New Zealand Tank Crew at Cassino

Image size: 1074 x 1600 pixel. 442 KB
Date: Thursday, 18 May 1944
Place: Cassino, Frosinone, Italy
Photographer: George Frederick Kaye

New Zealand tankmen, possibly 4th New Zealand Armoured Brigade personnel, in Cassino, Italy, on the day it fell to the 8th Army, 18 May 1944. The Brigade arrived in Italy on 5 October 1943, over a month after the initial invasion, landing at Taranto and were involved in the first actions to break through the Bernhardt Line on the Sangro front. In 1944 they were transferred to U.S. Fifth Army on the Italian western coast. The New Zealand Division was joined by the 4th Indian Division and the British 78th Division, and together with units of the U.S. 1st Armored Division formed the New Zealand Corps and was tasked with the capture of the town of Cassino, its skyline dominated by a 13th Century Monastery. During this period the 4th New Zealand Armoured Brigade was tasked with supporting the infantry. Individual squadrons were employed in a fire support role, often being used as makeshift artillery. The 20th Armoured Regiment participated in a flanking attack, approaching the Monastery on a specially constructed road from behind. Surprise was achieved, but insufficient infantry reserves to press the initiative saw the German defenders regain the upper hand and the tanks fell back. In March tanks from the 19th Armoured Regiment entered the town proper to support members of the 28th Māori Battalion in the bitter house to house fighting, using their 75mm guns to dig the defenders out of strong points. The degree of rubble clogging the streets made progress slow and by the end of the month when relieved by the 20th Armoured Regiment the Shermans had reverted to the role of static fire support. This continued for the next two months, with the tanks able to provide little more than morale support to the infantry until the monastery finally fell to Polish forces on 19 May 1944.

Source :
National Library of New Zealand Ref: DA-05712-F
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/4th_New_Zealand_Armoured_Brigade

Crew of B-24J 44-40783 Photographed in Front of "Tough Titti"

Image size: 1600 x 1139 pixel. 355 KB
Date: 1944
Place: Liuchow, Guangxi, China
Photographer: Unknown

Crew of B-24J 44-40783 photographed in front of "Tough Titti," a B-24J-155-CO serial number 44-40296. On the evening of August 31, 1944, ten crew members of the 14th Air Force, 308th Bomb Group, 375th Bomb Squadron, lifted off in a Consolidated B-24J-180-CO Liberator serial number 44-40783 from a base in Liuchow, China, on a mission to bomb Japanese ships anchored in Takao Harbor, Formosa. Intercepted by an A6M3 Model 32 Zero-Sen fighter piloted by Chief Petty Officer Takeo Tanimizu of the Tainan Air Group, who shot down B-24J 44-40831 and damaged 40783. On its return flight, it was diverted to an alternate field because Liuchow was under air attack. On its way to the alternate strip, it crashed into Mount Arisan (known as Mount Maoer or Kitten, 6000 feet, 1829 meters) and tumbled into a deep ravine. All aboard were killed. The crew: Pilot, Second Lieutenant George H. Pierpont (Salem, Virginia); Co-Pilot, Second Lieutenant Franklin A. Tomenendale (Shabbona, Illinois); Navigator, Second Lieutenant Robert Deming (Seattle, Washington); Bombardier, Second Lieutenant George A. Ward (Jersey City, New Jersey); Engineer, Staff Sargeant Anthony DeLucia, age 24 (Bradford, Pennsylvania); Radio, Sargeant Ellsworth V. Kelley (Newark, Ohio); Radarman, Private Fred P. Buckley (Garden City, Kansas); Gunner, Staff Sargeant William A. Drager (Washington, New Jersey); Gunner, Sargeant Robert L. Kearsey (McKees Rocks, Pennsylvania); Gunner, Private Vincent J. Netherwood (Kingston, New York), age 20, engaged to be married. On October 2, 1996 two Chinese farmers discovered the crash site 62 miles (100 kilometers) south of Gualin, Guangxi Province. Jiang Zemin, president of the People's Republic of China, presented President Clinton with five identification tags and a video of the crash site during a state visit the next month. The names on the military dog tags included: Buckley, Kelley, Netherwood, Tomenendale and Ward. Four times between 1997 and 1999, a joint U.S.-Chinese team excavated the crash site, recovering numerous pieces of wreckage, personal effects and remains. Using DNA, they identified the crew. Six were buried in Arlington and three in their hometowns.  

