Ritterkreuzträger in Cloth Version Awards

 DEUTSCHES KREUZ IN GOLD

The Deutsches Kreuz in Gold (German Cross in Gold) Cloth Version was a practical and highly regarded combat variant of Nazi Germany's prestigious military decoration, instituted by Adolf Hitler on September 28, 1941. Designed as a large eight-pointed star with a swastika center encircled by a laurel wreath, the award recognized exceptional bravery and leadership in combat for recipients who already held the Iron Cross 1st Class but had not yet earned the Knight's Cross. While the standard metal version was bulky and prone to damage or snagging during intense fighting, the official cloth version (Stoffausführung) featured a metal wreath and embroidered or woven details mounted on a fabric backing that matched the wearer's uniform branch—field-grey for the Heer and Waffen-SS, blue-grey for the Luftwaffe, dark blue for the Kriegsmarine, and black for Panzer units. This lightweight, sew-on design allowed soldiers to display their hard-earned honor continuously on field uniforms without risking the loss or destruction of the heavier metal badge, making it a valued alternative for frontline troops throughout the remainder of World War II. Today, original cloth examples are prized collector items due to their relative rarity and direct connection to combat wear.

Oberstleutnant Franz Pöschl (1917-2011), a highly decorated officer in the Wehrmacht during the Second World War, earned his Ritterkreuz des Eisernen Kreuzes through exceptional leadership and bravery while serving with Gebirgsjäger-Regiment 100 of the 5. Gebirgs-Division. Born in Munich in 1917, Pöschl had already distinguished himself in earlier campaigns, including the invasions of Poland, Greece, and Crete, as well as intense fighting on the Eastern Front where he received the Deutsches Kreuz in Gold. His defining moment came during the Battle of Monte Cassino in January 1944, when, as Hauptmann and commander of I. Bataillon/Gebirgsjäger-Regiment 100, he personally led multiple counterattacks under heavy fire to repel assaults by Allied forces, including the French Expeditionary Corps, holding critical positions such as Monte Cifalco and preventing the outflanking of German lines despite sustaining serious wounds. For this extraordinary valor and decisive action that helped stabilize the Gustav Line defenses, he was awarded the Ritterkreuz des Eisernen Kreuzes on 23 February 1944. Later commanding Gebirgsjäger-Regiment 143 in the Lapland War, Pöschl rose to the rank of Oberstleutnant before the war's end, his Ritterkreuz standing as a testament to his frontline heroism amid some of the conflict's most grueling mountain and defensive battles.

Source :
https://forum.axishistory.com/viewtopic.php?t=20911

Wolfgang Pickert and Alfred Bülowius

Normandy, France, 23 June 1944. Generalleutnant Wolfgang Pickert (Kommandierender General III. Flakkorps) enjoying his cigarette while holding the clipboard and chatting with Generalleutnant Alfred Bülowius (Kommandierender General II. Fliegerkorps). The picture was taken by Kriegsberichter Siedel from PK (Propaganda-Kompanie) Luftflotte 3.

Generalleutnant Wolfgang Pickert (Kommandierender General III. Flakkorps) at a briefing on the Normandy invasion front, which focused on the cooperation of the Luftwaffe with army units in the energetic counterattacks in the area east of Caen. The picture was taken by Kriegsberichter Siedel from PK (Propaganda-Kompanie) Luftflotte 3 on 23 June 1944. Even though Pickert already received the announcement for the bestowal of the Eichenlaub zum Ritterkreuz des Eisernen Kreuzes since 5 June 1944, but the award ceremony itself - with Hitler at the Führerhauptquartier Wolfsschanze - would only held on 24 June 1944, one day after this picture was taken. That's why we see that Pickert still not wear the Eichenlaub in this picture. Please also note that he stitched the cloth version of his medals (Deutsches Kreuz in Gold and Flugzeugführerabzeichen) to his uniform!

