Original Color Photographs of Hermann Breith by Walter Frentz

General der Panzertruppe Hermann Breith (Kommandierender General III. Panzerkorps) in a picture taken on 27 April 1944 by Walter Frentz, during Schwerter award ceremony with Hitler at the Berghof in Obersalzberg, Bavaria. Breith formally received the Schwerter to the Ritterkreuz des Eisernen Kreuzes with Eichenlaub on 21 February 1944 for his outstanding leadership during the relief operation and breakout from the Cherkassy Pocket in early 1944 on the Eastern Front. In January 1944, Soviet forces had encircled approximately 60,000 German troops of Gruppe Stemmermann in the Korsun-Cherkassy area, and Breith's corps, comprising several Heer divisions and one Waffen-SS division, was tasked with the critical relief effort under extremely difficult winter conditions and against fierce Soviet resistance. Demonstrating exceptional bravery and skillful command, Breith personally intervened at the hotspots of the fighting from the foremost lines, repeatedly breaking through one enemy position after another while drawing the bulk of Soviet forces toward his advancing Korps, thereby forcing open a corridor that enabled the encircled Kampfgruppe Stemmermann to execute a successful breakout westward despite heavy losses and adverse terrain. His corps' determined advance to a point just west of the pocket not only prevented the total annihilation of the trapped units but also inflicted significant damage on the opposing Red Army formations, showcasing Breith's tactical acumen in coordinating armored assaults, infantry support, and artillery under relentless pressure, actions that were pivotal in salvaging a desperate situation for Heeresgruppe Süd and earning him the 48th award of the Swords.

Source :
https://forum.axishistory.com/viewtopic.php?p=2156427&hilit=hermann+breith#p2156427
https://www.tracesofwar.com/persons/28682/Breith-Hermann.htm
https://www.walter-frentz-collection.de/fotoarchiv/personenarchiv-a-z/personen-a-b/#&gid=1&pid=69

Original Color Photographs of Fedor von Bock by Walter Frentz

Generalfeldmarschall Fedor von Bock (Oberbefehlshaber Heeresgruppe Süd) in a picture taken in 1942 by Walter Frentz, during a meeting with Hitler. Von Bock served as commander in chief of Heeresgruppe Süd from 20 January 1942, succeeding Generalfeldmarschall Walter von Reichenau who had died of a stroke, and immediately faced the challenge of stabilizing the southern sector of the Eastern Front after the Red Army's winter counteroffensive had pushed German forces back from their advanced positions. A highly experienced Prussian staff officer and field commander known for his methodical approach and loyalty to traditional military principles, Bock took charge of a massive formation encompassing the 2. Armee under Maximilian von Weichs, the 6. Armee under Friedrich Paulus, the 17. Armee, the 1. Panzerarmee, and various allied contingents from Romania, Hungary, and Italy. In May 1942 he masterminded the successful German response to the Soviet Kharkov offensive, launching a devastating counterstroke that encircled and largely destroyed the Soviet South-Western Front, inflicting around 280,000 casualties and capturing enormous quantities of tanks, artillery, and supplies, thereby restoring the initiative to the Wehrmacht in the south and severely weakening Soviet armored capabilities ahead of the summer campaign. On 28 June 1942 Bock directed the launch of Operation Blue, the major German summer offensive, with his armies striking from the Kharkov and Kursk areas, rapidly advancing toward Voronezh and the Don River through coordinated panzer thrusts by Hoth's 4. Panzerarmee and Paulus's 6. Armee, achieving deep penetrations that split Soviet defenses and opened pathways toward the Volga and Caucasus. Despite these early gains Bock clashed repeatedly with Adolf Hitler over operational priorities, urging the destruction of remaining Soviet forces around Voronezh to secure flanks before committing to further eastward drives, warnings that highlighted his cautious professionalism against Hitler's more ambitious and risk-tolerant directives. These disagreements culminated on 7 July when Hitler split Heeresgruppe Süd into separate Army Groups A and B, and on 17 July relieved Bock of command, placing him in the Führerreserve for the remainder of the war and effectively ending his active military career despite the significant momentum his leadership had restored to German operations in the east that year.

