From left to right: SS-Obergruppenführer und General der Waffen-SS Paul Hausser (Kommandierender General II. SS-Panzerkorps), SS-Oberführer Hermann Prieß (Kommandeur SS-Panzergrenadier-Division "Totenkopf"), and SS-Standartenführer Heinz Lammerding (Chef des Stabes II. SS-Panzerkorps). The photo was taken in early summer 1943 during Hausser's visit to the SS Totenkopf Division which were under his command.
Source :
https://alifrafikkhan.blogspot.com/2018/06/foto-paul-hausser.html
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.
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
Hitler took a small walk with his "trusted people" in the Führerhauptquartier Wolfsschanze (Rastenburg/East Prussia), the afternoon after the failed bomb attempt on 20 July 1944. From left to right: Generalfeldmarschall Wilhelm Keitel (Chef Oberkommando der Wehrmacht), Reichsmarschall Hermann Göring (Oberbefehlshaber der Luftwaffe), Adolf Hitler (Führer und Oberster Befehlshaber der Wehrmacht), and Reichsleiter Martin Bormann (Leiter Parteikanzlei der NSDAP und Privatsekretär Führer und Reichskanzler). Behind Göring is SS-Hauptsturmführer Otto Günsche (Persönlicher Adjutant Führer und Reichskanzler), while behind Hitler with a bandaged head is Generaloberst Alfred Jodl (Chef der Wehrmachtsführungsamt). Between Hitler and Bormann is Oberst Nicolaus von Below (Adjutant der Luftwaffe beim Führer und Oberster Befehlshaber der Wehrmacht). The three men chatting in the right corner are, from left to right: Reichsführer-SS Heinrich Himmler (Chef der SS und Deutschen Polizei), SS-Gruppenführer und Generalleutnant der Waffen-SS Hermann Fegelein (Verbindungsoffizier zwischen dem Reichsführer-SS und dem Führerhauptquartier ), and Generaloberst Ferdinand Schörner (Oberbefehlshaber Heeresgruppe Südukraine).
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Fritz Witt
Date of Birth: 27.05.1908 - Hohenlimburg, Nordrhein-Westfalen (German Empire)
Date of Death: 14.06.1944 - Caen-Venoix, Normandy (France)
NSDAP Nr.: 816 769 (01.12.1931)
SS Nr.: 21 518 (01.12.1932)
Brother: Franz Witt (21.09.1913 - 10.04.1941)
Promotions:
17.03.1933 SS-Truppführer
03.09.1933 SS-Haupttruppführer
01.10.1933 SS-Sturmführer
09.05.1934 SS-Obersturmführer
01.06.1935 SS-Hauptsturmführer
17.05.1940 SS-Sturmbannführer
27.11.1941 SS-Obersturmbannführer
30.01.1943 SS-Standartenführer
01.07.1943 SS-Oberführer
20.04.1944 SS-Brigadeführer und Generalmajor der Waffen-SS
Career:
00.00.1925 - 00.06.1933 Salesman in textile industry
01.12.1931 - 17.03.1933 1.Sturm / II.Sturmbann / 30.SS-Standarte "Fritz Borawski"
17.03.1933 - 01.10.1933 SS-Stabswache "Berlin"
01.10.1933 - 12.01.1935 Zugführer in 2.Sturm / SS-Stabswache "Berlin"
12.01.1935 - 19.10.1939 Chef 3.Sturm / I.Sturmbann / SS-Standarte "Deutschland"
19.10.1939 - 16.10.1940 Kommandeur I.Sturmbann / SS-Standarte "Deutschland"
16.10.1940 - 26.03.1941 Kommandeur III.Bataillon / LSSAH
26.03.1941 - 01.07.1942 Kommandeur I.Bataillon / LSSAH
01.07.1942 - 24.06.1943 Kommandeur SS-Panzergrenadier-Regiment 1 LSSAH
24.06.1943 - 14.06.1944 Kommandeur 12. SS-Panzer-Division "Hitlerjugend"
Awards and Decorations:
00.00.193_ SS-Zivilabzeichen (Nr. 9667)
00.00.193_ Ehrendolch der SS
16.12.1935 Julleuchter der SS
00.00.193_ Ehrenwinkel für alte Kämpfer
01.12.1937 Ehrendegen des Reichsführers-SS
01.12.1937 Totenkopfring der SS01.12.1937 Deutsches Reichssportabzeichen in Bronze
01.12.1937 SA-Sportabzeichen in Bronze
01.03.1939 Medaille zur Erinnerung an den 13. März 1938 (Anschluss Medal)
22.05.1939 Medaille zur Erinnerung an den 1. Oktober 1938 (Sudetenland Medal)
17.09.1939 Eisernes Kreuz II.Klasse
26.09.1939 Eisernes Kreuz I.Klasse
00.00.194_ Dienstauszeichnung der NSDAP in Bronze
04.09.1940 Ritterkreuz des Eisernen Kreuzes, as SS-Sturmbannführer and Kommandeur I.Bataillon / SS-Infanterie-Regiment "Deutschland" / SS-Verfügungs-Division (based on the recommendation of Regimentskommandeur SS-Oberführer Felix Steiner, which then approved by the Divisionskommandeur SS-Gruppenführer Paul Hausser)
23.06.1941 SS-Dienstauszeichnungen 2. und 3.Stufe
