Four Ritterkreuzträger from Wachbataillon "Großdeutschland": Ofenloch, Brakat, Schlee and Reinke

Four Ritterkreuzträger from Wachbataillon "Großdeutschland", from left to right: Unteroffizier Heinrich Ofenloch, Oberfeldwebel Otto Brakat, Oberfeldwebel Rudolf Schlee, and Oberfeldwebel Heinrich Reinke. The picture was taken in 1943.

Unteroffizier Heinrich Ofenloch (Ritterkreuz on 12 July 1943 as Gefreiter and Gruppenführer in 1.Kompanie / Pionier-Bataillon 323 / Infanterie-Division 323).

Oberfeldwebel Otto Brakat (Ritterkreuz on 27 July 1941 as Unteroffizier and Gruppenführer in 2.Schwadron / Radfahr-Abteilung 1 / 1.Kavallerie-Division).

Oberfeldwebel Rudolf Schlee (Ritterkreuz on 23 October 1941 and Eichenlaub on 6 April 1943, both as Oberfeldwebel and Zugführer in 6.Kompanie / II.Bataillon / Gebirgsjäger-Regiment 13 / 4.Gebirgs-Division).

Oberfeldwebel Heinrich Reinke (Ritterkreuz on 9 January 1942 as Oberfeldwebel and Zugführer in 14.Kompanie / III.Bataillon / Infanterie-Regiment 89 / 12.Infanterie-Division).

Source :
Ian Jewison photo collection

Ritterkreuz Award Ceremony for Maximilian von Edelsheim and Otto Brakat

Ritterkreuz award ceremony for Oberstleutnant Maximilian Reichsfreiherr von Edelsheim (Kommandeur Radfahr-Abteilung 1 / 1.Kavallerie-Division) and Unteroffizier Otto Brakat (Gruppenführer in 2.Schwadron / Radfahr-Abteilung 1 / 1.Kavallerie-Division) which were held in the end of July / early August 1941 in the Eastern Front during Unternehmen Barbarossa. Edelsheim received the announcement on 30 July 1941, while Brakat on 27 July 1941. Generalmajor Kurt Feld (Kommandeur 1. Kavallerie-Division) gives the award.

At the start of Operation Barbarossa Oberstleutnant Edelsheim commanded the Vorausabteilung of the 1. Kavallerie-Division. Its initial orders were to march through Hwoznice, Maloriyta, Mekrany and Dywin. Along the way it was to capture any important bridges and break through any enemy forces encountered. Despite the tough enemy resistance that often outnumbered the Vorausabteilung itself, Edelsheim and his men were able to fight their way through the Soviet forces and clear the way for the rest of the Division. The Division was ultimately able to reach the area south of Sluck as ordered and fulfill its mission of providing flank protection for the XXIV. Armee-Korps. Oberstleutnant Edelsheim and Unteroffizier Brakat would subsequently be awarded the Ritterkreuz des Eisernen Kreuzes for the invaluable service they rendered in this capacity.

Source :
Jim Haley and Ian Jewison photo collection
https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=2998356756944635&set=pcb.896743780821062&type=3&size=2048%2C1229
https://www.tracesofwar.com/persons/29895/Edelsheim-Reichsfreiherr-von-Maximilian.htm