Studio Portrait of Johann-Heinrich Eckhardt

Generalleutnant Johann-Heinrich Eckhardt (3 December 1896 - 15 May 1945), the recipient of Ritterkreuz des Eisernen Kreuzes mit Eichenlaub (Knight's Cross of the Iron Crosses with Oak Leaves). He received the Ritterkreuz in 20 May 1941 as an Oberst and Kommandeur of Jäger-Regiment 38 / 8.leichten Infanterie-Division, and Eichenlaub #644 in 3 November 1944 as a Generalleutnant and Kommandeur 211. Infanterie-Division.

Source :
http://www.wehrmacht-awards.com/forums/showthread.php?t=932541

Ritterkreuz Award Ceremony for Karl Allmendinger

17 July 1941: Ritterkreuz award ceremony for Karl Allmendinger in the Eastern Front during Unternehmen Barbarossa. From left to right: General der Infanterie Richard Ruoff (Kommandierender General V.Armeekorps / 9.Armee), Generalmajor Karl Allmendinger (Kommandeur 5.Infanterie-Division / V.Armeekorps / 9.Armee), and Generaloberst Adolf Strauss (Oberbefehlshaber 9. Armee / Heeresgruppe Mitte). Allmendinger would receive the Eichenlaub #153 for his Ritterkreuz in 13 December 1942 as Generalleutnant and Kommandeur 5. Jäger-Division.

Source :
https://audiovis.nac.gov.pl/obraz/3972/16681a180a83d321351d3a71c29af66e/

Karl Dönitz with U-Boat Aces and Commanders

September 1943: Großadmiral Karl Dönitz (Oberbefehlshaber der Kriegsmarine), accompanied by Kapitän zur See Hans Rudolf Rösing (Führer der U-boote West), greets U-boat commanders and Flottillenchef decorated with the Ritterkreuz des Eisernen Kreuzes (Knight's Cross of the Iron Crosses). From left to right: Fregattenkapitän Ernst Kals (Chef 2. Unterseebootsflottille, Lorient. Received Ritterkreuz in 1 September 1942 as Korvettenkapitän and Kommandant U-130), unidentified (blocked by Dönitz), Korvettenkapitän Klaus Scholtz (Chef 12. Unterseebootsflottille, Bordeaux. Received Ritterkreuz in 26 December 1941 and Eichenlaub in 10 September 1942, both as Korvettenkapitän and Kommandant U-108), Korvettenkapitän Georg-Wilhelm Schulz (shaking hands with Dönitz, Chef 6. Unterseebootsflottille, St. Nazaire. Received Ritterkreuz in 4 April 1941 as Kapitänleutnant and Kommandant U-124), Korvettenkapitän Werner Winter (Chef 1. Unterseebootsflottille, Brest. Received Ritterkreuz in 5 June 1942 as Kapitänleutnant and Kommandant U-103), Korvettenkapitän Heinrich Lehmann-Willenbrock (Chef 9. Unterseebootsflottille, Brest. Received Ritterkreuz in 26 February 1941 and Eichenlaub in 31 December 1941, both as Kapitänleutnant and Kommandant U-96), and Korvettenkapitän Günter Kuhnke (Chef 10. Unterseebootsflottille, Lorient. Received Ritterkreuz in 19 September 1940 as Kapitänleutnant and Kommandant U-28). The picture was taken by Kriegsberichter Beuchling.

Source :
https://audiovis.nac.gov.pl/obraz/2867/16681a180a83d321351d3a71c29af66e/
https://www.tumblr.com/search/ernst%20kals

Ritterkreuz Award Ceremony for Erich Groth and Hans-Joachim Jabs

1 October 1940: Ritterkreuz award ceremony of Zerstörergeschwader 76 (ZG 76). The recipients, from left to right are: Hauptmann Erich Groth (Kommandeur II.Gruppe / Zerstörergeschwader 76) and Oberleutnant Hans-Joachim Jabs (Flugzeugführer und Staffeloffizier in 2.Staffel / I.Gruppe / Zerstörergeschwader 76). Their aircraft is visible in the background. The picture was taken by Leutnant Benno Wundshammer, Kriegsberichter from Propaganda-Kompanie Luftwaffe 1 (PK Lw 1).

