungclaus (Höherer SS- und Polizeiführer Belgien-Nordfrankreich), and SS-Sturmbannführer der Reserve Léon Degrelle (Kommandeur 5. SS-Freiwilligen-Sturmbrigade "Wallonien"). The picture was taken on 1 April 1944 in Charleroi, Belgium, during the Sturmbrigade Wallonien's "Return to Homeland" parade.



From left to right: SS-Obergruppenführer und General der Waffen-SS Josef "Sepp" Dietrich (Kommandierender General I. SS-Panzerkorps), SS-Sturmbannführer der Reserve Léon Degrelle (Kommandeur 5. SS-Freiwilligen-Sturmbrigade "Wallonien"), and SS-Obersturmführer der Reserve Jean Vermeire (Leader of Deutsch-Wallonische Arbeitsgemeinschaft). In the background we can see a big flag of the Rexist paramilitary "Formations de Combat", which used the Cross of Burgundy.as their symbol. The flag is placed in front of Hôtel de ville de Charleroi. The picture was taken on 1 April 1944 in Charleroi, Belgium, during the Sturmbrigade Wallonien's "Return to Homeland" parade.

SS-Sturmbannführer der Reserve Léon Degrelle (Kommandeur 5. SS-Freiwilligen-Sturmbrigade "Wallonien") presents the Eisernes Kreuz I.Klasse to the best officers of his brigade during the Sturmbrigade Wallonien's "Return to Homeland" parade from the siege of the Cherkassy Pocket, which were held on 1 April 1944 in Charleroi, Belgium. The recipients are, from left to right: SS-Obersturmführer Marcel Lamproye (Chef 5. Panzerabwehrkompanie) and SS-Obersturmführer Marcel Bonniver (Chef 4. Sturmgewehrkompanie). Behind Degrelle is SS-Untersturmführer Roger Wastiau (Adjutant Kommandeur 5. SS-Freiwilligen-Sturmbrigade "Wallonien"). The picture was taken by SS-Kriegsberichter Wilfried Woscidlo.



Award ceremony for the members of 5. SS-Freiwilligen-Sturmbrigade "Wallonien" during the brigade's "Return to Homeland" parade from the siege of the Cherkassy Pocket, which were held on 1 April 1944 in Charleroi, Belgium. This picture shows, from left to right: SS-Untersturmführer Roger Wastiau (Adjutant Kommandeur 5. SS-Freiwilligen-Sturmbrigade "Wallonien"), SS-Obergruppenführer und General der Waffen-SS Josef "Sepp" Dietrich (Kommandierender General I. SS-Panzerkorps), SS-Sturmbannführer der Reserve Léon Degrelle (Kommandeur 5. SS-Freiwilligen-Sturmbrigade "Wallonien"), SS- Obersturmführer Marcel Lamproye (Chef 5. Panzerabwehrkompanie), SS-Hauptscharführer Pascal Bovy (in the background, Spiess of 1. Kompanie), SS-Obersturmführer Marcel Bonniver (Chef 4. Sturmgewehrkompanie), and SS-Untersturmführer Jean-Marie Lantiez (Chef Nachrichtenzug). The picture was taken in front of l'église Saint-Christophe by SS-Kriegsberichter Wilfried Woscidlo.

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BRUSSELS (2 APRIL 1944)

 
The special parade of SS-Sturmbrigade Wallonien in Brussels, Belgium, 2 April 1944 - with vehicles who were given temporally by the 12. SS-Panzer-Division "Hitlerjugend" - reviewed by their commander, Léon Degrelle. The picture was taken by SS-Kriegsberichter Wilfried Woscidlo.

SS-Sturmbannführer der Reserve Léon Degrelle (Kommandeur 5. SS-Freiwilligen-Sturmbrigade "Wallonien") salutes a column of Wallonie volunteers aboard an Sd.Kfz.251 together with his son during the Sturmbrigade Wallonien's "Return to Homeland" parade which were held in Brussels, Belgium, 2 April 1944. The members of the Walloon Legion paraded along the Anspachlaan (Boulevard Anspach) from south to north, while this photo itself was taken in front of the "Beurs van Brussel" (the Belgian stock exchange building). Degrelle recalled: "I welcomed the Légion Wallonie parade in front of the stock exchange in one of our vehicles. I was beyond excited and felt an indescribable sense of pride as the armored vehicles and other war vehicles passed me with a roar. These vehicles were actually borrowed from Sepp Dietrich, but they were filled with our Belgian soldiers. I greeted every passing vehicle with my right hand raised upwards, a steel helmet covering my head while the Ritterkreuz I had received directly from Hitler around my neck. My other hand is holding my son's hand who were allowed to get on the vehicle and stand with me. It is estimated that around one hundred thousand people welcomed our arrival with great fanfare while throwing mountains of flower bouquets."

