Lothar Lau and Ernst Gadermann

Major im Generalstab Lothar Lau (Gruppenkommandeur III.Gruppe / Schlachtgeschwader 2 "Immelmann") and the rear gunner of famous Stuka ace Hans-Ulrich Rudel who was also a doctor in SG 2, Stabsarzt Dr.med. Ernst Gadermann (right), walking and talking. In the background is a Junkers Ju 87 D-5 "Stuka" with ground crew. The picture was taken in Hungary, September 1944.

Source :
https://www.asisbiz.com/il2/Ju-87/10%28Pz%29SG2/pages/Junkers-Ju-87D5-Stuka-Hans-Ulrich-Rudels-01.html
https://reibert.info/threads/stg2-i-sg2-immelmann-sturzkampfgeschwader-2-i-schlachtgeschwader-2-immelmann.72440/page-5

Johann Thaler in Die Deutsche Wochenschau

SS-Unterscharführer Johann Thaler (Panzerfahrer in 6.Kompanie / II.Abteilung / SS-Panzer-Regiment 2 / SS-Panzergrenadier-Division "Das Reich") featured in Die Deutsche Wochenschau (German Newsweek) Nr. 680, 15 September 1943. Thaler received the Ritterkreuz des Eisernen Kreuzes on 14 August 1943 as the first tank driver to be awarded this high award!

Source :
https://www.tumbex.com/ritterkreuz1939-1945.tumblr/post/165264947660/johann-hans-thaler-der-panzerfahrer-mit-hoher
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8PsLnKV96Qg

Johann Thaler in Normandy

Ritterkreuzträger SS-Unterscharführer Johann Thaler (center) gathered with his comrades in front of a camouflaged Panzer IV. He received the Ritterkreuz des Eisernen Kreuzes on 14 August 1943 as a Panzerfahrer in 6.Kompanie / II.Abteilung / SS-Panzer-Regiment 2 / SS-Panzergrenadier-Division "Das Reich", the only tank driver in the Waffen-SS to win the Ritterkreuz! The picture was taken by Kriegsberichter Theobald of Kriegsberichter-Zug Oberbefehlshaber West during the Battle of Normandy, June 1944.

Source :
https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Bundesarchiv_Bild_101I-721-0387-02A,_Frankreich,_Soldaten_im_Gespr%C3%A4ch.jpg
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Bundesarchiv_Bild_101I-721-0387-05A,_Frankreich,_SS-Panzersoldaten_vor_Panzer.jpg
https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.548839758480537.1073741826.195511097146740&type=3&paipv=0&eav=AfZMGv1AQxyMPiN7escclwenRF7MeJp4PvMfZIVwVQ88RWm1Rxyxu59jlPSxuFi2kug&_rdr
https://forum.axishistory.com/viewtopic.php?f=5&t=29879&hilit=thaler&start=20715
https://www.tapatalk.com/groups/worldarmedforcesforum/pictures-from-france-t48305-s20.html
https://www.tumbex.com/ritterkreuz1939-1945.tumblr/post/165264947660/johann-hans-thaler-der-panzerfahrer-mit-hoher
https://www.warrelics.eu/forum/history-research-third-reich-ww2/waffen-ss-camouflage-period-photos-687739-18/

Ritterkreuz Award Ceremony for Rudolf von Ribbentrop

SS-Obersturmführer Rudolf von Ribbentrop (Führer 6.Kompanie / II.Abteilung / SS-Panzer-Regiment 1 / SS-Panzergrenadier-Division "Leibstandarte SS Adolf Hitler") at Prochorovka with his crew of Panzer IV "605" after his Ritterkreuz award ceremony during the Battle of Kursk, 15 July 1943. From left to right: Harry Bergner (radio operator), Walter Schüle (driver), von Ribbentrop (commander), Heinz Trautmann (loader), and Johannes Ober (gunner). SS-Unterscharführer Harry Walter Bergner would be killed in action on 19 December 1943 at Stermigorod. Walter Schüle was wounded in 1943 but stayed with the Leibstandarte. In 1945 he was a tank commander in 6.Kompanie / SS-Panzer-Regiment 1 LSSAH and, according to his own information, became Kompanie-Truppführer in the "new" 3.Kompanie / SS-Panzer-Regiment 1 LSSAH. Johann Ober later transferred to SS-Panzer-Regiment 3 "Totenkopf" and would be killed in action on 7 April 1945 in Vienna with the last rank as SS-Untersturmführer.

Rudolf von Ribbentrop (11 May 1921 - 20 May 2019) received the Ritterkreuz des Eisernen Kreuzes on 15 July 1943 as SS-Obersturmführer and Führer 6.Kompanie / II.Abteilung / SS-Panzer-Regiment 1 / SS-Panzergrenadier-Division "Leibstandarte SS Adolf Hitler". Here follows a recommendation for the Deutsches Kreuz in Gold for Rudolf von Ribbentrop, who would instead be awarded the Ritterkreuz:

"SS-Obersturmführer von Ribbentrop was himself a Zugführer in the winter fighting this year and now serves as Führer of a Panzer Kompanie in the present break-in fighting. In both roles he has especially distinguished himself through outstanding courage, coldblooded bravery and circumspect leadership.

After successful close combat in the area Nowaja Wodolaga, he was awarded the Eisernes Kreuz I.Klasse on1 March 1943 for proven and outstanding courage.

In the hard fighting north of Kharkov, on 12 March 1943, he penetrated the enemy defenses in street fighting and made a connection with the other Grenadiers around Red Square, which provided further jump-off points for the advance into the city. After the occupation of the city of Kharkov, the resulting push on Belgorod placed him in the lead Kompanie. He penetrated into the city on 18 March 1943 at the head of his Kompanie in a personal, bold action. He thus holds an outstanding share of the success of the attack on Belgorod.

