Photograph of Maximilian von Weichs by Walter Frentz

Generalfeldmarschall Maximilian Reichsfreiherr von Weichs (Oberbefehlshaber Heeresgruppe B) in a picture taken on 1 February 1943 by Walter Frentz, during Generalfeldmarschall promotion ceremony with Hitler at the Führerhauptquartier Wolfsschanze in Rastenburg, East Prussia. Weichs received his special promotion to the rank of marshall on that day in the immediate aftermath of the catastrophic German defeat at Stalingrad. At that time he held the position of Commander-in-Chief of Army Group B, the formation responsible for the advance toward the Volga during Fall Blau. Heeresgruppe B had included 2. Armee, 4. Panzerarmee, 6. Armee under Friedrich Paulus, as well as the allied 2. Hungarian Army, 8. Italian Army and the Romanian armies whose collapse during Operation Uranus sealed the encirclement. Although Weichs had repeatedly warned of the overstretched flanks and had recommended a timely withdrawal, Adolf Hitler refused, and large parts of Heeresgruppe B were subsequently detached to form Heeresgruppe Don under Erich von Manstein. Despite the destruction of nearly the entire 6. Armee and the effective dissolution of Heeresgruppe B, Weichs was elevated to Generalfeldmarschall together with Paulus, Ewald von Kleist and Wolfram Freiherr von Richthofen. The promotion, announced on the same day that Paulus was also made Generalfeldmarschall inside the Stalingrad pocket, served both as a formal recognition of senior command responsibility and as a propaganda gesture intended to mask the scale of the disaster. Weichs retained the rank for the remainder of the war, later serving as Oberbefehlshaber Südost and commander of Heeresgruppe F in the Balkans. The elevation therefore marked the highest point of his military career even as his operational authority on the Eastern Front was simultaneously being reduced. After a brief period in the Führerreserve he returned to active duty later in 1943, carrying the rank of Generalfeldmarschall until his final transfer to reserve status in March 1945. Thus the promotion of 1 February 1943 stands as a paradoxical culmination of his service with Heeresgruppe B amid one of the Wehrmacht’s greatest defeats.

Source :
https://forum.axishistory.com/viewtopic.php?p=2018989&hilit=weichs#p2018989
https://www.tracesofwar.com/persons/35803/Weichs-von-Maximillian.htm
https://www.walter-frentz-collection.de/fotoarchiv/personenarchiv-a-z/personen-t-z/

Photographs of Ferdinand Schörner by Walter Frentz

Generaloberst Ferdinand Schörner (Oberbefehlshaber Heeresgruppe Nord) in a picture taken on 16 January 1945 by Walter Frentz, during Brillanten award ceremony with Hitler at the Neue Reichskanzlei in Berlin, Germany. Schörner formally received the Brillanten zum Ritterkreuz des Eisernen Kreuzes mit Eichenlaub und Schwertern on 1 January 1945 as the 23rd recipient for his determined leadership as Oberbefehlshaber of Heeresgruppe Nord during the defensive battles in the Baltic region in late 1944. After taking command of Heeresgruppe Nord in July 1944, he faced the massive Soviet Baltic Offensive that began on 14 September 1944 against German forces still holding positions in Estonia and northeastern Latvia. Under Schörner’s direction the troops of Heeresgruppe Nord conducted an orderly withdrawal from these territories without suffering significant losses, despite being heavily outnumbered and repeatedly cut off. Once the remaining formations of the 16. Armee and 18. Armee were compressed into the Kurland-Kessel, Schörner organized the defence of the Courland Peninsula and directed the first three of the four major Kurland battles that followed. In these prolonged and bitter engagements the Soviet forces, employing overwhelming numerical and material superiority in infantry, armour and artillery, launched repeated large-scale assaults but were able to achieve only limited territorial gains at the cost of severe personnel and equipment losses. Schörner’s personal presence at the front, his energetic reorganization of the defensive lines, and the resolute resistance he inspired among the isolated units of Heeresgruppe Nord prevented a complete collapse of the pocket and tied down substantial Soviet strength that might otherwise have been transferred to other sectors of the Eastern Front. For these sustained defensive successes, which were among the last German operational triumphs of the war, he was awarded the Brillanten while still serving as Oberbefehlshaber of Heeresgruppe Nord, shortly before his transfer to command Heeresgruppe Mitte.

Source :
"Hitler's Personal Security: Protecting the Führer 1921-1945" by Peter Hoffmann
https://forum.axishistory.com/viewtopic.php?p=1020564&hilit=sch%C3%B6rner#p1020564
https://www.walter-frentz-collection.de/fotoarchiv/personenarchiv-a-z/personen-s/
https://www.tracesofwar.com/persons/1054/Sch%C3%B6rner-Johann-Ferdinand.htm

