Kurt Student in Crete (May 1941)

Crete. Quite probably 23 May 1941 when General der Fallschirmtruppe Kurt Student (Kommandierender General XI. Fliegerkorps) arrived on the island with his staff to oversee his forces. This photo features, from left to right: Oberleutnant Gerhard "Eul" Schacht (Adjutant XI. Fliegerkorps), General Student, Oberst Hermann-Bernhard Ramcke (Kommandeur Fallschirmjäger-Sturm-Regiment 1), and Oberleutnant Bodo Göttsche (Nachrichten-Offizier Fallschirmjäger-Sturm-Regiment 1). Ramcke appears to be the only man to have landed on Crete wearing a tropical uniform!



Crete. Quite probably 23 May 1941 when General der Fallschirmtruppe Kurt Student (Kommandierender General XI. Fliegerkorps) arrived on the island with his staff to oversee his forces. This photo features, from left to right: Oberleutnant Bodo Göttsche (Nachrichten-Offizier Fallschirmjäger-Sturm-Regiment 1), General Student, Oberst Hermann-Bernhard Ramcke (Kommandeur Fallschirmjäger-Sturm-Regiment 1), and Oberleutnant Gerhard "Eul" Schacht (Adjutant XI. Fliegerkorps), which always photographed with the stock extended on his MPi. Ramcke appears to be the only man to have landed on Crete wearing a tropical uniform!

Source :
https://www.alamy.com/stock-photo/general-kurt-student.html?blackwhite=1&pseudoid=A0B80634-1117-49D2-861E-B77F683CD1FE&sortBy=relevant
https://www.bridgemanimages.com/en/noartistknown/general-kurt-student-1941-b-w-photo/black-and-white-photograph/asset/2997574
https://www.facebook.com/permalink.php?story_fbid=pfbid0A9F3XEZEZ86NkMAWgCWZghcmcMvJi1U6ze1rrnwhtXT99AG6q3LCPpavLXWbLMGYl&id=100063726630997&__cft__[0]=AZb1Hi0eRCfirjzjPKd_wFe3dTnrjxg5mWtD91BUCFd6SUnyBR3jJAYXfzai2e6J9KmApJlFZ6UjE9MOPH0rnWA7cajTuqkit3gESCyq2R7jVAalGgcj55iaUKXHa_raeBwhlOci16NXXxdN5Wohz9h-&__tn__=%2CO%2CP-R

Hermann-Bernhard Ramcke Inspects 2. Fallschirmjäger-Division

Generalleutnant Hermann-Bernhard Ramcke (Kommandeur 2. Fallschirmjäger-Division) on an inspection tour to observe the war exercises of his division at Damgan and Morbihan beach in Brittany, France, in May 1943.

In the spring of 1943, as the Axis position in North Africa collapsed and the Allies prepared for major offensives in the Mediterranean and Western Europe, Generalleutnant Hermann-Bernhard Ramcke assumed command of the newly formed 2. Fallschirmjäger-Division. One of the most visible expressions of his leadership during this critical rebuilding phase came during an inspection tour in May 1943, when he observed large-scale war exercises conducted by his paratroopers at Damgan beach and along the Morbihan coast in Brittany, western France.

The 2nd Fallschirmjäger Division was officially activated in February 1943 in the Vannes area of Brittany, under the operational control of the German 7. Armee. It was built around the veteran core of Fallschirmjäger-Regiment 2 (drawn from the remnants of Ramcke’s legendary parachute brigade that had fought in North Africa) and supplemented by new regiments (FJR 6 and FJR 7) formed from Luftwaffe field battalions, air-landing units, and other Luftwaffe ground personnel.

Ramcke, a highly decorated veteran who had earned the Ritterkreuz des Eisernen Kreuzes mit Eichenlaub (Knight’s Cross with Oak Leaves) for his actions in Crete and North Africa, was the ideal choice to command this formation. At 54 years old, the former naval infantryman turned paratroop general brought rigorous standards, combat-proven tactics, and an uncompromising emphasis on discipline and readiness. By early 1943, Hitler had largely forbidden large-scale airborne assaults following the costly success on Crete in 1941, so the new division trained primarily as elite shock infantry capable of rapid deployment by air, glider, or ground transport.

The Brittany coast—rugged, windswept, and strategically positioned along the Atlantic Wall—provided an ideal training ground. The Morbihan department (including the Gulf of Morbihan and beaches such as Damgan) offered realistic conditions for practicing beach defense, amphibious counter-landing drills, rapid reinforcement, and combined-arms maneuvers. These exercises simulated potential Allied seaborne or airborne assaults on the French Atlantic coast, which German high command still feared in 1943.