Source :
Bundesarchiv Bild 101I-493-3358-12
https://6-juin-1944.1fr1.net/t1270-canon-de-2-cm-flack
http://alifrafikkhan.blogspot.com/2011/12/album-foto-tokoh-third-reich-yang.html
https://audiovis.nac.gov.pl/obraz/698/
https://www.gehm.es/segunda-guerra-mundial/unidades-particulares-el-iii-flak-korps-iii-artilleria-antiaerea-y-de-campana/
https://waralbum.ru/387411/

Karl Frewer Misidentified as Theodor Tolsdorff

In many sites and publications (for example, HERE), this man is said as Theodor Tolsdorff (3 November 1909 - 25 May 1978), a recipient of Brillanten zum Ritterkreuz des Eisernen Kreuzes with the last rank of Generalleutnant. In reality, he is actually Ritterkreuzträger Karl Frewer (21 July 1908 - 6 March 1945) who received the Ritterkreuz on 12 November 1943 as Major and Kommandeur I.Bataillon / Grenadier-Regiment 167 / 86.Infanterie-Division. The most obvious difference is that Frewer was alo a recipient of Nahkampfspange (visible in this picture), while Tolsdorff was never awarded the same medal.

Source :
http://alifrafikkhan.blogspot.com/2011/09/kumpulan-identifikasi-salah-yang.html

Ritterkreuz Actions of Franz Hack

Franz Hack (3 February 1915 - 9 June 1997) received the Ritterkreuz des Eisernen Kreuzes on 14 May 1944 as SS-Sturmbannführer and Kommandeur III.Bataillon (gepanzerte) / SS-Panzergrenadier-Regiment 9 "Germania" / 5.SS-Panzer-Division "Wiking". Hack’s Ritterkreuz recommendation reads as follows:
“During the night attack on 17 April 1944 against Hill 189.5 and the high ground south of it (1.5 km southwest of Kovel) SS-Sturmbannführer Hack, commander of the III./SS-Pz.Gren.Rgt. Germania, particularly distinguished himself through his outstanding bravery before the enemy.
The enemy was entirely aware of the importance of Hill 189.5, from which it was possible to have a commanding view of Fortress Kovel, the only supply road that led to the city as well as the entire area to the north and northwest of the place. With this in mind they had heavily fortified the hill, and its defenders would fight bitterly for it.
The capture of this commanding enemy position was very much necessary in order to fully bring about the relief of Fortress Kovel. Due to the strong enemy defenses both here and on the eastern and western flanks, the only way this could be achieved was by a night attack.
After assembling at Gleisdreieck (west of Kovel), Bataillon Hack received the order to thrust southwards along the Kovel—Wlodzimicrz railway line in a night attack. The enemy strongpoints along both sides of the railroad would be seized via surprise attack, and thereafter the enemy position on Hill 189.5 would be attacked, captured and held.
The surprise attack against the first strongpoint at the railway bridge, conducted by 2 assault groups, became pinned down in the Soviet barbed wire obstacles. Fire support by heavy weapons was no longer possible as both our troops and the enemies’ were now too close together. Knowing that everything depended on the success of this first phase of the attack, Hack rushed to the forefront of both assault groups. He bombarded enemy resistance nests that had been cleverly positioned between the bridge abutments with 5 Panzerfausts. Then, after a hand grenade salvo, he was the first to penetrate into the enemy strongpoint with one of the two assault group leaders.
Through this exemplary and ruthless commitment to the battle, Hack brought the two assault groups forward and cleared out the enemy positions while personally participating in the fighting with his own machine-pistol and hand grenades.
Here he was wounded by hand grenade splinters in the face and right hand. However Hack continued the attack undaunted by his wounds, capturing the second strongpoint during the breakthrough. After a swift assembly of the Bataillon’s follow-up units he began the assault against Hill 189.5, where the Soviets were prepared to defend with grim determination.
However the enemy couldn’t resist the attacking spirit of the Bataillon, with the commander himself fighting in the forward line. After a short, hard close-quarter battle the enemy was thrown out of his positions at Hill 189.5 and forced to retreat to the south. In order to facilitate the continuation of the friendly attack, Hack initiated a swift pursuit thrust further south along the railway line on his own initiative, wresting control of one Soviet strongpoint after another. By first light the Bataillon had captured and occupied the enemy positions at the overpass 400 metres to the southwest of Hill 188. An enemy counterthrust launched shortly afterwards from the southwest was defeated, and over the course of the day the newly conquered position was prepared to take on further enemy counterattacks.
Only now, after he had organized the defense, did Hack allow himself to be treated for his wounds. Through his prudent leadership and personal daring he has a decisive share in the success of this offensive operation, one which was of great importance for the relief of ‘Fortress’ Kovel.
Hack has been wounded six times in this war, and is a holder of the Deutsches Kreuz in Gold, Nahkampfspange in Bronze and the Verwundetenabzeichen in Gold. Hack is worthy to be awarded the Ritterkreuz des Eisernen Kreuzes.”

