Romanian Award Ceremony for Finnish Carl Gustaf Mannerheim

Romanian Ambassador Constintinides (second from left) handed the commander-in-chief of Finland's defence forces, Carl Gustaf Emil Freiherr Mannerheim, the Ordinul Mihai Viteazul (Order of Michael the Brave), December 1941. It is is Romania's highest military decoration, instituted by King Ferdinand I during the early stages of the Romanian Campaign of the First World War, and was again awarded in the Second World War. The Order, which may be bestowed either on an individual or on a whole unit, was named in honor of Michael the Brave (Mihai Viteazul), a late 16th-century Prince of Wallachia, Transylvania, and Moldavia. The award for Mannerheim dated as 1 November 1941, and it contained three medals at once: Ordinul Mihai Viteazul Clasa 3, 2 and 1 (Royal Decree no. 3026). Mannerheim is also a Ritterkreuzträger (recipient of German Knight's Cross of the Iron Crosses), which he received on 18 August 1941, and Eichenlaubträger (recipient of German Knight's Cross of the Iron Crosses with Oak Leaves), which he received on 8 August 1944.

Source :
https://audiovis.nac.gov.pl/obraz/52357/16681a180a83d321351d3a71c29af66e/
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Carl_Gustaf_Emil_Mannerheim
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Order_of_Michael_the_Brave
https://www.sotasampo.fi/fi/photographs/page/sakuva_102062
https://www.tracesofwar.com/persons/34700/Mannerheim-Carl-Gustav-Emil-Freiherr.htm?c=aw

Brillantenträger Adelbert Schulz with His Fans

Generalmajor Adelbert Schulz smiling amongst happy spectators all around him. In his neck is the Ritterkreuz des Eisernen Kreuzes mit Eichenlaub, Schwertern und Brillanten (Knight's Cross of the Iron Crosses with Oak Leaves, Swords and Diamonds), which he received on 9 January 1944 from the hand of the Führer, almost a month after the initial radio announcement (14 December 1943). Schulz became the 9th recipient of the prestigious medal, and it was given for his brilliant leadership as a commander of  Panzer-Regiment 25 / 7.Panzer-Division. On 1 January 1944 he was promoted from Oberst to Generalmajor, and on 26 January 1944 he became the commander of 7. Panzer-Division. Tragically, only two days after he got elected, Schulz was wounded in action in the area of Shepetivka on 28 January 1944, and died the same day.

Source :
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Adelbert_Schulz
https://www.tracesofwar.com/persons/216/Schulz-Adelbert.htm?c=aw

Eichenlaub Award Ceremony for Panzer Ace Otto Carius

Reichsführer-SS Heinrich Himmler (Oberbefehlshaber Heeresgruppe Oberrhein) awarded the Ritterkreuz des Eisernen Kreuzes mit Eichenlaub #535 to Oberleutnant der Reserve Otto Carius from schwere Panzer-Abteilung 502. The picture was taken by SS-Kriegsberichter Ege on 2 January 1945 at the outskirts of Salzburg (Austria). The ceremony was quite extraordinary because Carius had already received the announcement of his award from 27 July 1944, but the ceremony was postponed until five months later! This is because the panzer ace was seriously injured by a multiple shot in the seven parts of his body (including the neck!) only a few days before he suppsosedly received the Eichenlaub, so he had to be taken to the intensive care for months at Feldlazarett (Field Hospital). Carius received the news of his award through newspapers when lying weak on the bed, and was only able to walk with his feet in September 1944. When this photograph was taken, he was no longer in charge of schwere Panzer-Abteilung 502 but had already been transferred to Panzer-Ersatz- und Ausbildungs-Abteilung 500. Another interesting fact is that the handed-over ceremony was performed by Himmler, whereas the Eichenlaub-grade medal ceremony and above was usually attended by Hitler directly. This is because from the end of 1944 the Führer began to restrict his public activities - along with the deterioration of the war situation - so that such activities were then represented to his closest confidants such as Himmler and Göring. Carius dedicated a chapter about this moment in his book 'Tigers in the Mud': "My first impressions of this man, whom his opponents called a 'bloodhound', had really pleasantly surprised me. I wasn't apprehensive about the upcoming 'cozy' conversation anymore. I described my visit with Heinrich Himmler in such detail, because he really surprised me. After the conversation in his staff headquarters , I gathered some hope for a successful conclusion to the war. That was after I had already considered a defeat almost certain."

