Studio Portrait of Otto Von Knobelsdorff in 1944

General der Panzertruppe Otto von Knobelsdorff (Kommandierender General XXXX. Panzerkorps) in a photo that was published on 21 September 1944, the day he received the Schwerter for his Ritterkreuz. Photographer: Presse-Illustrationen Heinrich Hoffmann. Hoffmann (1885–1957) was Adolf Hitler's personal photographer and ran a major photo agency (Presse-Illustrationen Heinrich Hoffmann) that supplied images to German newspapers, magazines, and propaganda outlets. Many formal military portraits and award ceremonies from the Third Reich period carry this credit, especially studio or posed shots of high-ranking officers wearing decorations like the Ritterkreuz and above.

Source :
https://www.bpk-bildagentur.de/shop

Ritterkreuz Action of Josef Barmetler

Josef Barmetler (11 March 1904 - 20 February 1945) received the Ritterkreuz des Eisernen Kreuzes on 9 July 1941 as Oberleutnant der Reserve and Führer 7.Kompanie / III.Bataillon / Fallschirmjäger-Sturm-Regiment 1 / 7.Flieger-Division. The medal was awarded for his actions during the battle of Crete. On the afternoon of 20 May 1941 he and his 7. Kompanie assaulted Hill 107 from the south and were able to capture the southern part of the hill in the evening. In the process the unit captured 100 men and 4 officers. At around 08:00 on the next day the Kompanie continued its advance to the peak of the hill from the south. The Kompanie made contact with the Kampfgruppe led by Oberstabarzt Dr. Neumann, and the artillery and AA guns on the hill were finally eliminated with the help of Kampfgruppen Gericke and Trebes. Later, on 25 May 1941, Oberleutnant Barmetler was in the process of attacking the Galatas heights when he realized that the Gebirgsjäger on his right wing were not keeping up. Before receiving any orders from the Bataillon commander, Oberleutnant Barmetler sent in elements of his Kompanie in the direction of the Gebirgsjäger. Along with the support of heavy weapons, 7. Kompanie was able to get into the rear of the enemy. The defending 5th New Zealand Brigade was ultimately forced to give up the Galatas Heights, and with this an important precondition for the surrender of Crete was established. Oberleutnant Barmetler himself was however wounded during this decisive thrust.

Source :
https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Bundesarchiv_Bild_183-L19498,_Josef_Barmetler_(cropped).jpg
https://www.tracesofwar.com/persons/28212/Barmetler-Josef.htm

Bio of Major d.R. Josef Barmetler (1904-1945)

Josef Barmetler

Date of Birth: 11.03.1904 - Kempten im Allgäu, Bayern (German Empire)
Date of Death: 20.02.1945 - Kempten, Bayern (Germany)

NSDAP-Nr.:    [Unknown if he held Party membership]
SS-Nr.:    Unknown (Not listed in the SS-Dienstaltersliste of 01.12.1938)

Promotions:
01.06.1926 Oberschütze
31.09.1927 Unteroffizier-Anwärter
01.11.1927 Gefreiter
01.10.1929 Oberjäger
01.10.1931 Unterfeldwebel
01.10.1933 Feldwebel
01.05.1937 Leutnant der Reserve (with RDA from 01.03.1939)
01.01.1940 Oberleutnant der Reserve (with RDA from 01.08.1939)
25.07.1941 Hauptmann der Reserve (with RDA from 01.07.1941)
19.10.1943 SS-Hauptsturmführer
01.06.1944 Major der Reserve (with RDA from 01.06.1944)

