Ritterkreuzträger of the Kriegsmarine Speech to the Hitlerjugend

Hitlerjugend demonstration under the banner of "Die Ritterkreuzträger der Kriegsmarine Rede an die Hitlerjugend" (The Knight's Cross Recipients of the German Navy Speech to the Hitler Youth) at the Berlin Sportpalast, 16 June 1943. The Kriegsmarine banners and flags entry to the venue.

Hitlerjugend demonstration under the banner of "Die Ritterkreuzträger der Kriegsmarine Rede an die Hitlerjugend" (The Knight's Cross Recipients of the German Navy Speech to the Hitler Youth) at the Berlin Sportpalast, 16 June 1943. Hitlerjugend leader, Reichsjugendführer Artur Axmann, arrives to the venue with the Ritterkreuzträger. The picture was taken by Kriegsberichter Jacques. The identification as follow :

1. Admiral Walter Warzecha (Chef des Allgemeinen Marinehauptamtes)

2. Kapitän zur See Kurt Thoma (Chef Abteilung K III M im Oberkommando der Marine)

3. Reichsjugendführer Artur Axmann

4. ???

5. ???

6. Kapitänleutnant Reinhard Hardegen (Kommandant U-123)
7. ???

Hitlerjugend demonstration under the banner of "Die Ritterkreuzträger der Kriegsmarine Rede an die Hitlerjugend" (The Knight's Cross Recipients of the German Navy Speech to the Hitler Youth) at the Berlin Sportpalast, 16 June 1943. From left to right:

1. ???

2. ???

3. Kapitänleutnant Reinhard Hardegen (Kommandant U-123)

4. ???

5. ???

6. ???

7. Kapitän zur See Kurt Thoma (Chef Abteilung K III M im Oberkommando der Marine)

8. Admiral Walter Warzecha (Chef des Allgemeinen Marinehauptamtes)

Hitlerjugend demonstration under the banner of "Die Ritterkreuzträger der Kriegsmarine Rede an die Hitlerjugend" (The Knight's Cross Recipients of the German Navy Speech to the Hitler Youth) at the Berlin Sportpalast, 16 June 1943. General view of the venue.

Hitlerjugend demonstration under the banner of "Die Ritterkreuzträger der Kriegsmarine Rede an die Hitlerjugend" (The Knight's Cross Recipients of the German Navy Speech to the Hitler Youth) at the Berlin Sportpalast, 16 June 1943. Kapitänleutnant Reinhard Hardegen at the podium. He receives the Ritterkreuz des Eisernen Kreuzes on 23 January 1942 and Eichenlaub #89 on 23 April 1942, both as Kommandant of U-123.

Hitlerjugend demonstration under the banner of "Die Ritterkreuzträger der Kriegsmarine Rede an die Hitlerjugend" (The Knight's Cross Recipients of the German Navy Speech to the Hitler Youth) at the Berlin Sportpalast, 16 June 1943. Young Hitlerjugend listen to the speech of Kapitänleutnant Reinhard Hardegen (Kommandant U-123).

Source :
https://audiovis.nac.gov.pl/obraz/46778/5e28e96352ea4081586bbeb2b0257d23/
https://audiovis.nac.gov.pl/obraz/46785/5e28e96352ea4081586bbeb2b0257d23/
https://audiovis.nac.gov.pl/obraz/46787/5e28e96352ea4081586bbeb2b0257d23/
https://audiovis.nac.gov.pl/obraz/46789/16681a180a83d321351d3a71c29af66e/
https://audiovis.nac.gov.pl/obraz/46794/5e28e96352ea4081586bbeb2b0257d23/
https://audiovis.nac.gov.pl/obraz/46798/5e28e96352ea4081586bbeb2b0257d23/

Color Photo of Ludwig Stautner

Ludwig Stautner (4 May 1895 - 5 January 1983) received the Ritterkreuz des Eisernen Kreuzes on 20 June 1940 as Major and Kommandeur I.Bataillon / Gebirgsjäger-Regiment 139 / 3.Gebirgs-Division / XXI.Armeekorps. Other medals and decorations he receives: 1914 Eisernes Kreuz II.Klasse und I.Klasse; Verwundetenabzeichen 1918 in Silber; Ehrenkreuz für Frontkämpfer 1914/1918; 1939 spange zum 1914 Eisernes Kreuz II.Klasse und I.Klasse; Narvikschild; Heeresbergführer; and Medaille Winterschlacht im Osten 1941/42 (1942). Stautner participated in the following battles and operations: Invasion of Poland (1939), Norwegian Campaign (1940), Battles of Narvik (1940), Operation Barbarossa (1941), Operation Silberfuchs (1941), Operation Renntier (1941), Operation Platinfuchs (1941), and the Siege of Leningrad (1941-1944). His last rank is Oberst.

