Conference at 6. Panzer-Division HQ

Late summer 1941: a front-line conference at the forward HQ of 6. Panzer-Division. From left to right: Generalmajor Franz Landgraf (Kommandeur 6. Panzer-Division); General der Panzertruppe Georg Hans Reinhardt (Kommandierender General XXXXI. Panzerkorps); unknown officer; and Major im Generalstab Johann-Adolf Graf von Kielmansegg (Ia Erster Generalstabsoffizier 6. Panzer-Division). The last one would rose after the war to general's rank in the Bundeswehr and commanded NATO-AFCENT

Source:
Book "The 6th Panzer Division: 1937-45" by Oberst a.D. Helmut Ritgen

Generalmajor Erhard Raus with his Staff Officers

Generalmajor (last rank Generaloberst) Erhard Raus, former commander of the 6. Schützen-Brigade (Rifle Brigade), commanded 6. Panzer-Division from November 1941 to February 1943. He went on to command 4. Panzerarmee from November 1943 to May 1944. His last rank was Generaloberst

Source:
Book "The 6th Panzer Division: 1937-45" by Oberst a.D. Helmut Ritgen

Major der Reserve Dr. med. dent. Franz Bäke Wearing Black Panzer Uniform

Major der Reserve (last rank Generalmajor) Dr. med. dent. Franz Bäke (28 February 1898 - 12 December 1978), Kommandeur II.Abteilung / Panzer-Regiment 11 / 6.Panzer-Division. This very gallant and distinguished officer, photographed here in 1943, wears the black, pink-piped field uniform of the tank arm; the Knight's Cross with Oakleaves is worn at the throat - he was later awarded the Swords. On the left breast are the Iron Cross 1st Class; the Gold Wound Badge, signifying at least five wounds in action; and the Tank Battle Badge. In his buttonhole ar the Winter 1941-42 Medal ribbon and the ribbon of the 1914-18 Iron Cross 2nd Class bearing the silver eagle 'bar' for a subsequent Second World War award. Most striking of all, on his right sleeve are no less than three awards of the Tank Destruction Badge, for single-handed destruction of enemy AFVs with hand-held weapons at the Battle of Kursk

Source:
Book "The 6th Panzer Division: 1937-45" by Oberst a.D. Helmut Ritgen

Oberst Richard Koll in his Panzerbefehlswagen III 'RO6'

This picture was taken in October 1941, and showing Oberst Richard Koll (7 April 1897 - 13 May 1963), commanding officer of Panzer-Regiment 11 / 6.Panzer-Division, and at that period the combined tank strength of both 6. and 7. Panzer-Division, in a confident pose in the cupola of his Panzerbefehlswagen III 'RO6' - note detail of frame aerial. At the right is the CO's signals officer (Nachrichtenoffizier), wearing earphones (kopfhörer). A pole aerial rises behind the Gefreiter standing at the left. Koll received Ritterkreuz des Eisernen Kreuzes (Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross) in 15 July 1941. In the last two years of the war, he was the Chief of Armed Forces Motor Transportation. This seems a bizarre posting for a highly experienced Panzer commander. According to Wolgang Paul (Brennpunkte), Koll was transffered to the desk job because of the failed Cherkassy relief attack in the early 1944. Someone had to take the blame and apparently this someone was Koll, although he did everything he could, was a 1st class panzer officer and admired by his soldiers and officers, which were dissapointed when he had to leave 1. Panzer-Division, his previous "normal" assignment. His corps commander, General der Panzertruppe Hermann Breith, relieved him of command with an unflattering evaluation on February 21, 1944, with Oberbefehlshaber of 1. Panzerarmee, Generaloberst Hans Valentin Hube, concurring.

Source:
Book "The 6th Panzer Division: 1937-45" by Oberst a.D. Helmut Ritgen
https://forum.axishistory.com/viewtopic.php?t=48063

Oberst Alexander von Grundherr

Oberst Dr. Ing. Alexander von Grundherr zu Altenthan und Weyerhaus (1896-1973), Kommandeur Panzer-Artillerie-Regiment 76 / 6.Panzer-Division and recipient of the Deutsches Kreuz in Gold (11 February 1943), photographed in his heavily camouflaged command APC - note large frame aerial!

Source:

"The 6th Panzer Division: 1937-45" by Oberst a.D. Helmut Ritgen