Source :
https://audiovis.nac.gov.pl/obraz/36771/16681a180a83d321351d3a71c29af66e/

Ritterkreuz Award Ceremony of Wilhelm Knetsch at Stalingrad

Major Wilhelm Knetsch (Kommandeur Infanterie-Regiment 545 / 389.Infanterie-Division) receives the Ritterkreuz des Eisernen Kreuzes (Knight’s Cross of the Iron Crosses) from General der Panzertruppe Friedrich Paulus (Oberbefehlshaber 6. Armee). Stalingrad, 15 October 1942. Knetsch already received the radio news about his award from 8 October 1942. During the attack on Stalingrad, Wilhelm Friedrich Karl Knetsch (26 February 1906 - 27 March 1982) was awarded the Deutsches Kreuz in Gold and the Ritterkreuz with a fortnight of each other, and the proud Paulus said that Knetsch was the best battalion commander in his entire army! Because of a severe illness, on 15 November 1942 he left the Stalingrad cauldron.

Source :

"Winter Storm: The Battle for Stalingrad and the Operation to Rescue 6th Army" by Hans Wijers

http://www.wehrmacht-awards.com/forums/showthread.php?t=68997

https://ww2images.blogspot.co.id/2018/03/ritterkreuz-award-ceremony-of-wilhelm.html

Three German Commanders in the Battle Against Allied Troops in St.-Lô

Three senior German commanders in the Battle against Allied troops in St.-Lô area, Normandy, 16 July 1944. From left to right: General der Fallschirmtruppe Eugen Meindl (Kommandierender General II. Fallschirmkorps), SS-Obergruppenführer und General der Waffen-SS Paul Hausser (Oberbefehlshaber 7. Armee), and Generalleutnant Dipl.Ing. Richard Schimpf (Kommandeur 3. Fallschirmjäger-Division). Behind Schimpf is SS-Hauptsturmführer Karl-Heinz Boska (Adjutant Oberbefehlshaber 7. Armee). In this meeting Meindl told his commander, Hausser, that the German defense position at St.-Lô was untenable any longer due to the superiority of the Allied forces on land and in the air. The next day Hausser forwarded this message to his commander, Generalfeldmarschall Erwin Rommel (Oberbefehlshaber Heeresgruppe B). Unknowingly, on the same day Rommel was badly wounded by Allied air strikes and went to the intensive treatment at the hospital! This photo is most likely taken at Villebaudon which is the base of II. Fallschirmkorps.

General der Fallschirmtruppe Eugen Meindl (Kommandierender General II. Fallschirmkorps), SS-Obergruppenführer und General der Waffen-SS Paul Hausser (Oberbefehlshaber 7. Armee), and Generalleutnant Dipl.Ing. Richard Schimpf (Kommandeur 3. Fallschirmjäger-Division).

SS-Obergruppenführer und General der Waffen-SS Paul Hausser (Oberbefehlshaber 7. Armee) and Generalleutnant Dipl.Ing. Richard Schimpf (Kommandeur 3. Fallschirmjäger-Division).

Source :
https://www.bild.bundesarchiv.de/dba/en/search/?query=121548872#
https://ww2images.blogspot.co.id/2018/03/three-german-commanders-in-st-lo-area.html