Career:
02.04.1924 - 15.10.1935 15.Kompanie / Infanterie-Regiment 19
16.10.1935 Feldwebel in 4.Kompanie / Gebirgsjäger-Regiment 99 in Füssen
31.05.1936 retired as Feldwebel der Reserve
00.09.1939 Zugführer in 4.Kompanie / Infanterie-Regiment 316
01.12.1939 Führer 2.Kompanie / Infanterie-Regiment 316
00.05.1940 Führer 2.Kompanie / Infanterie-Regiment 316
00.06.1940 Fallschirmschule Wittstock
00.07.1940 II.Bataillon / Luftlande-Sturm-Regiment 1
00.08.1940 transferred to the Luftwaffe
00.09.1940 Chef 7.Kompanie / III.Bataillon / Luftlande-Sturm-Regiment 1
20.05.1941 Operation Merkur, Creta - Hill 107, Galatas - severely WIA
25.07.1941 Chef 7.Kompanie / III.Bataillon / Luftlande-Sturm-Regiment 1
15.10.1941 Führer Stab II.Bataillon / Luftlande-Sturm-Regiment 1
29.11.1941 WIA and sent to a Lazarett
09.02.1942 Fallschirm-Ergänzungs-Regiment 1 in Stendal
11.09.1942 Fallschirm-Ersatz-Bataillon Stendal
15.12.1942 Chef 5.Kompanie / Fallschirm-Ersatz-Bataillon in Stendal
10.12.1943 Stab II.Bataillon / Fallschirmjäger-Regiment 6
01.03.1944 stellvertretender Führer II.Bataillon / Fallschirmjäger-Regiment 6
01.06.1944 stellvertretender Führer II.Bataillon / Fallschirmjäger-Regiment 6
20.02.1945 DOW received in Creta

Awards and Decorations:
00.00.193_ Dienstauszeichnung der Wehrmacht IV.Klasse (4 Jahre)
00.00.1936 Dienstauszeichnung der Wehrmacht III.Klasse (12 Jahre)
22.06.1940 Eisernes Kreuz II.Klasse
00.07.1940 Fallschirmschützenabzeichen der Luftwaffe
00.05.1941 Verwundetenabzeichen in Schwarz
18.06.1941 Eisernes Kreuz I.Klasse
09.07.1941 Ritterkreuz des Eisernen Kreuzes, as Oberleutnant der Reserve and Führer 7.Kompanie / III.Bataillon / Fallschirmjäger-Sturm-Regiment 1 / 7.Flieger-Division. The medal was awarded for his actions during the battle of Crete. On the afternoon of the 20.05.1941 he and his 7. Kompanie assaulted Hill 107 from the south and were able to capture the southern part of the hill in the evening. In the process the unit captured 100 men and 4 officers. At around 08:00 on the next day the Kompanie continued its advance to the peak of the hill from the south. The Kompanie made contact with the Kampfgruppe led by Oberstabarzt Dr. Neumann, and the artillery and AA guns on the hill were finally eliminated with the help of Kampfgruppen Gericke and Trebes. Later, on the 25.05.1941, Oberleutnant Barmetler was in the process of attacking the Galatas heights when he realized that the Gebirgsjäger on his right wing were not keeping up. Before receiving any orders from the Bataillon commander, Oberleutnant Barmetler sent in elements of his Kompanie in the direction of the Gebirgsjäger. Along with the support of heavy weapons, 7. Kompanie was able to get into the rear of the enemy. The defending 5th New Zealand Brigade was ultimately forced to give up the Galatas Heights, and with this an important precondition for the surrender of Crete was established. Oberleutnant Barmetler himself was however wounded during this decisive thrust.
00.00.1941 Ärmelband Kreta
00.00.1942 Erdkampfabzeichen der Luftwaffe

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------

On April 2, 1924, Josef Barmetler joined the 15th company of the 19th Infantry Regiment. He remained in this regiment until October 15, 1935, during which time he was promoted to sergeant. He was then transferred to the 4th company of the 99th Mountain Infantry Regiment in Füssen.

On May 31, 1936 he was discharged from the army as a sergeant in the reserve. As a reserve soldier he was promoted to lieutenant in the reserve in 1937. In this interwar period he became a member of the Allgemeine SS, in which he last held the rank of SS Hauptsturmfuhrer with effect from October 19, 1943.

Recruited when mobilized, Barmetler became a platoon leader in the 4th company of the 316th Infantry Regiment. On December 1, 1939, he became leader of the 2nd company. Promoted to lieutenant in the reserve on January 1, 1940, he was assigned to the Wittstock parachute school after the western campaign. After a month of basic training as a parachute soldier, he was transferred to the II. Battalion of the 1st Storm Regiment. In August 1940 he was officially transferred to the Luftwaffe and a month later he became leader of the 7th company in the 1st Airborne Assault Regiment.