Source :
http://das-ritterkreuz.de/index_search_db.php?modul=search_result_det&wert1=6242&searchword=stautner

The Commanders of NJG 1 in the Summer of 1944

The commanders of NJG 1 (Nachtjagdgeschwader 1). From left to right: Hauptmann Heinz-Wolfgang Schnaufer (Gruppenkommandeur IV.Gruppe / Nachtjagdgeschwader 1), Hauptmann Martin Drewes (Gruppenkommandeur III.Gruppe / Nachtjagdgeschwader 1), Major Hans-Joachim Jabs (Geschwaderkommodore Nachtjagdgeschwader 1), Hauptmann Paul Förster (Gruppenkommandeur I.Gruppe / Nachtjagdgeschwader 1), and Hauptmann Eckart-Wilhelm von Bonin (Gruppenkommandeur II.Gruppe / Nachtjagdgeschwader 1). The picture was taken in the summer of 1944 - between May and June - at Fliegerhorst Leeuwarden (Netherlands).

Source :
http://www.asisbiz.com/il2/Bf-110/NJG1-Schnaufer/pages/Aircrew-Luftwaffe-pilots-Heinz-Wolfgang-Schnaufer-Drewes-Jabs-Forster-von-Bonin-01.html

Helmut Lent, Heinz-Wolfgang Schnaufer and Hans-Joachim Jabs

Nachtjagd Experten at St. Trond, early spring 1944. From left to right: : Major Helmut Lent (Geschwaderommodore Nachtjagdgeschwader 3), bandmaster, Oberleutnant Heinz-Wolfgang Schnaufer (Gruppenkommandeur IV.Gruppe / Nachtjagdgeschwader 1), and Hauptmann Hans-Joachim Jabs (Geschwaderkommodore Nachtjagdgeschwader 1). The picture is part of the collection of Martin Drewes, another Nachtjagd experten.

Source :
Book "Nachtjagd: Defenders of the Reich 1940-1943" by Martin W Bowman

Helmut Lent and Raumführer Heinrich Ruppel

From left to right: Major Helmut Lent (Geschwaderkommodore Nachtjagdgeschwader 3) with Hauptmann Heinrich Ruppel (Nachtjagd Raumführer Leeuwarden / Area Controller of Leeuwarden) in 1943. Raumführer Ruppel had been a pilot on the Western Front in World War I and he was acknowledged to be one of the most skilful fighter controllers in Nachtjagd.

Source :
Book "Nachtjagd: Defenders of the Reich 1940-1943" by Martin W Bowman

Portrait Photo of Heinrich Boigk

Heinrich Boigk (30 October 1912 - 28 March 2003) received the Ritterkreuz des Eisernen Kreuzes on 5 March 1943 as Oberjäger der Reserve and Gruppenführer in 2.Kompanie / I.Bataillon / Jäger-Regiment 49 / 28.Jäger-Division / XXVI.Armeekorps / 18.Armee / Heeresgruppe Nord. He also received the Eichenlaub #370 for his Ritterkreuz on 18 January 1944 as Feldwebel der Reserve and Zugführer in 2.Kompanie / I.Bataillon / Jäger-Regiment 49 / 28.Jäger-Division / XXXVIII.Armeekorps / 18.Armee / Heeresgruppe Nord. His last rank was Leutnant der Reserve.