General der Infanterie Albrecht Schubert

General der Infanterie Albrecht Schubert (23 June 1886 – 26 November 1966) was born in Glatz (modern Kłodzko, Poland, then in German Silesia), in a family of long Silesian ancestry. In 1904 he joined the Prussian Army and initially served with the Magdeburg-based Infanterie-Regiment Prinz Louis Ferdinand von Preußen (2. Magdeburgisches) Nr.27. By the time of the outbreak of World War I he rose to the rank of Leutnant. Promoted to the rank of Hauptmann in 1914, during the war he served with the Grenadier-Regiment Kronprinz (1. Ostpreußisches) Nr.1, 21. Reserve-Infanterie-Brigade, 4. Landwehr-Division, 11. Infanterie-Division and as a staff officer in the 202. Infanterie-Division. After the war he remained within the Reichswehr and served in Stettin in the 2. Division, and then in the 8. (Preußisches) Infanterie-Regiment. Promoted to Major in 1926, to Oberstleutnant in 1931 and to full Oberst in 1933. Three years later he became the commanding officer of the Infanterie-Regiment 12. Following Adolf Hitler's rise to power, Schubert's career was fast-tracked. In April 1936 he was promoted to the rank of Generalmajor and already in March 1938 he became a Generalleutnant. The following month he became the commanding officer of the 44. Infanterie-Division, with which he took part in the initial stages of World War II. During the joint Nazi and Soviet invasion of Poland in 1939 his unit took part in the fights as part of the 14. Armee. After the end of hostilities in October 1939 he was temporarily withdrawn to the personal reserve of the OKH (Oberkommando des Heeres, but was soon reinstated to active service as a provisional commanding officer of the XXIII. Armeekorps, with which he took part in the battle of France of 1940. Shortly before the start of Operation Barbarossa, Schubert was promoted to the rank of General der Infanterie and his corps was relocated to East Prussia. Already in September 1941 he was awarded with the Ritterkreuz des Eisernen Kreuzes as General der Infanterie and Kommandierender General XXIII. Armeekorps. In May 1942 he temporarily commanded the entire 9. Armee, but was again withdrawn from active service in the summer of that year. It was not until the following year that he was given the command over the Hannover-based XI. Armeekorps. Until the end of World War II he served on various staff positions in Vienna, away from the front. Schubert survived the war and died 26 November 1966 in Bielefeld, Germany. Other medals and decorations he received: Ritterkreuz des Königlich Hausordens von Hohenzollern mit Schwertern; kaiserlich und königlich Militär-Verdienstkreuz I.Klasse mit Kriegsdekoration und Schwertern ; Königlich Bayerischer Militär-Verdienstorden IV.Klasse mit Schwertern; Herzoglich Sachsen-Meiningisches Kreuz für Verdienste im Krieg; Königlich Württembergischer Friedrichs-Orden, Ritterkreuz I.Klasse mit Schwertern; Hamburger Hanseatenkreuz; 1914 Eisernes Kreuz II.Klasse und I.Klasse; Ehrenkreuz für Frontkämpfer 1914/1918; Wehrmacht-Dienstauszeichnungen; 1939 spange zum 1914 Eisernes Kreuz II.Klasse und I.Klasse; Medaille Winterschlacht im Osten 1941/42 (1942); and Deutsches Kreuz in Gold (20 January 1943)

Source :
http://das-ritterkreuz.de/index_search_db.php?modul=search_result_det&wert1=5858&searchword=schubert,%20albrecht
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Albrecht_Schubert
https://forum.axishistory.com/viewtopic.php?t=126814
http://www.grosser-generalstab.de/regiment/index.html
https://www.lot-art.com/auctions/Historical-Militaria-and-Autographs-Day-1/259376?order=est_asc&page=5
http://www.oocities.org/~orion47/WEHRMACHT/HEER/General2/SCHUBERT_ALBRECHT.html

Ritterkreuzträger with Artur Axmann at Reichsjugendführung (2)

