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Showing posts with label Weber - Alois (Waffen-SS). Show all posts

Tuesday, July 4, 2023

Das Reich Award Ceremony at Kharkov (1943)

Following the Donets Campaign and the recapture of Kharkov from the Soviets, award ceremonies were held at Kharkov by the SS-Panzergrenadier-Division "Das Reich" on 20 April 20 1943. The recipients are:

Eichenlaub #221 for SS-Obersturmbannführer Otto Kumm (Kommandeur SS-Panzergrenadier "Der Führer"). Award date: 6 April 1943.
Ritterkreuz for SS-Sturmbannführer Sylvester Stadler (Kommandeur II.Bataillon / SS-Panzergrenadier-Regiment "Der Führer"). Award date: 6 April 1943.
Ritterkreuz for SS-Sturmbannführer Vinzenz Kaiser (Führer III.Bataillon [gepanzerten] / SS-Panzergrenadier-Regiment "Der Führer"). Award date: 6 April 1943.
Ritterkreuz for SS-Sturmbannführer Hans Weiß (Kommandeur SS-Panzeraufklärungs-Abteilung 2 "Das Reich"). Award date: 6 April 1943.
Ritterkreuz for SS-Sturmbannführer Christian Tychsen (Kommandeur II.Abteilung / SS-Panzer-Regiment "Das Reich"). Award date: 31 March 1943.
Ritterkreuz for SS-Untersturmführer Karl-Heinz Worthmann (Zugführer in 6.Kompanie / II.Abteilung / SS-Panzer-Regiment 2 "Das Reich"). Award date: 31 March 1943.
Deutsches Kreuz in Gold for SS-Hauptsturmführer Rudolf Ullmann (Chef 11.Kompanie / III.Bataillon / SS-Panzergrenadier-Regiment "Deutschland"). Award date: 9 April 1943.
Deutsches Kreuz in Gold for SS-Obersturmführer Karl-Heinz Lorenz (Chef 2.Kompanie / I.Abteilung / SS-Panzer-regiment "Das Reich"). Award date: 17 April 1943.
Deutsches Kreuz in Gold for SS-Obersturmführer Helmuth Schreiber (Chef 10.Kompanie / II.Bataillon / SS-Panzergrenadier-Regiment "Deutschland"). Award date: 9 April 1943.
Deutsches Kreuz in Gold for SS-Hauptscharführer Alois Weber (Zugführer in 16.Kompanie / SS-Panzergrenadier-Regiment "Deutschland"). Award date: 9 April 1943.

Panzerkampfwagen VI Tiger I #812 "TIKI" of 8.(schwere) Kompanie / SS-Panzer-Regiment 2 "Das Reich" during the award ceremony of SS-Panzergrenadier-Division "Das Reich", which was held on 20 April 1943 at Kharkov, Ukraine. SS-Untersturmführer der Reserve Alois Kalss stand at attention in a cupola. This is quite odd because Tiger TIKI itself in this period was recorded as being commanded by SS-Unterscharführer Konrad Schweigert, but why is it Kalss that the one who sticks out above? Tiger 812 "Tiki" is a somewhat famous tank that has been referenced in various mediums including artwork and model kits. The name is believed to be either in reference to a girlfriend of one of the crew members, a pet version of "Tiger", or just a nickname amongst Das Reich that stuck.

Panzerkampfwagen VI Tiger #812 "TIKI" of 8.(schwere) Kompanie / SS-Panzer-Regiment 2 "Das Reich" was present at an award ceremony on 20 April 1943. In this photo a crewman stands on the tank either before or after the proceedings. We can identify this Tiger by matching its camouflage paint to another photo of Tiger "812". The unusually shaped gun mantlet matches a photo of a whitewashed Tiger "812" and proves that this Tiger, and probably the whole company, have not been renumbered since the winter.

Award ceremony of SS-Panzergrenadier-Division "Das Reich" at Kharkov, Ukraine, 20 April 1943. SS-Obersturmbannführer Otto Kumm (Kommandeur SS-Panzergrenadier "Der Führer") stand beside the Panzerkampfwagen VI Tiger #812 "TIKI", while SS-Gruppenführer und Generalleutnant der Waffen-SS Walter Krüger (only legs visible, Kommandeur SS-Panzergrenadier-Division "Das Reich") gives the introductory speech above the hull. In this ceremony, Kumm received the Eichenlaub #221 for his Ritterkreuz, and becoming the first Eichenlaubträger of Das Reich Division