Franz Hack received the Eichenlaub #844 to his Ritterkreuz on 20 April 1945 as SS-Obersturmbannführer and Kommandeur SS-Panzergrenadier-Regiment 10 "Westland" / 5.SS-Panzer-Division "Wiking". The medal was awarded for the following combat actions:
1) On 20 October 1944 Hack recaptured the so-called ‘Arko-Hill’, west of Wieliezew, with only 18 men. He then defended it against three strong counterattacks.
2) On 6 January 1945 Hack and his Regiment attacked the village of Czabdi, as part of the breakthrough of the Vertes mountains south of Tarjan. After bitter urban combat that lasted through the night, the village was firmly in his hands by the start of the day, and it was thereby possible to continue advancing towards Bicske.
3) On 11 January 1945 Hack and his Regiment captured and held the village of Pilisszentkereszt, located in the Pilisszentlelek area southeast of Gran.
4) On 2 February 1945 Hack allowed himself to be encircled in Ureghegy in order to tie down the enemy. Only after his side had taken the necessary countermeasures did he break out to Seregelyes. In this battle 14 enemy tanks and 13 anti-tank guns were eliminated.

Franz Hack was the first person whose awarding of the Eichenlaub did not occur with a number. According to his own words the award was made by SS-Obergruppenführer Gille and SS-Oberführer Ulrich. The awarding was confirmed by an entry between 15th - 20th April in the recommendations book of OKH/PA/P 5 and an entry in the Soldbuch of Hack with the date of 20th April 1945. According the countings it would have been the 844th Award.


Source :
https://forum.axishistory.com/viewtopic.php?p=539548
https://www.tracesofwar.com/persons/8802/Hack-Franz-Waffen-SS.htm

Three Luftwaffe Aces from 7./JG 53

Three of the most successful pilots of 7.Staffel / III.Gruppe / Jagdgeschwader 53 (JG 53) "Pik-As" pose for the camera at the conclusion of the French campaign in June 1940, having each just been awarded with the Eisernes Kreuz I.Klasse. They are, from left to right, Oberfeldwebel Franz Götz (who was credited with five confirmed and two unconfirmed victories during the campaign), Leutnant Heinz Altendorf (four victories) and Unteroffizier Hermann Neuhoff (seven victories). Amazingly, all three survived the war, with Götz and Neuhoff subsequently receiving the Ritterkreuz. Like Altendorf, Neuhoff was forced down behind enemy lines and captured – he crashlanded on Malta on 10 April 1942.

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

Bio of Oberstleutnant Walter Neitzel (1913-1944)

Walter Neitzel

Date of Birth: 09.05.1913 - Greifenberg, Pommern (German Empire)
Date of Death: 02.09.1944 - Kaikasi, near Vecpiebalga (Latvia)

Promotions:
00.00.1939 Leutnant
00.00.1940 Oberleutnant
00.00.1942 Hauptmann
00.00.1944 Major
00.00.1944 Oberstleutnant (posthumously)

Career:
00.05.1943 Führer I.Bataillon / Grenadier-Regiment 409 / 122.Infanterie-Division

Awards and Decorations:
29.11.1940 Eisernes Kreuz II.Klasse
29.07.1941 Eisernes Kreuz I.Klasse
00.00.19__ Infanterie-Sturmabzeichen in Silber
00.00.19__ Verwundetenabzeichen in Schwarz
00.00.1942 Medaille "Winterschlacht im Osten 1941/42" (Ostmedaille)
30.07.1942 Deutsches Kreuz in Gold
02.06.1943 Ritterkreuz des Eisernen Kreuzes, as Hauptmann and Führer I.Bataillon / Grenadier-Regiment 409 / 122.Infanterie-Division. At 02:00 on the 25.05.1943 the Soviets achieved a penetration in the right sector of the II./Grenadier-Regiment 409 (located near Ssemkina Goruschka) with two companies of their own. In response Hauptmann Neitzel (who commanded the right neighbouring Bataillon) launched a counterthrust against these forces, and by 07:30 he had managed to deal with this dangerous threat to his flank successfully. In this engagement the Soviets lost 199 counted dead and 33 prisoners, while Neitzel’s counterattack force suffered losses of only 4 wounded troops. Neitzel would be awarded the Ritterkreuz for this action.
07.08.1943 Ehrenblattspange des Heeres und Waffen-SS
00.00.1944 Nahkampfspange in Bronze
05.09.1944 Ritterkreuz des Eisernen Kreuzes mit Eichenlaub #576 (posthumously), as Major and Kommandeur I.Bataillon / Grenadier-Regiment 409 / 122.Infanterie-Division. Awarded for his actions during the fighting of the 122. Infanterie-Division south of Riga. On 11.08.1944 the Division was forced to pull its front back to the line Kivioru - 1 km north of Gut Misso. By 15:00 on this day Major Neitzel had managed to break through the Soviet forces blocking his path to the west and stood here with two Kompanien ready for further orders. For his successful breakout on this day he would be decorated with the Eichenlaub for his Ritterkreuz.