In 3 November 1942, a big delegation of Ritterkreuzträger (German Knight's Cross recipients) visited the Reichsjugendführung, doing inspections of training places and communications with young Hitlerjugend members. This picture was taken when they met the HJ leader, Reichsjugendführer Artur Axmann. The identification as follow: (1) Oberleutnant Günter Klappich (Chef 11.Kompanie / III.Bataillon / Infanterie-Regiment 60 [motorisiert] / 16.Infanterie-Division [motorisiert]. Ritterkreuz on 31 July 1942), (2) Hauptmann Erich Löffler (Kommandeur II.Bataillon / Infanterie-Regiment 57 / 9.Infanterie-Division. Ritterkreuz on 7 October 1942), (3) Hauptmann Wilhelm Spindler (Chef 13.Kompanie / III.Bataillon / Gebirgsjäger-Regiment 98 / 1.Gebirgs-Division. Ritterkreuz on 21 December 1940), (4) Hauptmann Max Sachsenheimer (Kommandeur II.Bataillon / Jäger-Regiment 75 / 5.Jäger-Division. Ritterkreuz on 5 April 1942), (5) Hauptmann Hans-Gotthard Pestke (Chef 3.Kompanie / I.Bataillon / Infanterie-Regiment 176 / 61.Infanterie-Division. Ritterkreuz on 15 November 1941), (6) Generalleutnant Friedrich Herrlein (General der Infanterie beim Oberkommando des Heeres. Ritterkreuz on 22 September 1941), (7) Oberleutnant der Reserve Richard Grünert (Kommandeur 3.Kompanie / Kradschützen-Bataillon 7 / 7.Panzer-Division. Ritterkreuz on 14 October 1941), (8) Oberleutnant Peter Kiesgen (Führer 1.Kompanie / I.Bataillon / Infanterie-Regiment 239 / 106.Infanterie-Division. Ritterkreuz on 5 October 1941), (9) unidentified, (10) Reichsjugendführer Artur Axmann, (11) Oberleutnant Hans Guhr (Regimentsadjutant Infanterie-Regiment 513 / 294.Infanterie-Division. Ritterkreuz on 10 September 1942), and (12) Generalmajor Friedrich-Jobst Volckamer von Kirchensittenbach (Stellvertretenden Inspekteur der Inspektion des Erziehungs- und Bildungs-Wesens im Oberkommando des Heeres. Ritterkreuz later on 26 March 1944).

Studio Portrait of Friedrich-Wilhelm Bock

SS-Oberführer Friedrich-Wilhelm Bock (6 May 1897 - 11 March 1978) was an outstanding Waffen-SS artillery officer who during his career commanded three SS-divisions: 4. SS-Polizei-Panzergrenadier-Division (20 October 1943 - 19 April 1944), the Latvian 19. Waffen-Grenadier-Division der SS (15 March 1944 - 13 April 1944), and 9. SS-Panzer-Division "Hohenstaufen" (31 July 1944 - 29 August 1944). He participated in anti-partisan actions following the invasion of Poland, and took part in Operation Barbarossa and the siege of Leningrad during the winter of 1942-43. He was also a winner of the following medals and decorations: 1914 Eisernes Kreuz II.Klasse (27 July 1917); Ehrenkreuz für Frontkämpfer 1914/1918 (1934); 1939 spange zum 1914 Eisernes Kreuz II.Klasse (21 August 1941); 1939 Eisernes Kreuz I.Klasse (16 September 1941); Medaille Winterschlacht im Osten 1941/42 (1942); Verwundetenabzeichen in Schwarz; and the Ritterkreuz des Eisernen Kreuzes (28 March 1943) mit Eichenlaub #570 (2 September 1944).

Source :
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Friedrich-Wilhelm_Bock
https://id.pinterest.com/pin/403775922822272585/
https://www.liveauctioneers.com/item/55673658_german-cross-recommendation-for-friedrich-wilhelm-bock