The publication for the Legion Wallonie parade in Charleroi and Brussels which were published on "Die Woche" magazine, 26 April 1944 edition.

Source :
Bundesarchiv photo collection

"For Rex and for Belgium: Léon Degrelle and Walloon Political and Military Collaboration 1940-45" by Eddy de Bruyne and Marc Rikmenspoel

https://www.alifrafikkhan.blogspot.com/2010/10/album-foto-leon-degrelle.html
https://www.facebook.com/encyclopediaWWII/photos/ms.c.eJxFzcENwDAIQ9GNKsAOOPsvVpU0yfXpY9wsU~;Qxq5izHv9BcJOFDmQDbEPMBq8LvSFs4II8EFoFN2AVdU88SQd0iwbut4P4IJAH~_G2M1AthPCkr.bps.a.1006684109774702/1006684289774684/?type=3&source=43&paipv=0&eav=AfbZoK_ttO6mU2DMdLtqNNz9-rHWD_9fz8MRqRI0w1sDCMifqWd19FsRA4dFZoP2MPk
https://forum.axishistory.com/viewtopic.php?f=38&t=264173&hilit=leon+degrelle
http://militaria.ee/2008/09/17/hommage-to-leon-degrelle/
http://www.mourningtheancient.com/truth-women-degrellex.htm
https://oorlogsspullen.nl/product/original-wwii-walloon-waffen-ss-photo-of-leon-degrelle-in-brussels/

A Change of Command Ceremony of SS Division Wiking

A change of command ceremony for the III.Bataillon of SS-Panzergrenadier-Regiment "Germania" / 5.SS-Panzer-Division "Wiking" on 20 May 1944. The entire battalion is present in a U-shaped formation, only partially visible in this photograph taken on the football field at the Lublin army barracks in Poland. The ceremony is seconds away from starting, and waiting in the wings at stage right to begin the transfer before their men are three commanding officers: The center officer is SS-Sturmbannführer Hans Dorr (Kommandeur SS-Panzergrenadier-Regiment "Germania"). On the left is SS-Sturmbannführer Franz Hack, the out-going battalion commander who was moving up to take command of Wiking’s Westland Regiment. On the right is SS-Sturmbannführer Paul Kümmel, the new commander of the III. Bataillon, who was previously the commander of I.Abteilung / SS-Panzer-Regiment 5 "Wiking". Starting with Dorr, each of the officers in turn addressed the men of the III.Bataillon, who were fresh off from participating in the battles for the relief of the surrounded city of Kovel. The two halftracks is Sd.Kfz.251/1 Ausf.D.

SS-Sturmbannführer Paul Kümmel - in black panzer uniform - is Congratulated on his new appointment as Commander of III.Bataillon (gepanzerte) / SS-Panzergrenadier-Regiment 9 "Germania" / 5.SS-Panzer-Division "Wiking" (previously he was the commander of I.Abteilung/SS-Panzer-Regiment 5 "Wiking"). The picture was taken during a change of command ceremony for the 3rd battalion, which were held at Lublin army barracks in Poland, 20 May 1944. From left to right (top picture): SS-Untersturmführer Wilhelm Warnke (Adjutant Bataillonskommandeur III.Bataillon), SS-Sturmbannführer Franz Hackl (former Kommandeur of III.Bataillon who was promoted to became the commander of SS-Panzer-Aufklärungs-Abteilung 5 "Wiking"), SS-Obersturmführer Johann Velde (Adjutant Regimentskommandeur SS-Panzergrenadier-Regiment 9 "Germania"), SS-Sturmbannführer Hans Dorr (Kommandeur SS-Panzergrenadier-Regiment 9 "Germania"), SS-Sturmbannführer Kümmel, and SS-Hauptsturmführer Helmut Schumacher (Chef 9.Kompanie / III.Bataillon).

