Gotthard Heinrici and Theodor Scherer

General der Infanterie Gotthard Heinrici (wearing ledermantel, Oberbefehlshaber 4. Armee) with his subordinate officers during war conference in the field. With hand on chin beside him is Generalmajor Hans Röttiger (Chef des Generalstabes 4. Armee), while behind Röttiger is Generalmajor Theodor Scherer (Kommandeur 34. Infanterie-Division). Last one, behind Heinrici is Oberleutnant Salm (at least that is what written on the back of the photo). The picture was taken in the Eastern Front, summer of 1942.

Source :
https://www.ebay.de/b/General-in-Militaria-Fotos-1900-1918-1945/15504/bn_7004515776

Staff Officers of Kampfgruppe Scherer in Cholm

The staff of Kampfrguppe Scherer in the besieged Cholm, April 1942. Third from right is Generalmajor Theodor Scherer (Kommandeur), while second from right is Johannes Manitius (Ia Operationsoffizier). They were both receives the Ritterkreuz des Eisernen Kreuzes for their tenacious defence of Cholm. The picture was taken by Kriegsberichter Richard Muck of PK (Propaganda-Kompanie) 501. After the war Muck published the book "Kampfgruppe Scherer: 105 Tage im Kessel von Cholm. Zeitgeschichte im Bild".

Source :
Bundesarchiv Bild 101I-004-3648-02

Ritterkreuz Award Ceremony for Albert Biecker

Generalmajor Theodor Scherer (Kommandeur Kampfgruppe Scherer) awards his friend Hauptmann Dipl.-Ing. Albert Biecker (Chef 9.Kompanie / III.Bataillon / Infanterie-Regiment 386 / 218.Infanterie-Division) with the Ritterkreuz des Eisernen Kreuzes in recognition of his tremendous leadership in combat inside the Cholm Pocket, March 20, 1942. Only five weeks later Hauptmann Biecker would be killed in action inside the still-besieged Cholm. The picture was taken by Kriegsberichter Richard Muck of PK (Propaganda-Kompanie) 501.

Albert Biecker received the Ritterkreuz des Eisernen Kreuzes on 18 March 1942 as Hauptmann and Chef 9.Kompanie / III.Bataillon / Infanterie-Regiment 386 / 218.Infanterie-Division. The medal was awarded for his actions during the siege of Cholm, as described in the following wartime excerpt: “Hauptmann Biecker has ruthlessly fended off countless attacks while serving as the commander of the main strongpoint on the eastern road for over 6 weeks. Yesterday morning he and his men used hand grenades to defeat a tank-supported Russian demolition group that was striking against the GPU building, and on this morning he eliminated a Soviet company that had entered into the GPU building while being covered by tanks. These deeds have been decisive for the holding of Cholm.”

Generalmajor Theodor Scherer (Kommandeur Kampfgruppe Scherer) awards his friend Hauptmann Dipl.-Ing. Albert Biecker (Chef 9.Kompanie / III.Bataillon / Infanterie-Regiment 386 / 218.Infanterie-Division) with the Ritterkreuz des Eisernen Kreuzes inside the Cholm Pocket, 20 March 1942. Now Hauptmann Biecker is wearing his white stahlhelm. The picture was taken by Kriegsberichter Richard Muck of PK (Propaganda-Kompanie) 501.

Generalmajor Theodor Scherer (Kommandeur Kampfgruppe Scherer) hugging his friend Hauptmann Dipl.-Ing. Albert Biecker (Chef 9.Kompanie / III.Bataillon / Infanterie-Regiment 386 / 218.Infanterie-Division) who just received the Ritterkreuz des Eisernen Kreuzes inside the Cholm Pocket, 20 March 1942. The picture was taken by Kriegsberichter Richard Muck of PK (Propaganda-Kompanie) 501.

Hauptmann Dipl.-Ing. Albert Biecker (Chef 9.Kompanie / III.Bataillon / Infanterie-Regiment 386 / 218.Infanterie-Division) smiling to the camera after receiving the Ritterkreuz des Eisernen Kreuzes from Generalmajor Theodor Scherer (Kommandeur Kampfgruppe Scherer) inside the Cholm Pocket, 20 March 1942. The picture was taken by Kriegsberichter Richard Muck of PK (Propaganda-Kompanie) 501.