Source :
https://audiovis.nac.gov.pl/obraz/31038/16681a180a83d321351d3a71c29af66e/

Karl Strecker Last Days in Stalingrad

General der Infanterie Karl Strecker (20 September 1884 - 10 April 1973) in the picture that was published in February 1943, the month he surrendered (along with other Axis forces from 6. Armee) to the Soviet at Stalingrad. Strecker was the commander of XI. Armeekorps during the whole battle at Stalingrad. After the remains of the 6. Armee had subsequentely surrendered since January 8th until February 1st, general Karl Strecker organised the last defence of the tractor factory Dhzreshinsky with his Corps - almost only a few thousand men - which held the apawling Russian forces for two days. The Germans were absolutely outnumbered, starving and had no ammunitions nor water - except for melted snow. Defending themselves with handguns, grenades and bayonets - and in some cases pieces of broken metal from the factory instead of bayonets - they could resist several attacks from the Red Army causing them severe losses. However, the German garrison was completely surrounded and the life conditions just weren't there. The dead remained where they failed and the wounded died of cold and starvation. Fierce man-to-man combat took place, while the starving Germans fought with metal and rocks the attackers. Strecker had a radio left, from which he knew about his promotion and Hitler's exhortations to carry out their historical duty - which they were doing! The Russians attacked with tanks, artillery and mortars. At 08:40 hours they transmited their last message and by 9 o'clock all resistance had been crushed. Only a few men were taken prissoners. He was held in the Soviet Union as a war criminal until 1955. Strecker's postwar claim that he was promoted to Generaloberst on the last day of the battle is unsubstantiated.

Source :
https://audiovis.nac.gov.pl/obraz/31038/16681a180a83d321351d3a71c29af66e/
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Karl_Strecker
http://www.ww2f.com/threads/general-streckers-last-stand.5251/

Ritterkreuz Award Ceremony for Josef Portsteffen

On behalf of der Führer Adolf Hitler, SA-Obergruppenführer Wilhelm Brückner (Chefadjutant Führer und Reichskanzler) awarded the Ritterkreuz des Eisernen Kreuzes to Oberfeldwebel Josef Portsteffen (Stoßtruppführer 1.Kompanie / Pionier-Bataillon 51 [motorisiert] / X.Armeekorps / 18.Armee / Heeresgruppe B). Watching from behind are, from left to right: SS-Gruppenführer Julius Schaub (Persönlicher Adjutant Führer und Reichskanzler) and SS-Gruppenführer und Generalleutnant der Waffen-SS Karl Wolff (Verbindungsoffizier zischen dem Reichsführer SS und dem Führerhauptquartier). Just after the German Fallschirmjäger attacked and captured the Belgian Fort Eben-Emael, the first land forces of the Wehrmacht from Pionier-Bataillon 51 arrived. Portsteffen was the first to fight in a dinghy under fire via the albert canal to reach the paratroopers position. For a couple of hours, there were hard battles for the seizure of the Canal. For his bravery, Portsteffen received the Ritterkreuz at Führerhauptquartier Felsennest in 21 May 1940. He was the first NCO from the Army to receive such a prestigious award!

Source :
https://audiovis.nac.gov.pl/obraz/31028/16681a180a83d321351d3a71c29af66e/
https://www.facebook.com/DasRitterkreuz/posts/161287194320634

Karl Weisenberger and German Generals of the Polar Front

From left to right: unidentified Gebirgsjäger officer, General der Infanterie Karl Weisenberger (Kommandierender General XXXVI. Gebirgskorps), Generalleutnant Hermann Tittel (Kommandeur 169. Infanterie-Division), and Generalmajor Anton Dostler (Kommandeur 163. Infanterie-Division). The picture was taken in 1942, when Generaloberst Eduard Dietl (Oberbefehlshaber 20. Gebirgsarmee) visiting troops in the polar region of war (Finland/Norway).

