Motor Units of LSSAH at Amsterdam (1940)

Image size: 1600 x 1081 pixel. 546 KB
Date: Thursday, 16 May 1940
Place: Amsterdam, Netherlands
Photographer: Unknown

On 16 May 1940, German troops marched into Amsterdam, including a Zündapp type KS 600 belong to motor units of Leibstandarte SS Adolf Hitler (motorisiert). In early 1940 the LSSAH was expanded into a full independent motorized infantry regiment and later a Sturmgeschütz (Assault Gun) battery was added to their establishment. The regiment was shifted to the Dutch border for the launch of Fall Gelb. It was to form the vanguard of the ground advance into the Netherlands, tasked with capturing a vital bridge over the IJssel, attacking the main line of defense at the Grebbeberg (the Grebbeline), and linking up with the Fallschirmjäger of Generaloberst Kurt Student's airborne forces, the 7.Flieger-Division and the 22.Luftlande-Infanterie-Division. Fall Gelb—the invasion of France and the Low Countries—was launched on 10 May 1940. On that day, the LSSAH crossed the Dutch border, covered over 75 kilometres (47 mi), and secured a crossing over the IJssel near Zutphen after discovering that their target bridge had been destroyed. Over the next four days, the LSSAH covered over 215 kilometres (134 mi), and upon entering Rotterdam, several of its soldiers accidentally shot at and seriously wounded General Student. After the surrender of Rotterdam, the LSSAH left for the Hague, which they reached on 15 May, after capturing 3,500 Dutch soldiers as prisoners of war. After the surrender of the Netherlands on 15 May, the regiment was then moved south to France through Amsterdam.

Source :
"May 1940: The Battle for the Netherlands" by Herman Amersfoort and Piet Kamphuis

The Capitulation of Greek Forces to SS Leibstandarte

Image size: 1600 x 1114 pixel. 180 KB
Date: Sunday, 20 April 1941
Place: Katara Pass, Northern Greece
Photographer: Unknown

SS-Obergruppenführer und General der Waffen-SS Josef "Sepp" Dietrich (Kommandeur Leibstandarte SS Adolf Hitler) negotiated the capitulation of Greek Armed Forces along with the Greek military representatives sent by Lieutenant-General Georgios Tsolakoglu (Commander Army of Epirus). The handsome officer at left is SS-Hauptsturmführer Max Wünsche (Adjutant Kommandeur Leibstandarte SS Adolf Hitler). This photo was taken at Katara mountain range, Greece, on April 20, 1941. Representatives from the Greek side are, from nearest to the camera: Lieutenant-Colonel Georgios Lagas, Colonel Nikolaos Balis, Major Vlachos, and an unidentified Lieutenant. In the account of that day from Rudolf Lehmann’s 'The Leibstandarte' Volume 1, the II.Bataillon / Leibstandarte SS Adolf Hitler (motorisiert) led by SS-Hauptsturmführer Erwin Horstmann were surmounting the Katara mountain range on their way to Joanina. Before the summit, SS-Untersturmführer Jupp Diefenthal came careering down in a motorcycle combination with a Greek soldier in the side car who was holding a white flag of surrender. Relaying to Horstmann that he had been approached by the Greeks who were anxious to discuss surrender terms, Dietrich was immediately wired to come up himself to conduct the discussions. SS-Untersturmführer Ralf Tiemann was also dispatched back down to Hani-Murgani to escort Dietrich up accompanied by SS-Hauptsturmführer Max Wünsche. They arrived to see the soldiers from both sides standing casually about playing cards etc and a giant swastika hung from the road. Dietrich went to talk to the ‘parlementaires’ who were no doubt Greek Officers and they told him he would need to travel 15km west to Vontonosi where the HQ of General Tsolakoglou’s was situated. Tiemann than states the Wünsche was dispatched to inform Generalfeldmarschall Wilhelm List in person of the developments while Dietrich and a small entourage drove on to the HQ. Tiemann states that he took over Wünsche’s duties in his absence and further relates that they arrived to be greeted personally by Tsolakoglou outside his HQ.