Source :
https://www.tracesofwar.com/persons/193/Bock-von-Moritz-Albrecht-Friedrich-Franz-Fedor.htm
https://www.walter-frentz-collection.de/fotoarchiv/personenarchiv-a-z/personen-a-b/

Original Color Photographs of Günther Blumentritt by Walter Frentz

General der Infanterie Günther Blumentritt (Chef des Generalstabes Heeresgruppe D) in a picture taken in September 1944 by Walter Frentz, during Ritterkreuz award ceremony with Hitler at the Führerhauptquartier Wolfsschanze in Rastenburg, East Prussia. General der Infanterie Günther Blumentritt formally received the Ritterkreuz des Eisernen Kreuzes on 13 September 1944 as Chef des Generalstabes of Heeresgruppe D / Oberbefehlshaber West for his exceptional staff leadership and operational planning during the critical first four months of the Allied invasion of Normandy in 1944. Serving under successive commanders including Generalfeldmarschall Gerd von Rundstedt and later Generalfeldmarschall Günther von Kluge amid the chaotic defense against the massive Allied landings on 6 June 1944, Blumentritt demonstrated outstanding initiative by coordinating the rapid redeployment of German reserves, organizing counterattacks such as those around Caen and in the bocage country, and maintaining operational coherence despite severe disruptions from Allied air superiority, naval gunfire, and the disintegration of the front following the American breakout at Operation Cobra and the subsequent encirclement threat in the Falaise Pocket. Frequently acting in the absence of his superiors or under extremely difficult command circumstances, exacerbated by Hitler's rigid no-retreat orders, communication breakdowns, and the July 20 Plot fallout that temporarily sidelined him, Blumentritt orchestrated the skillful withdrawal and reorganization of battered divisions from the Normandy battlefield toward the Seine and ultimately the German frontier, preventing total collapse of the Western Front and buying precious time for the establishment of new defensive lines. His meticulous planning, calm diplomacy in inter-service coordination with the Luftwaffe and Waffen-SS, and ability to adapt to rapidly deteriorating situations under relentless pressure were explicitly cited as the reasons for the high award, recognizing a career staff officer who, though more accustomed to headquarters roles, proved decisive in one of the Wehrmacht's most desperate defensive campaigns of the war.

Source :
https://forum.axishistory.com/viewtopic.php?p=1574014&hilit=blumentritt#p1574014
https://www.tracesofwar.com/persons/2314/Blumentritt-G%C3%BCnther-General-der-Infanterie.htm
https://www.walter-frentz-collection.de/fotoarchiv/personenarchiv-a-z/personen-a-b/#&gid=1&pid=41

Joachim Lemelsen, Smilo von Lüttwitz and Traugott Herr

From left to right: General der Panzertruppe Joachim Lemelsen (Oberbefehlshaber 10. Armee), Generalleutnant Smilo Freiherr von Lüttwitz (Kommandeur 26. Panzer-Division), and General der Panzertruppe Traugott Herr (Kommandierender General LXXVI. Panzerkorps). There is no information about when or where this picture was taken, but possibly in the Italian Front, December 1943.

Source :
https://www.ratisbons.com/de/shop/militaria-ab-1918/fotos-fotoalben?page=3

Karl Schlamelcher and Wilhelm Kempke

This photo measures 181 x 129mm and shows Wehrmacht members applauding as Adolf Hitler delivers a speech at the inauguration of the Kriegswinterhilfswerk 1942/43 (War Winter Relief 1942/43), 30 September 1942. All representatives from the Wehrmacht branches were present, including some of its Ritterkreuz recipients who happened to be on leave from the front lines. In this photo, we can at least see two of them: On the left is SS-Sturmbannführer Karl Schlamelcher (Ritterkreuz on 1 March 1942 as SS-Sturmbannführer and Führer of III.Abteilung / SS-Artillerie-Regiment 5 / SS-Division [motorized] "Wiking"), and in the middle is Feldwebel Wilhelm Kempke (Ritterkreuz on 21 August 1941 as Feldwebel and Gruppenführer in 1.Kompanie / I.Bataillon / Fallschirmjäger-Sturm-Regiment / 7.Flieger-Division).