Source :
https://forum.axishistory.com/viewtopic.php?f=5&t=14230&start=8340
http://www.gettyimages.com/license/549723035

Eduard Dietl Visiting Troops

From left to right: Generaloberst Eduard Dietl (Oberbefehlshaber 20. Gebirgsarmee) and Generalleutnant Hermann Tittel (Kommandeur 169. Infanterie-Division). The picture was taken in 1942, when general Dietl visiting troops in the polar region of war (Finland/Norway).

Hermann Tittel and Eduard Dietl

Source :
https://forum.axishistory.com/viewtopic.php?f=5&t=14230&start=8340
http://www.gettyimages.ca/license/549723031

Studio Portrait of Heinrich Bleichrodt

German U-boat commander and ace, Korvettenkapitän Heinrich "Ajax" Bleichrodt (21 October 1909 - 9 January 1977), is one of the most successful of the war. From October 1939 until retiring from front line service following a breakdown in December 1943, he sank 25 ships for a total of 152,320 gross register tons. He received the Ritterkreuz in 24 October 1940 as a Kapitänleutnant and Kommandant U-48, and Eichenlaub #125 in 23 September 1942 as a Kapitänleutnant and Kommandant U-109.

Source :
https://audiovis.nac.gov.pl/obraz/30388/16681a180a83d321351d3a71c29af66e/
http://www.das-ritterkreuz.de/index_search_db.php?modul=search_result_det&wert1=467&searchword=bleichrodt
https://www.liveauctioneers.com/item/24135745_heinrich-bleichrodt

Rudolf von Ribbentrop and Friedrich Geisshardt

SS-Untersturmführer Rudolf von Ribbentrop (Zugführer in 3.Kompanie / I.Abteilung / SS-Panzer-Regiment 1 LSSAH) speaks with Luftwaffe ace Oberleutnant Friedrich "Fritz" Geisshardt (Staffelkapitän 3.Staffel / I.Gruppe / Jagdgeschwader 77) in the summer of 1942. Ribbentrop was wounded in the left arm while serving as a Zugführer (platoon leader) in SS-Gebirgs Division "Nord" in the Finnish campaign against the Soviet Union in September 1941. In early 1942 he was assigned to the SS-Panzer Regiment 1 of the Leibstandarte Division.

Source :
http://5sswiking.tumblr.com/post/165829096512/ss-untersturmf%C3%BChrer-rudolf-von-ribbentrop-speaks

Eichenlaub Award Ceremony of Eduard Dietl

20 July 1940 in Reichskanzlei: Adolf Hitler (Führer und Oberste Befehlshaber der Wehrmacht) posed with General der Gebirgstruppe Eduard Dietl (Kommandierender General Gebirgskorps "Norwegen"),  who wears here the just awarded Eichenlaub (Oak Leaves) to the Ritterkreuz des Eisernen Kreuzes (Knight's Cross of the Iron Crosses). After the successful end of the battle on the Norwegian Narvik, he was the first soldier of the Wehrmacht who received this award, one day previously (19 July 1940). On that day, Dietl also got promoted from Generalleutnant to General der Infanterie / General der Gebirgstruppe. The picture was taken by photographer from Presse-Illustrationen Heinrich Hoffmann, and first Published in 'Berliner Morgenpost' (21 July 1940 edition).