During Operation "Merkur" the 7th Company conquered the dominating Hill 107. Three days later, Barmetler of his own accord supported the advance of a mountain infantry unit and thus forced the conquest of the heights of Galatas. He was wounded himself.

On July 25, 1941 he was promoted to Hauptmann der Reserve, he was on October 15, 1941 captain on the staff of the II. Battalion and temporarily also commander of the II. Battalion. Wounded again on November 29, 1941, he was transferred to the Fallschirmjäger-Zusatz-Regiment 1 in Stendal on February 9, 1942. On September 11, 1942, he was transferred to the Parachute Replacement Battalion in Stendal. On December 15, 1942 he became head of the 5th company in the Stendal Paratrooper Replacement Battalion and on December 10, 1943 he was transferred to the staff of the II Battalion of the 6th Paratrooper Regiment.

On March 1, 1944 he was put in charge of the deputy command of this battalion and on June 1, 1944 he was promoted to major in the reserve.

Major d R. Barmetler died on February 20, 1945 from the long-term effects of his wound sustained in Crete.

Hauptmann d.R. Josef Barmetler in the end of July 1941.

Josef Barmetler singing with comrades.

Josef Barmetler with his men.

Josef Barmetler with his men.



Josef Barmetler speaks in a ceremony. In his left and right are probably his parents.

Source :
Bill Petz photo collection
https://www.alamy.com/first-lieutenant-josef-barmetler-7fallschirmjaeger-sturmregiment-with-the-knights-cross-in-1941-the-date-is-the-bestowal-date-image385783778.html
http://alifrafikkhan.blogspot.com/2012/03/album-foto-bermain-musik-nazi-jerman.html
https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Bundesarchiv_Bild_183-L19498,_Josef_Barmetler_(cropped).jpg
https://de.metapedia.org/wiki/Barmetler,_Josef
https://fjr3.tripod.com/id17.html
https://forum.axishistory.com/viewtopic.php?p=2405175#p2405175
https://www.kriegstote.org/cgi-bin/baseportal.pl?htx=/Kriegsopfer/details_kriegstote_aktuell&Id=23978&Eingabe_Datum=14.04.19&Name=Barmetler&Vorname=Josef

Ritterkreuz Action of Adolf Seitz

Adolf Seitz (24 February 1891 - 16 November 1945) received the Ritterkreuz des Eisernen Kreuzes on 5 August 1940 as Major and Kommandeur II.Bataillon / Gebirgsjäger-Regiment 99 / 1.Gebirgs-Division. The following wartime excerpt describes why Seitz received the Ritterkreuz: "Major Seitz, commander of the II./Gebirgs-Jäger-Regiment 99, accomplished a great deal in the time period 5-6 June 1940. During this time he crossed the Oise-Aisne Canal, captured a bridgehead near Pommiers and conquered the St. Amand-Ferme. Through these actions (and in spite of heavy losses to his Bataillon as well as becoming personally wounded himself) he and his men seized the cornerstone of the enemy's defense in a display of unstoppable attacking spirit. As a result the French positions were definitively broken through, an act of decisive importance beyond the level of both his Bataillon and Regiment."

Source :
https://forum.axishistory.com/viewforum.php?f=5
https://www.tracesofwar.com/persons/28075/Seitz-Adolf-Gebirgsj%C3%A4ger-Regiment-99.htm

Bio of Oberst Adolf Seitz (1891-1945)

Adolf Seitz

Date of Birth: 24.02.1891 - Münich, Bavaria (German Empire)
Date of Death: 16.11.1945 - Heidelberg, Baden-Württemberg (West Germany)

