Saturday, January 20, 2024

Ferdinand Schörner and Petre Dumitrescu

This picture was taken on 10 May 1944 and it shows, from left to right: Generalleutnant Walther Wenck (Chef des Generalstabes Heeresgruppe Südukraine), General de armată Petre Dumitrescu (Commander in Chief Armeegruppe Dumitrescu), Generaloberst Ferdinand Schörner (Oberbefehlshaber Heeresgruppe Südukraine), and SS-Obergruppenführer und General der Polizei Richard Hildebrandt (Höherer SS- und Polizeiführer "Schwarze Meer"). Original caption: "Im Zeichen der deutsch-rumänischen Verbundenheit. Am rumänischen Staatsfeiertag wohnten der Oberbefehlshaber einer deutschen Heeresgruppen, Eichenlaubträger Generaloberst Schörner, und der rumänische Armeeführer, Ritterkreuzträger Dunitrescu, einer Feierstunde bei." (In the spirit of German-Romanian solidarity. On the Romanian national holiday, the commander-in-chief of a German army group, oak leaf bearer Colonel General Schörner, and the Romanian army leader, Knight's Cross holder Dunitrescu, attended a ceremony)



Reception at the army headquarters of Romanian General de armată Petre Dumitrescu, Commander in Chief Armeegruppe Dumitrescu. Generaloberst Ferdinand Schörner (center, Oberbefehlshaber Heeresgruppe Südukraine) in conversation with Dumitrescu (left), between them the head of the Romanian Liaison Command, Lieutenant Colonel Ivanescu, on the right Generalleutnant Walther Wenck (Chef des Generalstabes Heeresgruppe Südukraine). Berliner Verlag Archive Collection.


Source :
Berliner Verlag photo archive
https://beeldbankwo2.nl/nl/beelden/detail/e1b4651a-0259-11e7-904b-d89d6717b464/media/0054a76c-7869-09d5-1dd3-36eeb5d8b874?mode=detail&view=horizontal&q=sch%C3%B6rner&rows=1&page=3
https://www.topfoto.co.uk/asset/7219743/

Wednesday, January 17, 2024

Wöhler, Lieb and Choltitz


From left to right: General der Infanterie Otto Wöhler (Oberbefehlshaber 8. Armee), Generalleutnant Theo-Helmut Lieb (Kommandeur 112. Infanterie-Division), and Generalleutnant Dietrich von Choltitz (Führer XXXXVIII. Panzerkorps). The picture was taken in Dniepr/Kanev, in the end of September 1943..



Source :
https://www.ebay.de/itm/355379177852?hash=item52be3fe97c:g:bdIAAOSwU~5lpEvb

Tuesday, January 16, 2024

Ritterkreuz Award Ceremony for Hermann Foertsch


Ritterkreuz award ceremony for Generalleutnant Hermann Foertsch (left, Kommandeur 21. Infanterie-Division) which were held in the northern sector of the Eastern Front, October 1944. Foertsch received the Ritterkreuz des Eisernen Kreuzes on 27 August 1944 for his leadership of the 21st Infantry Division during the summer of 1944. In response to a Soviet breakthrough he launched a counterattack that succeeded in closing a frontline gap east of Lake Hino (in turn west of Pskov). In this picture, awarded the medal is Generaloberst Ferdinand Schörner (Oberbefehlshaber Heeresgruppe Nord), while facing the camera in the background is General der Infanterie Ehrenfried-Oskar Boege (Oberbefehlshaber 18. Armee).

Source :
Bayerische Staatsbibliothek photo archive (Image-No.: 50086047)
https://www.tracesofwar.com/persons/4480/Foertsch-Hermann.htm

Ion Antonescu and Ferdinand Schörner

Around the map table, from left to right: Generalleutnant Walther Wenck (Chef des Generalstabes Heeresgruppe Südukraine), Marshal Ion Antonescu (Commander in Chief of Romanian Armed Forces), and Generaloberst Ferdinand Schörner (Oberbefehlshaber Heeresgruppe Südukraine). The officer at far left behind Wenck is probably Oberst i.G. Ivo-Thilo von Trotha (Ia Heeresgruppe Südukraine). The picture was taken on 1 May 1944 by unknown photographer from Presse-Illustrationen Heinrich Hoffmann and was first published by 'Deutsche Allgemeine Zeitung' (DAZ) on 10 May 1944.