Ritterkreuz Award Ceremony for Oberst Karl Faulhaber

Ritterkreuz award ceremony for Oberst Karl Faulhaber (Kommandeur Grenadier-Regiment 282 / 98.Infanterie-Division). He formally received the Ritterkreuz des Eisernen Kreuzes on 19 December 1943 in recognition of his decisive personal leadership during the critical fighting that followed the Soviet landing near Eltigen south of Kertsch on the Kerch Peninsula on 1 November 1943. Born on 11 January 1896 in Gerolzhofen, Faulhaber was already a decorated veteran who had earned the Deutsches Kreuz in Gold on 12 November 1942 while commanding the same regiment, then designated Infanterie-Regiment 282. When Soviet forces, supported by heavy artillery fire from the Taman peninsula, established a beachhead at Eltigen under cover of darkness, all communications with the coastal defence forces of the II. Bataillon under Hauptmann Dr. Finke collapsed and the situation remained completely unclear. Acting as commander of the coastal sector south of Kertsch, Oberst Faulhaber immediately drove forward in person, encountered the battered 2. Kompanie of his regiment whose commander had been severely wounded, and observed several hundred Soviet troops advancing westward along the Kamysch-Burun–Tobetschik road, already threatening to envelop the firing positions of the 2./Artillerie-Regiment 198. Refusing to await the arrival of the divisional reserve, he rallied the leaderless and heavily depleted Kompanie under intense fire, led them personally in a flank attack against the advancing enemy, outflanked the foremost Soviet elements, and seized a series of commanding crests and quarries. Throughout the subsequent fierce Soviet counter-attacks he moved from nest to nest, directing the defence by personal example and ensuring that the vital high ground south of Salt Lake remained in German hands. This bold action halted the enemy breakthrough at the last moment, relieved the threatened artillery battery, restored contact with the encircled command post of Hauptmann Finke, and created the conditions for a continuous defensive line that later enabled the Eltigen beachhead to be contained and constricted with limited forces, thereby preserving the Kerch Peninsula for the hard-pressed 98. Infanterie-Division..

Karl Faulhaber’s Ritterkreuz recommendation reads as follows:

“Just before daybreak on the 01.11.1943, and under the cover of numerous heavy batteries firing from the Taman peninsula, the enemy landed near Eltigen (south of Kertsch). At first the situation remained totally unclear. All means of communication were unavailable. Under the enemy’s artillery drumfire no battle noises could be heard except for a few scattered rifle and MG shots, which soon fell silent. Communications to the II./Grenadier-Regiment 282 (commanded by Hauptmann Dr. Finke, and in charge of coastal defense along with the local reserve) failed. Communications from Finke’s command post likewise failed to reach Hauptmann Vockentanz, commander of the I./Grenadier-Regiment 282 (which was on standby as the divisional reserve in Stary Karantin-Süd). Everything about the situation remained unclear, including the strength of the landed enemy, the extent of their beachhead and their current disposition.

Oberst Faulhaber, the commander of the coastal sector south of Kertsch, immediately resolved to personally carry out the necessary reconnaissance and restoration of communication with Hauptmann Finke. As he was driving forward he encountered the 2./Grenadier-Regiment 282 south of Kamysch-Burun. At the time this unit was taking cover from heavy enemy artillery fire in the road ditches. Heavy losses had been incurred, and the Kompanie commander had fallen out with severe injuries. At this same time Faulhaber perceived that the Russians were already marching westwards from Eltigen with about 200-300 men along the road Kamysch-Burun-Tobetschik. Russian elements were bypassing the firing position of the nearby 2./Artillerie-Regiment 198 on both sides. It therefore had to be assumed that the command post of Hauptmann Finke, located further to the south, had either been encircled or destroyed. If the enemy continued their advance further west they would capturing the commanding high ground south of Salt Lake. In doing so they would secure all the prerequisites for a further successful attack into the unprotected territory towards the west, and also enable further landings to take place in the particularly valuable Kamysch-Burun harbour.

Fully realizing the severity of the situation, and the need to take instant action, Oberst Faulhaber decided not to wait for the divisional reserve to arrive. He decided to launch an immediate attack with the already heavily weakened, leaderless Kompanie. Under heavy fire he got the Kompanie to get on its feet again, led them to a relatively safe place north of the road to reassemble, and then from here launched a flank attack into the enemy forces that were advancing northwards. Faulhaber himself led at the head of this attack. As the fully surprised enemy began to hesitate, Oberst Faulhaber managed to outflank the foremost enemy elements and push them back across the road. He subsequently captured a series of crests and quarries. During an immediately launched enemy counterthrust by strong enemy forces Oberst Faulhaber rushed from resistance nest to resistance nest, directing the individual soldiers to their targets and inspiring them through his personal example. In this way he ensured that, following back-and-forth combat, his troops were able to remain in control of the commanding strongpoints.

The successes that were achieved were of great and decisive importance for the continuation of combat in the area. The enemy’s strong landed forces were slowed down during their unopposed march to the west at the last second, and were forced to yield a considerable amount of their newly conquered territory. In the process they took significant losses and were thrown into confusion. The 2./Artillerie-Regiment 198 was freed from its imminent encirclement, and was once again able to deliver decisive artillery support for the forthcoming battles. Contact with Finke’s encircled command post and the forces that had been gathered to him was restored. Through this the conditions were created to form an unbroken line of resistance, from which an attack that sought to constrict the enemy beachhead would later be launched.

The success achieved under the personal, bold leadership of Oberst Faulhaber prevented the enemy breakthrough. It also laid the groundwork for newly brought up forces to significantly constrict the enemy forces in the Eltigen beachhead and form a defensive front that would be able to contain them with minimal amounts of friendly troops. This enabled the Kertsch peninsula to continue to be held with the weak available forces.”

