Hugo Sperrle during Hunting Event in the West

Generalfeldmarschall Hugo Sperrle (center, Chef Luftflotte 3) during the Luftwaffe hunting event in the Western Front, 1942-1944. The picture was taken from the photo album of a Luftwaffe soldier with the name of Franz Bausen, courtesy of Indonesian collector Joko Nugroho.



Generalfeldmarschall Hugo Sperrle (center, Chef Luftflotte 3) during the Luftwaffe hunting event in the Western Front, 1942-1944. The picture was taken from the photo album of a Luftwaffe soldier with the name of Franz Bausen, courtesy of Indonesian collector Joko Nugroho.



Generalfeldmarschall Hugo Sperrle (center, Chef Luftflotte 3) during the Luftwaffe hunting event in the Western Front, 1942-1944. The picture was taken from the photo album of a Luftwaffe soldier with the name of Franz Bausen, courtesy of Indonesian collector Joko Nugroho.

Luftwaffe hunting event in the Western Front, 1942-1944. The picture was taken from the photo album of a Luftwaffe soldier with the name of Franz Bausen, courtesy of Indonesian collector Joko Nugroho.

Man in the uniform of Reichsbund Deutsche Jägerschaft (German Hunting Society) blowing the horn during Luftwaffe hunting event in the Western Front, 1942-1944. The picture was taken from the photo album of a Luftwaffe soldier with the name of Franz Bausen, courtesy of Indonesian collector Joko Nugroho.



Luftwaffe hunting event in the Western Front, 1942-1944. The picture was taken from the photo album of a Luftwaffe soldier with the name of Franz Bausen, courtesy of Indonesian collector Joko Nugroho.



Luftwaffe hunting event in the Western Front, 1942-1944. The picture was taken from the photo album of a Luftwaffe soldier with the name of Franz Bausen, courtesy of Indonesian collector Joko Nugroho.



Luftwaffe hunting event in the Western Front, 1942-1944. The picture was taken from the photo album of a Luftwaffe soldier with the name of Franz Bausen, courtesy of Indonesian collector Joko Nugroho.



Two unknown Luftwaffe officers during the hunting event in the Western Front, 1942-1944. The picture was taken from the photo album of a Luftwaffe soldier with the name of Franz Bausen, courtesy of Indonesian collector Joko Nugroho.



Generalfeldmarschall Hugo Sperrle (right, Chef Luftflotte 3) during the Luftwaffe hunting event in the Western Front, 1942-1944. The picture was taken from the photo album of a Luftwaffe soldier with the name of Franz Bausen, courtesy of Indonesian collector Joko Nugroho.

Source :
Joko Nugroho photo collection

Erwin Rommel and Siegfried Westphal at Agedabia

General der Panzertruppe Erwin Rommel (Oberbefehlshaber Panzerarmee "Afrika") and his Operations Officer (Ia), Oberstleutnant Siegfried Westphal (foreground). The picture was taken at Agedabia in January 1942. On 21 January 1942, Rommel's Afrika Korps begins a surprise counter-offensive at El Agheila. His troops, with new reinforcements and tanks, capture Agedabia, then push the British north to Beda Fomm.

Source :
Bayerische Staatsbibliothek photo archive (Image-No.: 50073460)
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_World_War_II_(1942)

Erwin Rommel and Erwin Menny

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).

Source :
Jim Haley photo collection
https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-6821659/Deadly-Panzer-tanks-heavy-weaponry-Rommel-used-against-Allies-WWII.html

Erwin Rommel in a Map Discussion with His Two Afrikakorps Officers

Erwin Rommel conferred with his two officers in the North African desert. As usual, the Desert Fox is wearing his daughter's scarf and British captured goggle. No exact information about when or where this pic was taken.

Source :
Jim Haley photo collection

Erwin Rommel's Visit to Pavia Division

The picture was taken by Kriegsberichter Ernst Alexander Zwilling (Propaganda-Kompanie Luftwaffe 7) on 12 February 1942, and it shows Generaloberst Erwin Rommel (Oberbefehlshaber Panzerarmee "Afrika") with German and Italian officers, during his visit to the headquarters of Italian 17° Divisione Autotrasportabile "Pavia" (17th Motorised Division "Pavia") in El Agheila. In this occasion Rommel took the opportunity to talk to his Italian allies about the upcoming operational plans. This picture is also available in the book "Rommel's Italian Generals in North Africa" by Dr. Libro Di Zinno and Rudy D'Angelo, page 26. There the authors identify the individual as Generale di Brigata Michelangelo Nicolini, commander of the army artillery. He was in several pictures with Rommel. Unfortunately, Nicolini is one general the authors have noted in several other pictures as mis-identified. This greater focus on Nicolini could imply a better level of research, but that is only speculation. Most possible ID is Generale di Brigata Antonio Franceschini, commander of Pavia Division. On the photo it says Falzoni, it could have been a garbled version of Falconi and the officer Enzo Falconi. Only problem is that he was a colonel at the time and commander of the artillery regiment in the Ariete division. It is the only name and rank that comes close with the writing. For the German officers identification (apart from Rommel): fourth from right is Major Friedrich-Wilhelm von Mellenthin (Ic im Generalstab Panzerarmee "Afrika"). On his right is Oberleutnant Diekmann, Rommel's aide.