Marshal Ion Antonescu (left, Commander in Chief of Romanian Armed Forces) and Generaloberst Ferdinand Schörner (Oberbefehlshaber Heeresgruppe Südukraine). The picture was taken on 1 May 1944 by unknown photographer from Presse-Illustrationen Heinrich Hoffmann and was first published by 'Deutsche Allgemeine Zeitung' (DAZ) on 10 May 1944.



Marshal Ion Antonescu (left, Commander in Chief of Romanian Armed Forces) greets Generaloberst Ferdinand Schörner (Oberbefehlshaber Heeresgruppe Südukraine) at the field airport, 1 May 1944. The picture was taken by war correspondent Modl.

Source :
https://www.alamy.com/stock-photo-ion-antonescu-37013464.html?imageid=9D99107C-D93D-445C-9F69-C7B8E39CEBDC&p=291611&pn=1&searchId=ba7839b983a2479d514f9938da46247d&searchtype=0
https://audiovis.nac.gov.pl/obraz/4536/5d129355608ee73a1e66e787e58a02d9/
https://beeldbankwo2.nl/nl/beelden/detail/e1b4cbd6-0259-11e7-904b-d89d6717b464/media/8cefdb78-6c24-fbb9-a484-6a9c0abfd7c2?mode=detail&view=horizontal&q=sch%C3%B6rner&rows=1&page=1
https://www.gettyimages.co.uk/detail/news-photo/antonescu-ion-offizier-und-politiker-r-bei-einer-news-photo/537140103
https://wwii.space/%D1%84%D0%BE%D1%82%D0%BE-%D0%B3%D0%B5%D1%80%D0%BC%D0%B0%D0%BD%D0%B8%D1%8F-%D0%BF%D0%BE%D0%BB%D0%BA%D0%BE%D0%B2%D0%BE%D0%B4%D1%86%D1%8B-%D1%87%D0%B0%D1%81%D1%82%D1%8C-9/2/

Philipp Müller-Gebhard and Otto Wöhler


From left to right: Generalleutnant Philipp Müller-Gebhard (Kommandeur 72. Infanterie-Division), unknown, and General der Infanterie Otto Wöhler (Oberbefehlshaber 8. Armee). The picture was probably taken in October 1943, the only time 72nd Infantry Division (Müller-Gebhard) were under the 8th Army (Wöhler). On 1 November 1943 Divisionskommandeur Müller-Gebhard was put in the Führerreserve.

Source :
https://forum.axishistory.com/viewtopic.php?f=5&t=14230&p=2511618#p2511618

Italian Military Parade in Greece


Italian military parade in front of German and Italian officials in Greece, spring 1941. Standing in the podium are General der Gebirgstruppe Franz Böhme (saluting, Kommandierender General XVIII. Gebirgskorps) and Generalmajor Ferdinand Schörner (Kommandeur 6. Gebirgs-Division). Italian officer in the helmet is Generale di divisione Paolo Berardi (21 June 1885 - 13 December 1953). In 1941 he was the divisional commander of the "Brennero" division in Greece, while in 1942 he took command of the "Sassari" in Yugoslavia. In this picture, he is wearing the collar patch of "Brennero" (the vertically separated yellow/red as in the photo below).


Generale di divisione Paolo Berardi (21 June 1885 – 13 December 1953). In September 1940 he was given command of the 11th Infantry Division Brennero, which he led during the Greco-Italian War. After the Armistice of Cassibile (1943) he served the new Allied-aligned Badoglio Government as the Chief of Staff of what remained of the Royal Italian Army, now fighting alongside the Allies.



Italian and German troops deployed on the Acropolis of Athens in spring 1941.



Italian and German troops lined up on the Acropolis of Athens in the spring 1941.



Flag-raising ceremony for the Italian troops on the Acropolis of Athens in the spring 1941.



The Italian and Reich flags fly on the Acropolis of Athens in the spring 1941.



Troops at the Italian flag raising ceremony on the Acropolis of Athens in the spring 1941.



German and Italian military officials during the Italian flag-raising ceremony on the Acropolis in Athens, spring 1941. In the center is General der Infanterie Franz Böhme (Kommandierender General XVIII. Gebirgskorps), while saluting at right is Generalmajor Ferdinand Schörner (Kommandeur 6. Gebirgs-Division). The Italian officer with helmet at left is Generale di divisione Paolo Berardi (Commander of the 11th Infantry Division "Brennero").