Source :
https://forum.axishistory.com/viewtopic.php?p=2632509#p2632509
https://www.tracesofwar.com/persons/4232/Faulhaber-Karl-Grenadier-Regiment-282.htm

Kompaniechef von Mutius Awarded Medals to His Soldiers

Kompaniechef Oberleutnant Erhard von Mutius awarded the medals in a paper box to the soldiers of Panzergrenadier-Regiment 64 (part of 16. Panzer-Division). The picture was taken on the Eastern Front in July-August 1942. War medals such as the Allgemeines-Sturmabzeichen were awarded with the approval of the regimental headquarters, but the scale of the award ceremony was determined by the grade of the medal being awarded, and the ceremony held only by the company was the smallest ceremony. Although the ceremony was held on the front lines in the summer, it is interesting to note that the company commander also had his first button undone, his pants were made of cotton, and the recipients were casually dressed. Incidentally, in July 1942 the 16. Panzer-Division was assigned to Heeresgruppe Süd (Army Group South) and participated in the battle for Kharkov, Ukraine. In August, it was assigned to Heeresgruppe A and moved to Artemovsk, Ukraine, and then in September. It was used in the struggle against Stalingrad. On 8 July 1942 Oberleutnant von Mutius was appointed as the commander of the 7.Kompanie / II.Bataillon / Panzergrenadier-Regiment 64 / 16.Panzer-Division. Previously, he was the commander of the 2nd company of the 16th Panzer Rifle Battalion, which was formed from armored personnel vehicles from the 64th and 79th Schützen Regiments of the 16th Panzer Division . He was awarded the Deutsches Kreuz in Gold and later promoted to Hauptmann (Captain), before being killed in action at Stalingrad on 6 December 1942.

Oberleutnant Erhard von Mutius' old-style officer's peaked cap (crusher cap), lapel pin, and epaulettes use the military color Wiesengrün (literally translated as "grass green"). It is being said, since the officer belongs to the Panzergrenadier-Regiment unit, one would think that it would be the color of the Panzergrenadier, but grass green was made the color of the motorized infantry (Schützen) and Panzergrenadier only came into being in June 1942 (while the photo was taken from July to August 1942), so we cannot deny the possibility that the old-style field cap and insignia for officers in the new service colors were procured in about a month, even though the Oberleutnant's old-style field cap for officers looks like new. In fact, this grass green came in two shades: the lighter one was used by motorized infantry and units that had been converted from motorized infantry into armored grenadiers, while the darker one was used only by armored grenadiers. As you can see in this photo, it seems that the darker color is used, but these two colors are actually for light infantry units: Jäger and Gebirgsjäger It is difficult to distinguish it from the light green, which is the waffenfarbe for ordinary infantry. It is said that there were four types of light green, and although there was no clear distinction between their uses, it is said that light infantry often used bright colors. What is interesting is the history of Panzergrenadier Regiment 64, to which Oberleutnant Mutius belonged: The Panzergrenadier Regiment 64 was formed in the Wehrkreis VI on 15 October 1935, and was incorporated into the 16. Infanterie-Division, which had been formed in 1934. When the 16. Panzer-Division was formed in November 1940, the regiment was extracted from the 16. Infanterie-Division, reorganized as the Infanterie-Regiment 64 (motorisiert), and then incorporated into the 16. Panzer-Division. Furthermore, in June 1942 it was reorganized into a Panzergrenadier Regiment, but when it was first formed as an infantry regiment in 1935, it was originally a Jäger battalion. Therefore, it is possible that the 2nd Battalion came to use the Grass Green color at the same time that the Jägers were given the color. In the Defense Forces, Jäger and Gebirgsjäger initially belonged to the infantry category, but later on they were given a new Waffenfarbe (military color) as a type of elite unit and were distinguished from regular infantry, so it is possible that the soldiers have been using this light green military color since the days of infantry regiments.

The picture shows the Gefreiter (Corporal) who is about to receive his medal, but he is already a veteran warrior who wears the Eisernes Kreuz II.Klasse, and his epaulettes include the title "Panzerjäger'" (it has a "P" embroidered on it). Tank hunters, who were equipped with anti-tank guns, and heavy weapons companies, which operated heavy machine guns, heavy mortars, etc., were divided into groups into grenadier companies as needed for each operation. At first glance, this Gefreiter looks like a gun commander who detached from Panzerjäger-Abteilung 16 (a tank hunter battalion attached to the 16. Panzer Division). But this Gefreiter's field cap has a chevron insignia (sautache) in the military colors that were abolished in July 1942, and we can see that the color is green. The color of the Panzergrenadier class was established in June 1942, while the sautache field cap was abolished in July 1942, and this unit was reorganized as the Panzergrenadier Regiment in June of the same year. The picture shooting period was from July to August. It is difficult to say for certain, as various things are concentrated during this period. If there is a description in the division history that new military-colored uniforms were issued during this period, then this would be a solution. Also note that the military color of the lapel pin is rose pink. The service color piping on the epaulettes is not visible, but the "P" indicating tank hunter appears to be off-white. In this way, regarding the mismatch between the service color of the field cap and field uniform, it can be seen here and there in the photo, and it is as introduced for the assault gun crew uniform , but in fact, the "P" on the epaulettes is rose pink, which is the color of the service. It is more unusual that it is off-white.

Another Gefreiter is also pictured to the right of the first Gefreiter above, and the bright green military color can be seen on this Gefreiter's field cap and epaulettes. If you look closely at the photo, you can see a green sautache on the field caps of the company members lined up in the rear, confirming that this military color is used by each unit. The Gefreiter's uniform is a herringbone cotton work jacket with lapel pins and epaulettes, and his epaulettes don't even look new! This field gray epaulet was introduced at the same time as the 1940 model field uniform, and was commonly issued in 1942, so there is little to be said about this company and when the green military color was introduced. Although it is useless, if this is a dark green epaulet, it is likely that the green military color was used before June 1942.

The Hauptfeldwebel (Sergeant Major) in the left corner of the photo has two tresse sewn on his sleeve, identifying him as the company's senior noncommissioned officer (spiess). Since there are no officers other than the company commander at company headquarters in the German Army, the oldest non-commissioned officer - who is respected by all the company members - usually serves as the "Spiess" (Mother of the Company) and coordinates all other NCOs. At the same time, he was assigned tasks other than direct combat command. This Spiess, pictured above, appears to be checking the list of recipients of the medals prepared by the company secretary. A black neckerchief with white polkadots can be seen at the collar of the 1936 field uniform, which was worn with an open collar. This Spiess field cap also has a green sautaché, but unfortunately the color of the military color piping on the epaulettes not clearly visible.