Award ceremony of SS-Panzergrenadier-Division "Das Reich" at Kharkov, Ukraine, 20 April 1943. SS-Gruppenführer und Generalleutnant der Waffen-SS Walter Krüger (Kommandeur SS-Panzergrenadier-Division "Das Reich") gives the introductory speech above Panzerkampfwagen VI Tiger #812 "TIKI" with SS-Untersturmführer der Reserve Alois Kalss stand at attention in a cupola, while below him (wearing stahlhelm) is SS-Obersturmbannführer Otto Kumm (Kommandeur SS-Panzergrenadier "Der Führer"). The TIKI turret number was initially 812, then changed to 833 and finally S34. Strangely, Tiger TIKI itself in this period was recorded as being commanded by SS-Unterscharführer Konrad Schweigert, but why is it Kalss that the one who sticks out above? BTW, the vehicle with the anti-aircraft gun muzzle facing up in the background is Sd.Kfz.7/1 2cm Flakvierling 38 auf Selbsfahrlafette. The picture was taken by SS-Kriegsberichter Friedrich Zschäckel.

Award ceremony of SS-Panzergrenadier-Division "Das Reich" at Kharkov, Ukraine, 20 April 1943. SS-Gruppenführer und Generalleutnant der Waffen-SS Walter Krüger (Kommandeur SS-Panzergrenadier-Division "Das Reich") gives the introductory speech above Panzerkampfwagen VI Tiger #812 "TIKI" with SS-Untersturmführer der Reserve Alois Kalss stand at attention in a cupola, while below him (wearing stahlhelm) is SS-Obersturmbannführer Otto Kumm (Kommandeur SS-Panzergrenadier "Der Führer"), followed by SS-Obersturmbannführer Siegfried-Max Schultz (Ia Erster Generalstabsoffizier SS-Panzergrenadier-Division "Das Reich") behind Kumm. The vehicle with the anti-aircraft gun muzzle facing up in the background is Sd.Kfz.7/1 2cm Flakvierling 38 auf Selbsfahrlafette. Another Bildberichter is ready to take pictures with his camera.

Award ceremony of SS-Panzergrenadier-Division "Das Reich" at Kharkov, Ukraine, 20 April 1943. SS-Gruppenführer und Generalleutnant der Waffen-SS Walter Krüger (Kommandeur SS-Panzergrenadier-Division "Das Reich") is reading the name of the recipients one-by-one while standing above Panzerkampfwagen VI Tiger #812 "TIKI", while all whose names are called come forward to the line. In the background we can see the first six awardee. They are, from left to right: SS-Obersturmbannführer Otto Kumm (Kommandeur SS-Panzergrenadier-Regiment "Der Führer"), SS-Sturmbannführer Christian Tychsen (Kommandeur II.Abteilung / SS-Panzer-Regiment "Das Reich"), SS-Untersturmführer Karl-Heinz Worthmann (Zugführer in 6.Kompanie / II.Abteilung / SS-Panzer-Regiment 2 "Das Reich"), SS-Sturmbannführer Sylvester Stadler (Kommandeur II.Bataillon / SS-Panzergrenadier-Regiment "Der Führer"), SS-Sturmbannführer Vinzenz Kaiser (Führer III.Bataillon [gepanzerten] / SS-Panzergrenadier-Regiment "Der Führer"), and SS-Sturmbannführer Hans Weiß (Kommandeur SS-Panzeraufklärungs-Abteilung 2 "Das Reich"). With back to the camera, third from right is SS-Obersturmbannführer Siegfried-Max Schultz (Ia Erster Generalstabsoffizier SS-Panzergrenadier-Division "Das Reich"), followed by SS-Hauptsturmführer Dieter Kesten (Adjutant SS-Panzergrenadier-Division "Das Reich") second from right.

Award ceremony of SS-Panzergrenadier-Division "Das Reich" at Kharkov, Ukraine, 20 April 1943. Nearest to the camera is SS-Gruppenführer und Generalleutnant der Waffen-SS Walter Krüger (Kommandeur SS-Panzergrenadier-Division "Das Reich"), with Panzerkampfwagen VI Tiger "TIKI" (turmnummer 812) in the background. The Tigers of the 8th company had been painted in camouflage colours over their winter whitewash. But photographs suggest that "812" was the only one with its tactical number repainted in white. This may have been done specifically for the photographs taken on the day. Behind Krüger is the divisional adjutant SS-Hauptsturmführer Dieter Kesten who would later also win the Ritterkreuz on November 12, 1943 as Führer of 6.Kompanie / SS-Panzer-Regiment 2 "Das Reich".