Promotions:
01.07.1912 Unteroffizier
01.07.1913 Vizefeldwebel der Reserve
01.12.1914 Leutnant der Reserve
15.03.1918 Oberleutnant der Reserve
01.05.1935 Hauptmann (Ersatz) (RDA 01.01.1934)
15.07.1936 Hauptmann (RDA 01.07.1933)
01.04.1937 Major (RDA: -42-)
01.10.1940 Oberstleutnant (RDA: -6-)
08.04.1942 Oberst (RDA: 01.04.1942, -476-)
15.02.1943 Oberst (RDA: 01.02.1942, -295a-)

Career:
01.10.1911 als Einjährig-Freiwilliger in das Kgl. Bayerische 3. Feldartillerie-Regiment eingetreten
30.09.1912 zur Reserve entlassen
04.08.1914 beim Kgl. Bayerischen 9. Feldartillerie-Regiment eingezogen
01.06.1916 wounded
27.06.1916 der Ersatz-Abteilung des 9. Feldartillerie-Regiments überwiesen
08.12.1916 zur Luftschiffer-Ersatz-Abteilung kommandiert
22.01.1917 dorthin versetzt
22.03.1917 in die Feldluftschiffer-Abteilung Nr. 4 versetzt
24.03.1917 Beobachter beim Ballonzug Nr. 211
02.05.1917 Führer des Ballonzuges Nr. 212
03.12.1918 discharged
01.05.1935 Chef der Ergänzungsmaschinengewehrkompanie 64 (Laufen / Oberbayern)
06.10.1936 Chef der 16. (E MG) / Gebirgsjägerregiment 100 (Brannenburg / Oberbayern)
12.10.1937 im Stab des Gebirgsjägerregiments 99 (Füssen)
xx.xx.1938 Kommandeur des II. / Gebirgsjägerregiment 99 (Füssen)
17.01.1941 kommandiert zum Stab des XXX. Armeekorps
15.04.1941 Führerreserve OKH (VII)
05.06.1941 im Stab der Deutschen Heeresmission in Rumänien
21.08.1941 im Stab der 11. Armee
23.09.1941 Führerreserve OKH (VII)
09.12.1941 Kommandeur des Gebirgsjägerersatzregiments 1
28.09.1942 Kommandeur der Gebirgsjägerschule Mittenwald
01.11.1943 Führerreserve OKH (HGr B)
26.11.1943 Kommandeur des Gebirgsstabes Italien
26.07.1944 mit der stellvertretenden Führung des Jägerregiments 741 beauftragt
10.09.1944 kommandiert zum Kommandostab Voralpen
30.12.1944 Verbindungsoffizier zum Reichsverteidigungskommissar [Franz Hofer?] und Inspekteur der Erkundungsstäbe

Awards and Decorations:
03.12.1914 1914 Eisernes Kreuz II.Klasse
21.02.1916 Königlich Bayerischer Militär-Verdienstorden, IV.Klasse mit Schwertern
09.06.1916 1914 Eisernes Kreuz I.Klasse
22.07.1918 Verwundetenabzeichen 1918 in schwarz
00.00.193_ Ehrenkreuz für Frontkämpfer 1914-1918
02.10.1936 Wehrmacht (Heer) Dienstauszeichnung IV.Klasse
00.00.1939 Medaille zur Erinnerung an den 13. März 1938
00.00.19__ Abzeichen für Heeresbergführer
00.00.19__ 1939 Spange zum 1914 Eisernen Kreuze II.Klasse
00.00.19__ 1939 Spange zum 1914 Eisernen Kreuze I.Klasse
00.00.19__ Infanterie-Sturmabzeichen in Silber
05.08.1940 Ritterkreuz des Eisernen Kreuzes, as Major and Kommandeur II.Bataillon / Gebirgsjäger-Regiment 99 / 1.Gebirgs-Division
19.09.1941 Ordinul Corona Romaneii Commander (Rumania)
00.00.194_ Verwundetenabzeichen 1939 in Gold

-------------------------------------------------------------------------

* Oberstleutnant Seitz was heading the German liaison and mentoring team within the Romanian mountain corps (Corpul Munte, Gebirgskorps), the Deutsches Verbindungskommando 8 (DVK 8), in late June-early July 1941.