Source :
"Rommel's Italian Generals in North Africa 1941-1943" by Dr. Libro Di Zinno and Rudy D'Angelo
http://alifrafikkhan.blogspot.com/2012/03/album-foto-erwin-rommel-sebagai_1308.html
https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Bundesarchiv_Bild_183-1982-0927-503,_Bei_El_Agheila,_Rommel_bei_italienischer_Division.jpg
https://www.ebay.de/itm/165715607163?hash=item26956b7e7b:g:EcEAAOSwroZjQX9O&amdata=enc%3AAQAHAAAAkKGWZ%2FV0JYl6oJJMZZHEYs4HVsIW4FUrvDC0b1A%2Fq451cb593QTvf%2BRp6xl1luCrxyITWryw3J6r8QiaGIIb5pee4uv62X00WEvwfUIG%2BmySmXhV9oEWqLA%2Ff8%2Fh%2BdFAUgYmztz3Jp806dFikqbBiKkcnXSuAhU7sweiWDNEidOzU44PrZ5MHxmQJ7fTO7nsnA%3D%3D%7Ctkp%3ABk9SR9b7tpv7YA
https://forum.axishistory.com/viewtopic.php?p=2435229#p2435229

Erwin Rommel with 15. Panzer-Division Officers

General der Panzertruppe Erwin Rommel (Befehlshaber Panzergruppe "Afrika") with Oberst Erwin Menny (Kommandeur 15.Schützen-Brigade / 15.Panzer-Division) in North Africa. Behind Rommel with face barely visible is Generalmajor Alfred Gause (Chef des Generalstabes Panzergruppe "Afrika"). The picture was taken in the period between July 1941 (Rommel promoted from Generalleutnant to General der Panzertruppe) and January 1942 (Rommel promoted to Generaloberst).

Source :
https://www.ebay.de/b/General-in-Militaria-Fotos-1900-1918-1945/15504/bn_7004515776

Adalbert Schnee in Conversation

Kapitänleutnant Adalbert Schnee (bearded officer 5th from left, Kommandant U-201) in conversation with other Kriegsmarine officers. Schnee was awarded the Ritterkreuz after three patrols in U-201, then on the seventh he sank ships totalling 41,036 tons, which earned him the Eichenlaub to his Ritterkreuz. The picture was taken by Kriegsberichter Paul Hasert in Brest, France, circa 1942.

 

Source :
Bundesarchiv Bild 101II-MW-6059-23
https://uboat.net/men/schnee.htm

Rommel Awarded the German Medal for His Italian Allies

On 9 February 1942, Generaloberst Erwin Rommel (left, Oberbefehlshaber Panzerarmee "Afrika") awarded the Eisernes Kreuz I. Klasse to two of his allied Italian generals, Generale di Corpo d'Armata Gastone Gambara (center, Italian XIX Corps Commander) and Generale d'Armata Ettore Bastico (right, Commander-in-Chief of the Italian Army in North Africa). Latter, Bastico would also receive a higher-ranking German medal - Deutsches Kreuz in Gold - on 5 December 1942. Behind Rommel is stood Generale di Brigata Giorgio Calvi di Bergolo (Chief of Staff of the Italian liaison officer with Panzerarmee "Afrika"). Photo by Kriegsberichter Ernst Alexander Zwilling.

Source :
https://audiovis.nac.gov.pl/obraz/1226/12b23fe47a8541af41ec3c8e9adc4e97/

Erwin Rommel Checking His Damaged Car

General der Panzertruppe Erwin Rommel (Befehlshaber Panzergruppe "Afrika") paying serious attention as his men examined the damage to his car's engines and windshields, shortly after a British fighter plane attacked the vehicle convoy carrying the German commander in North Africa. Rommel is wearing a scarf made by his beloved daughter, which he always wore at every opportunity. The bearded guy in the center is Sonderführer Fritz Moosmüller from PK (Propaganda-Kompanie) "Afrika", a war correspondent and translator who was always seen accompanying Rommel wherever he goes. Moosmüller himself was injured in the hand, and is awaiting first aid for his wound. In addition, the officer at left is Major im Generalstab Friedrich-Wilhelm von Mellenthin (Ic Dritter Generalstabsoffizier Panzergruppe "Afrika"), a highly capable staff officer who after the war made a book about his experiences. This photo itself was taken during Operation Crusader (18 November - 30 December 1941), a military operation launched by the British Eighth Army against the combined German and Italian forces in the Western Desert of Egypt and Libya.