In mid-May 1943, just weeks before the division’s scheduled relocation south to the Ales–Nîmes area, Ramcke conducted a personal inspection tour of the training exercises. Contemporary German records and surviving photographs document the general, typically dressed in his dark-blue uniform with paratrooper insignia, observing troops from elevated positions overlooking the beach and participating in field briefings.

The exercises at Damgan beach and the broader Morbihan coastline focused on several key elements:

• Beach defense and anti-landing drills: Paratroopers practiced rapid response to simulated enemy landings, including coordinated machine-gun fire, anti-tank obstacles, and immediate counter-attacks.
• Live-fire maneuvers: Units conducted realistic assaults across the dunes and tidal flats, integrating artillery, mortars, and infantry assaults under realistic combat conditions.
• Air-landing and mobility training: Although mass parachute drops were limited due to fuel and aircraft shortages, glider and transport-plane coordination was rehearsed, along with rapid movement of heavy weapons and reinforcements.
• Leadership and cohesion building: Ramcke emphasized the “Fallschirmjäger spirit”—aggressive close-quarters combat, self-reliance, and tenacious defense—drawing on lessons from North Africa where his brigade had fought with distinction despite being heavily outnumbered.

Ramcke was known for his hands-on style; he frequently walked among the troops, inspected equipment personally, and delivered motivational addresses. These visits served not only to evaluate readiness but also to boost morale among veterans still recovering from the Tunisian disaster and new recruits integrating into an elite unit.

The timing was significant. The division had only been in existence for about three months. Ramcke’s inspection ensured that standards remained high before the formation moved south to join XI Fliegerkorps as a strategic reserve. By late May 1943, the 2nd Fallschirmjäger Division relocated to southern France, later deploying to Italy in the wake of the Allied invasion of Sicily and the Italian armistice.

Source :
https://alifrafikkhan.blogspot.com/2012/06/album-foto-hermann-bernhard-ramcke.html

Hermann-Bernhard Ramcke and Hans Kroh in North Africa

Generalmajor Hermann-Bernhard Ramcke (left, Kommandeur Fallschirmjäger-Brigade "Ramcke") and Major Hans Kroh (Kommandeur Kampfgruppe "Kroh" / Fallschirmjäger-Brigade "Ramcke") sitting at a table in a tent (table set with a pitcher and cookies) in North Africa, 1942. The picture was taken by Kriegsberichter Schnitzer of PK (Propaganda-Kompanie) XI. Fliegerkorps.

Source :
https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Bundesarchiv_Bild_101I-545-0613-12A,_Bernhard-Hermann_Ramcke,_Hans_Kroh.jpg

Ritterkreuz Award Ceremony for Crete Fallschirmjäger with Hermann Göring (1941)

On 21 August 1941, Reichsmarschall Hermann Göring, Commander-in-Chief of the Luftwaffe, personally presented the Ritterkreuz des Eisernen Kreuzes (Knight’s Cross of the Iron Cross) to six outstanding officers and men of the Fallschirmjäger (German paratroopers) at his headquarters. The recipients—Oberst Hermann-Bernhard Ramcke, Oberstabsarzt Dr. med. Heinrich Neumann, Oberst Hans Kroh, Oberleutnant Heinrich Welskop, Leutnant Erich Schuster, and Feldwebel Wilhelm Kempke—were honored for their extraordinary bravery, leadership, and sacrifice during the Battle of Crete (Operation Merkur) in May 1941.

This ceremony, captured in the propaganda newsreel 'Die Deutsche Wochenschau' No. 585 (released 20 November 1941), symbolized the high regard the Nazi leadership held for the airborne troops who had just executed the largest airborne assault in history up to that point. Göring, himself a decorated World War I pilot and a key architect of the Luftwaffe’s airborne forces, conducted the awards in a formal but intimate setting at his headquarters, underscoring the personal connection between the Reichsmarschall and his “green devils.”

The awards directly stemmed from Operation Merkur, launched on 20 May 1941. The 7. Flieger-Division and attached units, including the Fallschirmjäger-Sturm-Regiment under Ramcke’s overall influence, were tasked with seizing the island from British, Australian, New Zealand, and Greek defenders. The operation was a Pyrrhic victory: German forces prevailed, but at a staggering cost—over 6,000 casualties, including nearly 2,000 dead, mostly among the elite paratroopers who jumped into intense anti-aircraft fire and fierce ground resistance.

The Fallschirmjäger-Sturm-Regiment (also known as Luftlande-Sturm-Regiment 1) played a pivotal role in assaults on key objectives like Maleme airfield and the prison valley near Rethymno and Heraklion. Their success came through aggressive close-quarters combat, improvised tactics, and sheer determination despite heavy losses and disrupted supply lines. Hitler and Göring viewed the operation as proof of the airborne arm’s value, even as it marked the end of large-scale German parachute operations for the rest of the war. The six men honored on 21 August represented the cream of this elite force.