08.02.1942 Deutsches Kreuz in Gold
23.02.1942 Infanterie-Sturmabzeichen in Bronze
04.09.1942 Medaille “Winterschlacht im Osten 1941/42” (Ostmedaille)
16.07.1942 Ordinul Steaua României Mare Ofițer (Order of the Star of Romania, Officer Class with Swords on the Ribbon of Military Virtue)
10.07.1942 Voenen Orden "Za Hrabrost" IV stepen 1 klas (Military Order for Bravery in War 4th Class, 1st Grade) Bulgaria
01.03.1943 Ritterkreuz des Eisernen Kreuzes mit Eichenlaub #200, as SS-Standartenführer and Kommandeur SS-Panzergrenadier-Regiment 1 / SS-Panzergrenadier-Division "Leibstandarte SS Adolf Hitler"
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Fritz Witt (27 May 1908 – 14 June 1944) was born into the family of a merchant, Witt worked in the textile industry until he lost his job in June 1931. Witt joined the Nazi Party (NSDAP) (Nr. 816,769) in December 1931 and the SS (Nr. 21,518). In March 1933, Witt became a member of the SS-Stabswache Berlin, a bodyguard unit protecting Adolf Hitler. It was renamed to SS-Sonderkommando Berlin in September and in the following month, Witt was appointed a platoon leader. This unit was the nucleus of the later SS Division Leibstandarte (LSSAH). In January 1935, Witt was appointed company commander in the SS-Standarte Deutschland, a unit that later became part of the SS Division Das Reich.
Witt participated in the German Invasion of Poland in September 1939 as a member of the motorized infantry regiment Deutschland, which was subordinated to Panzer Division Kempf, a combined arms unit commanded by army General Werner Kempf. Witt's unit took part in the Battle of the Border and then in the fighting at Zakroczym, where men from Panzer Division Kempf committed the Massacre in Zakroczym on 28 September 1939. During the campaign, Witt was awarded both classes of the Iron Cross.
On 19 October 1939, Witt was appointed battalion commander in the SS-Regiment Deutschland, leading the battalion in the Battle of the Netherlands and the Battle of France. On 4 September 1940, Witt was awarded the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross. He was then transferred to the LSSAH on 16 October 1940 as battalion commander.
As a battalion commander in the LSSAH, Witt participated in the Battle of Greece (6–30 April 1941), the Axis invasion of the Allied Kingdom of Greece. On 11–12 April 1941, Witt's battalion participated in the assault on the Klidi Pass, sustaining heavy casualties in the attack. On 14 April 1941, the battalion fought against British forces in the Battle of Kleisoura Pass. Witt's brother, Franz, a member of the same unit, was killed during the fighting.
On 1 July 1943, Witt was promoted to SS-Oberführer and was appointed commander of the SS Division Hitlerjugend, the majority of its enlisted men were drawn from members of the Hitler Youth. His previous regimental command was given to Albert Frey. In the following months, Witt oversaw the formation and training of the division at Beverloo Camp, in occupied Belgium.
In expectation of the Allied invasion, the SS Panzer Hitlerjugend was transferred to France in March 1944. On 1 April 1944, elements of the division committed the Ascq massacre in Ascq, France. In command of those troops was Walter Hauck, a company commander in Hitlerjugend.
On 20 April 1944, Witt was promoted to SS-Brigadeführer. On 6 June 1944, the Western Allies launched the Invasion of Normandy. During the fighting in Normandy, Kurt Meyer, a regimental commander in Hitlerjugend, used the Ardenne Abbey for his regimental headquarters. On 7 June, members of the division under Kurt Meyer's command murdered Canadian POWs in what became known as the Ardenne Abbey massacre. When Witt learned about these crimes, he ordered an investigation and demanded a written report from Kurt Meyer.
On 14 June 1944, Witt was killed in action by a Royal Navy artillery barrage that hit the divisional command post at Venoix. He was initially buried at Venoix and later reinterred at Champigny-Saint-André German war cemetery, France.