Source:

http://www.chinadaily.com.cn/sunday/2013-07/28/content_16842543.htm

http://www.worldwar2database.com/gallery3/index.php/wwii1076

VMF-214 "Black Sheep" at Espiritu Santo

Image size: 1600 x 1111 pixel. 450 KB
Date: Tuesday, 7 September 1943
Place: Turtle Bay Fighter Strip, Espiritu Santo, Vanuatu
Photographer: Unknown

Major Gregory Boyington's VMF-214 Black Sheep Squadron on Turtle Bay fighter strip on Esperitu Santo. VMF-214 poses for a group picture before leaving for their operations in the Russell Islands. An F4U-1 is in the background. In their two tours of combat, the Black Sheep shot down 94 Japanese aircraft and counted nine aces (5 or more enemy aircraft shot down.) Gregory Boyington was shot down on January 3, 1944 and spent the remainder of the war in Omori Prison Camp. The Black Sheep were disbanded after their second tour. Gregory "Pappy" Boyington (December 4, 1912 – January 11, 1988) was a United States Marine Corps officer who was an American fighter ace during World War II. For his heroic actions, he was awarded both the Medal of Honor and the Navy Cross. Boyington flew initially with the American Volunteer Group in the Republic of China Air Force during the Second Sino-Japanese War. He later commanded the U.S. Marine Corps squadron VMF-214 ("The Black Sheep Squadron") during World War II. Boyington became a prisoner of war later in the war.

Source:

http://www.worldwar2database.com/gallery3/index.php/wwii1041

Award Ceremony of Pionier-Bataillon 221

Image size: 1600 x 1042 pixel. 615 KB
Date: Wednesday, 26 June 1940
Place: Oberrhein, Germany
Photographer: Unknown

Award ceremony for 13 Officers, NCOs and Enlisted Men from Pionier-Bataillon 221/221.Infanterie-Division/7.Armee/Heeresgruppe C, awarded various grades of the Eisernes Kreuzes, including Eisernes Kreuz II. Klasse, Eisernes Kreuz I. Klasse, and 1939 spange zum 1914 Eisernes Kreuz I. KLasse. These all were awarded by the unseen: Generalleutnant Johann Pflugbiel (24 August 1882 - 21 October 1951), Kommandeur of 221. Infanterie-Division. The recipients, from left to right: Unteroffizier Krusch (Eisernes Kreuz II. Klasse), Pioniere Verlei (Eisernes Kreuz II. Klasse), Unteroffizier Überschar (Eisernes Kreuz II. Klasse), Pioniere Schneider (Eisernes Kreuz II. Klasse), Unteroffizier Brzuske (Eisernes Kreuz II. Klasse), Unteroffizier Dindas (Eisernes Kreuz II. Klasse), Hauptmann Götsch (Kommandeur Pionier-Bataillon 221; 1939 spange zum 1914 Eisernes Kreuz I. Klasse), Feldwebel Lessmann (Eisernes Kreuz II. Klasse), Leutnant Müller (Eisernes Kreuz I. Klasse), Unteroffizier Krane (Eisernes Kreuz II. Klasse), Leutnant Seidl (Eisernes Kreuz II. Klasse), Unteroffizier Heindke (Eisernes Kreuz II. Klasse), and Leutnant Rumrf (Eisernes Kreuz II. Klasse).