Source :
Bundesarchiv photo collection
"Besieged: The Epic Battle For Cholm" by Jason D. Mark
"Kampfgruppe Scherer: 105 Tage im Kessel von Cholm. Zeitgeschichte im Bild" by Richard Muck
https://forum.axishistory.com/viewtopic.php?f=55&t=96560&start=15
https://www.tracesofwar.com/persons/28436/Biecker-Albert.htm
https://www.ww2incolor.com/gallery/german-forces/19864/knight%27s-cross-award-in-cholm-pocket

Ritterkreuz Award Ceremony for Johannes Manitius

Ritterkreuz award ceremony for Oberst Johannes Manitius (Kommandeur Infanterie-Regiment 386 / 218.Infanterie-Division and, at the same time, Ia Kampfgruppe Scherer) which were held at the besieged Cholm in the northern sector of the Eastern Front. The location of the ceremony was in front of a bunker, and at that time Kampfgruppe Scherer were still surrounded by Russian troops and isolated from other Wehrmacht units. As the result, the four officers of Kampfgruppe Scherer who won the Ritterkreuz got their medals from air shipments dropped by friendly aircraft! Awarding the medal is Generalmajor Theodor Scherer (Kommandeur Kampfgruppe Scherer). Manitius himself formally received the Ritterkreuz on 3 April 1942. On the same day he was promoted from Oberstleutnant to Oberst.

Ritterkreuz award ceremony for Oberst Johannes Manitius (Kommandeur Infanterie-Regiment 386 / 218.Infanterie-Division and, at the same time, Ia Kampfgruppe Scherer) which were held at the besieged Cholm in the northern sector of the Eastern Front. The location of the ceremony was in front of a bunker, and at that time Kampfgruppe Scherer were still surrounded by Russian troops and isolated from other Wehrmacht units. As the result, the four officers of Kampfgruppe Scherer who won the Ritterkreuz got their medals from air shipments dropped by friendly aircraft! Awarding the medal is Generalmajor Theodor Scherer (Kommandeur Kampfgruppe Scherer). Manitius himself formally received the Ritterkreuz on 3 April 1942. On the same day he was promoted from Oberstleutnant to Oberst.

Oberst Johannes Manitius (Kommandeur Infanterie-Regiment 386 / 218.Infanterie-Division and, at the same time, Ia Kampfgruppe Scherer) posing for the camera after receiving the Ritterkreuz des Eisernen Kreuzes, April 1942. The picture was taken by Kriegsberichter Richard Muck of PK (Propaganda-Kompanie) 501.

Source :
Bundesarchiv photo collection
"Kampfgruppe Scherer: 105 Tage im Kessel von Cholm. Zeitgeschichte im Bild" by Richard Muck
http://alifrafikkhan.blogspot.com/2015/01/foto-281-sicherungs-division-281.html
https://forum.axishistory.com/viewtopic.php?t=96560&start=15

Theodor Scherer and Werner Wrangel

Generalleutnant Theodor Scherer (center, Kommandeur 83. Infanterie-Division) in a "Lagebesprechung" (briefing) with Pakgeschützführer und Ritterkreuzträger (Commander of Anti-Tank Gun and Knight's Cross holder) Unteroffizier Werner Wrangel of Panzerjäger-Abteilung 183 / 83.Infanterie-Division. The picture was taken at Velikije Luki, Soviet Union, on November 26, 1943. The Ritterkreuz hanging from Wrangel's neck (right) was received on February 8, 1943 when he destroyed no less than 17 Soviet tanks that attacking his position in a night battle southwest of Toropets, while relying only on a single 4,7 cm mittlere Panzerabwehrkanone 36(t) L/43,4 anti-tank gun... in a frozen hill, and in the middle of a snow blizzard with temperatures dropped to the extreme -25ºC! He fired steadily at every approaching enemy tank until its guns jammed and all its crew were wounded. Not giving up, he withdrew his comrades from the infantry unit to replace them, and this too soon fell! His efforts not proved fruitless, and the massive enemy attack stagnated, preventing Kampfgruppe Scherer from being encircled. So great was Wrangel's heroism in that battle that he was rewarded - not just one - but four medals at once (which has no equal in the history of the Wehrmacht!): Infanterie-Sturmabzeichen, Eisernes Kreuzes II.Klasse and I.Klasse, and Ritterkreuz des Eisernen Kreuzes! BTW, in this photo we can see that Wrangel is wearing a dienstuhr on his left arm. The Dienstuhr is a special watch issued to members of the Wehrmacht (Heer, Luftwaffe and Kriegsmarine). This watch is not the result of a personal purchase, but a gift from OKW (Oberkommando der Wehrmacht). The shape is almost the same, although the brand is different. In accordance with the fashion at the time, Dienstuhr made in the 1930s had a rectangular shape, while those produced in the 1940s were circular.

Source :
ECPAD archives (KBZN F148 L25)
ECPAD archives (KBZN F148 L39)