In the lower left of the photo, there is a paper box containing military medals that put in a helmet casually placed in it, but considering the rank, the person holding the stahlhelm seems to be the 1st platoon commander (Zugführer). The company commander itself is not a Hauptmann (Captain) but a Oberleutnant (First Lieutenant), so it is unknown how many officers there were in the 7th Company at the time this photo was taken, but usually the role of the Zugführer for the 1st platoon is reserved for a Leutnant (Second Lieutenant). In the Wehrmacht organization at the beginning of the war, each platoon leader was a Leutnant, but due to the loss of personnel because of the protracted war, the platoon leaders, except for the 1st platoon, were later changed to non-commissioned officers. In any case, the fact that the helmet was used as a container for the medals is an indication that the awarding ceremony was held at the frontline.

Source :
Akira Takiguchi photo collection
http://steiner.web.fc2.com/uni/p/029/029.html
https://twitter.com/atakiguchi/status/1709921746860884441/photo/1

Eisenhower Speaks in Front of the 101st Airborne Division

General Dwight D. Eisenhower, Supreme Allied Commander, addresses troops of the 101st Airborne Division during ceremonies in which the entire division received the Presidential Citation, the first division so honored. The picture was taken at Mourmelon, France, March 15, 1945.

Source :
https://www.facebook.com/photo/?fbid=9254131128006951&set=gm.2372742259577850&idorvanity=237076659811098
https://www.reddit.com/r/wwiipics/comments/o48pzw/general_dwight_d_eisenhower_awarded_the/

Erwin Niebling receives a Distinguished Flying Cross with gold star

Lieutenant Erwin W. Niebling receives a Distinguished Flying Cross with gold star from Rear Admiral Osborne B. Hardison ( Chief of Naval Air Primary Training) on May 17, 1945, at Naval Air Station New Orleans for his actions as a pilot in the Philippines.

Source :
National Archives and Records Administration, 80-G-K-5302
Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum
https://www.flickr.com/photos/airandspace/albums/72157715574200936
https://www.history.navy.mil/our-collections/photography/numerical-list-of-images/nhhc-series/nh-series/80-G-K-05000/80-G-K-5302.html

Bio of Oberst Rudolf Flinzer (1889-1976)

Oberst der Reserve Dr.Ing. Rudolf Flinzer (Kommandeur Grenadier-Regiment 317 / 211.Infanterie-Division) posed for the camera after Eichenlaub award ceremony with Hitler at Führerhauptquartier Wolfsschanze, Rastenburg, September 1944. Flinzer received the Eichenlaub #575 on 5 September 1944 for the sum of his achievements during the first defensive battle of Vitebsk, battles in the Pripet marshes, the retreat to the Bug and during the fighting in Eastern Poland.

Rudolf Flinzer joined the 105th Infantry Regiment on March 1, 1909 as an ensign, was promoted to lieutenant on January 21, 1910 and fought in World War I as a platoon commander, company commander and regimental adjutant. On August 2, 1917 he was promoted to captain and served on the staff of the 45th Landwehr Division at the end of the war. On August 25, 1919 he was discharged from the army and then studied chemistry at the Technical University of Dresden. Ing. and then went into the chemical industry. In 1936 he became head of the Landwehr officers' community in Cologne at Army Office 9, which developed into the 211th Infantry Division in August 1939. Promoted to major on August 26, 1939, he became commander of the 1st Infantry Regiment 317. In May 1940 he took part in the French campaign with his battalion and came to Russia in early 1942. On June 1, 1942, he was promoted to lieutenant colonel in the reserve, became commander of the 211th Field Training Battalion and took command of the 317th Grenadier Regiment on January 28, 1943. He distinguished himself in the heavy defensive fighting south of Orel in early 1943 The regiment was particularly distinguished, for which he was awarded the Knight's Cross on April 6, 1943. Promoted to colonel in the reserve on September 1, 1943, he earned the German Cross in Gold during retreat fighting in autumn and winter 1943, which he was awarded on January 27, 1944. After the Russian summer offensive in 1944, he led his regiment during heavy defensive fighting, for which he was awarded the Oak Leaves on September 5, 1944. From September 29, 1944 he was commander of the sea fortress Hoek van Holland, where he was taken prisoner at the end of the war.


Source :
http://alifrafikkhan.blogspot.com/2011/07/album-foto-berwarna-perwira-dan.html
https://www.lexikon-der-wehrmacht.de/Personenregister/F/FlinzerR.htm

Bio of Luftwaffe Ace Werner Mölders (1913-1941)

Werner "Vati" Mölders was born on 18 March 1913, at Gelsenkirchen. He was the son of teacher Viktor Mölders and his wife Annemarie, née Riedel. He was the third of four children, with an older sister, Annemarie, an older brother, Hans, and a younger brother, Victor.

He was set to becomöe the role model for all young German fighter pilots, hence the nickname ‘Vati".

Mölders had had made his mind up to have a Military career after his father, a reserve-Leutnant in the King's 145th Infantry Regiment, was killed in action on 2 March 1915 in the Argonne Forest in France.
He entered the Dresden Military Academy in 1932 and would graduate two years later. In 1934 he applied for flight training with the Luftwaffe passing all but one test, the centrifugal spin chair which made him dizzy and caused him to vomit. A doctor was to recommend that Mölders was unfit to become a pilot. Mölders was determined though and practiced with the chair until he passed. Flying sickness though would continue with Mölders during the early part of his career but in the end hen would overcome the problem through perseverence.