The Recipients and Their Deeds

1.Generalmajor Hermann-Bernhard Ramcke (then Oberst and Kommandeur Fallschirmjäger-Sturm-Regiment): Already a veteran of earlier airborne actions, Ramcke led elements of the regiment with iron resolve. His leadership during the Crete fighting earned him the Knight’s Cross on this date (he would later receive the Oak Leaves in November 1942, Swords and Diamonds in September 1944). Ramcke’s calm command under fire helped turn the tide at critical moments.

2.Oberstabsarzt Dr.med. Heinrich Neumann (Regimentsarzt Fallschirmjäger-Sturm-Regiment): As the regimental physician, Neumann performed heroic medical work under combat conditions, treating wounded paratroopers while exposed to enemy fire. His devotion to the troops exemplified the Fallschirmjäger spirit of “comradeship above all.”

3.Major Hans Kroh (Kommandeur I.Bataillon / Fallschirmjäger-Regiment 2, attached to the Sturm-Regiment): Kroh distinguished himself leading assaults on the airfield at Rethymno. His battalion’s determined fighting despite heavy casualties was instrumental in securing objectives.

4.Oberfeldwebel Heinrich Welskop (Zugführer in 11.Kompanie / III.Bataillon / Fallschirmjäger-Regiment 3). After the jump Welskop had taken his men and captured an important height at Chania, which was lodged deep in the Allied defense scheme. He was able to hold this position against Allied counterattacks, which had to be repelled in bitter close combat.

5.Feldwebel Erich Schuster (Gruppenführer in 3.Kompanie / I.Bataillon / Fallschirmjäger-Sturm-Regiment). His Zugführer, Feldwebel Arpke, was badly wounded when their glider landed and so Schuster took over the II. Zug of his Kompanie. He and his Zug then proceeded to eliminate an anti-aircraft battery and capture the western end of the Maleme airfield.

6.Feldwebel Wilhelm Kempke (then Oberjäger and Gruppenführer in 1.Kompanie / I.Bataillon / Fallschirmjäger-Sturm-Regiment). When his Zugführer became a casualty, Kempke took over the leadership of his Zug, and with his men he stormed two guns of the enemy battery despite tough resistance by a much superior foe. During the later battles of his Kompanie he again proved to be a model of outstanding bravery and bravado. 

All six had fought in the intense battles around Maleme, Rethymno, and the prison valley, where the paratroopers often jumped without heavy weapons and relied on captured British arms.

The Ceremony: 21 August 1941 at Göring’s Headquarters

The presentation occurred exactly three months after the Crete landings, allowing time for the men to be withdrawn, decorated where possible in the field, and brought together for the formal award. Newsreel footage shows Göring, in his distinctive white summer uniform, awarded the Ritterkreuz case to each recipients. He shook hands, exchanged words, and occasionally patted shoulders—a gesture of paternal approval from the “father” of the Luftwaffe.

The setting was Göring’s personal headquarters in Breitenheide, East Prussia, far from the dusty battlefields of Crete. The event was deliberately staged for propaganda value: it highlighted German airborne supremacy while the Eastern Front campaign was still in its optimistic early phase. The six men stood in parade formation, freshly uniformed, with their new decorations gleaming. The ceremony was brief but solemn, followed by the traditional handshakes and words of praise from Göring.

Footage from the ceremony appears at the end of contemporary videos of Crete veterans’ awards and forms a highlight of *Die Deutsche Wochenschau* No. 585, where the narrator extols the “outstanding bravery” of these Luftwaffe soldiers.

Significance and Legacy

This group award was one of the largest single presentations of Knight’s Crosses to Fallschirmjäger in 1941 and underscored the prestige of the Crete veterans. Ramcke went on to command the famous Ramcke Parachute Brigade in North Africa and later defended Brest in 1944, earning the highest grades of the award. Kroh rose to divisional command. The others continued serving in elite units, many later fighting in Russia, Italy, and Normandy.

The ceremony captured a moment of triumph for the Fallschirmjäger before the realities of total war eroded their elite status. Today, these awards are studied by historians as exemplars of the Nazi regime’s use of military decorations for propaganda, while the recipients’ courage—however controversial the cause—remains part of the documented history of airborne warfare.

The 21 August 1941 event stands as a poignant snapshot of the early-war Luftwaffe at its peak: elite troops, personal leadership from Göring, and the Ritterkreuz as the ultimate symbol of valor in the eyes of the Third Reich.

