Sunday, November 28, 2021

Bio of Korvettenkapitän Carl-Heinz Birnbacher (1910-1991)

Full nama: Carl-Heinz Birnbacher
Nickname: unknown
Date of Birth: 26 May 1910 at Villach, Kärnten (Austria-Hungary)
Date of Death: 5 December 1991 at Villach, Kärnten (Austria)
NSDAP Number: unknown
SS Number: unknown
Academic Title: unknown
Family Member: unknown
Physical Feature: unknown

Beförderungen (Promotion):
Kriegsmarine
09.10.1930 Seekadett
01.04.1931 Gefreiter
01.01.1932 Fähnrich zur See
01.04.1934 Oberfähnrich zur See
01.10.1934 Leutnant zur See
01.06.1936 Oberleutnant zur See
01.04.1939 Kapitänleutnant
01.04.1943 Korvettenkapitän
Bundesmarine
16.08.1956 Fregattenkapitän
18.09.1960 Kapitän zur See
07.08.1963 Flottillenadmiral
02.10.1968 Konteradmiral

Karriere (Career):
Unknown
 
Orden und Ehrenzeichen (Medals and Decorations):
20.09.1939 Medaille zur Erinnerung an den 1. Oktober 1938
20.12.1939 Dienstauszeichnung der Wehrmacht 4.Klasse, 4 Jahre
09.04.1940 Eisernes Kreuz II.Klasse
20.04.1940 Eisernes Kreuz I.Klasse
15.05.1940 Verwundetenabzeichen 1939 in Schwarz
17.06.1940 Ritterkreuz des Eisernen Kreuzes, as Käpitanleutnant and Flottillenchef 1. Schnellbootsflottille
16.12.1940 Schnellboot-Kriegsabzeichen ohne Brillianten
09.03.1941 Mentioned in Wehrmachtbericht
04.11.1941 Vapaudenristin 3.luokka (VR 3)  (Finland)
10.11.1942 Deutsches Kreuz in Gold
27.04.1943 Zerstörer-Kriegsabzeichen
00.09.1970 Großes Bundesverdienstkreuz

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

* Carl-Heinz Birnbacher received the Ritterkreuz des Eisernen Kreuzes on 17 June 1940 as Käpitanleutnant and Flottillenchef 1. Schnellbootsflottille. The following press article, dated 25 June 1940, describes why Birnbacher was awarded the Ritterkreuz: "The Führer and Supreme Commander of the Wehrmacht has awarded the Ritterkreuz des Eisernen Kreuzes to Kapitänleutnant Birnbacher, commander of a Schnellbootsflottille, at the recommendation of the Supreme Commander of the Kriegsmarine, Großadmiral Dr.h.c. Raeder. Kapitänleutnant Heinz Birnbacher has distinguished himself as the commander of a Schnellbootsflottille during the fighting near Norway and the English coastline by leading his formation with tactical skill and boldness despite his youth. His example and daredevilry inspires both his captains and crews alike. During the Norwegian Operation he led his formation during the capture of Bergen and the battles in the fjords, sinking a Norwegian torpedo boat and scattering convoys of tankers and troop transports. Over the course of six out of seven sallies against the English fleet his Flottille sank 4 enemy destroyers under the most difficult of circumstances, one of which was sunk by his own command boat.”


Source :
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Carl-Heinz_Birnbacher
http://www.s-boot.net/englisch/sboats-kriegsmarine-knights-crosses.html
https://www.tracesofwar.com/persons/28456/Birnbacher-Heinz.htm

Sunday, November 21, 2021

Gebirgsjäger (German Mountain Troops) in the Balkan Invasion 1941

 
Studying the map in the Kompanietrupp, the company squad. The men were issued the tapered feldgrau M40 trousers for the campaign. The officers are wearing tailormade Bergmützen. In the foreground, the arm of the company adjutant (Spiess) is visible with his two silver stripes.



Source :
"German Mountain Troops 1939-42" by Yves Beraud
Alain Gesgon photo collection
https://www.akg-images.co.uk/CS.aspx?VP3=SearchResult&VBID=2UMESQJ3NSR4FA
https://www.facebook.com/groups/237076659811098/posts/1876146242570790/?__cft__[0]=AZVgixUnElfwZBI-YNcDuZRslCNTy_KSeznES5Lo39ajUYWsYZbO432MuiqvrRrwvlwmy7vNsI-K0RTbpvtNUU2KZhHxqht1N99zM6mZHWiaIH9pc6LPgjm83YDLw5zwdnk7ysYPVRWZ8JfDhGa4snMpgyDXcNiNdGZbyepyBgDaU4zrI0MTmMfFey_ut6igmRg&__tn__=%2CO%2CP-R

Sunday, November 14, 2021

Horse Show of the German Army

Reitturnier des Heeres (Horse show of the army) in the Hindenburgpark, Ludwigshafen, 1941. Soldiers with steel helmets on horses. The picture was taken by Kriegsberichter Carl Heinrich.

 
Generalmajor Hermann Meyer-Rabingen (Kommandeur 197. Infanterie-Division) talking to a rider on his horse during "Reitturnier des Heeres" which were held in the Hindenburgpark, Ludwigshaven, 1941. The picture was taken by Kriegsberichter Carl Heinrich


Rider with his horse overcoming an obstacle.


Rider with his horse overcoming an obstacle.


Rider with his horse overcoming an obstacle.

Source :
https://www.bild.bundesarchiv.de/dba/de/search/?topicid=dcx-thes_bestand_774u70q3hc6cybe2d48&page=1#

Tuesday, November 9, 2021

Generalmajor Meyer-Rabingen at Horse Show of the German Army

 
Generalmajor Hermann Meyer-Rabingen (Kommandeur 197. Infanterie-Division) talking to a rider on his horse during "Reitturnier des Heeres" which were held in the Hindenburgpark, Ludwigshaven, 1941. The picture was taken by Kriegsberichter Carl Heinrich.

Source :
Bundesarchiv Bild 238-0798