For two years he was an instructor at Wiesbaden. He volunteered for the Condor Legion and arrived by sea in Cadiz on 14 April 1938. Later that year 3 Staffel of JG 88 needed a new leader to replace Adolf Galland in Spain and Mölders was chosen. Mölders scored his first victory, a Polikarpov I -16 fighter. It was also in Spain that Mölders would help every new pilot under his command to score their first victory and to help them through the experience. By the 31st of October Mölders had scored 14 victories in Spain and he returned to Germany in early November as the highest scoring pilot of the Condor Legion.

Werner would spend the winter teaching Luftwaffe recruits his tactics that he had learned while in Spain. Between 15 July and 3 November 1938, he shot down fourteen aircraft. At the end of the year he returned to Germany as the highest scoring German pilot of the Spanish conflict.

Mölders opened his World War II account by scoring in the opening weeks of the French campaign when he shot down a Curtis Hawk on the 20th of September 1940. By May he had become the first Luftwaffe pilot to reach 20 victories. Mölders scoring tactic was to hit enemy airplanes hard from close range. While leading 15 Messerschmitts on a patrol on 5 June 1940 he was shot down in combat by French ace Sous Lieutenant René Pommier Layragues. Mölders bailed out and floated to earth where he was captured by French troops. His initial experience in French captivity was harsh; he sustained abrasions to his face and his Knight's Cross was stolen from him. A French officer, Capitaine Giron, intervened, ensured he was treated fairly, and returned the stolen medal. When a French soldier was later sentenced to death by the Germans for beating Mölders, Mölders approached Hermann Göring and requested clemency, which was granted. His inprisonment lasted not long though as France surrendered a few weeks later. He returned to Germany to be promoted to Major and given command of JG 51 as Kommodore. On 28 July 1940, during his first flight with his new unit, he succeeded in downing a Spitfire, but his aircraft was then hit by the enemy aircraft. Severely wounded in the legs, Mölders just managed to make an emergency landing at the airfield at Wissant in France. It was not until a month later that he was able to return to combat. He quickly brought his score up by downing 28 British fighters during the remainder of the Battle of Britain, including his 40th, a Spitfire over Dungeness, on 20 September. The next day. On 22 October he downed three RAF Hurricanes to become the first Luftwaffe pilot to reach a score of 50 aerial victories. By the end of the Battle of Britain he had a total of 54 victories, and he would add one more before the end of the year. By the 26th of February Mölders was Germany's second highest scoring Ace with 68 victories behind him. By June of 1941 Mölders was on the east front, and JG 51 would became the first Luftwaffe fighter group to reach the 1,000 victories mark. On another day in June JG 51 shot down 96 Soviet aircraft and Mölders accounted for 11 of those, by the end of July Mölders had 115 victories to his name.

Realizing that Mölders was too valuable to risk in combat, the higher powers in the Luftwaffe decided to ground him and at the age of just 28 he became Inspecteur der Jagdflieger (Inspector of Fighters). He was constantly on the move, wherever he was required Mölders would be creating and directing battle groups of Stukas and fighters. It was around this time that Mölders received notice of Ernst Udet's suicide and he requested to be one of the guard of honours at the funeral. In very bad weather Mölders took a flight in a Heinkel HE 111 bomber. The plane took off in a violent thunderstorm despite pleas from the pilot to turn back. But Mölders insisted that the flight continued. When the aircraft neared Breslau one of the engines failed. As the aircraft approached the landing strip the second engine failed. The Heinkel slammed into the ground killing Mölders instantly. It. Mölders was buried next to Ernst Udet and Manfred von Richthofen. The 8.8 cm flak in Berlin Tiergarten fired a salute; Hermann Göring gave the eulogy.Only hours after his death, Jg 51 was awarded the name Mölders. Werner Mölders finished the War at the age of 28 as General with 115 victories achieved over the course of over 300 sorties (14 in Spain, 68 in the West and 33 in Russia).

Werner Mölders was extremely pattriotic while making no secret of his dislike of many aspects of National Socalism, which stemmed from his Roman Catholic faith. Even Hitler recognized his qualaties and is recorded as having rounded on some of Mölders' critics amoung the Nazi leadership and warned them not to harass the Lufwaffe ace, whom Hitler described as 'a decent man'. Mölders demanded that all Allied aviators captured by those under his command be treated civilly and often would invite captured pilots to dine with him.

On April 13, 1968, a Destroyer of the Federal German Navy was christened "Mölders". It was in Service between 1969 and 2003. As of June 24, 2005 it is the central attraction at the Navy Museum in Wilhelmshaven.

On November 9, 1972 a base of a Battalion of the 34th Signal Regiment of the Federal German Army received the name "Mölders".

Most notably, the Fighter Squadron 74 (Jagdgeschwader (JG) 74), stationed in Neuburg on Danube received the name "Mölders" in 1973. In 2005 the German Ministry of Defence (Bundesministerium der Verteidigung) decided to remove the name "Mölders" from the JG 74. This was done in accordance with a decision from the German Parliament (Bundestag) in 1998 due to the 61st Anniversary of the bombing of the town of Guernica in Spain during the Spanish Civil War. Werner Mölders was a part of the "Condor Legion ". According to Parliament a member of the "Condor Legion " should "not be honoured any more".

From left to right: Generaloberst Dr.-Ing. h.c. Ernst Udet (Generalluftzeugmeister und Chef des Planungsamts der Luftwaffe), Oberstleutnant Adolf Galland (Geschwaderkommodore Jagdgeschwader 26 "Schlageter") and Oberstleutnant Werner Mölders (Geschwaderkommodore Jagdgeschwader 51). The picture was taken on 4 September 1940 in France by Karl H. Paulmann.