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Walter Neitzel earned both Iron Crosses as a Leutnant. He received the German Cross in Gold as captain and commander of the 3rd company of the 409th Infantry Regiment on July 30, 1942 for his service in the fighting in the Demjansk Pocket. In May 1943 he took over the first battalion of his regiment, which distinguished itself again in the heavy defensive fighting south of Staraya Russa, whereupon Neitzel was awarded the Knight's Cross on June 2, 1943. In 1944 he led his battalion to the Baltic States during the retreat. During the evacuation movements between Reval and Pernau, he was so badly wounded on August 26, 1944 that he succumbed to his injuries on September 2, 1944. The following day, as the 576th soldier in the Wehrmacht, he was awarded the Oak Leaves to the Knight's Cross and posthumously promoted to lieutenant colonel.

Source :
https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=web&cd=&cad=rja&uact=8&ved=2ahUKEwj76KvS7_n-AhVh4jgGHVWPC6cQFnoECB4QAQ&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ritterkreuztraeger.info%2Frkel%2Fn%2FEL576Neitzel.pdf&usg=AOvVaw27P_L41tGv40S1roJZr8MN
https://www.lexikon-der-wehrmacht.de/Personenregister/N/NeitzelW.htm
http://pantorijn.blogspot.com/2015/02/greif-division-postcards-knight-cross.html
https://www.tracesofwar.com/persons/12630/Neitzel-Walter.htm

Bio of Oberstleutnant d.R. Ludwig Franz (1915-1944)

Ludwig Franz

Date of Birth: 03.09.1915 - Schramberg, Württemberg (German Empire)
Date of Death: 05.07.1944 - Beleja-Luscha, Belarus (Soviet Union)

Promotions:
00.00.1944 Oberstleutnant der Reserve

Career:
00.00.194_ Chef 10.Kompanie / Infanterie-Regiment 35 (mot.) / 25.Infanterie-Division (mot.)
00.00.194_ Führer I.Bataillon / Grenadier-Regiment 35 / 25.Panzergrenadier-Division

Awards and Decorations:
00.00.19__ Eisernes Kreuz II.Klasse
00.00.19__ Eisernes Kreuz I.Klasse
00.00.194_ Nahkampfspange in Bronze
19.04.1942 Deutsches Kreuz in Gold, as Oberleutnant der Reserve and Chef 10.Kompanie / III.Bataillon / Infanterie-Regiment 35 (motorisiert) / 25.Infanterie-Division (motorisiert)
08.10.1943 Ritterkreuz des Eisernen Kreuzes, as Hauptmann der Reserve and Führer I.Bataillon / Grenadier-Regiment 35 / 25.Panzergrenadier-Division. The following press article (dated 01.11.1943) describes why Franz was awarded the Ritterkreuz: “In the fighting west of Smolensk (which was very costly for the enemy) the Soviets attacked the sector of a Panzergrenadier-Division with a mechanized corps and a rifle division. For a full two days the main force of the enemy attack fell against the sector of Hauptmann Franz’s Panzergrenadier-Bataillon. Yet even amidst the heaviest of enemy fire he was able to maintain contact with his Kompanien and attached weapons from his foxhole. Although the improvised command post was fired upon non-stop by the Soviets, he nonetheless led his Grenadiers through the repeated enemy penetrations from the front and flanks. He personally intervened in the fighting with rifle and hand grenade during hours of close combat in order to defeat the Soviets. After he had been buried alive for a long time in his foxhole by a Soviet tank, and removed only with great difficulty, the Hauptmann continued to lead his Bataillon in further fighting. 45 tanks were already destroyed, and hundreds of dead Red Army soldiers covered the battlefield. However now the enemy succeeded in penetrating through the ranks of the Panzergrenadiers, who had been worn down by the fighting that had gone on for the whole day. The Bataillon commander continued to lead the defense (now partially in the Soviet rear) long enough for a new defensive line to be constructed. The counterthrusts from the old frontline that he led with just a few men enabled the reinforcing of the new positions. Then, with 20 men he collected from various resistance nests, he broke through to friendly lines. This was at at end of 48 hours of heavy combat. The enemy had sustained such high losses during their assault that they no longer had the strength to effectively continue their attacks against the new positions. With this the Bataillon commander had frustrated the far-reaching aims of an entire Soviet shock army.” Note: According to a different newspaper article Franz’s Bataillon was reported as destroying 15 enemy tanks during this battle rather than 45. It is far more likely that this represents the true number of enemy tanks destroyed in Franz’s sector. Thus the report of 45 tanks here is either a mistake or deliberate exaggeration.