Source :
https://alifrafikkhan.blogspot.com/2017/11/winterhilfswerk.html
https://forum.axishistory.com/viewtopic.php?f=5&t=29879&p=2427295&hilit=kempke#p2427295

Hermann-Bernhard Ramcke and Hans Kroh in North Africa

Generalmajor Hermann-Bernhard Ramcke (left, Kommandeur Fallschirmjäger-Brigade "Ramcke") and Major Hans Kroh (Kommandeur Kampfgruppe "Kroh" / Fallschirmjäger-Brigade "Ramcke") sitting at a table in a tent (table set with a pitcher and cookies) in North Africa, 1942. The picture was taken by Kriegsberichter Schnitzer of PK (Propaganda-Kompanie) XI. Fliegerkorps.

Source :
https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Bundesarchiv_Bild_101I-545-0613-12A,_Bernhard-Hermann_Ramcke,_Hans_Kroh.jpg

Picture of Hans Neumeier

 

I received this email from otohafanderclub@gmail.com :

My grandparents were friends with / knew this guy while the Germans were in Kharkov. I've been trying to figure out his identity and I have a belief that it is Hans Neumeier in April 1942, just before the Second Battle of Kharkov. I dunno anything about panzer uniforms, but I saw online that Neumeier got the Ritterkreuz in the 16. Panzer-Division who were stationed in kharkov at the time, any chance you can shed some light into this?

Erwin Rommel Recounts the North African Campaign

Generalfeldmarschall Erwin Rommel is perhaps the most famous German General of World War II.  Known for his bold, aggressive leadership, he is best known for commanding German troops in North Africa and advancing as far as El-Alamein, which made him famous in Germany, but also among his enemy, and he was given the nickname “Desert Fox”.

As he was popular and well-known both within Germany and among neutral and enemy countries, he was often featured in Nazi propaganda, such as newsreels and newspaper articles.

The following footage is from an interview that was filmed in October 1942, during a vacation of him in Germany, in which Rommel recounts the course of the operations in North Africa from April 1941 to September 1942, including famous battles, such as the Siege of Tobruk or the attack at El-Alamein.

During the interview, Rommel often overstates losses to the enemy and talks down Axis losses, for propaganda reasons.

Rommel is wearing his full uniform in this interview. Contrary to standard norms, he is not wearing a high-pinned collar, but a more modern, suit-like collar, which became more common among German officers and generals as the war progressed. He is wearing a Field Marshal Uniform, having been promoted to that rank in late June 1942. His medals include his Ritterkreuz des Eisernen Kreuzes mit Schwertern (Knights Cross with Swords), which he received in late January 1942, his World War I era Pour le Merite, which he received in December 1917. On his right chest pocket, he wears the Knight Grand Cross of the Italian Military Order of Savoy, which he was awarded in August 1942.

Source :
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W7kA9PA_ouE

Heinz Guderian as Chief of Fast Troops

General der Panzertruppe Heinz Guderian as Chef der schnellen Truppen in a picture taken on 29 November 1938. Guderian was promoted from Generalleutnant to General der Panzertruppe on 23 November 1938, and one day later he was assigned as Chief of Army Fast Troops. His previous role was Kommandierender General  of XVI. Armeekorps (motorisiert).

Source :
https://www.bridgemanimages.com/en/noartistknown/general-heinz-guderian-1938-b-w-photo/black-and-white-photograph/asset/3005043

Studio Color Pictures of Heinz Guderian

Studio portrait of Generaloberst Heinz Guderian which was taken in 1943, not long after Hitler appointed him as Generalinspekteur der Panzertruppen (General-Inspection of Panzer Troops). The photographer is Walter Frentz. In February of 1943 - after Stalingrad - he was recalled as Generalinspekteur der Panzertruppen, responsible for modernizing of the German armored troops. He quickly formed a good relationship with Albert Speer, the Minister for Armament and Ammunition and both were able to dramatically increase the rate of Panzers build per month, also many corrections to the Panzers were made by Guderian in person, who traveled relentlessly around factories and shooting ranges.