Award ceremony of SS-Panzergrenadier-Division "Das Reich" at Kharkov, Ukraine, 20 April 1943. SS-Gruppenführer und Generalleutnant der Waffen-SS Walter Krüger (Kommandeur SS-Panzergrenadier-Division "Das Reich") awarded the medals (Ritterkreuz and Deutsches Kreuz in Gold) to the recipients, from left to right: SS-Sturmbannführer Christian Tychsen (Kommandeur II.Abteilung / SS-Panzer-Regiment "Das Reich"), SS-Untersturmführer Karl-Heinz Worthmann (Zugführer in 6.Kompanie / II.Abteilung / SS-Panzer-Regiment 2 "Das Reich"), SS-Sturmbannführer Sylvester Stadler (Kommandeur II.Bataillon / SS-Panzergrenadier-Regiment "Der Führer"), and SS-Sturmbannführer Vinzenz Kaiser (Führer III.Bataillon [gepanzerten] / SS-Panzergrenadier-Regiment "Der Führer"). Behind Krüger is SS-Obersturmbannführer Siegfried-Max Schultz (Ia Erster Generalstabsoffizier SS-Panzergrenadier-Division "Das Reich").

Award ceremony of SS-Panzergrenadier-Division "Das Reich" at Kharkov, Ukraine, 20 April 1943. SS-Gruppenführer und Generalleutnant der Waffen-SS Walter Krüger (Kommandeur SS-Panzergrenadier-Division "Das Reich") handed the medals (Ritterkreuz and Deutsches Kreuz in Gold) to the recipients who stands facing the camera, from left to right: SS-Obersturmbannführer Otto Kumm (Kommandeur SS-Panzergrenadier-Regiment "Der Führer"), SS-Sturmbannführer Christian Tychsen (Kommandeur II.Abteilung / SS-Panzer-Regiment "Das Reich"), SS-Untersturmführer Karl-Heinz Worthmann (Zugführer in 6.Kompanie / II.Abteilung / SS-Panzer-Regiment 2 "Das Reich"), SS-Sturmbannführer Sylvester Stadler (Kommandeur II.Bataillon / SS-Panzergrenadier-Regiment "Der Führer"), SS-Sturmbannführer Vinzenz Kaiser (Führer III.Bataillon [gepanzerten] / SS-Panzergrenadier-Regiment "Der Führer"), SS-Sturmbannführer Hans Weiß (Kommandeur SS-Panzeraufklärungs-Abteilung 2 "Das Reich"), SS-Obersturmführer Karl-Heinz Lorenz (Chef 2.Kompanie / I.Abteilung / SS-Panzer-regiment "Das Reich"), and SS-Hauptsturmführer Rudolf Ullmann (Chef 11.Kompanie / III.Bataillon / SS-Panzergrenadier-Regiment "Deutschland"). Behind Krüger is SS-Obersturmbannführer Siegfried-Max Schultz (Ia Erster Generalstabsoffizier SS-Panzergrenadier-Division "Das Reich").

Award ceremony of SS-Panzergrenadier-Division "Das Reich" at Kharkov, Ukraine, 20 April 1943. SS-Gruppenführer und Generalleutnant der Waffen-SS Walter Krüger (left, Kommandeur SS-Panzergrenadier-Division "Das Reich") with six recipients of the Ritterkreuz and Eichenlaub. From left to right: SS-Obersturmbannführer Otto Kumm (Kommandeur SS-Panzergrenadier-Regiment "Der Führer"), SS-Sturmbannführer Christian Tychsen (Kommandeur II.Abteilung / SS-Panzer-Regiment "Das Reich"), SS-Untersturmführer Karl-Heinz Worthmann (Zugführer in 6.Kompanie / II.Abteilung / SS-Panzer-Regiment 2 "Das Reich"), SS-Sturmbannführer Sylvester Stadler (Kommandeur II.Bataillon / SS-Panzergrenadier-Regiment "Der Führer"), SS-Sturmbannführer Vinzenz Kaiser (Führer III.Bataillon [gepanzerten] / SS-Panzergrenadier-Regiment "Der Führer"), and SS-Sturmbannführer Hans Weiß (Kommandeur SS-Panzeraufklärungs-Abteilung 2 "Das Reich").