Ritterkreuz award ceremony for the six "Fallschirmjäger Heroes of Crete", 21 August 1941. The medal was handed over by Reichsmarschall Hermann Göring (Oberbefehlshaber der Luftwaffe), near his private train (Sonderzug) named "Asien". Behind Göring stands General der Fallschirmtruppe Kurt Student (Kommandierender General XI. Fliegerkorps), while the two individuals with their backs to the camera are two of the three recipients of the Ritterkreuz that day, and they are (from left to right): Major Hans Kroh (Kommandeur I.Bataillon / Fallschirmjäger-Regiment 2) and Oberstabsarzt Dr.med. Heinrich Neumann (Regimentsarzt Fallschirmjäger-Sturm-Regiment).

Ritterkreuz award ceremony for the six "Fallschirmjäger Heroes of Crete", 21 August 1941. From left to right: General der Flieger Gustav Kastner-Kirdorf (Chef des Luftwaffen-Personalamts), Reichsmarschall Hermann Göring, General der Fallschirmtruppe Kurt Student (Kommandierender General XI. Fliegerkorps), Generalmajor Hermann-Bernhard Ramcke (Kommandeur der Ergänzungseinheiten und Schulen des XI. Fliegerkorps), Oberstabsarzt Dr.med. Heinrich Neumann (Regimentsarzt Fallschirmjäger-Sturm-Regiment), and Major Hans Kroh (Kommandeur I.Bataillon / Fallschirmjäger-Regiment 2).

Ritterkreuz award ceremony for the six "Fallschirmjäger Heroes of Crete", 21 August 1941. Reichsmarschall Hermann Göring congratulates Feldwebel Wilhelm Kempke (Gruppenführer in 1.Kompanie / I.Bataillon / Fallschirmjäger-Sturm-Regiment) for his newly awarded Ritterkreuz des Eisernen Kreuzes.

Ritterkreuz award ceremony for the six "Fallschirmjäger Heroes of Crete", 21 August 1941. From left to right: Generalmajor Hermann-Bernhard Ramcke (Kommandeur der Ergänzungseinheiten und Schulen des XI. Fliegerkorps) and General der Fallschirmtruppe Kurt Student (Kommandierender General XI. Fliegerkorps). In the background is Hermann Göring's personal train (sonderzug), "Asien". It was an armored special train that served as a mobile headquarters and luxurious transport for the Reichsmarschall. Some sources also refer to it as "Pommern" in certain contexts.

Ritterkreuz award ceremony for the six "Fallschirmjäger Heroes of Crete", 21 August 1941. From left to right: Generalmajor Hermann-Bernhard Ramcke (Kommandeur der Ergänzungseinheiten und Schulen des XI. Fliegerkorps), General der Fallschirmtruppe Kurt Student (Kommandierender General XI. Fliegerkorps), Oberstabsarzt Dr.med. Heinrich Neumann (Regimentsarzt Fallschirmjäger-Sturm-Regiment), and Major Hans Kroh (Kommandeur I.Bataillon / Fallschirmjäger-Regiment 2).



Ritterkreuz award ceremony for the six "Fallschirmjäger Heroes of Crete", 21 August 1941. From left to right: Feldwebel Erich Schuster (Gruppenführer in 3.Kompanie / I.Bataillon / Fallschirmjäger-Sturm-Regiment), Oberstabsarzt Dr.med. Heinrich Neumann (Regimentsarzt Fallschirmjäger-Sturm-Regiment), and Major Hans Kroh (Kommandeur I.Bataillon / Fallschirmjäger-Regiment 2).

Ritterkreuz award ceremony for the six "Fallschirmjäger Heroes of Crete", 21 August 1941. From left to right: Major Hans Kroh (Kommandeur I.Bataillon / Fallschirmjäger-Regiment 2), Feldwebel Wilhelm Kempke (Gruppenführer in 1.Kompanie / I.Bataillon / Fallschirmjäger-Sturm-Regiment), and Feldwebel Erich Schuster (Gruppenführer in 3.Kompanie / I.Bataillon / Fallschirmjäger-Sturm-Regiment).

Source :
https://www.bild.bundesarchiv.de/dba/de/search/?yearfrom=&yearto=&query=ramcke&page=1#
https://menofwehrmacht.blogspot.com/2026/02/die-deutsche-wochenschau-german-weekly_16.html

Bio of General der Fallschirmtruppe Hermann-Bernhard Ramcke (1889-1968)

Full name: Hermann-Bernhard Gerhard Ramcke

Date of Birth: 24 January 1889 - Schleswig, Schleswig-Holstein, German Empire
Date of Death: 4 July 1968 - Kappeln, Schleswig-Holstein, West Germany

Battles and Operations: Flanders (World War I), Battle of Crete, North African Campaign, Battle of El Alamein, Italian Campaign (Rome), Eastern Front (brief), Battle for Brest