SS-Sturmbannführer Franz Hack shaking hands with his successor as the Kommandeur of III.Bataillon (gepanzerte) / SS-Panzergrenadier-Regiment 9 "Germania" / 5.SS-Panzer-Division "Wiking", SS-Sturmbannführer Paul Kümmel (back to the camera). Hack himself was promoted as the new commander of SS-Panzer-Aufklärungs-Abteilung 5 "Wiking".

Source :
“Kampfgruppe Mühlenkamp” by Douglas E. Nash and Remy Spezzano
https://www.alamy.com/5th-ss-panzer-division-officer-paul-kummel-is-congratulated-on-his-appointment-as-commander-of-a-germania-regiment-of-armoured-rreconaissance-unit-eastern-front-1944-image255373085.html
 https://reibert.info/threads/5-ja-tankovaja-divizija-ss-viking-ss-division-wiking-5-ss-panzer-division-wiking.24489/page-31
http://ww2images.blogspot.com/2019/05/a-change-of-command-ceremony-of-ss.html

Harald Krieg and German Composer

Norbert Schultze (right), Composer of "Das Lied der Panzergrenadiere", in conversation with Ritterkreuzträger Hauptmann Harald Krieg (Stabsoffizier in Oberkommando des Heeres). Krieg received the Ritterkreuz des Eisernen Kreuzes on 15 July 1941 when he served as Oberleutnant and Chef 4.Kompanie / I.Bataillon / Schützen-Regiment 1 / 1.Panzer-Division. This picture was taken on 7 September 1942 in Wünsdorf during the premiere of the song for Panzergrenadiers.

Source :
https://onb.digital/result/10D480BF
https://www.tracesofwar.com/persons/10499/Krieg-Harald.htm
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2rrn1S3Q_A8

Willibald von Langermann Reading a Map

General der Panzertruppe Willibald Freiherr von Langermann und Erlencamp (Kommandierender General XXIV. Panzerkorps) reading a map in a Sd.Kfz. 251/6 halftrack vehicle, Russia, late June 1942. He would be killed in action on 3 October 1942 at Storoshewoje on the Middle Don ("in a foray in the front line"). The picture was taken by Kriegsberichter Gellert of PK (Propaganda-Kompanie) 694.

Source :
https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Bundesarchiv_Bild_101I-216-0404-23,_Russland-Mitte-Nord,_General_mit_Ritterkreuz.jpg
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Willibald_von_Langermann_und_Erlencamp
https://ww2db.com/image.php?image_id=8717

Erwin Rommel and Eduard Crasemann

German armored personnel carriers parked in the North African desert in June 1942, near Tobruk. The first halftrack on the right is a communication vehicle (leichter Funkpanzerwagen) Sd.Kfz. 250/3 "Greif" (WH number 937035), which served as a light command headquarters of Generaloberst Erwin Rommel (Oberbefehlshaber Panzerarmee "Afrika"). "Greif" is equipped with two radio stations: he large antenna belongs to a FuG 7 radio station with a range of up to 50 km. The smaller antenna is FuG 5 radio stations with a range of up to 5 km, which serves for communication between the machines within the unit. To the left of Rommel's command vehicle is an armored personnel carrier Sd.Kfz. 251 Ausf.B. On the sides of the vehicle there is a design resembling a makeshift loop-type antenna and a large antenna, which suggests that this is also a communications vehicle (mittlerer Funkpanzerwagen) Sd. Kfz. 251/3 Ausf.B (possibly a field conversion of the usual Sd. Kfz. 251/1 into Sd. Kfz. 251/3). The last armored personnel carrier on the left is Sd. Kfz. 251/1 Ausf.S. The officer holding the map who chats with Rommel is Oberst Eduard Crasemann (Kommandeur Artillerie-Regiment 33 [motorisiert] / 15.Panzer-Division). The picture was taken by Kriegsberichter Albrecht Heinrich Otto of PK (Propaganda-Kompanie) "Afrika".

Source :
https://en.topwar.ru/135723-rommel-v-afrike.html
https://waralbum.ru/217895/

Heinz Guderian in Magazine Cover

Münchner Illustrierte Presse. Nummer 24, 15. Juni 1944. Eichenlaubträger Generaloberst Guderian im Panzerspähwagen.

Source :
https://forum.axishistory.com/viewtopic.php?p=2434687#p2434687