General der Infanterie Ferdinand Neuling

General der Infanterie Ferdinand Neuling (22 August 1885 - 20 February 1960) joined the Kaiser's army as ensign in 139th Infantry Regiment in 1905. A year later he was promoted to Leutnant. He served in World War I and, after 1918, continued his service in the Reichswehr. In 1929, he was promoted to major, in 1933 to colonel. In the same year, he took command of Infanterie-Regiment 23. On 1 January 1939 he became Generalmajor and three months later took command of Landwehr in Oppeln. On the eve of World War II he was ordered to create the 239. Infanterie-Division, basing on Landwehr soldiers. The Division's battle value was considered very low and the unit was scheduled to be used as reserve. On 2 September 1939, his division crossed German-Polish border in Gierałtowice. The troops marched towards Ornontowice, then Mikołów. On 3 September, following the retreat of Polish Army from Upper Silesia, Neuling entered Mikołów. A day later, he seized Katowice, where was warmly greeted by German citizens and fiercely attacked by Poles. Three days later, his soldiers burned down the synagoge in Katowice. After capturing Upper Silesia Neuling's division headed east. In October 1939 they guarded the German-Soviet border on Bug River, which was created after the fall of Poland. In 1940 Neuling's men took part in the offensive against France, stormed the Maginot Line, and captured Colmar and Strasbourg. After that, he was put into army's reserve. Since 1942 he commanded LXII ArmeeKorps in France. On 18 August 1944, his corps was crushed by advancing units of the US Army. Neuling was taken prisoner and transferred to the POW camp in Clinton, Mississippi. He returned to Germany in 1947 and died in Hildesheim in 1960. He never faced any charges concerning crimes committed during the war. Neuling received the Ritterkreuz des Eisernen Kreuzes on 28 February 1942 as Generalleutnant and Kommandeur 239.Infanterie-Division. Other medals and ceorations that he receives: Ritterkreuz I. Klasse des Königlich Sächsischen Albrechts-Ordens mit Schwertern (14 October 1917); Ritterkreuz des Königlich Sächsischen Militär St. Heinrichs-Ordens (9 September 1918); 1914 Eisernes Kreuz II.Klasse und I.Klasse; Ehrenkreuz für Frontkämpfer 1914/1918; 1939 spange zum 1914 Eisernes Kreuz II.Klasse (17 November 1939) und I.Klasse (15 June 1940); Wehrmacht-Dienstauszeichnung IV. bis I.Klasse; Rumanian Ordinul Mihai Viteazul 3rd Class (19 September 1941); and Deutsches Kreuz in Gold (19 December 1941).

Source :
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ferdinand_Neuling
https://forum.axishistory.com/viewtopic.php?t=210856

Himmler and the Ritterkreuztrüger from Panzertruppen

Reichsführer-SS Heinrich Himmler and the Ritterkreuzträger from Panzertruppen: This picture was taken on April 1942 by Bildberichter Haine and showing, from left to right: Hauptmann Artur Wollschlaeger (Ritterkreuz on 12 January 1942 as Oberleutnant and Chef 2.Kompanie / I.Abteilung / Panzer-Regiment 35 / 4.Panzer-Division), Hauptmann Hans-Günther Bethke (Ritterkreuz on 4 September 1940 as Oberleutnant and Führer 5.Kompanie / II.Abteilung / Panzer-Regiment 11 / 6.Panzer-Division), Heinrich Himmler (Reichsführer-SS und Chef der deutschen Polizei), and Hauptmann Wilhelm Renner (Ritterkreuz on 5 August 1940 as Oberleutnant and Chef 8.Kompanie / II.Bataillon / Schützen-Regiment 2 / 2.Panzer-Division).

Source :
https://audiovis.nac.gov.pl/obraz/35837/16681a180a83d321351d3a71c29af66e/

Karl Wiegand After He Received the Ritterkreuz

Oberleutnant Karl Wiegand (4 December 1918 - 19 January 2006) after receiving his Ritterkreuz des Eisernen Kreuzes on 9 May 1942 as Chef 2.Batterie / I.Abteilung / Flak-Regiment 18 (motorisiert). He joined the Luftwaffe in 1937, after the completion of his labor service obligation, as a Fahnenjunker in the II.Abteilung / Flak-Regiment 14 in Cologne. In 1941 he came to Africa as a Batteriechef (battery chief) of the Flak Regiment 18 (mot.). Here he received the Ritterkreuz from the hands of Erwin Rommel. Wiegand had excelled in many fights and, during a fierce battle at Saunu, in spite of the most severe enemy shelling, intervened decisively in the battle with his artillery. So many times he had fulfilled his mission and were distinguished by a special leadership skills and exemplary personal bravery. His last rank at the end of the war was Hauptmann. Other medals and decorations: Eisernes Kreuz II.Klasse und I.Klasse; Flakkampfabzeichen der Luftwaffe; Verwundetenabzeichen in Silber; Medaglia commemorativa della campagna italo-tedesca in Africa; and Ärmelband Afrika.

