Panzergruppe 3 during Operation Barbarossa

Panzergruppe 3 during the start of Unternehmen Barbarossa, the invasion of Germany to the Soviet Union, between 22 June - 10 July 1941. We can see a group of military officers conferring, numerous military vehicles waiting and traveling along the road. Also tent with the sign: "General", where soldiers playing music for their officers and others (violin, two accordions, percussion). Generals and officers conferring over a map in the woods. Several wear the Ritterkreuz des Eisernen Kreuzes. Some faces that can be recognized :

General der Panzertruppe Rudolf Schmidt : Kommandierender General XXXIX. Armeekorps (motorisiert)
Generalmajor Hans Zorn : Kommandeur 20. Infanterie-Division (motorisiert)
Generalmajor Stephan Rittau : Kommandeur 129. Infanterie-Division
Generalmajor Hans Freiherr von Funck : Kommandeur 7. Panzer-Division
Oberst i.G. Hans-Georg Hildebrandt : Chef des Generalstabes XXXIX. Armeekorps (motorisiert)
Oberstleutnant i.G. Oldwig von Natzmer : 1. Generalstabsoffizier (Ia) XXXIX. Armeekorps (motorisiert)

From left to right: Generalmajor Hans Zorn (Kommandeur 20. Infanterie-Division) and Generalmajor Stephan Rittau (Kommandeur 129. Infanterie-Division).

General der Panzertruppe Rudolf Schmidt (Kommandierender General XXXIX. Armeekorps). Behind him is Oberst i.G. Hans-Georg Hildebrandt (Chef des Generalstabes XXXIX. Armeekorps).

From left to right: Generalmajor Hans Freiherr von Funck (Kommandeur 7. Panzer-Division), unknown Luftwaffe Oberst, Oberstleutnant i.G. Oldwig von Natzmer : (Ia XXXIX. Armeekorps), and Generalmajor Hans Zorn (Kommandeur 20. Infanterie-Division).

In the center is Generalmajor Hans Freiherr von Funck (Kommandeur 7. Panzer-Division).

Facing the camera, from left to right: Generalmajor Hans Freiherr von Funck (Kommandeur 7. Panzer-Division), Oberstleutnant i.G. Oldwig von Natzmer : (Ia XXXIX. Armeekorps), and General der Panzertruppe Rudolf Schmidt (Kommandierender General XXXIX. Armeekorps).

Source ;
https://collections.ushmm.org/search/catalog/irn1003723

Rudolf Schmidt Playing Piano

Generaloberst Rudolf Schmidt (Oberbefehlshaber 2. Panzerarmee) playing piano at his farewell party in Orjol, Russia, 4 March 1943. In 11 April 1943 he would be replaced by General der Infanterie Erich-Heinrich Clößner, having openly criticized the general conduct of war. He was transferred to the Führerreserve and was to be responsible for the Reichskriegsgericht (Reich War Tribunal). His brother had been arrested for treason, and the discrediting letters from the Generaloberst was found with him. However, Schmidt was not condemned by the Reichskriegsgericht. Generalstabsrichter Karl Sack recommended the admission to a psychiatric institution. He later attempted to be brought back into active service by Himmler's recommendation, but Hitler rejected this request in September 1944. In 1947 he was arrested in the Soviet occupation zone. He was then brought to Russia as an alleged prisoner of war. There he was condemned to death, but later pardoned. It was not until the winter of 1955/56 that he returned to his homeland... as one of the last prisoners.

Source :
Militärgeschichte magazine, Heft 1/2017
http://www.lexikon-der-wehrmacht.de/Personenregister/S/SchmidtR-R.htm

Portrait Photo of Rudolf "Panzer" Schmidt"

This picture was taken on 17 March 1942 by Kriegsberichter Moosdorf, and showing Rudolf Schmidt (Oberbefehlshaber 2. Panzerarmee) not long after promoted from General der Panzertruppe to Generaloberst, 1 Januari 1942.

Source :
Militärgeschichte magazine, Heft 1/2017
https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Bundesarchiv_Bild_183-2005-1017-520,_Rudolf_Schmidt.jpg
https://ww2gravestone.com/people/schmidt-rudolf-panzer-schmidt/

Rudolf Schmidt, Friedrich Kirchner and Walther Wenck in 1940

General der Panzertruppe Rudolf Schmidt (left, Kommandierender General XXXIX. Armeekorps [motorisiert]) with his subordinates in France, 17 June 1940. Sitting at right is Generalleutnant Friedrich Kirchner (Kommandeur 1. Panzer-Division), while behind him with hands on the table is Major Walther Wenck (Ia Erster Generalstabsoffizier 1. Panzer-Division). They were part of Gruppe Guderian under General der Panzertruppe Heinz Guderian.

Source :
Militärgeschichte magazine, Heft 1/2017

Rudolf Schmidt at His Desk

Generaloberst Rudolf Schmidt (Oberbefehlshaber 2. Panzerarmee) at his desk in Orjol, Russia, 1942. He received the Ritterkreuz des Eisernen Kreuzes on 3 June 1940 as Generalleutnant and Kommandierender General XXXIX. Panzerkorps, and Eichenlaub #19 for his Ritterkreuz on 10 July 1941 as General der Panzertruppe and Kommandierender General XXXIX. Armeekorps (motorisiert).

Source :
Militärgeschichte magazine, Heft 1/2017