Oberstleutnant Werner Mölders (Geschwaderkommodore Jagdgeschwader 51) being congratulated for his 56th kills, 16 April 1941.

Oberstleutnant Werner Mölders (middle, Geschwaderkommodore Jagdgeschwader 51) with his air crew in the Russian Front.

Brillanten award ceremony for Luftwaffe ace Werner Mölders, who became the first fighter pilot to amass 100 aerial victories in World War II after surpassed the C mark, claiming victories Nos. 100 and 101 on 15 July 1941. The ceremony were held at Führerhauptquartier Wolfsschanze, Rastenburg (East Prussia), on 24 July 1941. From left to right: Oberst Werner Mölders (Geschwaderkommodore Jagdgeschwader 51), SS-Oberführer Walther Hewel (Verbindungsbeamter des Auswärtigen Amtes und Führerhauptquartier), SS-Gruppenführer Julius Schaub (Chefadjutant Führer und Reichskanzler), Adolf Hitler (Führer und Oberster Befehlshaber der Wehrmacht), SS-Oberführer Hans Baur (Chefpilot im Führerhauptquartier und im Stab des Reichsführers-SS und Chef der "Fliegerstaffel des Führers"), SS-Gruppenführer und Generalleutnant der Waffen-SS Karl Wolff (Verbindungsoffizier zischen dem Reichsführer SS und dem Führerhauptquartier), and Heinrich Hoffmann (Reichsbildberichterstatter der NSDAP).



Brillanten award ceremony for Luftwaffe ace Werner Mölders, who became the first fighter pilot to amass 100 aerial victories in World War II after surpassed the C mark, claiming victories Nos. 100 and 101 on 15 July 1941. The ceremony were held at Führerhauptquartier Wolfsschanze, Rastenburg (East Prussia), on 24 July 1941. From left to right: Oberst Werner Mölders (Geschwaderkommodore Jagdgeschwader 51), SS-Oberführer Walther Hewel (Verbindungsbeamter des Auswärtigen Amtes und Führerhauptquartier), and SS-Gruppenführer Julius Schaub (Chefadjutant Führer und Reichskanzler).

Generalfeldmarschall Albert Kesselring (Chef Luftflotte 2) and Oberstleutnant Werner Mölders (Geschwaderkommodore Jagdgeschwader 51) in Russia during the Unternehmen Barbarossa, summer 1941. Behind them is the wing of the Fieseler Fi 156 "Storch" light transport plane, commonly used by Wehrmacht high ranking officers to travel.



Oberst Werner Mölders (Inspekteur der Jagdflieger) and Hauptmann Josef Fözö (Gruppenkommandeur II.Gruppe / Jagdgeschwader 51) in the Eastern Front, August 1941.

Source :
http://alifrafikkhan.blogspot.com/2015/04/foto-werner-molders.html
https://www.asisbiz.com/il2/Bf-109F/JG51.html
https://www.bpk-bildagentur.de/shop
https://www.flickr.com/photos/ww2images/6896589905
https://www.tracesofwar.com/persons/212/M%C3%B6lders-Werner.htm

Rommel Portrait by Heinrich Hoffmann

Original color portraits of Generalfeldmarschall Erwin Rommel (Oberbefehlshaber Panzerarmee "Afrika") which was taken by Hitler's personal photographer Heinrich Hoffmann on 30 September 1942 when Rommel was presented his marschallstab (Marshal baton) by Hitler at Neue Reichskanzlei, Berlin. These would be 100% agfacolor color 35mm slide film taken by Hoffmann. Then the agfacolor film would have been converted to the standard color printing process of the time. A lot of the rich colours and debt from the agfacolor film would have been lost in the printing process. Much after 1943 most of these portraits were all photographed using color film.

Source :
https://www.bpk-bildagentur.de/shop
https://www.ebay.ca/sch/i.html?_nkw=erwin+rommel&Brand=&_dcat=1
https://www.wehrmacht-awards.com/forums/forum/wehrmacht-era-militaria/photos-and-paper-items-forum/13494062-rommel-postcard

Order of Kutuzov for General Ira C. Eaker

M. Alexander Bogomolov, Soviet Representative, Presents The 'Order Of Kutozov' 2nd Class, Russia'S Highest Military Award, To U.S. Army Lieutenant-General Ira C. Eaker In Italy. The Order of Kutuzov is a Soviet military decoration to reward senior officers of the Red Army or foeign allies for skillful avoidance of enemy attacks and successful counter attacks. The Order of Kutuzov was established in three classes: 1st class, 2nd class, and 3rd class. General Ivan Galanin who distinguished himself during the Battle of Stalingrad became the first recipient of the Order 1st class. During World War II, 669 Orders of Kutuzov 1st class were awarded. The Order 2nd class was awarded to 3,325 corps, division, and brigade commanders. The Order 3rd class was awarded to regimental commanders, their chiefs of staff, battalion and company commanders. 3,328 3rd class orders were awarded.

Source :
US AIR FORCE
https://awards.wiki/en/ussr/order_of_kutuzov/12.html
https://www.facebook.com/photo/?fbid=3965190483567735&set=gm.1706463549539061

German Soldier in the Iron Cross Award Ceremony

A young German Heer (Army) soldier in the day he receive the Eisernes Kreuz II.Klasse (Iron Cross 2nd Class) medal. He already got the Verwundetenabzeichen (Wound Badge) and Infanterie-Sturmabzeichen (Infantry Assault Badge). He is wearing a model 1940/1941 field blouse. The collar is already made of field grey basecloth, but the breast pockets still have pleats and scalloped pocket flaps (The dark green collar was abolished in May 1940, the pleats in late 1941 and the scallops in 1943). The helmet looks like a rolled-rim M40.