German and Italian military officials during the Italian flag-raising ceremony on the Acropolis in Athens, spring 1941. The two Wehrmacht officers at left are, from left to right: General der Infanterie Franz Böhme (Kommandierender General XVIII. Gebirgskorps) and Generalmajor Ferdinand Schörner (Kommandeur 6. Gebirgs-Division).



General der Infanterie Franz Böhme (saluting, Kommandierender General XVIII. Gebirgskorps) inspecting German troops in Athens in spring 1941, accompanied by Generale di divisione Paolo Berardi (center) from Italian Brennero Division. Other German officer at left of Berardi is Generalmajor Ferdinand Schörner (Kommandeur 6. Gebirgs-Division).



German and Italian military officials inspecting the ruins of Acropolis in Athens, spring 1941. Walking at front, from left to right: Generalmajor Ferdinand Schörner (Kommandeur 6. Gebirgs-Division), General der Infanterie Franz Böhme (Kommandierender General XVIII. Gebirgskorps), and Generale di divisione Paolo Berardi (Commander of the Italian 11th Infantry Division "Brennero").



German and Italian military officials inspecting the ruins of Acropolis in Athens, spring 1941. Walking at front, from left to right: Generalmajor Ferdinand Schörner (Kommandeur 6. Gebirgs-Division), General der Infanterie Franz Böhme (Kommandierender General XVIII. Gebirgskorps), and Generale di divisione Paolo Berardi (Commander of the Italian 11th Infantry Division "Brennero").



German and Italian military officials inspecting the ruins of Acropolis in Athens, spring 1941. Walking at front, from left to right: Generale di divisione Paolo Berardi (Commander of the Italian 11th Infantry Division "Brennero"), General der Infanterie Franz Böhme (Kommandierender General XVIII. Gebirgskorps), and Generalmajor Ferdinand Schörner (Kommandeur 6. Gebirgs-Division).



Parade of Italian troops through the streets of Athens in the spring 1941.



Parade of Italian troops through the streets of Athens in the spring 1941. In the background is Hotel Grande Bretagne.



Italian military officers paying homage to the Tomb of the Greek Unknown Soldier in Syntagma Square, Athens, after the fall of Greece, spring of 1941.



Italian military officers paying homage to the Tomb of the Greek Unknown Soldier in Syntagma Square, Athens, after the fall of Greece, spring of 1941.



Italian military parade in front of German and Italian officials in Greece, spring 1941. Three officers standing on the podium flanked by men in whites are, from left to right: Generale di divisione Paolo Berardi (Commander of the Italian 11th Infantry Division "Brennero"), General der Gebirgstruppe Franz Böhme (Kommandierender General XVIII. Gebirgskorps), and Generalmajor Ferdinand Schörner (Kommandeur 6. Gebirgs-Division). The tractor is a Pavesi type P4/100, an Italian wheeled artillery tractor from the interwar period and World War II. The first military examples of this vehicle appeared in the late 1920s, and serial production continued in 1927-1942. The drive was provided by a single 4.7 liter engine and a power of 57 HP.



Italian military parade in front of German and Italian officials in Greece, spring 1941. Three officers standing on the podium flanked by men in whites are, from left to right: Generale di divisione Paolo Berardi (Commander of the Italian 11th Infantry Division "Brennero"), General der Gebirgstruppe Franz Böhme (Kommandierender General XVIII. Gebirgskorps), and Generalmajor Ferdinand Schörner (Kommandeur 6. Gebirgs-Division).



Italian military parade in front of German and Italian officials in Greece, spring 1941. Three officers standing on the podium flanked by men in whites are, from left to right: Generale di divisione Paolo Berardi (Commander of the Italian 11th Infantry Division "Brennero"), General der Gebirgstruppe Franz Böhme (Kommandierender General XVIII. Gebirgskorps), and Generalmajor Ferdinand Schörner (Kommandeur 6. Gebirgs-Division).



Italian military parade in front of German and Italian officials in Greece, spring 1941. The tractor is a Pavesi type P4/100, an Italian wheeled artillery tractor from the interwar period and World War II. Pavesi P4 / 100 was originally produced by La Mottomecanica Brevetti, but in 1926 it was taken over by Fiat based in Turin. The originator of this vehicle was the Italian engineer Ugo Pavesi, who also developed its plans and put it into production. The tractor was built of de facto two articulated but independent parts of the hull, built on two separate frames, which allowed it to turn not only horizontally, but also vertically - along the axis of the vehicle. Very large diameter cast rubber wheels were also used, which were often equipped with special spurs for driving on difficult terrain. Thanks to such design solutions, the vehicle was characterized by great off-road characteristics and was very well suited, for example, for service in mountainous conditions. Vehicles of this type were used as artillery tractors primarily in the Italian armed forces. However, they also served in the Greek, German and Hungarian armies.