SS-Obergruppenführer
und General der Waffen-SS Josef "Sepp" Dietrich (Kommandeur
SS-Panzergrenadier-Division "Leibstandarte SS Adolf Hitler") pays a
visit to the headquarters of SS-Standartenführer Fritz Witt (Kommandeur
SS-Panzergrenadier-Regiment 1 / SS-Panzergrenadier- Division
"Leibstandarte SS Adolf Hitler") at Olchowatka, Belgorod, near Kharkov,
in March 1943. Dietrich wore a sheepskin coat which had the official
name "Sous-vetementent en peau fourrée Modele 1938", with an added
collar, lace and zipper. Even so, it seems that the Divisionskommandeur
still felt the weather is too cold so he prepared a thicker fur coat
stored in the car seat, a stark contrast when compared to Witt who
looked quite comfortable even though he was only wearing a standard
uniform! Dietrich's trousers were of the stiefelhose, combined with the
Luftwaffe's Flieger-Pelztiefel (aviation boots) with a furry top. The
car used by Dietrich was of the Einheits-Pkw Horch 40 type with a very
low number plate (SS-502). In addition, jerrycans for spare gasoline
have been modified so that they can be attached to the side of the car.
This photo was taken by SS-Kriegsberichter Johan King, who accompanied
the Leibstandarte Division in the many heavy battles on the Eastern
Front in 1943 and 1944.
Reinhard Karl Egger
Date of Birth: 11.12.1905 - Klagenfurt, Kärnten (Austria-Hungary)
Date of Death: 10.06.1987 - Seeboden, Kärnten (Austria)
Campaigns: Poland, France, Crete, Leningrad, Italy, Monte Cassino
Promotions:
01.01.1939 Leutnant
25.10.1940 Oberleutnant
01.10.1941 Hauptmann
01.04.1942 Major
01.05.1944 Oberstleutnant
Career:
18.04.1929 joined the Carinthian Alpenjäger Regiment 11 of Austrian Army
00.09.1937 Offizieranwärter in Kriegsakademie Wiener-Neustadt
14.03.1938 joined the Wehrmacht after Anschluss as Feldwebel
00.00.1938 Zugführer in Infanterie-Regiment 91
00.10.1938 joined the Fallschirm-Bataillon/Regiment "General Göring“ of the Luftwaffe
00.00.1939 training in Luftkriegsschule 2
18.06.1940 volunteered to the Fallschirmtruppe and posted in 10.Kompanie / Fallschirmjäger-Regiment 1
00.04.1942 Führer I.Bataillon / Fallschirmjäger-Regiment 4
00.07.1942 Adjutant Fallschirmjäger-Regiment 1
00.01.1943 wounded in the Velikiye Luki area
00.00.1943 Kommandeur I.Bataillon / Fallschirmjäger-Regiment 4
00.00.1944 Führer Fallschirmjäger-Regiment 4
31.07.1944 taken prisoner by the British in the Apennines, where he was initially listed as missing
Awards and Decorations:
00.00.193_ Wehrmacht-Dienstauszeichnung IV.Klasse (4 jahre)
00.00.193_ Fallschirmschützenabzeichen der Luftwaffe
01.10.1939 Eisernes Kreuz II.Klasse
19.12.1939 Eisernes Kreuz I.Klasse
09.07.1941 Ritterkreuz des Eisernen Kreuzes #241, as Oberleutnant and Chef 10.Kompanie / III.Bataillon / Fallschirmjäger-Regiment 1 / 7.Flieger-Division. Awarded for distinguishing himself with his Kompanie against far numerically superior enemy forces during the eight-day battle for Heraklion.
00.00.1942 Medaille "Winterschlacht im Osten 1941/42“ (Ostmedaille)
00.00.194_ Ärmelband "Kreta“
00.00.194_ Verwundetenabzeichen in Schwarz
24.02.1944 Deutsches Kreuz in Gold 34/309
24.06.1944 Ritterkreuz des Eisernen Kreuzes mit Eichenlaub #510, as Oberstleutnant and Führer Fallschirmjäger-Regiment 4 / 1.Fallschirmjäger-Division. Awarded for distinguishing himself during the fighting in Russia, Sicily and Monte Cassino.
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Reinhard Egger was born on December 11, 1905 in Klagenfurt am Wörthersee and joined the Carinthian Alpenjäger Regiment 11 (from the Mountain Rifle Regiment No. 1) on April 18, 1929. In September 1937 he was posted to the War Academy in Wiener-Neustadt as an officer candidate.
After Austria joined the Reich, he joined the German army on March 14, 1938 as a sergeant and was promoted to lieutenant on January 1, 1939 in the 91st Infantry Regiment. According to other sources he joined the parachute battalion/regiment "General Göring" of the Luftwaffe after entering, was commanded to the Air War School 2 and then promoted to lieutenant.