NSDAP-Number: No information
SS-Number: Not applicable (Wehrmacht/Luftwaffe officer)
Religion: No information
Parents: Franz Hermann Ramcke (veteran sergeant) and Anna Sophia (née Korff)
Siblings: One of 13 children
Spouse: Ruth (née Göldner) (married spring 1929)
Children: Seven children

Promotions:
04.04.1905 Schiffsjunge (Kaiserliche Marine)
26.09.1907 Matrose
01.07.1909 Obermatrose
01.04.1912 Bootsmannsmaat
19.07.1915 Oberbootsmannsmaat
11.09.1915 Feldwebel
05.12.1916 Offiziers-Stellvertreter
18.07.1918 Leutnant der Marine-Infanterie (Patent 01.02.1913)
15.01.1921 Oberleutnant (RDA 21.06.1918)
01.02.1927 Hauptmann
01.09.1934 Major
16.03.1937 Oberstleutnant (RDA 01.03.1937)
29.02.1940 Oberst (RDA 01.03.1940)
01.08.1940 Oberst (Luftwaffe)
22.07.1941 Generalmajor (RDA 01.08.1941)
21.12.1942 Generalleutnant
14.09.1944 General der Fallschirmtruppe (RDA 01.09.1944)

Career:
April 1905 joined Imperial German Navy as ship boy
1914-1918 served with Marine-Infanterie in Flanders on Western Front
Post-1918 served in Reichswehr and Freikorps operations in Baltic region
1920s-1930s various infantry and staff positions in Reichswehr/Heer reaching Oberstleutnant
19 July 1940 transferred to 7. Flieger-Division (Luftwaffe)
31 July 1940 completed parachute training at age 51 and commanded parachute replacement battalion
May 1941 commander Fallschirmjäger-Sturm-Regiment 1 during Operation Merkur (Crete)
Summer 1941 formed and commanded Fallschirmjäger-Brigade Ramcke
July 1942 brigade deployed to North Africa supporting Afrikakorps
November 1942 commanded 2. Fallschirmjäger-Division in Italy and briefly Eastern Front
June-August 1944 division elements in Brittany, assumed command of Fortress Brest 8 August 1944
19 September 1944 surrendered Fortress Brest to US forces
1944-1951 prisoner of war in US, British and French captivity

Awards and Decorations:
Iron Cross 2nd Class (1914) 17 April 1916
Iron Cross 1st Class (1914) 27 January 1917
Golden Military Merit Cross (Prussia) 24 April 1918 (for defensive actions against British attacks as Offiziers-Stellvertreter and Zugführer in Sturm-Abteilung, Marine-Korps Flandern)
Clasp to Iron Cross 2nd Class 1 October 1939
Clasp to Iron Cross 1st Class 23 May 1941
Fallschirmjäger Badge 1 August 1940
Ritterkreuz des Eisernen Kreuzes on 21 August 1941 as Oberst and commander Fallschirmjäger-Sturm-Regiment 1 (after Generalmajor Meindl wounded on 21 May 1941 during Battle of Crete, took command of Westgruppe Fallschirmjäger, captured Maleme airfield and city of Chania turning potential defeat into victory)
Ritterkreuz des Eisernen Kreuzes mit Eichenlaub (145th recipient) on 13 November 1942 as Generalmajor and commander Fallschirmjäger-Brigade Ramcke (during Battle of El Alamein after British breakthrough isolated brigade in southern sector, refused surrender, captured British supply column and led 350 km march through desert to rejoin Rommel's forces)
Ritterkreuz des Eisernen Kreuzes mit Eichenlaub und Schwertern (99th recipient) on 19 September 1944 as Generalleutnant and commander Fortress Brest (held vital port over one month against superior US forces, delaying Allied use of harbour through stubborn defence and destruction of facilities)
Ritterkreuz des Eisernen Kreuzes mit Eichenlaub, Schwerter und Brillanten (20th recipient) on 19 September 1944 as Generalleutnant and commander Fortress Brest (same action as Swords, awarded same day as surrender)
Additional awards include Kreta cuff title, Afrika cuff title, Wound Badge in Gold (World War I), Honour Cross for Front Fighters, Wehrmacht Long Service Awards, Italian and other foreign decorations

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Hermann-Bernhard Ramcke was born into a large farming family in Schleswig on 24 January 1889 as one of 13 children of veteran sergeant Franz Hermann Ramcke and Anna Sophia Korff. He chose a military path over farming and enlisted in the Imperial German Navy in April 1905 as a ship boy. During World War I he transferred to Marine-Infanterie and fought in Flanders, earning both Iron Crosses and the Golden Military Merit Cross for leadership in defensive actions against repeated British assaults. After the war he served in the Reichswehr and took part in Baltic operations against Bolshevik forces, rising steadily through the ranks in infantry roles.