Italian military parade in front of German and Italian officials in Greece, spring 1941. The vehicle is a Bianchi Miles type, a medium truck with an optional electric start, with or without battery and starter. The Bianchi Miles saw a lot of action in WW2, with a total of 20,000 estimated being produced between Italy and German which shared manufacturing. It was mostly used on the eastern front, precisely because of its batter-powered starter well suited for winter conditions.



Italian military parade in front of German and Italian officials in Greece, spring 1941.

Source :
Bayerische Staatsbibliothek (Image-No.: 50108893)
https://9gag.com/gag/aV0W4r2
https://www.elgrancapitan.org/foro/viewtopic.php?t=23504&start=30
https://forum.axishistory.com/viewtopic.php?f=75&t=238546&sid=9f38ef4150e09ff5bc202a644306480f&start=60
https://www.reddit.com/r/HistoryPorn/comments/g8as48/italian_officers_paying_homage_to_the_tomb_of_the/
https://www.super-hobby.com/products/Gun-tractor-Pavesi-P4-100-model-30A.html
https://www.televignole.it/foto-storie-guerra-43/

Monday, January 15, 2024

Ferdinand Schörner and Otto Wöhler


General der Gebirgstruppe Ferdinand Schörner (right, Oberbefehlshaber Heeresgruppe Südukraine) and General der Infanterie Otto Wöhler (Oberbefehlshaber 11. Armee) during a briefing on a map. The picture was taken by Bildberichter Heinz Mittelstaedt of PK (Propaganda-Kompanie) 637 in Barlad, Romania, 11 April 1944.

Source :
https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Bundesarchiv_Bild_183-2007-0313-500,_Rum%C3%A4nien,_Sch%C3%B6rner_bei_Lagebesprechung.jpg

Sunday, January 14, 2024

Ferdinand Schörner in Bulgaria


The picture was taken by Kriegsberichter Theodor Scheerer in Bulgaria, 3 March 1941, and it shows from left to right: Oberstleutnant i Max-Josef Pemsel (Chef des Generalstabes XVIII. Gebirgskorps), Generalmajor Ferdinand Schörner (Kommandeur 6. Gebirgs-Division), and General der Infanterie Franz Böhme (Kommandierender General XVIII. Gebirgskorps). In the invasion of Greece one month later, the 6th Mountain Division played a role in cutting off the important city of Salonika off from the rest of the nation. Schörner then took part in the conquest of Athens and was given the Ritterkreuz des Eisernen Kreuzes by Hitler on 20 April 1941.



The picture was taken by Kriegsberichter Theodor Scheerer and it shows Generalmajor Ferdinand Schörner (left, Kommandeur 6. Gebirgs-Division) in Bulgaria, 3 March 1941.

Source :
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Bundesarchiv_Bild_183-L22898,_Bulgarien,_Generaloberst_Ferdinand_Sch%C3%B6rner.jpg
https://www.warhistoryonline.com/instant-articles/germanys-last-field-marshal-the-butcher-ferdinand-schornerand.html

Erwin Rommel with His Commanding Officer in WW1


Major Theodor Sproesser (left, Kommandeur Württembergische Gebirgs-Bataillon) with Oberleutnant Erwin Rommel (Kompaniechef in Württembergische Gebirgs-Bataillon). They were pictured after both receives the Pour le Mérite in the same day, 10 December 1917. Sproesser and Rommel recieves the coveted medal for chasing the Italians in the Alps during the Battle of Caporetto in the First World War. The unrelenting pursuit by Rommel, compelled Sproesser to give Rommel a unit of the size of a battalion (2-3 reinforced companies) usually commanded by a Captain or Major. Rommel completely take the Italians by surprise and surround all the 9,000 enemy troops and take them as prisoners. So, it is fair to say that Sproesser recieved his fame due to Rommel's brave infiltration into enemy lines!



