Otto Paetsch and Karl Nicolussi-Leck

Photo of SS-Obersturmbannführer Otto Paetsch (Kommandeur SS-Panzer-Regiment 5 "Wiking") and SS-Obersturmführer Karl Nicolussi-Leck (Chef 8.Kompanie / SS-Panzer-Regiment 5 "Wiking"), possibly taken on the day Karl (right) receiving his Ritterkreuz des Eisernen Kreuzes on 9 April 1944 while serving in the 5. SS-Panzer-Division "Wiking". Paetsch would get his own Ritterkreuz on 23 August 1944 while serving with 10. SS-Panzer-Division "Frundsberg". Paetsch, went from being an Anti-Tank Company Commander, to a Recce Battalion Commander, to a Heavy Tank Battalion Commander to a Panzer-Regiment Commander. A phenomenal record by any standard! He also served as the Ic (military intelligence and counterespionage) staff officer for the Wiking Division during the first six months the division fought in the Soviet Union. As the Ic, he was privy to the knowledge of many things happening at the front and in the division rear area involving partisans and other segments of the Soviet civilian population. This photo was signed by Karl Nicolussi-Leck.

Source :
Denis J. Horgan photo collection
https://www.facebook.com/photo/?fbid=162620475691681&set=gm.789508718642677

Farewell Ceremony for Otto Paetsch

 

Officers of the 5. SS-Panzer-Division "Wiking" posed together in front of a flower-filled Panzerkampfwagen V Panther Ausf.D on its turret. This photo itself was taken on the Eastern Front in June 1944, most likely at the time of the release of SS-Obersturmbannführer Otto Paetsch (Kommandeur SS-Panzer-Regiment 5 "Wiking") who moved to his new assignment in 10. SS-Panzer-Division "Frundsberg" as the commander of their panzer regiment (22 June 1944). The panther in the background is a Befehlspanther (Commander's Panther) belonging to Paetsch, which can be characterized by its turret-mounted antenna and a closed machine gun mount. Paetsch himself is an officer holding a flower bouquet in the center, while on his right in shorts is SS-Obersturmführer Karl Nicolussi-Leck (Chef 8.Kompanie / SS-Panzer-Regiment 5 "Wiking"). The final identification is SS-Obersturmführer Manfred Renz (Adjutant SS-Panzer-Regiment 5 "Wiking"), wearing the black Panzer uniform at right. BTW, in this photo Nicolussi-Leck is not wearing the Ritterkreuz in his neck even though he has already receive it since April 1944!

Source :
http://alifrafikkhan.blogspot.com/2019/10/foto-pelepasan-dan-pindah-tugas.html

SS-Obersturmführer Karl Nicolussi-Leck of Wiking Division

SS-Obersturmführer Karl Nicolussi-Leck of the 5. SS-Panzer-Division "Wiking" in the cupola of his Panther after he was awarded the Ritterkreuz (Knight’s Cross) for his leadership and courage during the Battle of Kovel in 1944. Nicolussi-Leck led a group of 9 Panthers from Wiking Division on a drive to reach the besieged city of Kovel on 30 March 1944. Despite being ordered to turn back owing to ferocious resistance, Nicolussi-Leck pressed on and reached his beleaguered comrades after destroying several Soviet positions.

Source :
http://5sswiking.tumblr.com/post/139508111452/ss-obersturmf%C3%BChrer-karl-nicolussi-leck-of-the