After the campaign in Poland and the west, he volunteered for the paratroops on June 18, 1940 and was transferred to the 10th company of the 1st Parachute Regiment. On October 25, 1940 he was promoted to Oberleutnant. On May 20, 1941 he left the company "Merkur" as a company commander at Heraklion. After eight days of fighting for the city, he was able to storm it with his men, where he distinguished himself several times. On July 9, 1941, he was awarded the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross.
Promoted to captain on October 1, 1941, he fought with his company on the eastern front near Leningrad. On April 1, 1942, he was promoted to major and appointed commander of the 1st Battalion/4th Parachute Regiment. In July 1942 he became an adjutant on the staff of the 1st Parachute Regiment. In January 1943 he was wounded in the Velikiye Luki area. After his recovery, he was then officially appointed commander of the 1st Battalion/4th Parachute Regiment.
From July 1943 he fought in Italy, where he was awarded the German Cross in Gold during the Battle of Monte Cassino on February 24, 1944. Promoted to lieutenant colonel on May 1, 1944, he was awarded the Oak Leaves to the Knight's Cross on June 24, 1944 as leader of the Fallschirmjäger Regiment 4. On July 31, 1944, he was taken prisoner by the Allies (British) in the Apennines,[4] where he was initially listed as missing.
colonel i R. Reinhard Egger died at the age of 81 on June 10, 1987 in Seeboden am Millstätter See, Carinthia.
Major Reinhard Egger (left, Kommandeur I.Bataillon / Fallschirmjäger-Regiment 4) distributing attack orders to his men in the Italian Front, August 1943. He is wearing a tropenmütze M41 without grommets. In the background is a Sturmgeschütz 40 Ausf.G self-propelled gun, belong to Hermann Göring Division. The picture was taken by Kriegsberichter Heggert during the Battle of Sicily, precisely in front of Villa Barone Santa Lucia at the end of Corso Savoia, where the road deviates to the right towards Santa Maria Ammalati (the Germans had a field hospital there) and then towards Messina.
Major Reinhard Egger (right, Kommandeur I.Bataillon /
Fallschirmjäger-Regiment 4) listening to the explanation by a StuG commander in the
Italian Front, August 1943. The StuG is a Sturmgeschütz 40 Ausf.G self-propelled
gun, belong to Hermann Göring Division. The picture was taken by
Kriegsberichter Heggert during the Battle of Sicily, precisely in front
of Villa Barone Santa Lucia at the end of Corso Savoia, where the road
deviates to the right towards Santa Maria Ammalati (the Germans had a
field hospital there) and then towards Messina.
General der Panzertruppe Erwin Rommel (Kommandierender General Deutsches Afrikakorps) directs the movements of his force with Oberst Erwin Menny (Kommandeur 15.Schützen-Brigade / 15.Panzer-Division) in North Africa. The picture was taken before Menny received the Ritterkreuz des Eisernen Kreuzes (26 December 1941).
This
photo was taken by Kriegsberichter Erich Borchert and it shows officers
from the 6. Panzer-Division having a discussion during the military
campaign in France, summer of 1940. Behind them is a medium tank of the
Czechoslovakian-made Panzer 35(t) type. Standing in the center wearing
the kradmantel is Major Hans-Karl Schenck (Kommandeur Panzer-Abteilung
65), while pointing beside him is Hauptmann Erich Löwe (Chef 3.Kompanie /
Panzer-Abteilung 65). The book "Panzer-Regiment 11 / Panzer-Abteilung
65 1937-1945" by Michael Schadewitz (page 162) mentioned that on June
12, 1940 - in the middle of the advance of German troops in France and
for unknown reasons - Major Schneck was withdrawn from the front and was
replaced by Major Theodor Kretschmer. Schenck himself was later
transferred to become Commander of the Panzertruppenschule, a position
that was "less exciting" for a combat soldier! For his services in
completely capturing a strategic bridge on the Oise canal, capturing
French 9th Army staff officers at La Catelet and capturing the village
of Doullens from enemy hands, Hauptmann Löwe was awarded the prestigious
Ritterkreuz des Eisernen Kreuzes medal on 4 September 1940.
Near Bad Reichenhall, Bavaria - Newly awarded Ritterkreuzträger Franz Doff reporting on his wartime experiences to his family in his parents' house during home leave. Doff received the Ritterkreuz des Eisernen Kreuzes on 20 July 1942 as a Gefreiter and Gruppenführer in 10.Kompanie / II.Bataillon / Gebirgsjäger-Regiment 98 / 1.Gebirgs-Division. The picture was taken by Kriegsberichter Hochscheidt in August 1942.