Source :
https://www.facebook.com/DeutscheWehrmacht1234/photos/a.147057989344199/173140180069313/?type=3
https://gmic.co.uk/topic/71444-my-precious/page/2/#comment-654272
https://twitter.com/masaccio60/status/1662006429396475904/photo/3

Ferdinand Schörner with His Comrades in WW 1


Later Ritterkreuzträger Ferdinand Schörner (2nd from right) with cadre from 12. Kompanie / Bayerische Infanterie-Leib-Regiment in early April 1918 just before the Battle for Kemmel. From left to right: Feldwebelleutnant Fritz Baier (born 11 September 1884), Fähnrich Richard Steinhäuser (11 November 1897), Kompanieführer Leutnant Ferdinand Schörner (12 June 1892), and Bernhard Freiherr von Pechmann (14 May 1898). Fw. Lt. Fritz Baier is a recipient of the Austrian Golden Bravery medal; Richard Steinhäuser was promoted to Leutnant on 11 April 1918; Schörner is a recipient of Pour le mérite; while Bernhard von Pechmann received the Eisernes Kreuz I.Klasse on 20 March 1918 but buried by shellfire and reported as badly wounded and MIA at Kemmel on 29 April 1918, two weeks before his 20th birthday.

Source :
https://gmic.co.uk/topic/73564-fantastic-lil-photo-before-the-battle/#comment-668572
https://www.pressreader.com/uk/iron-cross/20200930/282621740435210

Bio of Major d.R. Max Wandrey (1910-1945)

Max Albert Adolf Christian Wandrey

Date of Birth: 08.04.1910 - Freie und Hansestadt Hamburg (German Empire)
Date of Death: 21.02.1945 - in a Lazarett near Kruschwitz, Rothenburg/Oberlausitz, Sachsen (Germany). Mortally wounded near Sprottisch-Waldau on 20.02.1945 when his Kubelwagen ran over a mine.
Buried: Friedhof von Krauschwitz, Muskau, Oberlausitz (Germany)

Battles and Operations: Invasion of Poland (1939), Battle of France (1940), Operation Barbarossa (1941), Battle of Smolensk (1941), Battle of Moscow (1941-1942), Battles of Rzhev (1942-1943), Dodecanese Campaign (1943), Battle of Leros (1943), Battle of Memel (1944), and Vistula–Oder Offensive (1945)

NSDAP-Number: 125 004 (Joined 01.01.1929)
SS-Number: 50 313 (Joined 00.00.1932)
Religion: Gottgläubig (Believe in God)
Mother: Martha Wandrey
Spouse: Hel. Seyfarth (21.11.1910)
Children: Erika and Gerhard Wandrey

Promotions:
00.12.1928 SA-Mann
00.02.1932 SS-Mann
00.00.1932 Unterführeranwärter
00.00.1933 Gefreiter der Reserve
00.00.1935 Feldwebel der Reserve
20.04.1935 SS-Untersturmführer der Allgemeine-SS
20.04.1936 SS-Obersturmführer der Allgemeine-SS
30.01.1937 SS-Haupsturmführer der Allgemeine-SS
01.06.1940 Leutnant der Reserve
01.06.1942 Oberleutnant der Reserve
30.01.1943 SS-Sturmbannführer der Allgemeine-SS
09.01.1944 Hauptmann der Reserve
01.10.1944 Major der Reserve

Career:
00.06.1925 - 00.08.1928 Wehrverband Hindenburg
00.12.1928 - 00.02.1932 member of SA (Sturmabteilung)
00.00.1935 member of 28. SS-Standarte (Hamburg)
31.08.1936 - 25.10.1936 Ergänzungs-Bataillon / Infanterie-Regiment 69
25.10.1936 - 13.05.1937 member of Infanterie-Regiment 69
00.00.1937 full time member of SS-Abschnitt XV (Hamburg)
14.09.1939 called up again after the mobilisation
14.09.1939 - 12.11.1940 Zugführer in 9.Kompanie / Infanterie-Regiment 26 / 20.Infanterie-Division
00.11.1940 transferred to Infanterie-Regiment 254 / 110.Infanterie-Division
10.12.1940 -  04.10.1942 Adjutant II.Bataillon / Infanterie-Regiment 254 / 110.Infanterie-Division
00.00.1943 Führer II.Bataillon / SS-Standarte 28 (Hauptamtlicher SS-Führer der Allgemeinen SS)
00.11.1943 Chef 11.Kompanie / Jäger-Regiment 1 "Brandenburg"
01.10.1944 Kommandeur II.Bataillon / Jäger-Regiment 1 "Brandenburg"