Source :
https://forum.axishistory.com/viewtopic.php?t=185881
https://www.tracesofwar.com/persons/28075/Seitz-Adolf-Gebirgsj%C3%A4ger-Regiment-99.htm
https://www.wehrmacht-awards.com/forums/forum/wehrmacht-era-militaria/photos-and-paper-items-forum

Ritterkreuz Actions of Gerd von Rundstedt

Gerd von Rundstedt (12 December 1875 - 24 February 1953) received the Ritterkreuz des Eisernen Kreuzes #1 on 30 September 1939 as Generaloberst and Oberbefehlshaber Heeresgruppe Süd. The medal was awarded for his leadership of Heeresgruppe Süd during the Polish campaign. In the ten-day battle of the Bzura (9-19 September 1939) the bulk of the Polish army was destroyed. On 27 September 1939 Warsaw was captured.

Rundstedt received the Eichenlaub #519 for his Ritterkreuz on 1 July 1944 as Generalfeldmarschall and Oberbefehlshaber West. The medal was awarded for the German defense along the Invasion Front, as well as his success in leading Heeresgruppe Süd during Operation Barbarossa. Rundstedt oversaw the Heeresgruppe during the victorious encirclement battles at Uman and Kiev, as well as the capture of the critically important Donez basin.

Rundstedt received the Schwerter #133 for his Ritterkreuz on 18 February 1945 as Generalfeldmarschall and Oberbefehlshaber West. The medal was awarded for his conduct of the war on the western front following the Normandy battles, including the Battle of the Bulge (16 December 1944 - 25 January 1945).

 

Source :
https://gmic.co.uk/topic/76875-ribbon-bar-long-service-for-40-years/
https://www.tracesofwar.com/persons/34587/Rundstedt-von-Gerd.htm

Vietinghoff, Hubicki and Siebert

Three Wehrmacht generals in the podium. From left to right: General der Panzertruppe Heinrich von Vietinghoff (Oberbefehlshaber 10. Armee), General der Panzertruppe Dr.jur. Alfred Ritter von Hubicki (Befehlshaber Sonderstab II in Oberkommando des Heeres), and General der Infanterie Friedrich Siebert (Chef des Wehrmacht-Streifendienstes in Oberkommando der Wehrmacht). No information about the date or place, but possibly in the autumn of 1943.

Source :
https://forum.axishistory.com/viewtopic.php?p=2129634#p2129634

The Surrender of Hans-Jürgen von Arnim

 

 

Generaloberst Hans-Jürgen von Arnim (Oberbefehlshaber Heeresgruppe Afrika), after being captured, in Cap-Bon (Tunisia), 15 May 1943. Behind him is fellow Ritterkreuzträger General der Panzertruppe Hans Cramer (Kommandierender General Deutsches Afrikakorps)

The brigade columns of the Fourth Indian Division were working their way through hilly country in the St. Marie du Zit zone, 28 miles south of Tunis, on 12 May 1943, when some German lorries came forward with white flags flying. The lorries brought Oberst i.G. Heinrich Nolte, the Chief of Staff of Generaloberst Hans-Jürgen von Arnim (Oberbefehlshaber Heeresgruppe Afrika), with other officers and interpreters. Nolte said that he had been authorized by Arnim to seek terms of surrender for the supreme commander of the Axis forces in Tunisia, for Generalmajor Fritz Krause (Kommandeur 334. Infanterie-Division), and their Staffs.

Nolte was taken to the divisional headquarters, near Ainel Asker, where he was shown a typewritten note setting out terms for the unconditional surrender of the Axis forces and the immediate cessation of hostilities. He reiterated that Arnim was surrendering only himself, Krause and their Staffs, and that they had no power to accept other terms. The Major-General commanding the Fourth Indian Division and a Corps Commander went off with Nolte to German H.Q. Arnim greeted the British generals outside his caravan, stiffly saluting each one before inviting them inside. Arnim and Krause then talked with the British generals through an interpreter.

The Axis commander declared that his forces were too widely scattered for him to order them to cease fire even if he wanted to. Nothing more could be done, and Arnim's surrender was accepted. He and Krause gave up their revolvers, and later in the afternoon, when arrangements had been made for their removal, Armin emerged from the caravan. His Staff Officers, lined up outside, sprang to attention and remained at the salute for nearly half a minute. Arnim acknowledged the salute and then walked down the ranks of his officers, shaking hands with each one of them.