Source :
http://www.alamy.com/stock-photo-hitler-with-eduard-dietl-36993756.html?pv=1&stamp=2&imageid=5FF5A531-63FD-42DE-806D-5FB4EAE30049&p=143102&n=0&orientation=0&pn=1&searchtype=0&IsFromSearch=1&srch=foo%3dbar%26st%3d0%26pn%3d1%26ps%3d100%26sortby%3d2%26resultview%3dsortbyPopular%26npgs%3d0%26qt%3deduard%2520dietl%26qt_raw%3deduard%2520dietl%26lic%3d3%26mr%3d0%26pr%3d0%26ot%3d0%26creative%3d%26ag%3d0%26hc%3d0%26pc%3d%26blackwhite%3d%26cutout%3d%26tbar%3d1%26et%3d0x000000000000000000000%26vp%3d0%26loc%3d0%26imgt%3d0%26dtfr%3d%26dtto%3d%26size%3d0xFF%26archive%3d1%26groupid%3d%26pseudoid%3d%26a%3d%26cdid%3d%26cdsrt%3d%26name%3d%26qn%3d%26apalib%3d0%26apalic%3d%26lightbox%3d%26gname%3d%26gtype%3d%26xstx%3d0%26simid%3d%26saveQry%3d%26editorial%3d1%26nu%3d%26t%3d%26edoptin%3d%26customgeoip%3d%26cap%3d1%26cbstore%3d1%26vd%3d0%26lb%3d%26fi%3d2%26edrf%3d0
https://audiovis.nac.gov.pl/obraz/1083/16681a180a83d321351d3a71c29af66e/
http://www.gettyimages.com/license/545950127

Ritterkreuz Award Ceremony of Walter Rappholz

13 November 1944: SS-Obergruppenführer und General der Waffen-SS Matthias Kleinheisterkamp (Kommandierender General XI. SS-Armeekorps) decorates Oberfeldwebel Walter Rappholz - a Zugführer in Panzerjäger-Abteilung 616 (Selbstfahrlafette) - with a Ritterkreuz des Eisernen Kreuzes (Knight's Cross of the Iron Crosses). Rappholz himself already received the news for his awarding from 3 November 1944. He was actually serving in the 1.Kompanie / Panzerjägerabteilung 37, but was detached to kampfgruppe Warschnauer (commander Panzer-Pionier-Bataillon 37) in august 1944. Both Panzer-Pionier-Bataillon 37 and Panzerjäger-Abteilung 616 were part of the Kampfgruppe Warschnauer.. The kampfgruppe was formed to contain a Russian breakthrough near Sanok (40 km south-west of Przemysl), and continued a fighting retreat along the Polish-SLowak border. The actions that followed from this time earned Rappholz the Ritterkreuz. The pictures above was taken by Kriegsberichter Lucke.

Oberfeldwebel Walter Rappholz posed for the photograph while holding a flower bouquet after the Ritterkreuz award ceremony is finished.

Source :
http://alifrafikkhan.blogspot.co.id/2012/11/oberfeldwebel-walter-rappholz-1912-1991.html
https://audiovis.nac.gov.pl/obraz/4044/16681a180a83d321351d3a71c29af66e/
https://www.feldgrau.net/forum/viewtopic.php?f=26&t=3612

Divisionskommandeur Helmuth von Pannwitz in an Award Ceremony

November 1943: The commander of the 1. Kosaken-Kavallerie-Division (1st Cossack Cavalry Division), Generalmajor Helmuth von Pannwitz, decorates one of his officers after the fighting with the Partisans in the Đakovo area. Soon after arriving in Yugoslavia, this unit became known for crimes against civilians, especially for pillaging villages and raping women.

Source :
http://bandenkampf.blogspot.co.id/2015/08/bk0047.html

Peter Kiesgen Speaks Before the Audience

Oberleutnant Peter Kiesgen speaks before the audience in the HJ (Hitlerjugend) ceremony, November 1942. Kiesgen (22 November 1915 - 22 March 1946) received the Ritterkreuz des Eisernen Kreuzes (Knight's Cross of the Iron Crosses) in 5 October 1941 as  Führer of 1.Kompanie / I.Bataillon / Infanterie-Regiment 239 / 106.Infanterie-Division. He is also a recipient of five Panzervernichtungsabzeichen (Tank Destruction Badge), as shown in this picture.

