Karl Dönitz Visiting Oder Front (1945)

Visit of Großadmiral Karl Dönitz (foreground, Oberbefehlshaber der Kriegsmarine) to one of the Marinekompanie of 1. Marine-Infanterie-Division in the Oder front, 15 April 1945. The two Ritterkreuzträger at left is, from left to right: Kapitänleutnant Egon-Reiner Freiherr von Schlippenbach (IIa Adjutant 1. Marine-Infanterie-Division) and Generalmajor Wilhelm Bleckwenn (Kommandeur 1. Marine-Infanterie-Division). Photo from the estate of General Bleckwenn.

Großadmiral Karl Dönitz (center, Oberbefehlshaber der Kriegsmarine) with the soldiers and officers of 1. Marine-Infanterie-Division in the Oder front. The Ritterkreuzträger who walks behind him is Generalmajor Wilhelm Bleckwenn (Kommandeur 1. Marine-Infanterie-Division), while other Ritterkreuzträger who stands at left is Kapitänleutnant Egon-Reiner Freiherr von Schlippenbach (IIa Adjutant 1. Marine-Infanterie-Division). Photo from the estate of General Bleckwenn.

Großadmiral Karl Dönitz (Oberbefehlshaber der Kriegsmarine) in conversation with soldiers who have taken up duty after receiving Infanterie-Sturmabzeichen medals. On the far left is Generalmajor Wilhelm Bleckwenn (Kommandeur 1. Marine-Infanterie-Division), while in the middle is Kapitänleutnant Egon-Reiner Freiherr von Schlippenbach (IIa Adjutant 1. Marine-Infanterie-Division). Schlippenbach is actually a U-boat captain. In the last weeks of the war he was used in the naval infantry and eventually ended up in American captivity. This would explain the uniform. Photo from the estate of General Bleckwenn.

Großadmiral Karl Dönitz (right, Oberbefehlshaber der Kriegsmarine) crossing the Oder side canal (Hohensaatener Kanal), presumably south of the village of Lunow. Sitting in front of him is Generalmajor Wilhelm Bleckwenn (Kommandeur 1. Marine-Infanterie-Division). Photo from the estate of General Bleckwenn.

Großadmiral Karl Dönitz (Oberbefehlshaber der Kriegsmarine) walks through the trench, while Generalmajor Wilhelm Bleckwenn (Kommandeur 1. Marine-Infanterie-Division) is following behind him. Photo from the estate of General Bleckwenn.

Source :
http://www.specialcamp11.co.uk/Generalmajor%20Wilhelm%20Bleckwenn.htm
https://www.spiegel.de/geschichte/doenitz-regierung-in-flensburg-1945-hitlers-allerletztes-aufgebot-a-53a55abc-9fc7-4aaa-bf9c-80180e6545e2#fotostrecke-15cd9c32-60c6-44b3-b4c1-270811395c21
https://www.wehrmacht-awards.com/forums/forum/wehrmacht-era-militaria/photos-and-paper-items-forum/625449-post-your-who-is-this-photo-requests-here/page84

Generalmajor Julius Ringel in Crete

 

Generalmajor Julius Ringel visits the Küstenwachen (coast guards) in Crete. Austrian-born Ringel commanded the 5. Gebirgs-Division in Greece and Crete. On 22 May 1941 he was given control of all German forces on Crete and told to secure the island. While he achieved this objective, Ringel’s decision to push his troops eastwards towards Retimo allowed the bulk of British Creforce to escape south to Sfakia for evacuation. For his leadership during the battle he was awarded the prestigious Ritterkreuz des Eisernen Kreuzes in June 1941.

Source :
https://nzhistory.govt.nz/media/photo/general-julius-ringel