Source :
https://audiovis.nac.gov.pl/obraz/35781/fa1335aa4db6816042ff741122491141/
http://das-ritterkreuz.de/index_search_db.php?modul=search_result_det&wert1=542&searchword=boigk
http://www.lexikon-der-wehrmacht.de/Gliederungen/JagerReg/JReg49.htm

Paul Gildner and Wilhelm Beier

November 1941: Two Luftwaffe Senior Sergeants whom also a Ritterkreuzträger (recipient of the Ritterkreuz des Eisernen Kreuzes) and night aces. From left to right: Oberfeldwebel Paul Gildner (Flugzeugführer in 3.Staffel / I.Gruppe / Nachtjagdgeschwader 1. Ritterkreuz on 9 July 1941 after 11 victories. Total score: 48 victories, with 44 at night) and Oberfeldwebel Wilhelm Beier (Flugzeugführer in 3.Staffel / I.Gruppe / Nachtjagdgeschwader 2. Ritterkreuz on 10 October 1941 after 14 victories. Total score: 38 victories, with all of them at night). The picture was taken by Kriegsberichter Doelfs. BTW, Gildner achieved one of the first recorded night victories of the war after he shot down a British Hampden bomber with his Messerschmitt Bf 110 on the night of 2/3 September 1940, his first night victory.

Source :
http://www.aircrewremembered.com/KrackerDatabase/?q=beier%2C+wilhelm
https://audiovis.nac.gov.pl/obraz/35780/16681a180a83d321351d3a71c29af66e/
http://forum.12oclockhigh.net/showthread.php?t=18402
https://ww2gravestone.com/people/gildner-paul/

Rolf Carls Congratulates Siegfried Strelow

November 1942: Generaladmiral Rolf Carls (left, Oberbefehlshaber Marinegruppenkommando Nord) congratulates Kapitänleutnant Siegfried Strelow (right) for his award of the Ritterkreuz des Eisernen Kreuzes, which he received on 27 October 1942 as Kommandant of U-435. Visible second from left is Eichenlaubträger (recipient of the Ritterkreuz des Eisernen Kreuzes mit Eichenlaub), Kapitänleutnant Herbert Emil Schultze (Kommandant 3. U-Bootsflottille).

Source :
https://audiovis.nac.gov.pl/obraz/35672/16681a180a83d321351d3a71c29af66e/

Günter Kuhnke Welcomes Helmut Witte

13 July 1942: Kapitänleutnant Günter Kuhnke (left, Kommandant U-125) welcomes fellow U-boat commander, Kapitänleutnant Helmut Witte (Kommandant U-159), who just returning to the base of 10th U-boat Flottilla (10. Unterseebootsflottille) at Lorient, France, after sank 12 steamers in American waters. For that amazing feat - and additional victims from the next patrol - Witte received the Ritterkreuz des Eisernen Kreuzes on 22 October 1942, while Kuhnke himself had received the same medal previously: on 19 September 1940 as Kapitänleutnant and Kommandant U-28.

Source :
https://audiovis.nac.gov.pl/obraz/2742/16681a180a83d321351d3a71c29af66e/
https://uboat.net/men/kuhnke.htm

Portrait Photo of Wolfhart Wicke

Hauptmann Wolfhart Wicke (25 September 1919 - 13 August 1944) received the Ritterkreuz des Eisernen Kreuzes on 8 February 1943 as Oberleutnant der Reserve and Chef 5.Kompanie / I.Bataillon / Gebirgsjäger-Regiment 144 / 3.Gebirgs-Division / Heeresgruppe Don. From Seelower Tageblatt, 13. February 1943 edition: "Oberleutnant Wolfhart Wicke, am 25.9.1919 als Sohn des Studienrats Arnold W. in Oberursel geboren, stieß bei den Kämpfen im Dongebiet Ende Dezember nach Abwehr eines feindlichen Angriffs an der Spitze eines Stoßtropps rasch entschlossen dem weichenden Gegner nach und vernichtete dabei ein bolschewistisches Bataillon" (Oberleutnant Wolfhart Wicke, born on 25.9.1919 as the son of the Councilor Arnold Wicke in Oberursel, quickly engaged his opponent in the fighting in the Don region at the end of December, after defending a hostile attack at the head of a battalion, thereby destroying a Bolshevik battalion). Other medals and decorations he receives: Eisernes Kreuz II.Klasse und I.Klasse; Verwundetenabzeichen in Schwarz; and Infanterie-Sturmabzeichen in Silber.