In July 1940 at age 51 Ramcke transferred to the Luftwaffe's 7. Flieger-Division, qualified as a paratrooper and commanded a replacement battalion before leading Fallschirmjäger-Sturm-Regiment 1 in the airborne assault on Crete in May 1941. When Generalmajor Meindl was wounded he assumed command of the western group, secured Maleme airfield under heavy fire and captured Chania, securing victory in Operation Merkur and earning the Ritterkreuz on 21 August 1941. He then formed the ad-hoc Ramcke Parachute Brigade which deployed to North Africa in 1942 to support Rommel. At El Alamein in late 1942 the brigade was cut off after Montgomery's breakthrough but Ramcke led it in a fighting withdrawal, seizing a British supply convoy and marching hundreds of kilometres across the desert to rejoin Axis forces, an exploit that brought the Oak Leaves on 13 November 1942.

In 1943 Ramcke commanded the newly raised 2. Fallschirmjäger-Division in Italy during Operation Achse, helping seize Rome after the Italian armistice, then briefly on the Eastern Front before returning to the West. In summer 1944 he took command of Fortress Brest in Brittany. Despite being surrounded by three US divisions he obeyed orders to hold to the last, evacuated civilians, destroyed port facilities and conducted a fierce defence that delayed Allied capture of the harbour for over a month. On 19 September 1944 he surrendered the ruined fortress and was awarded both Swords and Diamonds the same day, becoming one of only 27 recipients of the highest grade. He spent nearly seven years as a prisoner of war in American, British and French camps, briefly escaping in France before giving himself up.

After release in 1951 Ramcke faced a French war-crimes trial for actions against civilians in Brest, received a sentence of five years and six months but was freed after three months having already served time in custody. In the 1950s he became a vocal nationalist speaker at veteran rallies, supported right-wing circles and published memoirs defending his record while criticising Allied policies. He died at his home in Kappeln on 4 July 1968 after a long illness.

Unique facts include qualifying for parachute wings at the advanced age of 51, becoming known as a highly resourceful commander across multiple theatres, the famous exchange at Brest surrender where he demanded credentials from a lower-ranking US general who replied by pointing to his troops ("These are my credentials"), a phrase later adopted as the motto of the US 8th Infantry Division, and his outspoken post-war defence of former soldiers that occasionally caused political controversy in the young Federal Republic.

Hermann-Bernhard Ramcke in 1909.



Hermann-Bernhard Ramcke in 1917.



Hermann-Bernhard Ramcke in Crete, 1941.



Crete. Quite probably 23 May 1941 when General der Fallschirmtruppe Kurt Student (Kommandierender General XI. Fliegerkorps) arrived on the island with his staff to oversee his forces. This photo features, from left to right: Oberleutnant Gerhard "Eul" Schacht (Adjutant XI. Fliegerkorps), General Student, Oberst Hermann-Bernhard Ramcke (Kommandeur Fallschirmjäger-Sturm-Regiment 1), and Oberleutnant Bodo Göttsche (Nachrichten-Offizier Fallschirmjäger-Sturm-Regiment 1). Ramcke appears to be the only man to have landed on Crete wearing a tropical uniform! Other pictures from this occasion can be seen HERE.

On 21 August 1941, Reichsmarschall Hermann Göring, Commander-in-Chief of the Luftwaffe, personally presented the Ritterkreuz des Eisernen Kreuzes (Knight’s Cross of the Iron Cross) to six outstanding officers and men of the Fallschirmjäger (German paratroopers) at his headquarters. The recipients—Oberst Hermann-Bernhard Ramcke, Oberstabsarzt Dr. med. Heinrich Neumann, Oberst Hans Kroh, Oberleutnant Heinrich Welskop, Leutnant Erich Schuster, and Feldwebel Wilhelm Kempke—were honored for their extraordinary bravery, leadership, and sacrifice during the Battle of Crete (Operation Merkur) in May 1941. Other pictures from this award ceremony can be seen HERE.



Ritterkreuz award ceremony for the six "Fallschirmjäger Heroes of Crete", 21 August 1941. From left to right: General der Flieger Gustav Kastner-Kirdorf (Chef des Luftwaffen-Personalamts), Reichsmarschall Hermann Göring, General der Fallschirmtruppe Kurt Student (Kommandierender General XI. Fliegerkorps), Generalmajor Hermann-Bernhard Ramcke (Kommandeur der Ergänzungseinheiten und Schulen des XI. Fliegerkorps), Oberstabsarzt Dr.med. Heinrich Neumann (Regimentsarzt Fallschirmjäger-Sturm-Regiment), and Major Hans Kroh (Kommandeur I.Bataillon / Fallschirmjäger-Regiment 2).