On 7 July 1943 the II./SS-Pz.Rgt. 1 LAH, following a successful attack on Teterewino, was attacked numerous times in the flanks by strong Russian tank forces. From a favourable attack position a Russian armoured group of 40 T-34s drove right in front of the Kompanie of SS-Obersturmführer von Ribbentrop. He immediately took charge of the situation, attacked the enemy with his smaller force and with this shot up 6 enemy tanks without loss. This courage and boldness resulted in the failure of the enemy attack, also forcing them to retreat.

On the 8 July 1943 the Abteilung attacked Rylski. SS-Obersturmführer von Ribbentrop once again took part in the deliberate attack, within the framework of the Abteilung. The village are was occupied by 80 enemy tanks. He himself shot up numerous tanks and forced the remainder to flee. A large amount of these remained stuck in the swamp. Of the 30 tanks destroyed by the Abteilung by far the largest share fell to the Kompanie of SS-Obersturmführer von Ribbentrop.

On 12 July 1943, the Russians penetrated near Prochorowka with about 150 tanks of the type T-34 in the early morning, threatening the security of the positions of the Grenadiers. The combat-ready Kompanie of SS-Obersturmführer von Ribbentrop threw itself toward this enemy and became engaged in battle with the much stronger foe. The whole Abteilung fought through a hard 3-hour tank battle and the most important share of the success was on account of the decisiveness and fearlessness of SS-Obersturmführer von Ribbentrop. In this fight he destroyed 14 enemy tanks.

For repeated displays of bravery and outstanding courage by SS-Obersturmführer von Ribbentrop, I ask that he be given the Deutsches Kreuz in Gold as he is worthy of this high award."

Was recommended to receive the Deutsches Kreuz in Gold but was awarded the Ritterkreuz. The awarding date varies on different primary sources, the date of 15 July 1943 is reported on the Verleihungsvorschlag and on the Ritterkreuzträgerkarteikarte.

Ritterkreuz award ceremony for SS-Obersturmführer Rudolf von Ribbentrop (Führer 6.Kompanie / II.Abteilung / SS-Panzer-Regiment 1 / SS-Panzergrenadier-Division "Leibstandarte SS Adolf Hitler") which were held at Prochorovka on 15 July 1943, during the Battle of Kursk. Awarded the medal is SS-Oberführer Theodor Wisch (Kommandeur SS-Panzergrenadier-Division "Leibstandarte SS Adolf Hitler").

Source :
Sebastian Möller photo collection
"My Father Joachim von Ribbentrop: Hitler's Foreign Minister" by Rudolf von Ribbentrop
https://forum.axishistory.com/viewtopic.php?f=38&t=31105&hilit=rudolf+ribbentrop&start=15
https://reibert.info/threads/lejbshtandarte-ss-adolf-gitler-leibstandarte-ss-adolf-hitler.4910/page-59
https://www.tracesofwar.com/persons/13832/Ribbentrop-von-Rudolf-Waffen-SS.htm
https://zhuanlan.zhihu.com/p/104102099

Heinrich Hunger with His Crew

Leutnant Heinrich Hunger (left, Flugzeugführer in Stab Kampfgeschwader 2) posing with his crew, from left to right: Unteroffizier Grützner (Bordfunker), Oberfeldwebel Kloye (Beobachter), and Unteroffizier Berthold (Bordmechaniker/-schütze). The picture was taken after Hunger was awarded the Ritterkreuz des Eisernen Kreuzes on 5 July 1941. By then, the 22-year-old Kampfflieger (bomber pilot) from Weimar had completed 140 combat flights, including 79 against France and England in 1940/41, 29 during the Balkan campaign in April/May 1941 and 32 in the first two weeks of the war against Russia. He was one of the first bomber pilots to fly bombing mission on Moscow at the end of June 1941. After being awarded the Ritterkreuz, a vacation of several weeks followed at home. On the second day after their return, the crew was shot down by flak in their Dornier Do17Z near Novgorod (Leningrad area) on August 14, 1941. All four were able to parachute out, but over territory that was still under Russian control. When the German troops occupied Novgorod the next day, they found Hunger and his radio operator dead; no trace of the other two was found...

Source :
Ben Stovall photo collection
https://www.facebook.com/photo/?fbid=6198821043465589&set=gm.494132822226403&idorvanity=222855636020791

Hans Buchholz with His Crew

Translation of official German caption on photo reverse: "Oberleutnant der Reserve  Hans Buchholz (Flugzeugführer in 1.Staffel / I.Gruppe / Kampfgeschwader 40), holder of the Ritterkreuz des Eisernen Kreuzes. He has, with the men of his crew, sunk over 78,000 gross registered tons of enemy merchant ships. France, 4/4/41." The picture was taken in Bordeaux, France, on 4 April 1941, while Buchholz already received the Ritterkreuz from 24 March 1941. On the left is Flight Engineer Oberfeldwebel Erich Kielke, on the right is Second Radio Operator Feldwebel Meinhard Milde. In the background is their aircraft, a Focke-Wulf Fw 200C-3.

Source :
https://photoshistoriques.info/un-pilote-dun-avion-de-longue-portee-fw-200c-3-ober-lieutenant-g-buchholz-avec-les-membres-de-lequipage/
https://www.tracesofwar.com/persons/28762/Buchholz-Hans-WL-Kampfflieger.htm
https://waralbum.ru/386652/
https://www.ww2online.org/search-page?f%5B0%5D=field_tgm%3AMilitary%20air%20pilots--German--France