Source :
https://audiovis.nac.gov.pl/obraz/46766/16681a180a83d321351d3a71c29af66e/

Eichenlaubträger Heinz Macher in 1944

SS-Hauptsturmführer Heinz Macher of the 2. SS-Panzer-Division "Das Reich" photographed in late 1944. Macher, commanding 16.Kompanie (Pionier) / SS-Panzergrenadier-Regiment "Deutschland", was awarded the Ritterkreuz des Eisernen Kreuzes (Knight’s Cross of the Iron Crosses) in 3 April 1943 for his feat-of-arms during the operations in the Kharkov campaign at the beginning of 1943, and the Eichenlaub (Oak Leaves) in 19 August 1944 when Macher and his battle-hardened men participated in no less than 64 attacks and patrols within a week of arriving in Normandy, France, as well as fended of the attacks of the enemy 37 times! He was also one of the 631 soldiers who received the Nahkampfspange in Gold (Close Combat Clasp in Gold) in 18 October 1944, for more than 50 days accumulated and documented of hand-to-hand fighting.

Source :
http://5sswiking.tumblr.com/post/165901035407/ss-hauptsturmf%C3%BChrer-heinz-macher-of-the-das-reich

Adolf Hitler Awarded the Schwerter Certificate to Erwin Rommel

Adolf Hitler (Führer und Oberste Befehlshaber der Wehrmacht) awarded the Schwertern Grosse Urkunde (certificate for the medal of Ritterkreuz des Eisernen Kreuzes mit Eichenlaub und Schwertern) to General der Panzertruppe Erwin Rommel (Befehlshaber Panzergruppe Afrika), in Führerhauptquartier Vinnitsa, Ukraine. The picture was taken in 25 March 1942, while the medal itself had been given previously in 20 Januari 1942.

Source :
https://audiovis.nac.gov.pl/obraz/35645/16681a180a83d321351d3a71c29af66e/

Erich Heintze and Arnold Huebner Interviewed by Kriegsberichter

Unteroffizier Erich Heintze (left) and Gefreiter Arnold Huebner (right), in a conversation with a radio war correspondent, 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/3993/16681a180a83d321351d3a71c29af66e/

Herbert Nau in Award Ceremony for the Sailors of His Ship

Kapitänleutnant Herbert Nau awarding the Eisernes Kreuzes (Iron Crosses) to the sailors of his ship, July 1944. Herbert Georg Nau was born in Lüneburg, Germany, on 8 April 1913 and was a serving member of the Kriegsmarine during World War II and managed to attain the final rank of Korvettenkapitän. He received the Ritterkreuz des Eisernen Kreuzes (Knight's Cross of the Iron Crosses) in 11 July 1944 as Chef 10. Räumbootsflottille. Nau was killed in an automobile accident in Yvetot, France, in 28 August 1944 (a month after this picture was taken!). The picture was taken by Kriegsberichter Goer.

Source :
https://audiovis.nac.gov.pl/obraz/2877/7be4f9f6d8b1a7277f789888a6c19ba0/
http://www.gutenberg.us/articles/herbert_nau

Albert Frey After Received Ritterkreuz

The tried and tested commander of the I.Bataillon / SS-Panzergrenadier-Regiment 1 / SS-Panzergrenadier-Division "Leibstandarte SS Adolf Hitler" (LSSAH), SS-Sturmbannführer Albert Frey, photographed after he was awarded the Ritterkreuz des Eisernen Kreuzes (Knight’s Cross of the Iron Crosses) in 3 March 1943 for his achievements during the operations in the Kharkov campaign at the beginning of 1943.

Source :
http://5sswiking.tumblr.com/post/165835734412/the-tried-and-tested-commander-of-the

Otto Skorzeny Spoke on the Podium

SS-Sturmbannführer der Reserve Dipl.-Ing. Otto Skorzeny spoke before the invited guests consisting of Nazi party officials, SS officers and Hitlerjugend figures. This photo was taken on January 1944 by Kriegsberichter Boesig.

Source :
https://audiovis.nac.gov.pl/obraz/36814/225bb3e03f200e19502b97e764a0e74b/