Studio portrait of Generaloberst Heinz Guderian which was taken in 1943, not long after Hitler appointed him as Generalinspekteur der Panzertruppen (General-Inspection of Panzer Troops). The photographer is Walter Frentz. In February of 1943 - after Stalingrad - he was recalled as Generalinspekteur der Panzertruppen, responsible for modernizing of the German armored troops. He quickly formed a good relationship with Albert Speer, the Minister for Armament and Ammunition and both were able to dramatically increase the rate of Panzers build per month, also many corrections to the Panzers were made by Guderian in person, who traveled relentlessly around factories and shooting ranges.

Studio portrait of Generaloberst Heinz Guderian which was taken in 1943, not long after Hitler appointed him as Generalinspekteur der Panzertruppen (General-Inspection of Panzer Troops). The photographer is Walter Frentz. In February of 1943 - after Stalingrad - he was recalled as Generalinspekteur der Panzertruppen, responsible for modernizing of the German armored troops. He quickly formed a good relationship with Albert Speer, the Minister for Armament and Ammunition and both were able to dramatically increase the rate of Panzers build per month, also many corrections to the Panzers were made by Guderian in person, who traveled relentlessly around factories and shooting ranges.

Source :
http://www.achtungpanzer.com/gen2.htm
https://www.walter-frentz-collection.de/fotoarchiv/personenarchiv-a-z/personen-g-h/

Herbert Otto Gille with the Brillanten

A picture of Herbert Otto Gille as SS-Gruppenführer und Generalleutnant der Waffen-SS with the Brillanten medal, belong to author Mark C. Yerger. Signed in the late 1950s at his book shop, was Herbert Gille's favorite image of himself. Those who came to the shop got such larger size examples (to big for a standard letter envelope) with the same in a smaller size going to those who wrote him. Signed with his preferred color fountain pen. Brillanten zum Ritterkreuz des Eisernen Kreuzes and Deutsches Kreuz in Gold, he is the most combat decorated Waffen-SS officer, along with Sepp Dietrich.

Source :
https://www.wehrmacht-awards.com/forums/forum/wehrmacht-era-militaria/photos-and-paper-items-forum/152358-general-photos/page100#post5955052

Felix Steiner and Wiking Officers in 1942

SS-Gruppenführer und Generalleutnant der Waffen-SS Felix Steiner (center) together with his subordinates from the SS-Division "Wiking" (motorisiert). The officer to the right of Steiner, wearing glasses, are SS-Oberführer Herbert-Otto Gille (Kommandeur SS-Artillerie Regiment 5 "Wiking"). Between Steiner and Gille is probably SS-Obersturmbannführer Paul Geisler (Kommandeur SS-Infanterie-Regiment "Westland"), while the one standing to the far right behind behind Gille is probably SS-Standartenführer Dr.-med. Gerd Unbehaun (Divisionsarzt SS-Division "Wiking"). This photo itself was most likely taken in the spring of 1942.

Source :
http://alifrafikkhan.blogspot.com/2014/03/album-foto-herbert-otto-gille.html

Herbert Otto Gille Wearing a Rare Double Runes Collar

SS-Oberführer Herbert Otto Gille (Kommandeur SS-Artillerie Regiment 5 / SS-Division "Wiking") wearing a rare double-runes collar tabs. During a short period of time, the SS used double pair of runes on their collar tabs as they thought that the shoulder boards would be enough to distinguish a member's rank. For a period of time from October 1939 until May 1940 when collar rank insignia insignia were reintroduced for wear, dual insignia were authorized. After May 1940 use of dual insignia was forbidden, but some continued the practice. Newly formed elements of the SS-VT (SS-Verfügungstruppe) were authorized to wear runic insignia on both collars by officers only, while shoulder boards distinguished rank. Both mirrored runes and SS SS were used. This picture itself was taken between October-December 1942.