Source :
https://forum.axishistory.com/viewtopic.php?p=2279922#p2279922

Luftwaffe Bomber Ace Werner Baumbach

Hauptmann Werner Baumbach (Gruppenkommandeur I.Gruppe / Kampfgeschwader 30 "Adler") in the day he met Adolf Hitler (Führer und Oberster Befehlshaber der Wehrmacht) at Führerhauptquartier Werwolf in Vinnitsa, Ukraine, 27 August 1942. The Luftwaffe bomber ace came to Hitler's Eastern Front HQ after he received the coveted Ritterkreuz des Eisernen Kreuzes mit Eichenlaub und Schwertern #16 ten days previously (17 August 1942). After the occasion, Hitler forbade Baumbach to fly, so he started working on new bomber designs; among others, he helped design the composite bomber system, Mistel.

Source:
https://www.facebook.com/search/top/?q=knight%27s%20cross%20holders%20history%20%26%20research&epa=SEARCH_BOX

King George VI during Award Ceremony for Canadian Soldiers

The King of the Great Britain, George VI (center), with the commander of the 1st Canadian Corps, General-Lieutenant Edson Tommy Burns on the right (partly in the frame), and the commander of the 5th Canadian Armoured Division, Major-General Bert Hoffmeister (2nd from right), in Italy on the day of the award ceremony for the Canadian soldiers and officers, who distinguished themselves in combat, 31 July 1944. On 18 July 1944 the 8th Army directed 1st Canadian Corps to begin concentrating in secret near Perugia, in anticipation that they would continue offensive operations by the Army and break through the Gothic Line. The Canadian Corps' role in the attack was to take over the eastern flank of the 10th Corps in the Central Appenines, permitting the 10th and 13th Corps to concentrate for the main assault. In the meantime, the 1st Canadian Division was to reinforce the 13th Corps at Florence. Following a Royal Visit on 31 July 1944, the 1st Division began moving from the Volturno Valley, followed by the remainder of the Corps. Elaborate deception schemes and rigorous security was enforced to hide the move. Unit flashes (as well as the distinctive ribbon of the Canadian Volunteer Service Medal) were stripped from uniforms and identification symbols were removed from vehicles while enemy intelligence was provided false information in hopes of convincing them they Corps was concentrating behind the 2nd Polish Corps.

Source :
https://www.canadiansoldiers.com/history/battlehonours/italiancampaign/florence.htm
https://id.pinterest.com/pin/560698222328858522/?lp=true

Four Luftwaffe Aces after Award ceremony

Four top fighter aces from Luftwaffe posing together after the small awards ceremony with Adolf Hitler at Führerhauptquartier Wolfsschanze (Wolf's lair) in Rastenburg/East Prussia, 22 September 1943. From left to right: Hauptmann Heinrich Prinz zu Sayn-Wittgenstein (receiving Eichenlaub #290 zum Ritterkreuz des Eisernen Kreuzes as Gruppenkommandeur I.Gruppe / Nachtjagdgeschwader 100, after 54 night victories. Award date: 31 August 1943), Major Hartmann Grasser (receiving Eichenlaub #288 zum Ritterkreuz des Eisernen Kreuzes as Gruppenkommandeur II.Gruppe / Jagdgeschwader 51 "Mölders", after 103 day victories. Award date: 31 August 1943), Hauptmann Walter Nowotny (receiving both the Eichenlaub #293 and Schwerter #37 zum Ritterkreuz des Eisernen Kreuzes as Gruppenkommandeur I.Gruppe / Jagdgeschwader 54 "Grünherz", after 189 and 218 day victories. Award date: 4 September 1943 and 22 September 1943, all respectively), and Hauptmann Günther Rall (receiving Schwerter #34 zum Ritterkreuz des Eisernen Kreuzes mit Eichenlaub as Gruppenkommandeur III.Gruppe / Jagdgeschwader 52, after 200 day victories. Award date: 12 September 1943). The picture was taken by Walter Frentz

Source :
http://www.historicalwarmilitariaforum.com/topic/6937-ritterkreuztr%C3%A4ger-photos-in-color-thread/?page=36#comment-54552

Award Ceremony of 11. Panzer-Division

These pictures shows award ceremony of 11. Panzer-Division during Unternehmen Barbarossa, summer of 1941. The recipients received Eisernes Kreuz I.Klasse and Kriegsverdienstkreuz II.Klasse mit Schwertern.

Generalmajor Ludwig Crüwell (Kommandeur 11. Panzer-Division).

Generalmajor Ludwig Crüwell (Kommandeur 11. Panzer-Division) with his officers.

Generalmajor Ludwig Crüwell (Kommandeur 11. Panzer-Division) gives the award to his soldiers.

Generalmajor Ludwig Crüwell (Kommandeur 11. Panzer-Division) with all of the recipients in an award ceremony of the division. 6th from right (wearing sidecap) is Oberstleutnant Gustav-Adolf Riebel (Kommandeur Panzer-Regiment 15 / 11.Panzer-Division)

 Generalmajor Ludwig Crüwell (Kommandeur 11. Panzer-Division) speaking in front of the member of his division. At right wearing black Panzer uniform is Oberstleutnant Gustav-Adolf Riebel (Kommandeur Panzer-Regiment 15 / 11.Panzer-Division)

Four new recipients of the Eisernes Kreuz I.Klasse (left) and Kriegsverdienstkreuz II.Klasse mit Schwertern. Wearing black Panzer uniform at far right is Oberstleutnant Gustav-Adolf Riebel (Kommandeur Panzer-Regiment 15 / 11.Panzer-Division).