Award ceremony of SS-Panzergrenadier-Division "Das Reich" at Kharkov, Ukraine, 20 April 1943. From left to right: SS-Obersturmbannführer Otto Kumm (Kommandeur SS-Panzergrenadier-Regiment "Der Führer"), SS-Sturmbannführer Christian Tychsen (Kommandeur II.Abteilung / SS-Panzer-Regiment "Das Reich"), SS-Untersturmführer Karl-Heinz Worthmann (Zugführer in 6.Kompanie / II.Abteilung / SS-Panzer-Regiment 2 "Das Reich"), SS-Sturmbannführer Sylvester Stadler (Kommandeur II.Bataillon / SS-Panzergrenadier-Regiment "Der Führer"), SS-Hauptsturmführer Dieter Kesten (behind Stadler, Adjutant SS-Panzergrenadier-Division "Das Reich"), SS-Sturmbannführer Vinzenz Kaiser (Führer III.Bataillon [gepanzerten] / SS-Panzergrenadier-Regiment "Der Führer"), SS-Sturmbannführer Hans Weiß (Kommandeur SS-Panzeraufklärungs-Abteilung 2 "Das Reich"), SS-Gruppenführer und Generalleutnant der Waffen-SS Walter Krüger (back to the camera, Kommandeur SS-Panzergrenadier-Division "Das Reich"), SS-Obersturmbannführer Siegfried-Max Schultz (Ia Erster Generalstabsoffizier SS-Panzergrenadier-Division "Das Reich"), SS-Obersturmführer Karl-Heinz Lorenz (Chef 2.Kompanie / I.Abteilung / SS-Panzer-regiment "Das Reich"), and SS-Hauptsturmführer Rudolf Ullmann (Chef 11.Kompanie / III.Bataillon / SS-Panzergrenadier-Regiment "Deutschland").

Award ceremony of SS-Panzergrenadier-Division "Das Reich" at Kharkov, Ukraine, 20 April 1943. The recipients are, from left to right: SS-Obersturmbannführer Otto Kumm (Kommandeur SS-Panzergrenadier-Regiment "Der Führer"), SS-Sturmbannführer Christian Tychsen (Kommandeur II.Abteilung / SS-Panzer-Regiment "Das Reich"), SS-Untersturmführer Karl-Heinz Worthmann (Zugführer in 6.Kompanie / II.Abteilung / SS-Panzer-Regiment 2 "Das Reich"), SS-Sturmbannführer Sylvester Stadler (Kommandeur II.Bataillon / SS-Panzergrenadier-Regiment "Der Führer"), SS-Sturmbannführer Vinzenz Kaiser (Führer III.Bataillon [gepanzerten] / SS-Panzergrenadier-Regiment "Der Führer"), SS-Sturmbannführer Hans Weiß (Kommandeur SS-Panzeraufklärungs-Abteilung 2 "Das Reich"), SS-Obersturmführer Karl-Heinz Lorenz (Chef 2.Kompanie / I.Abteilung / SS-Panzer-regiment "Das Reich"), SS-Hauptsturmführer Rudolf Ullmann (Chef 11.Kompanie / III.Bataillon / SS-Panzergrenadier-Regiment "Deutschland"), SS-Obersturmführer Helmuth Schreiber (Chef 10.Kompanie / II.Bataillon / SS-Panzergrenadier-Regiment "Deutschland"), and SS-Hauptscharführer Alois Weber (Zugführer in 16.Kompanie / SS-Panzergrenadier-Regiment "Deutschland"). In the book "Tiger" by Stephan Cazenave and Rüdiger Warnick, it is mentioned that the person next to Weiß is Hans Pavelka and not Lorenz. This is difficult to accept because Pavelka received Verwundetenabzeichen in Schwarz, while Lorenz received the Verwundetenabzeichen in Silber.

Award ceremony of SS-Panzergrenadier-Division "Das Reich" at Kharkov, Ukraine, 20 April 1943. The newly recipients are being congratulated by the member of the division. The two officers shaking hands in this picture is SS-Sturmbannführer Vinzenz Kaiser (back to the camera, Führer III.Bataillon [gepanzerten] / SS-Panzergrenadier-Regiment "Der Führer") and SS-Obersturmbannführer Otto Kumm (Kommandeur SS-Panzergrenadier-Regiment "Der Führer"). With the adjutantschnur at right is SS-Hauptsturmführer Dieter Kesten (Adjutant SS-Panzergrenadier-Division "Das Reich").