Awards and Decorations:
00.02.1934 Ehrenwinkel der Alten Kämpfer
16.12.1935 Julleuchter der SS
01.12.1936 DRL Sportabzeichen in Bronze
01.12.1936 SS-Ehrenring
01.12.1937 SA-Sportabzeichen in Bronze
01.04.1939 Dienstauszeichnung der NSDAP 10 Jahre
01.04.1939 Dienstauszeichnung der NSDAP 15 Jahre
01.06.1940 Eisernes Kreuz II.Klasse (document signed by Divisionskommandeur Kurt von Briesen)
29.07.1940 Infanterie-Sturmabzeichen in Silber
01.10.1940 Verwundetenabzeichen in Schwarz
07.08.1941 Eisernes Kreuz I.Klasse (document signed by Divisionskommandeur Ernst Seifert)
13.05.1942 Deutsches Kreuz in Gold
00.00.1942 Medaille "Winterschlacht im Osten 1941/42" (Ostmedaille)
00.00.194_ Ärmelband Panzer-Grenadier-Division "Brandenburg"
00.00.1943 Nahkampfspange in Bronze
09.01.1944 Ritterkreuz des Eisernen Kreuzes, as Oberleutnant der Reserve and Chef 11.Kompanie / III.Bataillon / Jäger-Regiment 1 "Brandenburg" / Kampfgruppe "Müller" (22. Infanterie-Division). Awarded for his contribution to the German conquest of Leros in November 1943. Landing on the island on the 16th of that month, Wandrey's Kompanie commander was quickly wounded and so Wandrey stepped in to fill this role. At around 15:00 that day Wandrey stormed the dominant Hill 204 with about 50 men, and located the British HQ there. With 20 soldiers, Wandrey stormed the command post and took the British General Tilney prisoner.
16.03.1945 Ritterkreuz des Eisernen Kreuzes mit Eichenlaub #787 (posthumously), as Major der Reserve and Kommandeur II.Bataillon / Jäger-Regiment 1 "Brandenburg" / Panzergrenadier-Division “Brandenburg”. Awarded for the major role he played in the breakout of Gruppe von Saucken in early 1945. Around mid-February, as commander of an inexperienced Bataillon of the Panzergrenadier-Division "Brandenburg", Wandrey led a stubborn defense east of Sprottisch-Waldau. The leadership of Saucken's moving pocket thus oriented their breakout efforts towards this point, pushing north from the Primkenauer forest and linking up with Wandrey's forces on the 11-12.02.1945.

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Max Wandrey joined the 69th Infantry Regiment in 1936, where he completed his one-year military service. In 1937 he was a full-time SS leader in Hamburg and was called up to Infantry Regiment 69 at the start of the war.

On June 1, 1940, he was promoted to Leutnant der Reserve and joined the 254 Infantry Regiment in November 1940. From July 1941 he took part in the Russian campaign and was awarded the German Cross in Gold on May 13, 1942. On June 1, 1942, he was promoted to Oberleutnant der reserve and at the beginning of 1943 became chief of the 11th company of the 1st “Brandenburg” (Jäger) Regiment.

With the elite unit he took part in the disarmament of Italian units (→ Axis case) in Greece and the Aegean. After his decisive role in the conquest of the island of Leros by the “Müller” combat group during Operation “Leopard” in mid-November 1943, he was awarded the Ritterkreuz des Eisernen Kreuzes (Knight's Cross of the Iron Crosses) on January 9, 1944. At the same time he was promoted to Hauptmann der reserve. With a 20-man strike force, he surprisingly attacked and eliminated the British-Italian position system on Monte Meraviglia on Leros from the east. Wandrey was personally responsible for the capture of British Forces Commander Brigadier Robert Tilney on November 16, 1943.

On October 1, 1944, he was promoted to major in the reserve and commander of the 2nd Battalion of the 1st Jäger Regiment “Brandenburg”. With this he fought in the defense of the Danube position in the Esseg area in the fall of 1944, in southern Hungary at the end of 1944 and then moved to the Lodz area in Poland at the beginning of 1945. The Panzergrenadier-Division “Brandenburg” has now been subordinated to the Panzerkorps "Grossdeutschland".