 Generalmajor Ludwig Crüwell (left, Kommandeur 11. Panzer-Division) with one of his officer.

 A new recipient of Eisernes Kreuz II.Klasse from 11. Panzer-Division. He is already sported SA-Treffen Braunschweig 1931 Badge and SA-Sportabzeichen in his uniform.

 The new recipient of Eisernes Kreuz II.Klasse from 11. Panzer-Division (which also a member of Sturmabteilung if you look at his SA-Treffen Braunschweig 1931 Badge and SA-Sportabzeichen in his uniform) chats with an officer from Sonderführer Z (left)

Other new recipients of Eisernes Kreuz II.Klasse from 11. Panzer-Division

Source :
https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=298632194738945&set=pcb.1505028533015898&type=3&theater&ifg=1

Kleinheisterkamp with SS Nord Officers

Officers of SS-Gebirgs-Division "Nord" with Finnish officers in Finland. From left to right: SS-Standartenführer Dr.-Med. Wilhelm Fehrensen (Divisionsarzt SS-Gebirgs-Division "Nord") and SS-Gruppenführer und Generalleutnant der Waffen-SS Matthias Kleinheisterkamp (Kommandeur SS-Gebirgs-Division "Nord"). The picture was taken in the summer of 1943, probably after the award ceremony of the Finnish Order of the Cross of Liberty 1st Class with Swords (Vapaudenristin Ritarikunta) for Divisionskommandeur Kleinheisterkamp in 13 May 1943. In this picture we can see the neck medal is hanging below the Ritterkreuz des Eisernen Kreuzes weared by Kleinheisterkamp.

Source :
http://forum.axishistory.com/viewtopic.php?f=38&t=146826&sid=8920e48a56c8de96c7ba6d0d9c305e24&start=450
http://www.historicalwarmilitariaforum.com/topic/6937-ritterkreuztr%C3%A4ger-photos-in-color-thread/page-3?hl=kleinheisterkamp#entry36671

Ritterkreuz Ceremony for Luftwaffe Ace Rudi Müller

Ritterkreuz (Knight's Cross) award ceremony for Luftwaffe fighter ace, Oberfeldwebel Rudolf Müller (Flugzeugführer in 6.Staffel / II.Gruppe / Jagdgeschwader 5 "Eismeer"), that was held at Petsamo airfield (Finland) in 19 June 1942. Müller was awarded the Ritterkreuz after he scored his 46th air victory.

The opening months of the German air campaign above the Arctic Circle were fought by a miscellany of units before a flurry of redesignations saw the piecemeal emergence of Jagdgeschwader 5 (JG 5) proper during 1942. This Geschwader was somewhat unusual in that it faced two ways at once. One half of it was employed in defending the western coast of Norway against attack by the RAF (and USAAF), while the other half was engaged against the land and naval air forces of the Soviet Union primarily over the White Sea area and along the strategically vital Murmansk railway line. The latter took supplies delivered by the Allied Arctic convoys down into central Russia.

Despite this diversity of tasks, JG 5 produced a formidable number of high-scoring Experten (or at least those Gruppen operating in the eastern parts did). In addition to a handful of truly stellar performers who racked up three-figure totals, there were at least half-a-dozen semi-centurions among their ranks.

One of the first to come to prominence was 6./JG 5’s Feldwebel Rudolf "Rudi" Müller (born 21 November 1920). He was credited with five Russian-flown Hurricanes downed over Kola Bay on 23 April 1942. In less than two months his score had risen to 46, for which he was awarded the Ritterkreuz des Eisernen Kreuzes (Knight’s Cross of the Iron Crosses) on 19 June. And he had more than doubled that total again – to a final score of 94 – before he was himself lost on 19 April 1943.

On the morning of that date, "Rudi" Müller, by now an oberfeldwebel and currently JG 5’s highest scorer, was piloting one of the six Bf 109s that took off from Salmijärvi, in northern Finland, for a freie Jagd sweep of the Murmansk region. They had been warned to keep a special eye on the Soviet fighter base at Vaenga, on the eastern shore of Kola Bay. And with good reason, for approximately 40 enemy aircraft rose to intercept them.

A fierce dogfight developed. At least one Red Air Force Airacobra was sent down, but another latched onto the tail of Müller’s Gustav and got in an effective burst. Müller tried to escape by diving away in a steep spiral, but his machine was too badly damaged and he was forced to belly-land on the surface of a frozen lake. While the battle continued to rage overhead, his victor is described as having "put down alongside the stricken Messerschmitt". But of Müller there was no sign – just a set of snow-shoe tracks heading off into the tundra.

"Rudi" Müller remained at large behind enemy lines for several days before finally being captured. Like so many others who disappeared into Soviet captivity, his ultimate fate is unknown. One statement released long after the war asserted that he had been killed while trying to escape in 21 October 1943, but there were also reported sightings of him in a Russian gaol as late as 1947, and one of the many rumours circulating about him at that time among other German prisoners was to the effect that "Rudi is serving as a flying instructor for the Ivan".

“Rudi” Müller was credited with 92 victories. All his victories were recorded over the Eastern front and included at least 35 Hurricane fighters

Source :
Book "More Bf 109 Aces of the Russian Front" by John Weal
http://www.historicalwarmilitariaforum.com/topic/6937-ritterkreuztr%C3%A4ger-photos-in-color-thread/
http://www.luftwaffe.cz/mullerr.html