The officers clicked their heels and some of them gave the Nazi salute. All were dressed in their best uniforms with full decorations and gave a remarkable display of military etiquette. Arnim entered an open car and stood holding the windscreen with his left hand in "Hitler fashion" while he gave the final salute to his Staff. The car rolled slowly away to the H.Q. of the British 1st Army, followed by other cars carrying Krause and other German officers, along a road packed with Italians and Germans driving themselves into captivity in their own vehicles.

Arnim stood up in his car practically all the way acknowledging the salutes and cheers of his defeated soldiers. He dined with other captured German generals in a small tent at 1st Army H.Q. Then he had a talk with General Anderson.

Source :
The War Illustrated, Volume 7, No. 156, Page 30, June 11, 1943.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hans-J%C3%BCrgen_von_Arnim
https://www.tracesofwar.com/thewarillustrated/156/i-was-there-how-von-arnim-surrendered-at-last.asp?c=twi

Bio of Generalleutnant Franz Landgraf

Franz Landgraf (16 July 1888 - 19 April 1944) joined the Royal Bavarian 5th Infantry Regiment "Grand Duke Ernst Ludwig of Hesse" on July 7, 1909, where he was then promoted to lieutenant on October 26, 1911. On August 1, 1914, he moved as a platoon leader with his regiment, where he was deployed as an adjutant to the 2nd battalion from August 20, 1914. From February 10, 1915 he led the 10th company and from March 24, 1915 the 7th company of the regiment. On May 21, 1915 he was transferred to the 1st Bavarian Jäger Regiment in the German Alpine Corps as a regimental adjutant. On December 27, 1917, Franz Landgrave married Eugenie Bergmann. On December 10, 1918 he returned to the Royal Bavarian 5th Infantry Regiment "Grand Duke Ernst Ludwig of Hesse", where he was employed as a regimental adjutant from January 1, 1919 until March 10, 1919 when he became chief of the 2nd The regiment's volunteer company. On April 20, 1919 he then joined the Freikorps Bamberg, in which he was promoted to captain on August 19, 1919. On February 27, 1920 he was transferred to the Reichswehr and posted to the Reichswehr Infantry Regiment 46. From October 1, 1920, he served first as the company chief, then as regimental adjutant in the 21st Infantry Regiment. On October 1928 he became an adjutant in the staff of the military training area Grafenwoehr, where he was promoted to major on February 1, 1931. In 1934 he returned to Infantry Regiment 21 and on April 1, 1934 he became commander of the training battalion of Infantry Regiment 21. On July 1, 1934, he was promoted to lieutenant colonel. From October 1, 1934 he commanded a battalion in Rifle Regiment 2 and on August 1, 1936 he was promoted to colonel. On October 1, 1936, he became the commander of Panzer Regiment 7, with which he took part in the 1939 Polish campaign. On October 15, 1939, he gave up command of the regiment and became commander of the 4th Panzer Brigade. This brigade, which was subordinate to the 10th Panzer Division, was led by Franz Landgraf during the 1940 western campaign. On June 16, 1940 he was awarded the Ritterkreuz for the success of Panzer Brigade 4. On September 1, 1940 he was promoted to Generalmajor. On January 6, 1941, he took command of the 6th Panzer Division, which he led in Russia from June 1941. On April 15, 1942, he was transferred to the Führerreserve and on May 1, 1942 commander of division No. 155, from May 10, 1942 division (motorized) No. 155 and from April 5, 1943, tank division No. 155 This division functioned as an occupation force in France, where Franz Landgraf was promoted to Generalleutnant on September 1, 1942. On October 1, 1943, he was transferred to the Führerreserve and no longer used in the rest of the war. He finally died in Stuttgart on April 19, 1944.

Source :
https://forum.axishistory.com/viewtopic.php?p=2057620#p2057620
http://www.lexikon-der-wehrmacht.de/Personenregister/L/LandgrafFranz.htm