Otto Paetsch, Heinz Harmel and Karl-Heinz Euling

Three Ritterkreuzträger from 10. SS-Panzer-Division "Frundsberg" in February 1945. From left to right: SS-Obersturmbannführer Otto Paetsch (Kommandeur SS-Panzer-Regiment 10. Ritterkreuz on 23 August 1944 and Eichenlaub on 5 April 1945), SS-Brigadeführer und Generalmajor der Waffen-SS Heinz Harmel (Kommandeur 10. SS-Panzer-Division "Frundsberg". Ritterkreuz on 31 March 1943, Eichenlaub on 7 September 1943 and Schwerter on 15 December 1944), and SS-Hauptsturmführer Karl-Heinz Euling (Kommandeur I.Bataillon / SS-Panzergrenadier-Regiment 21. Ritterkreuz on 15 October 1944). The picture was taken by SS-Kriegsberichter Peter Adendorf. Author Mark C. Yerger said that during the two yearly visits with Harmel in Lenggries as well as correspondence, Harmel told him that, when asked about his best officers in Frundsberg, he chose Otto Paetsch, Friedrich Richter (III./SS-Pz Gren Rgt 22), Hans Löffler (II./SS-Pz.Gren.Rgt 22) and SS-Panzergrenadier-Regiment 21's commander Heinz Laubscheer as the four he respected most. With his divisional command, the Hill 112 combats in Normandy, the Falaise pocket fighting, and combats against the US 84th and 102nd Divisions in November 1944 were recalled as the most intense.

Source :
https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Bundesarchiv_Bild_183-2006-0819-500,_Heinz_Harmel,_SS-Brigadef%C3%BChrer_u._Generalmajor.jpg
https://forum.axishistory.com/viewtopic.php?f=38&t=114455&hilit=heinz+harmel

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