SS-Oberführer Herbert Otto Gille (Kommandeur SS-Artillerie Regiment 5 / SS-Division "Wiking") wearing a rare double-runes collar tabs. During a short period of time, the SS used double pair of runes on their collar tabs as they thought that the shoulder boards would be enough to distinguish a member's rank. For a period of time from October 1939 until May 1940 when collar rank insignia insignia were reintroduced for wear, dual insignia were authorized. After May 1940 use of dual insignia was forbidden, but some continued the practice. Newly formed elements of the SS-VT (SS-Verfügungstruppe) were authorized to wear runic insignia on both collars by officers only, while shoulder boards distinguished rank. Both mirrored runes and SS SS were used. This picture itself was taken between October-December 1942.

Source :
http://alifrafikkhan.blogspot.com/2014/03/album-foto-herbert-otto-gille.html
https://www.warrelics.eu/forum/ss-uniforms-insignia/question-about-double-runes-collar-tabs-555751/

Brillanten Award Ceremony for Herbert Otto Gille

Brillanten award ceremony for SS-Gruppenführer und Generalleutnant der Waffen-SS Herbert Otto Gille (Kommandeur 5. SS-Panzer-Division "Wiking"). Gille formally received the Ritterkreuz des Eisernen Kreuzes mit Eichenlaub, Schwerter und Brillanten #12 on 19 April 1944, while the ceremony with Hitler itself was held in the Führerhauptquartier Wolfsschanze, Rastenburg, on 29 April 1944. Gille’s Brillanten recommendation reads as follows: "The weeks-long, heroic defense of the totally encircled Fortress Kovel despite the greatest of supply difficulties and significant losses against a much superior enemy is solely attributable to the determined leadership and great personal bravery of the General [Gille]. This recommendation is being sent as a radio message due to the situation at the front. A written submission will follow.” The Vorschlag dated 9 April 1944 and signed by Korpskommandeur General der Infanterie Friedrich Hossbach; Countersigned by Armee Oberbefehlshaber Generaloberst Walter Weiβ, Heeresgruppe Oberbefehlshaber Generalfeldmarschall Ernst Busch, and on 19 April 1944 by by Reichsführer-SS Heinrich Himmler.

Source :
"Die SS-Panzer-Division Wiking" by Jean Mabire
https://forum.axishistory.com/search.php?keywords=gille&t=46430&sf=msgonly
https://www.tracesofwar.com/persons/223/Gille-Herbert-Otto-Papa.htm

Dietrich von Saucken and Herbert Otto Gille

Generalleutnant Dietrich von Saucken (center, Kommandierender General XXXIX. Panzerkorps), confers with SS-Gruppenführer und Generalleutnant der Waffen-SS Herbert Otto Gille (left, Kommandierender General IV. SS-Panzerkorps) and his chief of staff, SS-Obersturmbannführer Manfred Schönfelder (right) during the opening stages of the tank battle at Praga, 31 July 1944. The picture is Courtesy of Günther Lange Archive and was taken from the book "From the Realm of a Dying Sun (Volume 1): IV. SS-Panzerkorps and the Battles for Warsaw, July-November 1944" by Douglas E. Nash.

Source :
"From the Realm of a Dying Sun (Volume 1): IV. SS-Panzerkorps and the Battles for Warsaw, July-November 1944" by Douglas E. Nash.

Herbert Otto Gille with the Schwerter

SS-Gruppenführer und Generalleutnant der Waffen-SS Herbert Otto Gille (Kommandeur 5. SS-Panzer-Division "Wiking") was awarded the Schwerter to his Ritterkreuz des Eisernen Kreuzes on 20 February 1944 for his division’s role in the Cherkassy break-out. He poses with them here. Two months later, on April 19, Gille won the highly prestigious Brillanten after flying into surrounded Kovel and organizing its successful defense. This picture was taken from the book "Knight's Cross Winners of the Waffen SS' by Marc Rikmenspoel.