Source:
http://www.war44.com/personal-memorabilia/3394-some-ekii-eki-spange-war-merit-cross-iab-eyc-award-ceremony-pics-2.html

Officers of Hitlerjugend Division Posing Together at Fritz Witt's Birthday Party

Image size: 1600 x 1038 pixel. 424 KB
Date: Saturday, 27 May 1944
Place: Tillierès-sur-Avre, Haute-Normandie, France
Photographer: Wilfried Woscidlo

Officers of 12. SS-Panzer-Division "Hitlerjugend" posing together for the camera after birthday ceremony (36th) of their beloved commander, SS-Brigadeführer und Generalmajor der Waffen-SS Fritz Witt (born in 27 May 1908), held in Tillierès-sur-Avre, France, 27 May 1944. First/front row, from left to right: unknown, unknown, SS-Sturmbannführer Horst Schürer (Ordonanz-Offizier), SS-Sturmbannführer Heinrich "Hein" Springer (Divisions-adjutant), SS-Standartenführer Kurt "Panzermeyer" Meyer (Kommandeur SS-Panzergrenadier-Regiment 25), SS-Brigadeführer Fritz Witt (Divisions-Kommandeur), SS-Obersturmbannführer Wilhelm Mohnke (Kommandeur SS-Panzergrenadier-regiment 26), SS-Obersturmbannführer Fritz Schroeder (Kommandeur SS-Panzer-Artillerie-Regiment 12), and SS-Hauptsturmführer Siegfried Rothemund (IIa Generalstabsoffizier). Second row: SS-Hauptsturmführer Gerd von Reitzenstein (Chef 5.Kompanie/SS-Panzer-Aufklärungs-Abteilung 12),  SS-Sturmbannführer Artur Manthey (Abteilung V Divisions-Ingenieur), SS-Sturmbannführer Erich Pandel (Kommandeur SS-Panzer-Nachrichten-Abteilung 12), SS-Obersturmbannführer Max Wünsche (Kommandeur SS-Panzer-Regiment 12), SS-Hauptsturmführer Hubert Meyer (Ia 1. Generalstabsoffizier einer höheren Dienststelle - Leiter der Führungsabteilung), SS-Sturmbannführer Fritz Buchsein (IIa Generalstabsoffizier), and SS-Hauptsturmführer Albert "Papa" Schuch (Kommandeur Stabquartier Adjudantur-Abteilung). Third row: SS-Sturmbannführer Hermann Weiser (Korps-Adjutant), SS-Sturmbannführer Bernhard Krause (Kommandeur I.Bataillon/ SS-Panzergrenadier-Regiment 26), SS-Sturmbannführer Gerhard "Gerd" Bremer (Kommandeur SS-Panzer-Aufklärungs-Abteilung 12), SS-Sturmbannführer Siegfried Müller (Kommandeur SS Panzer-Pionier-Bataillon 12), SS-Sturmbannführer Bernhard Siebken (Kommandeur II.Bataillon/SS-Panzergrenadier-Regiment 26), SS-Sturmbannführer Jakob Hanreich (Kommandeur SS Panzerjäger-Abteilung 12), and SS-Obersturmführer Heinz Ritzert (Chef 15.Kompanie/SS-Panzergrenadier-Regiment 25). Fourth row: SS-Hauptsturmführer Georg Urabl (Kommandeur SS Feldersatz-Bataillon 12), SS-Sturmbannführer Dr. Wilhelm Kos (IVa Divisions-Intendant), SS-Sturmbannführer Hans Waldmüller (Kommandeur I.Bataillon/ SS-Panzergrenadier-Regiment 25), and SS-Sturmbannführer Rolf Kolitz (Kommandeur SS-Panzer-Nachschubtruppen 12). This also become the last birthday for Witt, for he would then killed in action less than one month after it, in 14 June 1944!

