Bio of Benno Wundshammer

Benno Wundshammer (pseudonym: Heinrich Benedikt; born April 11, 1913 in Cologne; † October 1986 in Rottach-Egern) was a German journalist and press photographer. Wundshammer completed an apprenticeship as a chemigrapher and gravure photographer in Cologne from 1933 to 1936. He worked as a journalist (at Weltbild), as a sports reporter, war reporter and journalist (e.g. Pinguin, Ruf, Bild, Revue). From 1937 he worked as a reporter for the Reich Sports Association in Berlin. As a member of an Air Force propaganda company, he was one of the most important and well-known photo reporters and reporters in the service of the National Socialist regime during the Second World War, alongside Hilmar Pabel, Hanns Hubmann and Alfred Tritschler. From 1942 to 1945 he was part of the editorial team of the NS Foreign propaganda illustrated Signal. After the war he was able to continue his career as a reporter for the magazine Quick and editor-in-chief of the celebrity magazine Revue (until 1952). With his photos of post-war celebrities such as Konrad Adenauer, Franz Josef Strauss, Romy Schneider and Arndt von Bohlen and Halbach, he made a significant contribution to shaping German press photography. He also worked as a fashion photographer and dealt early with the possibilities of color photography. A large part of his photographic estate is in the possession of the Prussian Cultural Heritage Picture Archive in Berlin. The exhibition “Propaganda Photographer in World War II: Benno Wundshammer” (November 2014 - February 2015) in the German-Russian Museum in Berlin-Karlshorst showed his life's work in the context of contemporary history. The exhibition catalog with examples of Wundhammer's photo reports since the early 1930s analyzes the working methods of a German war correspondent.

 

 

Source :

https://de.wikipedia.org/wiki/Benno_Wundshammer

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Generalmajor Karl Koetz

Karl Koetz (8 February 1908 - 11 July 1977) received the Ritterkreuz des Eisernen Kreuzes on 2 October 1941 as Hauptmann and Kommandeur II.Bataillon / Infanterie-Regiment 463 / 263.Infanterie-Division. On 17-18 August 1941 previously the 263. Infanterie-Division was deployed to the Yelnya salient, where they faced desperate Soviet attempts to push back the Germans. In this context Hauptmann Koetz and his Bataillon distinguished themselves near Jakowlewo in the fighting around Hill 256.9, also known as the “Chimborasso”, in the time period 17-28 August 1941. The Bataillon put up a tremendous fight against the overwhelming Soviet attacks, and for this Koetz would be decorated with the Ritterkreuz.

Koetz received the Eichenlaub #374 for his Ritterkreuz on 24 January 1944 as Oberstleutnant and Kommandeur Grenadier-Regiment 185 / 87.Infanterie-Division. On 13 December 1943 previously the Soviets began a major attack against the key positions of the 3. Panzerarmee north of Vitebsk. Despite fierce German resistance, the 87. Infanterie-Division became surrounded. It was however able to break out on the 16 December 1943 along with the subordinated Grenadier-Regiment 365 in the area Choljawki/Karewy, Slyndiki. It reached the main battle line of the 20. Panzer-Division near Ambrossenki (2 km northwest of Malaschenki), thus escaping the trap. This breakout was only able to succeed due to the performance of the Grenadier-Regiment 185, commanded by Oberstleutnant Koetz, and the Sturm-Bataillon Hochgartz. For his role in saving his Division Koetz would be decorated with the Eichenlaub.

Source :

https://alchetron.com/Karl-Koetz

https://www.tracesofwar.com/persons/39158/Koetz-Karl.htm

Tauchpanzer IV of 18. Panzer-Division

 

 

Two Tauchpanzer IVs from 18. Panzer-Division enjoy some rest. A Storch came in, then flies away (Photo: Heinz Eckert). Immediately after the beginning of Operation Barbarossa, when tanks of 18.Panzer-Division crossed the river with the submersible equipment. The tanks are painted in dark gray, but sand from the river completely covers the surface. Dark gray is showing clearly above the tail exhaust pipes as if painted in bands. Interesting is that a red large circle is painted on the back of the stowage behind their turrets.

Source :

Akira Takiguchi photo collection

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