Source :
https://audiovis.nac.gov.pl/obraz/35714/16681a180a83d321351d3a71c29af66e/
http://das-ritterkreuz.de/index_search_db.php?modul=search_result_det&wert1=7015&searchword=wiegand
http://de.metapedia.org/wiki/Wiegand,_Karl
https://www.tracesofwar.com/persons/40857/Wiegand-Karl.htm?c=aw

Walther von Brauchitsch Wearing Leather Mantel

Generalfeldmarschall Walther von Brauchitsch (Oberbefehlshaber des Heeres) wearing ledermantel (leather jacket). He received the Ritterkreuz des Eisernen Kreuzes on 30 September 1939 as Generaloberst and Oberbefehlshaber des Heeres for his conduct in the German invasion of Poland.

Source :
https://fotoshop44.de/Fotos/Ordenstraeger
http://das-ritterkreuz.de/index_search_db.php?modul=search_result_det&wert1=643&searchword=brauchitsch

Reinhard Günzel at the Front

Kampfflieger (bomber pilot) and Ritterkreuzträger (Knight's Cross recipient) Major Reinhard Günzel (Gruppenkommandeur II.Gruppe / Kampfgeschwader 27 [KG 27] "Boelcke") briefs his men at the front, while wearing a fliegerkombi. The picture was taken on january 1943, after he received the Eichenlaub #184 for his Ritterkreuz (21 January 1943). Previously, Günzel received the Ritterkreuz des Eisernen Kreuzes on 17 September 1941 as Hauptmann and Gruppenkommandeur II.Gruppe / Kampfgeschwader 27 (KG 27) "Boelcke". His last rank in the war was Oberstleutnant. The picture was taken by Kriegsberichter Sperling.

Source:
https://audiovis.nac.gov.pl/obraz/31046/16681a180a83d321351d3a71c29af66e/
http://das-ritterkreuz.de/index_search_db.php?modul=search_result_det&wert1=1992&searchword=guenzel
http://de.metapedia.org/wiki/G%C3%BCnzel,_Reinhard_(1907)

Hans Christern and Peter Sauerbruch

Front seat of the Schützenpanzerwagen Sd.Kfz. 251/3 mittlerer Funkpanzerwagen, from left to right: Oberst Hans Christern (Kommandeur Panzer-Regiment 35 / 4.Panzer-Division) and Oberstleutnant im Generalstab Peter Sauerbruch (Ia [Erster Generalstabsoffizier] 4. Panzer-Division). The picture was taken in Kurland pocket in 1944. 4PzD fought in Latvia and Kurland from the summer of 1944 until January 1945 when it was transferred to West Prussia, where it surrendered to the Red Army in April 1945. 

Source :
http://www.axishistory.com/books/150-germany-heer/heer-divisionen/3956-4-panzer-division
http://de.metapedia.org/wiki/Christern,_Hans

Ritterkreuz Award Ceremony of 4. Panzer-Division

Award ceremony of 4. Panzer-Division, 12 August 1944. Divisionskommandeur Clemens Betzel (back to the camera) awarded the Ritterkreuz des Eisernen Kreuzes to Bataillonsführer Kurt Schäfer (on the right facing Betzel). From left to right: Oberst Hans Christern (Kommandeur Panzer-Regiment 35), Generalmajor Clemens Betzel (Kommandeur 4. Panzer-Division), Oberstleutnant Gerlach von Gaudecker-Zuch (Kommandeur Panzergrenadier-Regiment 33), Oberstleutnant im Generalstab Peter Sauerbruch (Ia [Erster Generalstabsoffizier] 4. Panzer-Division), Hauptmann Wilhelm Westermann (Kommandeur Panzer-Aufklärungs-Abteilung 4), Major der Reserve Fritz-Rudolf Schultz (Kommandeur II.Abteilung / Panzer-Regiment 35), unidentified officer, Hauptmann Kurt Schäfer (Führer I.Bataillon / Panzergrenadier-Regiment 33), and another unidentified officer.