 
Source :
"Knight's Cross Winners of the Waffen SS' by Marc Rikmenspoel

Regimentskommandeur Herbert Otto Gille in 1942

SS-Oberführer Herbert Otto Gille (Kommandeur SS-Artillerie-Regiment / SS-Division "Wiking") in 1942. Regiment formed at Truppenübungsplatz Amersfoort in the Netherlands in 1940. While in this command, Gille proved to be an apolitical soldier who led from the front. One revealing instance of this is recounted by Heinz Höhne: "[Like Felix Steiner], Standartenführer Gille, Steiner's Artillery Commander, was also in the Reichsführer's bad books. Gille was an entirely non-political officer who would have nothing to do with ideology. To Obersturmbannführer [Ernst] Fick, the divisional ideological observer, he growled: `Wearing of the brown shirt is not permitted in this aristocratic artillery regiment. I'll put a clean-out squad into your room." (Höhne, The Order of the Death's Head, p. 544, citing letter from Fick to Karl Wolff, 27.01.1942, RFSS Microfilm 38) Although Fick reported this "disrespect" to the chief of Himmler's personal staff, Karl Wolff, Steiner ensured that there were no reprisals against Gille for his political unorthodoxy and evident dislike of Fick, a belief that Steiner apparently shared." (Douglas E. Nash, From the Realm of a Dying Sun, Volume 1)

Source :
https://www.alamy.com/stock-photo-ss-group-leader-herbert-gille-1942-37015468.html
https://www.bridgemanimages.com/en/noartistknown/ss-group-leader-herbert-gille-1942-b-w-photo/black-and-white-photograph/asset/3002427
https://x.com/AxisBiographic1/status/1711008183907725808/photo/4

Herbert Otto Gille in Early 1944

SS-Gruppenführer und Generalleutnant der Waffen-SS Herbert Otto Gille (Kommandeur 5. SS-Panzer-Division "Wiking") in a picture taken in early 1944. Some source (like this one) claims that this picture was taken on 21 February 1942, which is not possible because since 20 February 1944 Gille was already received the Schwerter for his Ritterkreuz, while in this picture he is still wearing the Eichenlaub.

Source :
Bayerische Staatsbibliothek (Image-No.: 50090374)
https://www.bridgemanimages.com/en/noartistknown/ss-group-leader-herbert-gille-1944-b-w-photo/black-and-white-photograph/asset/3002425
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/404533808263
https://www.topfoto.co.uk/asset/4405450/

Herbert Otto Gille in His Workdesk

SS-Gruppenführer and Generalleutnant der Waffen-SS Herbert Otto Gille (Kommandeur 5. SS-Panzer-Division "Wiking") photographed by Kriegsberichter Etzhold (Propaganda-Kompanie 670) in his office in the Eastern Front, 21 March 1944. In his neck is the Schwerter zum Ritterkreuz des Eisernen Kreuzes mit Eichenlaub which he received on 20 February 1944, while in his uniform is Deutsches Kreuz in Gold which he received on 28 February 1942.

Source :
https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Bundesarchiv_Bild_101I-090-3916-14,_Russland,_Herbert_Gille.jpg

Hermann Priess, Herbert Gille, Walter Krüger and Sepp Dietrich

Commanders of the first four Waffen-SS division engaged in conversation during the lull of the fighring in the Eastern Front. From left to right: SS-Oberführer Hermann Priess (Kommandeur SS-Panzergrenadier-Division "Totenkopf"), SS-Brigadeführer und Generalmajor der Waffen-SS Herbert Otto Gille (Kommandeur SS-Panzergrenadier-Division "Wiking"), SS-Gruppenführer und Generalleutnant der Waffen-SS Walter Krüger (Kommandeur SS-Panzergrenadier-Division "Das Reich"), and SS-Obergruppenführer und General der Waffen-SS Josef "Sepp" Dietrich (Kommandeur SS-Panzergrenadier-Division "Leibstandarte SS Adolf Hitler'). The picture was taken by SS-Kriegsberichter Weill on 7 June 1943.

Source :
https://od43.com/product/original-photo-album-page-signed-by-four-ss-generals/