Source :
https://www.alexautographs.com/auction-lot/rommel-press-photograph_389436F835

Reinhard Suhren with His Lucky Charm

 

An interesting photo showing Kapitänleutnant Reinhard "Teddy" Suhren (Kommandant U-564) with a beards on his face. This photo was taken on 6 June 1942, when Suhren and U-564 had just returned from a successful patrol mission in the coastal waters of the United States. In his neck was a red scarf that had been embroidered by his beloved mother. Suhren considered it a lucky charm, and almost never let it go when he was on patrol in the ocean!

Source :
"U-Boat War Patrol: The Hidden Photographic Diary Of U-564" by Lawrence Paterson

Pilots of JG 53 Posing ala Cowboy

 

This photograph of 2. Staffel pilots from Jagdgeschwader 53 (JG 53) "Pik-As" was taken in the autumn of 1939. They are, from left to right, Unteroffizier Hans Kornatz (rear – 36 victories, survived), Leutnant Rudolf Schmid (two victories, killed on 15 September 1940), Leutnant Wilhelm Heidemeier (two victories, killed on 11 July 1941), Unteroffizier Franz Kaiser (nine victories, PoW from 21 April 1942), Stabsfeldwebel Ignaz Prestele (20 victories, killed on 4 May 1942), Oberleutnant Rolf Pingel (28 victories, PoW from 10 July 1941), Feldwebel Franz Gawlik (five victories, survived), Unteroffizier Josef Wurmheller (102 victories, killed on 22 June 1944), unknown, Leutnant Walter Rupp (two victories, PoW from 17 October 1940), and Leutnant Walter Radlick (four victories, killed on 2 October 1940). Two of them would become a Ritterkreuzträger: Rolf Pingel and Josef Wurmheller.

Source :
"Jagdgeschwader 53 'Pik'As' Bf 109 Aces of 1940" by Chris Goss and Chris Davey

Erwin Rommel Wearing his Daughter's Scarf

General der Panzertruppe Erwin Rommel (Befehlshaber Panzergruppe "Afrika") posing while his command car is stuck to its axles in the Libyan mud. He is wearing the scarf made by his daughter. The picture was taken between July 1941 - January 1942.

Source :
ECPAD Archive (courtesy of Blanluet Christophe)
https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10158282744703308&set=p.10158282744703308&type=1&theater

Bio of Bomber Ace Werner Baumbach

Werner Baumbach (27 December 1916 – 20 October 1953) was a German bomber pilot during World War II. He commanded the secret bomber wing Kampfgeschwader 200 (KG 200) of the Luftwaffe, the air force of Nazi Germany. Baumbach received the Ritterkreuz des Eisernen Kreuzes mit Eichenlaub und Schwertern for the destruction of over 300,000 gross register tons (GRT) of Allied shipping.
Contents

Baumbach entered the Luftwaffe in 1936 and, after initial training at the 2nd Air Warfare School (RAF Gatow|), was trained as a bomber pilot. He was one of the first pilots to fly the Junkers Ju 88 bomber and flew various bombing missions with Kampfgeschwader 30 (KG 30). On 19 April 1940, he bombed and damaged the French cruiser Émile Bertin for which he was awarded the Ritterkreuz.

In 1942, Baumbach was removed from active pilot duty and started working on new bomber designs; among others, he helped design the composite bomber system, Mistel. In 1944, he was placed in command of the newly formed Kampfgeschwader 200 (KG 200) and was in charge of all Luftwaffe special missions. Baumbach was promoted to Oberstleutnant on 15 November 1944 and was the acting General der Kampfflieger for two months.

After the war, Baumbach spent three years as a prisoner of war before he moved to Argentina where he worked as a test pilot. He died in a plane crash on 20 October 1953 near Berazategui, while evaluating a British Lancaster bomber for the Argentine Air Force. He was interred in his hometown, Cloppenburg, Lower Saxony.

Awards:

Front Flying Clasp of the Luftwaffe for Bomber Pilots in Gold with Pennant "200" in Silver (22 March 1941) & in Gold (1942)
Pilot/Observer Badge in Gold with Diamonds (14 July 1941)

Iron Cross (1939) 2nd Class (28 September 1939) & 1st Class (4 May 1940)
Knight's Cross on 8 May 1940 as Leutnant and pilot in the 5./KG 30

Oak Leaves on 14 July 1941 as Oberleutnant and Staffelkapitän of the 1./KG 30

Swords on 17 August 1942 as Hauptmann and Gruppenkommandeur of the I./KG 30

Source :
Jim Haley photo collection
https://www.facebook.com/groups/152986901863424/