Source :
http://de.metapedia.org/wiki/Datei:Ritterkreuztr%C3%A4ger_der_14._Panzer-Division.jpg
https://forum.axishistory.com/viewtopic.php?f=5&t=29879&start=14025

Award Ceremony at Berlin

Berlin, 20 May 1942 : Ritterkreuzträger Gefreiter Hans Krohn (Ritterkreuz on 6 April 1942 as Gefreiter and Richtschütze in 1.Kompanie / Panzerjäger-Abteilung 20 / 20.Infanterie-Division [motorisiert]) decorating the Ritterkreuz des Kriegsverdienstkreuz ohne Schwertern to Franz Hahne, Obermeister in der Firma Rheinmetall -Altmärkische Kettenwerke (Alkett). At left is Hauptmann Leo Drossel (Ritterkreuz on 19 July 1940 as Hauptmann and Kommandeur III.Bataillon / Infanterie-Regiment 102 / 24.Infanterie-Division) and Korvettenkapitän Heinrich Liebe (Ritterkreuz on 14 August 1940 and Eichenlaub on 10 June 1941, both as Kapitänleutnant and Kommandant U-38), while at right is SS-Hauptsturmführer Heinrich "Hein" Springer (Ritterkreuz on 12 January 1942 as SS-Hauptsturmführer and Führer 3.Kompanie I.Bataillon / SS-Infanterie-Regiment "LSSAH" [motorisiert] / Leibstandarte SS Adolf Hitler [motorisiert]).

Source :
https://audiovis.nac.gov.pl/obraz/48376/16681a180a83d321351d3a71c29af66e/
https://forum.axishistory.com/viewtopic.php?f=5&t=29879&p=2110191#p2110191

Portrait Photo of U-Boat Ace Asmus Nikolai "Niko" Clausen

Kapitänleutnant Asmus Nikolai Clausen (2 June 1911 - 16 May 1943) pictured in March 1942. Clausen joined the Reichsmarine in October 1929 as a seaman. He spent the next few years on torpedo boats (T-185 and G-10) and on the Segelschulschiff (sailing school ship) Gorch Fock. In September 1935 he transferred to the new U-boat force and after some months of training, joined U-26 under Kapitänleutnant Werner Hartmann in April 1936. In March 1937 he entered Marineschule (Naval Academy) Mürwik and received several months of officer training. In the next two years he served on the battlecruiser Admiral Graf Spee and the minesweeper M-134. When war broke out in autumn 1939, his former commander Werner Hartmann requested his services, and Niko Clausen became the 1st Watch Officer (I WO) on U-37. He completed three patrols on U-37, mostly in the Atlantic, and on returning from the first patrol received his Eisernes Kreuz II. Klasse from Karl Dönitz personally. He left U-37 in summer 1940 and in August commissioned the type IID U-boat U-142. After only two months he returned to U-37 to replace Victor Oehrn as commander. In May 1941 he left U-37, which then became a training boat. Three weeks later he commissioned the type IXC U-boat U-129. The first three patrols on U-129, mostly in the Atlantic, ended without success, but during the fourth patrol, in Caribbean waters, Niko Clausen sank seven ships with a total of 25,613 tons. During this patrol he was awarded the Ritterkreuz des Eisernen Kreuzes on 13 March 1942. After returning from this patrol in May 1942 he turned over command of U-129 to Hans-Ludwig Witt. In July 1942 Kapitänleutnant Clausen commissioned U-182, another long range boat. On his first patrol, in the Indian Ocean, he sank five ships totalling 30,071 tons. On the return journey, U-182 was lost with all hands, sunk on 16 May 1943 by the American destroyers USS MacKenzie and Lamb.

This photo was taken in autumn 1941. Clausen, at the time commander of U-129, was on holidays with his crew in the Austrian Alps town of Pörtschach, the god-parent town of U-129. He was then 30 years old.