Source :
http://wehrmacht-awards.com/FORUMS/showthread.php?t=931571

Manfred Meurer in the Hoffmann Postcard Series

Hauptmann Manfred Meurer (8 September 1919 - 22 January 1944) in the Hoffmann Postcard Ritterkreuzträger Series R 165. Bauer received the Ritterkreuz des Eisernen Kreuzes on 16 April 1943 as Oberleutnant and Staffelkapitän 3.Staffel / I.Gruppe / Nachtjagdgeschwader 1 (NJG 1), and Eichenlaub #264 for his Ritterkreuz on 2 August 1943 as Hauptmann and Staffelkapitän 3.Staffel / I.Gruppe / Nachtjagdgeschwader 1 (NJG 1). His last rank is Hauptmann.

Source :
http://das-ritterkreuz.de/index_search_db.php?modul=search_result_det&wert1=4152&searchword=meurer
http://pantorijn.blogspot.co.id/2015/03/hoffmann-postcards-knight-cross-holders.html

Friedrich Bauer in the Hoffmann Postcard Series

Hauptmann Friedrich Bauer (23 September 1913 - 10 September 1943) in the Hoffmann Postcard Ritterkreuzträger Series R 248. Bauer received the Ritterkreuz des Eisernen Kreuzes posthumously in 13 September 1943 as Hauptmann and Führer I.Abteilung / Panzer-Regiment 33 "Prinz Eugen" / 9.Panzer-Division. He was also posthumously promoted to Major.

Source :
http://alifrafikkhan.blogspot.co.id/2015/01/seri-postkarten-kartu-pos-heinrich.html
http://das-ritterkreuz.de/index_search_db.php?modul=search_result_det&wert1=215&searchword=bauer,%20friedrich

Arnold Huebner and Erich Heintze

From left to right: Gefreiter Arnold Huebner and Unteroffizier Erich Heintze posed in the city streets, April 1942. They were just received the coveted Ritterkreuz des Eisernen Kreuzes (Knight's Cross of the Iron Crosses) a month before, in 7 March 1942. Heintze as a  Geschützführer, while Huebner as a  Richtkanonier. Both from 3.Batterie / I.Abteilung / Flak-Regiment 33 (motorisiert). The picture was taken by Bildberichter Eisenhardt.

Source :
https://audiovis.nac.gov.pl/obraz/3991/16681a180a83d321351d3a71c29af66e/

Max Wünsche at Berghof Obersalzberg

Smiling SS-Sturmbannführer Max Wünsche (Kommandeur I.Abteilung / SS-Panzer-Regiment 1 / SS-Panzergrenadier-Division "Leibstandarte SS Adolf Hitler") photographed at Berghof, in the Obersalzberg of the Bavarian Alps, Germany, in the spring of 1943. In June that year, Wünsche was transferred to the newly formed 12. SS-Panzer-Division "Hitlerjugend", where he became the leader of SS-Panzer Regiment 12.

Source :
http://5sswiking.tumblr.com/post/165561553047/ss-sturmbannf%C3%BChrer-max-w%C3%BCnsche-of-the

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 Friedrich Müller-Rochholz

Friedrich Müller-Rochholz (16 February 1914 - 5 May 2002) received Ritterkreuz des Eisernen Kreuzes on 8 May 1945 (the day German surrendered!) as Hauptmann and Kommandeur Panzer-Sturmpionier-Bataillon "Brandenburg". His last rank was Hauptmann.

Source :
http://das-ritterkreuz.de/index_search_db.php?modul=search_result_det&wert1=4372&searchword=Rochholz

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

Corneliu Teodorini, Karl Allmendinger and Erwin Jaenecke at Kerch Peninsula

German and Romanian Generals after leaving the command post of the 17. Armee in Stanowska, Kerch Peninsula/Crimea (Soviet Union), January 1944. From left to right: unidentified, General de divizie Corneliu Teodorini (Commander of Romanian 6th Cavalry Division / V. Armeekorps / 17.Armee), General der Infanterie Karl Allmendinger (Kommandierender General V.Armeekorps / 17.Armee), and Generaloberst Erwin Jaenecke (Oberbefehlshaber 17. Armee). The last three person were Ritterkreuzträger (holder of the Ritterkreuz des Eisernen Kreuzes). The picture was taken by Kriegsberichter Schelm. 

Source :
https://audiovis.nac.gov.pl/obraz/2503/e7305cd75fe112fb782023d7f414563a/
http://www.ww2incolor.com/rating/3?g2_itemId=647800