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Ludwig Franz was posthumously promoted to Oberstleutnant der Reserve.

Source :
ECPAD Archive (ref.n° DAT 3397 L.06)
https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Bundesarchiv_Bild_183-R64423,_Ludwig_Franz.jpg
https://www.tracesofwar.com/persons/4584/Franz-Ludwig-Grenadier-Regiment-35.htm

Bio of Oberstleutnant Erich Schmidt (1911-1977)

Erich Schmidt

Date of Birth: 10.02.1911 - Gießen, Hesse (German Empire)
Date of Death: 13.11.1977 - Bensheim an der Bergstraße, Hesse (West Germany)

Promotions:
01.04.1934 Fahnenjunker
01.04.1936 Leutnant
00.00.1939 Oberleutnant
00.00.1942 Hauptmann
00.00.1943 Major
00.00.1945 Oberstleutnant
00.00.19__ Oberstleutnant der Bundeswehr

Career:
01.04.1934 Fahnenjunker in Kraftfahrabteilung 6
00.03.1938 Adjutant II.Abteilung / Panzer-Regiment 4
00.10.1941 Chef 3.Kompanie / I.Abteilung / Panzer-Regiment 4
00.03.1943 Kommandeur I.Abteilung / Panzer-Regiment 4
00.10.1943 Kommandeur schwere Panzer-Abteilung 507
00.10.1944 Kommandeur Panzer-Regiment / Führer-Grenadier-Brigade
00.05.1945 - 00.01.1950 Prisoner of War
00.00.195_ Entered the Bundeswehr
31.03.1967 Retired