Six new Ritterkreuzträger from SS-Panzergrenadier-Division "Das Reich" posed together for the camera after the award ceremony which were held at Kharkov, Ukraine, on 20 April 1943. From left to right: SS-Sturmbannführer Sylvester Stadler (Kommandeur II.Bataillon / SS-Panzergrenadier-Regiment "Der Führer"), SS-Sturmbannführer Hans Weiß (Kommandeur SS-Panzeraufklärungs-Abteilung 2 "Das Reich"), SS-Sturmbannführer Christian Tychsen (Kommandeur II.Abteilung / SS-Panzer-Regiment "Das Reich"), SS-Obersturmbannführer Otto Kumm (Kommandeur SS-Panzergrenadier-Regiment "Der Führer"), SS-Sturmbannführer Vinzenz Kaiser (Führer III.Bataillon [gepanzerten] / SS-Panzergrenadier-Regiment "Der Führer"), and SS-Untersturmführer Karl-Heinz Worthmann (Zugführer in 6.Kompanie / II.Abteilung / SS-Panzer-Regiment 2 "Das Reich"). The picture was taken by SS-Kriegsberichter Friedrich Zschäckel.

Source :
http://alifrafikkhan.blogspot.com/2014/10/foto-2-ss-panzer-division-das-reich.html
https://www.bild.bundesarchiv.de/dba/de/search/?topicid=dcx-thes_fotograf_779xk33xfvo1ev9kf6kc&page=2
http://forum-console.worldoftanks.com/index.php?/topic/185157-tiger-812-tiki/
https://stabswache-de-euros.blogspot.com/2012/10/panzergrenadier-division-das-reich.html
https://tiger1.info/event-page/812-awards

Friday, June 12, 2020

Alois Weber Ritterkreuz Action

Alois Weber

Alois Weber (30 November 1915 - 19 January 2003) received the Ritterkreuz des Eisernen Kreuzes on 30 July 1943 as SS-Hauptscharführer and Zugführer in 16.Kompanie (Pionier) / SS-Panzergrenadier-Regiment “Deutschland” / SS-Panzergrenadier-Division “Das Reich” / II.SS-Panzerkorps / Heeresgruppe Süd.

Weber's Ritterkreuz recommendation reads as follows...

"During the attack on the 5.7.1943 the II./SS-Pz.Gren.Rgt. "Deutschland" had the order to break open the deep fortified enemy lines near Beresoff. After they had annihilated the enemy combat outposts, they were to take the village itself, then storm the heavily defended high ground to the NE behind Beresoff and take possession of it.

To support this attack of the Battalion a Tiger-Kompanie was attached, as well as a Pioneer-Zug of the 16./SS-Pz.Gren.Rgt. "Deutschland" under the leadership of SS-Hauptscharführer Weber. After elimination of the combat outpost, the Pioneerstosstrupp got the order to penetrate the tank-ditch before Beresoff together with the 6./SS-Pz.Gren.Rgt. "Deutschland", and then to knock-out the bunkers lying behind (which where in controlling positions).

After they penetrated into the tank-ditch they came under enemy fire. Out of camouflaged positions came the II./SS-Pz.Gren.Rgt. "Deutschland", who then gained a foothold in this tank-ditch. Further movement was prevented through well-aimed and non-stop enemy artillery, mortar and sniper fire. A further attack appeared impossible and high bloody losses began to mount; mine damage was also caused to the supporting Tiger-Kompanie, who as a result could not give further support.

Within this Battalion, to which the enemy artillery fire was causing higher losses hour after hour (shown through our dead and wounded), the leader of the Pioneerstosstrupp, SS-Hauptscharführer Weber, took the bold decision to take full control of the tank-ditch. Without Tiger support he alone took his Zug and stormed towards the bunker line in order to provide relief for the II./SS-Pz.Gren.Rgt. "Deutschland". In the strongest enemy fire, he explored any attack possibility. He took his Zug through the running trenches and moved through the violent enemy barrage. Moving through this tank-ditch his men threw the enemy out of one position after another and reached the Soviet bunker system that controlled it.

They exploited this success further and Weber stormed on with his Pioneers. Avoiding the enemy in Beresoff, he quickly took the calm decision to move through the village and onto the controlling high ground. In bitter close combat with his group, they attacked the bunker field there (around 15 bunkers) and forced the Soviets out of each position. This also forced the enemy to abandon the north and southern parts of Beresoff, who retreated in a wild flight over the high ground and moved northwards. Through this it was possible for the II./SS-Pz.Gren.Rgt. "Deutschland" to begin their advance out of the tank-ditch and push the enemy northwards, also gaining access to the main road to Kursk.

Through the go-getting advance, outstanding courage and superior leadership of SS-Hauptscharführer Weber (his attack group had only six casualties), as well the bold decision done on his own initiative, his Pioneerstosstrupp made the attack possible. They had a decisive share of the 20km breakthrough by the SS-Pz.Gren. Div "Das Reich" of the fortified Soviet field positions on both sides of Beresoff."

Source :
Expired ebay auction
https://www.tracesofwar.com/persons/14064/Weber-Alois.htm