 Source:

 http://alifrafikkhan.blogspot.com/2011/10/album-foto-12ss-panzer-division.html

Adolf Hitler With His Staff, June 1940

Image size: 1600 x 1156 pixel. 420 KB
Date: Between Monday, 3 June 1940, to Thursday, 6 June 1940
Place: Führerhauptquartier Felsennest, Bad Münstereifel, Nordrhein-Westfalen, Germany
Photographer: Unknown

Adolf Hitler posing together in the formal picture with his staff at Hauptquartier Felsennest, June 1940. First row, from left to right: SA-Obergruppenführer Wilhelm Brückner (Chefadjutant des "Führers und Reichskanzlers“); SS-Gruppenführer Dr.rer.pol. Otto Dietrich (Staatssekretär im Reichsministerium für Volksaufklärung und Propaganda); Generaloberst Wilhelm Keitel (Chef des Oberkommandos der Wehrmacht); Führer Adolf Hitler; Generalmajor Alfred Jodl (Chef des Wehrmachtsführungsamtes); SS-Obergruppenführer Martin Bormann (Stabsleiter im Amt des Stellvertreters des Führers); Hauptmann Nicolaus von Below (Luftwaffen-Adjutant der "Adjutantur der Wehrmacht beim Führer und Reichskanzler"); and Prof. Heinrich Hoffmann (Reichsbilderstatter der NSDAP). Second row: Major Gerhard Engel (Heeres-Adjutant der "Adjutantur der Wehrmacht beim Führer und Reichskanzler"); SS-Obersturmbannführer Prof.dr.med. Karl Brandt (Hitlers Begleitarzt); Fregattenkapitän Karl-Jesko von Puttkamer (blocked by Keitel's schirmmütze, Marine-Adjutant der "Adjutantur der Wehrmacht beim Führer und Reichskanzler"); Generalleutnant Karl-Heinrich Bodenshatz (Chef des Ministeramtes des Reichministers der Luftfahrt und Oberbefehlshabers der Luftwaffe); Heinz Lorenz (a bit blocked by Bodenshatz, deutscher Pressesekretär im Führerhauptquartier); SS-Oberführer Walther Hewel (above Hitler's head, Verbindungsbeamter des Auswärtigen Amtes zum Führer und Reichskanzler); unidentified man with glasses; Oberst Rudolf Schmundt (Chefadjutant des Heeres beim Führer und Oberbefehlshaber der Wehrmacht); SS-Gruppenführer Julius Schaub (above Jodl's head, Chefadjutant des Führers Adolf Hitler); SS-Hauptsturmführer Max Wünsche (SS-Adjutant der "Adjutantur der Wehrmacht beim Führer und Reichskanzler"); SS-Gruppenführer und Generalleutnant der Waffen-SS Karl Wolff (Chef der Hauptamt Persönlicher Stab Reichsführer-SS); Prof.Dr.med. Theodor "Theo" Morell (Hitlers Leibarzt); and SS-Obersturmführer Hans-Georg Schulze-Kossens (Hitlers Ordonanz-Offizier). A lot of sources said that this picture taken in Führerhauptquartier Wolfsschanze in Rastenburg, East Prussia, but this is not correct. Here is the explanation (in German): "Die Aufnahme wurde im Mai oder Juni 1940 im Führerhauptquartier Felsennest gemacht. Am linken Rand des Bildes ist teilweise ein Wegweiser/Schild zu erkennen. Auf dem Originalbild in der bayrischen Staatsbibliothek in München (Archiv Heinrich Hoffmann) ist dort die Bezeichnung „K-Stand“ zu lesen. Es handelt sich hierbei um den K-Stand auf dem Eselsberg in Münstereifel-Rodert, sprich Felsennest. Dort wurde ein K- und ein F-Stand der LVZ West um- bzw. ausgebaut. Auch die im rechten Teil des Bildes gut zu erkennende (aufgeschlagene) Schilftür ist eindeutig dem Felsennest zuzuorden. Nachweis: Hans-Josef Hansen: Felsennest: Das vergessene Führerhauptquartier in der Eifel. Helios Verlag 2008. Die hier fehlerhafte Zuordnung des Bildes zum Führerhauptquartier Wolfsschanze wurde vom ADN vorgenommen."

Source:

Bundesarchiv Bild 183-R99057

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Bundesarchiv_Bild_183-R99057,_%22Wolfsschanze%22,_Adolf_Hitler_mit_Stab.jpg