Ritterkreuz award ceremony for the six "Fallschirmjäger Heroes of Crete", 21 August 1941. From left to right: Generalmajor Hermann-Bernhard Ramcke (Kommandeur der Ergänzungseinheiten und Schulen des XI. Fliegerkorps) and General der Fallschirmtruppe Kurt Student (Kommandierender General XI. Fliegerkorps). In the background is Hermann Göring's personal train (sonderzug), "Asien". It was an armored special train that served as a mobile headquarters and luxurious transport for the Reichsmarschall. Some sources also refer to it as "Pommern" in certain contexts.

Ritterkreuz award ceremony for the six "Fallschirmjäger Heroes of Crete", 21 August 1941. From left to right: Generalmajor Hermann-Bernhard Ramcke (Kommandeur der Ergänzungseinheiten und Schulen des XI. Fliegerkorps), General der Fallschirmtruppe Kurt Student (Kommandierender General XI. Fliegerkorps), Oberstabsarzt Dr.med. Heinrich Neumann (Regimentsarzt Fallschirmjäger-Sturm-Regiment), and Major Hans Kroh (Kommandeur I.Bataillon / Fallschirmjäger-Regiment 2).

Generalmajor Hermann-Bernhard Ramcke in 1941.



Generalmajor Hermann-Bernhard Ramcke.


Generalmajor Hermann-Bernhard Ramcke (Kommandeur Ergänzungseinheiten und Schulen des XI. Fliegerkorps) in a formal picture with his family on Christmas Day of 1941. The mother of the children is Ruth Göldner - daughter of Generalleutnant Paul Göldner - who is 20 years younger than her husband. The couple had eight children, with the youngest being Volker Ramcke, who was born in 1952, a year after his father was released from an Allied prison camp. In the photo itself General Ramcke is wearing a Luftwaffe kleinerrock suit, with a bunch of medals pinned to the chest. Of course the most prestigious medal is the Ritterkreuz des Eisernen Kreuzes in his neck, which he got on August 21, 1941, four months before this photo was taken. Ramcke himself then completed his Ritterkreuz "collection" with three more of even higher tiers: Eichenlaub (13 November 1942), Schwerter (19 September 1944), and Brillanten (19 September 1944). The latter made him one of only 27 soldiers in the entire Wehrmacht and SS to have it! The couple's six children make the mother, Ruth Ramcke, eligible for the Mutterkreuz (Mother's Cross), a special medal bestowed by the German government on every mother who gives birth to five or more children, as a token of appreciation for their dedication and sacrifices in raising so many children.

Generalmajor Hermann-Bernhard Ramcke (left, Kommandeur Fallschirmjäger-Brigade "Ramcke") and Major Hans Kroh (Kommandeur Kampfgruppe "Kroh" / Fallschirmjäger-Brigade "Ramcke") sitting at a table in a tent (table set with a pitcher and cookies) in North Africa, 1942. The picture was taken by Kriegsberichter Schnitzer of PK (Propaganda-Kompanie) XI. Fliegerkorps.



Generalmajor Hermann-Bernhard Ramcke (left, Kommandeur Fallschirmjäger-Brigade "Ramcke") and Major Hans Kroh (Kommandeur Kampfgruppe "Kroh" / Fallschirmjäger-Brigade "Ramcke") in North Africa, 1942.



Generalmajor Hermann-Bernhard Ramcke with his soldiers.



Hermann-Bernhard Ramcke and Erwin Rommel.



Generalmajor Hermann-Bernhard Ramcke interviewed by a Luftwaffe Kriegsberichter, 13 November 1942.

Color picture of Generalmajor Hermann-Bernhard Ramcke by Walter Frentz.



Color picture of Generalmajor Hermann-Bernhard Ramcke by Walter Frentz.



Color picture of Generalmajor Hermann-Bernhard Ramcke by Walter Frentz.



Color picture of Generalmajor Hermann-Bernhard Ramcke by Walter Frentz.



Generalmajor Hermann-Bernhard Ramcke.



Generalleutnant Hermann-Bernhard Ramcke (Kommandeur 2. Fallschirmjäger-Division) on an inspection tour to observe the war exercises of his division at Damgan and Morbihan beach in Brittany, France, in May 1943. Other pictures from this occasion can be seen HERE.



Generalleutnant Hermann-Bernhard Ramcke.



The capture of General der Fallschirmtruppe Hermann-Bernhard Ramcke, 19 September 1944.



General der Fallschirmtruppe Hermann-Bernhard Ramcke.