Awards and Decorations:
00.00.19__ Verwundetenabzeichen in Schwarz
00.00.193_ Dienstauszeichnung der Wehrmacht IV.Klasse
02.10.1939 Eisernes Kreuz II.Klasse
25.10.1939 Medaille zur Erinnerung an den 1. Oktober 1938
25.10.1939 Medaille zur Erinnerung an den 1. Oktober 1938 mit Spange "Prager Burg"
28.05.1940 Eisernes Kreuz I.Klasse
00.00.194_ Verwundetenabzeichen in Silber
30.05.1942 Deutsches Kreuz in Gold
03.08.1942 Medaille "Winterschlacht im Osten 1941/42" (Ostmedaille)
21.12.1943 Panzerkampfabzeichen in Silber
09.06.1944 Ritterkreuz des Eisernen Kreuzes, as Major and Kommandeur schwere Panzer-Abteilung 507. Awarded for the actions at Suchodolskie. An armoured formation, consisting of the sPz.Abt. 507, the Pz.Abt. 301 and the last intact company of the Panzer-Regiment 10 was assembled and put under the command of Major Schmidt. The formation was in turn subordinated to the 8. Panzer-Division. On 21.03.1944 it launched an attack west of the road at Radziwillow in the direction of Brody. Here the Tigers of the sPz.Abt. 507 particularly distinguished themselves, destroying entire groups of enemy tanks.
21.08.1944 Verwundetenabzeichen in Gold
30.08.1944 Mentioned in the Wehrmachtbericht
09.05.1945 Ritterkreuz des Eisernen Kreuzes mit Eichenlaub #876, as Führer Panzer-Regiment / Führer-Grenadier-Division. Schmidt’s Eichenlaub’ recommendation reads as follows: “Major Schmidt, commander of Panzer-Regiment F.G.D., has already previously distinguished himself through his attacking spirit and bravery during the fighting on the western front in the Sauer sector. He led his Regiment to decisive achievements during its battles at Heiderscheidt, Kaundorf, Berle and the Eschdorf bridgehead. His bold armoured attacks repeatedly succeeded in besting much larger enemy tank forces while providing invaluable aid to the supporting Panzergrenadiers. Now, during the more recent operations in Pomerania, Major Schmidt has once again distinguished himself as a supremely bold leader during the advance against Nantikow and Buchholz. His personal example under fire has likewise inspired his men to give their utmost. Major Schmidt particularly distinguished himself as a Kampfgruppe commander during the fighting around Lauban. The Division had received the mission of advancing forwards through Ober-Bielau, Güntersdorf and along the street towards Naumburg in order to block the Lauban—Naumburg road and thereby close the ring around enemy forces at Lauban. But repeated attacks from the south against Günthersdorf failed in the face of extensive enemy field positions that were well-equipped with heavy weapons. A new axis of advance thus had to be taken, and so Major Schmidt and his Kampfgruppe (consisting of elements of the Panzer-Abteilung, the SPW Bataillon and the II. Grenadier-Bataillon) were ordered to assemble at Ober-Bielau for a new mission. The Kampfgruppe was to thrust southwards via the Butter-Berg and Fichtel-Berg before crushing the enemy forces in and around Ziethen-Hennersdorf. Moving out at 12:00, the Kampfgruppe pushed through the difficult terrain and managed to advance forwards against the Butter-Berg and Fichtel-Berg. Fighting skillfully, it managed to overcome both of the well-constructed and commanding strongpoints by 15:00 on the same day. Major Schmidt then left behind an armoured security detachment before launching a surprise thrust towards the south. He and his men reached Ziethen-Hennersdorf and rolled up the garrison of the village with lighting speed. The occupation of the Fichtel-Berg and Ziethen-Hennersdorf also had the added bonus of freeing up the entire 6. Volksgrenadier-Division, which had previously been tied down whilst providing flank protection towards the north in the direction of these locations. Although the attacking objective had been reached, Major Schmidt immediately reorganized his Kampfgruppe for a continued advance. He knew that his superiors would want him to continue moving forwards to Sächsisch-Haugsdorf, and he perceived the necessity of doing just this without delay. In the fighting which followed the enemy forces along the Ziethen-Hennersdorf—Sächsisch-Haugsdorf road were pushed back, and Sächsisch-Haugsdorf itself was taken at 04:00 on the 05.03.1945 in a surprise attack. In this fighting the following enemy materiel was destroyed: 4 T-34s & 1 IS-2. The following enemy materiel was captured: 4 T-34s, 10 heavy anti-tank guns, 4 light anti-tank guns, & 1 heavy machine-gun. This victory is primarily the achievement of Major Schmidt, who guaranteed the speed and steadiness of the attack through his aggressive leadership. In all this time he operated with ruthlessness at the foremost line. He personally guided his Panzer through minefield lanes, directed his Panzers to the decisive locations and reenergized the offensive actions of his Panzergrenadiers wherever their attacks threatened to stall. Major Schmidt demonstrated a high level of bravery and stamina during the crisis situations of this decisive operation. The Division therefore requests that the achievements of this outstanding officer be recognized through the award of the Eichenlaub to the Ritterkreuz des Eisernen Kreuzes.”

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Erich Schmidt entered the Reichswehr in 1934 as a Fahnenjunker in Kraftfahrabteilung 6 and was promoted to Leutnant on April 1, 1936. He then transferred to the II.Abteilung / Panzer-Regiment 4 and became adjutant to the panzer battalion in March 1938. He took part in the Polish and western campaigns, fought in Russia from June 1941. In October 1941 he became chief of the 3rd Company / Panzer-Regiment 4. In March 1943, in the Kuban bridgehead, he was promoted to command of the I.Abteilung / Panzer-Regiment 4. Appointed in October 1943 he became commander of the schwere Panzer-Abteilung 507 in France, which he then led in the Eastern Front in the spring of 1944. For the combat successes of the detachment in the Tarnopol and Brody area, he was awarded the Ritterkreuz on June 9, 1944. In October 1944 he became commander of the Panzer Regiment of Führer-Grenadier-Brigade and led the unit in East Prussia. There he stood out in the defensive battles several times. At the end of the war he was awarded the Eichenlaub. Captured by the Americans, he was extradited to the Soviet Union and returned from captivity in January 1950. After the war he entered the West German Bundeswehr and retired on 31 March 1967 as Oberstleutnant.