Source :
https://audiovis.nac.gov.pl/obraz/2734/16681a180a83d321351d3a71c29af66e/
https://uboat.net/men/clausen.htm
http://collectinghistory.net/U-182/

Karl Ens at El Alamein

The working position of 5 cm Pak 38 (L/60) (5 cm Panzerabwehrkanone 38 (L/60)) at El Alamein positions, October 1942. Ritterkreuzträger Oberstleutnant Karl Ens (left) checks the camouflaged netting works. He got the Ritterkreuz des Eisernen Kreuzes on 14 May 1941 as Major and Kommandeur II.Bataillon / Infanterie-Regiment 125 (motorisiert). During the First World War, Ens was Leutnant in the Baden Grenadier Regiment. During this war he received both 1914 Eisernes Kreuzes, Ritterkreuz des Königlichen Hausordens von Hohenzollern mit Schwertern, Baden Militär-Karl-Friedrich-Verdienstorden Ritterkreuz, Baden Orden vom Zähringer Löwen Ritterkreuz II. Klasse, and the Verwundetenabzeichen 1918 in Silber. Karl Ens finally reached the rank of Oberst during the Second World War. He was missing in action on 15 April 1945 and was formally declared dead by the AG Baiersbronn on 11 December 1957. The picture was taken by Kriegsberichter Dohm.

Source :
https://audiovis.nac.gov.pl/obraz/1407/16681a180a83d321351d3a71c29af66e/
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/5_cm_Pak_38
https://www.tracesofwar.com/persons/30000/Ens-Karl.htm?c=aw

Three Ritterkreuzträger from 19. Infanterie-Division

October 1940: Three Ritterkreuzträger (the recipients of the Ritterkreuz des Eisernen Kreuzes) from Infanterie-Regiment 74 / 19.Infanterie-Division. From left to right: Oberfeldwebel Johann Pongratz (Zugführer in 2.Kompanie / I.Bataillon / Infanterie-Regiment 74. Ritterkreuz on 4 September 1940), Oberst Gustav Schmidt (Kommandeur Infanterie-Regiment 74. Ritterkreuz on 4 September 1940), and Oberleutnant der Reserve Gustav Hippler (Führer 5.Kompanie / II.Bataillon / Infanterie-Regiment 74. Ritterkreuz on 4 September 1940). In the German invasion to the West on the summer of 1940, four member of 19. Infanterie-Division (changed to 19. Panzer-Division on 1 November 1940) received the coveted Ritterkreuz, which was given on the same day, 4 September 1940. Three of them (pictured above) comes from Infanterie-Regiment 74, while the last one, Feldwebel Karl Jürgens, was a Zugführer in 2.Kompanie / I.Bataillon / Infanterie-Regiment 73.

Source :
https://audiovis.nac.gov.pl/obraz/35635/16681a180a83d321351d3a71c29af66e/

Eichenlaub Award Ceremony for Josef Harpe

Generalmajor Josef Harpe (Kommandeur 12. Panzer-Division) received the Ritterkreuz des Eisernen Kreuzes mit Eichenlaub #55 from the hand of Adolf Hitler (Führer und Oberster Befehlshaber der Wehrmacht), on the award ceremony held at Führerhauptquartier Wolfsschanze (Rastenburg/East Prussia), early January 1942. Harpe already got the award announcement from 31 December 1941. He had been awarded the Ritterkreuz previously on 13 August 1941 (as Generalmajor and Kommandeur 12. Panzer-Division), and would received the Schwerter #36 for his Ritterkreuz and Eichenlaub on 15 September 1943 as General der Panzertruppe and Kommandierender General XXXXI.Panzerkorps. This picture was first published in 'Deutsche Allgemeine Zeitung', 21 January 1942 edition,

Source :
https://audiovis.nac.gov.pl/obraz/35583/16681a180a83d321351d3a71c29af66e/
http://das-ritterkreuz.de/index_search_db.php?modul=search_result_det&wert1=2127&searchword=harpe