Former members of the Waffen-SS march through the streets of Verden, Niedersachsen, while being watched by the watchful eyes of British Military Police officer at left. They came to the post-war reunion of former members of the Waffen-SS (Nachkriegstreffen der Waffen-SS) which was held in Verden on 27 October 1952. Most likely this photo was taken just before the laying of wreaths in memory of their comrades in arms who have fallen during World War II. Second row after the wreath bearers are their leaders, from left to right: Hermann-Bernhard Ramcke, Felix Steiner and Herbert Otto Gille. Ramcke was a former general of the Fallschirmjäger (Paratroopers), while Steiner and Gille were both former commanders of the SS "Wiking" Division. Ramcke and Gille were both the recipients of Brillanten zum Ritterkreuz des Eisernen Kreuzes, while Steiner "only" received the Schwerter for his Ritterkreuz (one level lower than Brillanten). Other pictures from this occasion can be seen HERE.



Hermann-Bernhard Ramcke in 1961.



Hermann-Bernhard Ramcke after the war.



Old Hermann-Bernhard Ramcke after the war.

Old Hermann-Bernhard Ramcke after the war.

Source:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hermann-Bernhard_Ramcke
https://www.tracesofwar.com/persons/1043/Ramcke-Hermann-Bernhard-GendFallschirmtruppe.htm
https://www.lexikon-der-wehrmacht.de/Personenregister/R/RamckeHB.htm
https://ritterkreuztraeger.blogspot.com/ (format reference)
https://www.specialcamp11.co.uk/General%20der%20Fallschirmtruppe%20Hermann-Bernhard%20Ramcke2.htm
https://ww2gravestone.com/people/ramcke-hermann-bernard/
http://www.cimilitaria.com/ramcke%20service%20history%20page.htm
https://www.geni.com/ (family references)
https://forum.axishistory.com/
https://www.wehrmacht-awards.com/forums/
https://www.bundesarchiv.de/en/
https://rk.balsi.de/index.php?action=list&cat=300
Hermann-Bernhard Ramcke, Vom Ritterkreuzträger zum Angeklagten, Nation Europa Verlag, Coburg, 2001 (reprint of earlier memoirs)
Veit Scherzer, Die Ritterkreuzträger 1939-1945, Scherzers Militaer-Verlag, Ranis/Jena, 2007
Gordon Williamson, Knight's Cross with Diamonds Recipients 1941-45, Osprey Publishing, 2006
Franz Thomas & Günter Wegmann, Die Ritterkreuzträger der Deutschen Wehrmacht, Biblio Verlag
Additional references from books.google.com searches on Ramcke memoirs and Ritterkreuz citations
https://web.archive.org/web/20091027052912fw_/http://geocities.com/orion47.geo/index2.html
https://www.unithistories.com/units_index/index.php?file=/officers/personsx.html
http://de.metapedia.org/ (supplementary historical entries)

Waffen-SS Reunion in Verden (1952)

Former members of the Waffen-SS march through the streets of Verden, Niedersachsen, while being watched by the watchful eyes of British Military Police officer at left. They came to the post-war reunion of former members of the Waffen-SS (Nachkriegstreffen der Waffen-SS) which was held in Verden on 27 October 1952. Most likely this photo was taken just before the laying of wreaths in memory of their comrades in arms who have fallen during World War II. Second row after the wreath bearers are their leaders, from left to right: Hermann-Bernhard Ramcke, Felix Steiner and Herbert Otto Gille. Ramcke was a former general of the Fallschirmjäger (Paratroopers), while Steiner and Gille were both former commanders of the SS "Wiking" Division. Ramcke and Gille were both the recipients of Brillanten zum Ritterkreuz des Eisernen Kreuzes, while Steiner "only" received the Schwerter for his Ritterkreuz (one level lower than Brillanten).

Front row, from left to right: Hermann-Bernhard Ramcke (former Fallschirmjäger General), Felix Steiner (former Waffen-SS General), and Herbert Otto Gille (former Waffen-SS General). This picture was taken during post-war reunion of former members of the Waffen-SS (Nachkriegstreffen der Waffen-SS) which was held in Verden, Niedersachsen, on 27 October 1952.

These two pictures were taken during post-war reunion of former members of the Waffen-SS (Nachkriegstreffen der Waffen-SS) which was held in Verden, Niedersachsen, on 27 October 1952. Top picture shows Herbert Otto Gille (former General of the Waffen-SS) at the podium, while bottom picture shows notice boards which is showing photos of former members of the Waffen-SS whose fate is still unknown until that time

Source :
http://alifrafikkhan.blogspot.com/2014/03/album-foto-herbert-otto-gille.html
https://beeldbankwo2.nl/nl/beelden/detail/b017423e-0259-11e7-904b-d89d6717b464/media/e38e644a-29c9-763c-1c05-0fa626b2a23b?mode=detail&view=horizontal&q=gille&rows=1&page=3
https://www.gettyimages.co.uk/search/2/image?family=editorial&phrase=herbert%20gille
https://www.topfoto.co.uk/asset/1680249/