On February 16, 1945, Wandrey and his unit once again particularly distinguished themselves when they achieved a defensive success against the Soviet 23rd Guards Rifle Division with the 2nd Battalion in the fighting in the southern part of the Sagan Forest/Silesia. On the orders of regimental commander Erich von Brückner, Wandrey and his battalion had to withdraw; there were heavy retreats from the Litzmannstadt area via Petrikau to the Neisse. On February 20, 1945, the Red Army's 12th Guards Tank Brigade surrounded Wandrey's battalion. It was able to take out eight T-34/85s before an attempt was made to break out on armored personnel carriers. During this outbreak - Wandrey was on the last vehicle - suffered a serious wound when he hit a mine on February 20, 1945, from which he died on February 21, 1945 in the hospital in Krauschwitz in Lower Silesia. He was posthumously awarded the Eichenlaub to his Ritterkreuz on 16 March 1945.



Max Wandrey in M32 black Allgemeine-SS uniform.



Max Wandrey in civilian uniform, probably before he joined the Wehrmacht.


A studio portrait of Leutnant der Reserve Max Wandrey before he received the Ritterkreuz. Interestingly, he is wearing both the Ribbon bar for the NSDAP Service Award of 10 and 15 Years!



Oberleutnant der Reserve Max Wandrey with the Deutsches Kreuz in Gold which he received on 13 May 1942 as Leutnant der Reserve and Adjutant II.Bataillon / Infanterie-Regiment 254 / 110.Infanterie-Division. He was promoted to Oberleutnant d.R. on 9 January 1944.



Oberleutnant der Reserve Max Wandrey with the Deutsches Kreuz in Gold which he received on 13 May 1942 as Leutnant der Reserve and Adjutant II.Bataillon / Infanterie-Regiment 254 / 110.Infanterie-Division. He was promoted to Oberleutnant d.R. on 9 January 1944.



Oberleutnant der Reserve Max Wandrey with the Deutsches Kreuz in Gold which he received on 13 May 1942 as Leutnant der Reserve and Adjutant II.Bataillon / Infanterie-Regiment 254 / 110.Infanterie-Division. He was promoted to Oberleutnant d.R. on 9 January 1944.



Ritterkreuz award ceremony for Oberleutnant der Reserve Max Wandrey (Chef 11.Kompanie / III.Bataillon / Jäger-Regiment 1 "Brandenburg" / Division "Brandenburg") which was held in Crete Island, Greece, January 1944. Flanking Wandrey (center) were Major Wilhelm Walther (Kommandeur Jäger-Regiment 1 "Brandenburg" / Division "Brandenburg") who wore the same tropical colored stahlhelm as Wandrey, and General der Flieger Hellmuth Felmy (Kommandierender General LXVIII. Armeekorps) wearing a tropical Luftwaffe uniform complete with his "Hermann Meyer" cap. Wandrey was awarded the Ritterkreuz on 9 January 1944 for his performance in the attack on the island of Leros during Operation Leopard. Later he would also receive the Eichenlaub #787 posthumously on 16 March 1945 as Major der Reserve and Kommandeur II.Bataillon / Jäger-Regiment 1 "Brandenburg". Other pictures from this ceremony can be seen HERE.



The grave of Max Wandrey.



SS-Dienstlaufbahn of Max Wandrey.





SS file of Max Wandrey.



Data of Max Wandrey from SS-Oberabschnitt Nordsee.



Data of Max Wandrey from SS-Oberabschnitt Nordsee.



Grouping from the estate of Major der Reserve Max Wandrey, The 787th recipient of the Eichenlaub to the Ritterkreuz des Eisernen Kreuzes. This grouping were auctioned by Andreas Thies with the price of 13.000 €. Other pictures from this grouping can be seen HERE.


Source :
Michael D. Miller photo collection
"Jump Into Hell: German Paratroopers in World War II" by Franz Kurowski
https://www.andreas-thies.de/auctions/67-750747
https://de.metapedia.org/wiki/Wandrey,_Max
https://forum.axishistory.com/viewtopic.php?f=38&t=250569&p=2280593&hilit=wandrey#p2280593
https://www.lexikon-der-wehrmacht.de/Personenregister/W/WandreyM.htm
https://military-history.fandom.com/wiki/Max_Wandrey
https://www.tracesofwar.com/persons/20271/Wandrey-Max-Brandenburg.htm
https://www.volksbund.de/erinnern-gedenken/graebersuche-online/detail/881fb1042e1473b7d3f78e61b592a9b9
https://web.archive.org/web/20111228124146fw_/http://www.ritterkreuztraeger-1939-45.de/Infanterie/W/Wandrey-Max.htm