The Heerespersonalamt (HPA—Army Staff Office) received Erich Schmidt's Eichenlaub nomination on 24 March 1945. Major Joachim Domaschk noted three days later: "Insufficient for the Eichenlaub!". Nevertheless an HAP entry nomination without nomination number was created on 29 March and presented to General Wilhelm Burgdorf. Burgdorf noted on 31 March: "Request advisory opinion from the commanding general!" and returned the nomination to the HPA. Major Domaschk requested via teleprinter the statement of the XXXIX. Panzerkorps. The Panzerkorps answered on 5 April via teleprinter that they are not responsible since the respective division was only subordinated to the corps for a very short time and never in action. Domaschk then requested the advisory opinion from the LVII. Panzerkorps on 8 April, which was not received by 28 April. On this day Domaschk noted "Wait" and ordered the re-presentation for 5 May. The nomination remained unprocessed after this date. The nomination list of the higher grade of the Ritterkreuz des Eisernen Kreuzes mit Eichenlaub notes the entry date of 24 March and that the nomination was forwarded to General Burgdorf on 29 March 1945. A presentation date is not stated and a comment says "further enquiry". The Order Commission of the Association of Knight's Cross Recipients (OdR) processed this case in 1982 and decided: "Eichenlaub yes, 9-5-1945". It appears that the OdR had questioned a witness, the former adjutant of the Army to the Commander-in-chief of the Wehrmacht Willy Johannmeyer, he wrote to the OdR on 29 March 1968: "By all means, I cannot remember a pick-up of the Eichenlaub for Herr Oberstleutnant Erich Schmidt", but according to the Kommandant and Adjutant of the Führer-Grenadier-Division the awarding was made. No confirmation has been found in any archive. The presentation number "876" was assigned by the OdR. The presentation date was assigned by Fellgiebel. Schmidt was a member of the OdR.

Source :
Jim Haley photo collection
https://shop.k-k-r.de/Neue-Artikel-Foto-Erich-Schmidt-Kommandeur-schwere-Panzer-Abteilung-507-Ritterkreuz-1944-1.html
https://www.tracesofwar.com/persons/17693/Schmidt-Erich-Wh-Panzer.htm

Oberfeldwebel Karl Müller of Kampfgeschwader 2 (KG 2)

 

Karl Müller (28 August 1913 - 8 February 1943) received the Ritterkreuz des Eisernen Kreuzes on 15 October 1942 as Oberfeldwebel and Flugzeugführer in 12.Staffel / IV.Gruppe / Kampfgeschwader 2. The medal was awarded after flying 280 sorties as a bomber pilot.

Source :
https://www.tracesofwar.com/persons/25154/M%C3%BCller-Karl-Kampfgeschwader-2.htm

Siegfried Westphal and Albert Kesselring

Generalfeldmarschall Albert Kesselring (back to the camera, Oberbefehlshaber Süd) is standing in front of the German quarters in the Monte Soratte sector, Italian Front, while in conversation with the officers of the Luftwaffe, an armed guard in front of it. Nearest to the camera and getting into a Mercedes Benz is Generalmajor Siegfried Westphal (Chef des Generalstabes Oberbefehlshaber Süd). The picture was taken on 5 October 1943 by Kriegsberichter Engel from PK (Propaganda-Kompanie) 699.

Source :
Bundesarchiv Bild 101I-305-0662-15

Hans Jordan and Georg-Hans Reinhardt

 

Archives ECPAD (PK697 F971 L29)
General der Infanterie Hans Jordan (Kommandierender General VI. Armeekorps) in the meeting of the leaders of 3. Panzerarmee. The bald officer in the background is Generaloberst Georg-Hans Reinhardt (Oberbefehlshaber 3. Panzerarmee). There is no information about when and where this picture was taken, but possibly in the Eastern Front in the period from December 1943 to April 1944.

Source :
Archives ECPAD (PK697 F971 L29)