Source :
https://forum.axishistory.com/viewtopic.php?f=38&t=229924&hilit=ralf+tiemann

Sepp Dietrich Before Brillanten Award Ceremony

Image size: 1600 x 1049 pixel. 463 KB
Date: Thursday, 10 August 1944
Place: Führerhauptquartier Wolfsschanze, Rastenburg, Ostpreußen/East Prussia (Germany)
Photographer: Unknown photographer from Heinrich Hoffmann firm

This picture was taken in 10 August 1944 outside the bomb shelter at Führerhauptquartier Wolfsschanze (Rastenburg), before Ritterkreuz des Eisernen Kreuzes mit Eichenlaub, Schwerter und Brillanten #16 (Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross with Oakleaves, Swords and Diamonds) award ceremony for Sepp Dietrich by Adolf Hitler (Dietrich already received the formal confirmation from 6 August 1944). In this day he also officially got promoted from SS-Obergruppenführer und General der Waffen-SS to SS-Oberstgruppenführer und Panzer-Generaloberst der Waffen-SS, in which one additional pips is pinned to his schulterklappen (shoulder boards) and kragenspiegel (collar tabs). Same with the formal confirmation for his Brillanten, Dietrich already received the telegram confirmation for his promotion from 1 August 1944. We can see that the ex-Commanding General of I. Panzerkorps still has SS-Obergruppenführer schulterklappen/kragenspiegel in his uniform. From left to right: SS-Oberstgruppenführer und Panzer-Generaloberst der Waffen-SS Josef "Sepp" Dietrich (Oberbefehlshaber 5. Panzerarmee), SS-Hauptsturmführer Otto Günsche (Persönlicher Adjutant Adolf Hitler), SS-Sturmbannführer Erich Kempka (Hitlers Fahrer), SS-Hauptsturmführer Hermann "Bibl" Weiser (Adjutant I. SS-Panzerkorps), and SS-Gruppenführer und Generalleutnant der Waffen-SS Hermann Fegelein (Verbindungsoffizier der Waffen-SS zum Führerhauptquartier). The picture was taken in the front of so called "guest air shelter", Hitler's temporary office in the summer 1944 (partially still exists).


Source:

Book "Fotos aus dem Führerhauptquartier" from Hermann Historica München
http://forum.axishistory.com/viewtopic.php?f=5&t=46430&p=2016678#p2016678

Heinz Guderian Visiting Tiger Company of SS Leibstandarte

Image size: 1600 x 1150 pixel. 292 KB
Date: Tuesday, 27 April 1943
Place: Kharkov, Ukraine, Soviet Union
Photographer: Kriegsberichter Wiesebach

Generaloberst Heinz Guderian (Generalinspekteur der Panzertruppen) made an inspection visit to Tiger company of SS-Panzer-Regiment 1 / 1.SS-Panzergrenadier-Division "Leibstandarte SS Adolf Hitler" (LSSAH) at Kharkov, April 1943. Officer wearing Sonderbekleidung Der Deutschen Panzertruppen is SS-Hauptsturmführer Heinrich "Heinz" Kling, Chef of 18.Kompanie / SS-Panzer-Regiment 1 / 1.SS-Panzergrenadier-Division LSSAH, and he is shows one of the Panzerkampfwagen VI Panzerbefehlswagen Tiger I Ausführung E (Sonderkraftfahrzeug 181) to Guderian. The coaxial machine gun was removed to make more room in the turret for the extra radio set and the hole in the gun mantlet was plugged. Ammunition stowage was also reduced and the vision block on the right side of the turret and the turret periscope were not mounted. Records show that 89 Panzerbefehlswagen Tiger I were produced during the war.

Source:

Book "Panzer Divisions in Battle 1939-45" by Tom Cockle 

http://audiovis.nac.gov.pl/obraz/3158/2a130b90ca3f32a148f6728273fedb4a/

http://www.bild.bundesarchiv.de/archives/barchpic/search/_1377011867/?search[form][fulltext]={Wiesebach}+within+FOTOGRAF&search[form][sortorder]=DCDATA_CREDATE+ASC

http://www.bridgemanart.com/asset/350367/German-Photographer-20th-century/General-Heinz-Guderian-inspecting-the-troops-of-th

https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=637234679634339&set=gm.506346472787297&type=1&relevant_count=1&ref=nf

http://www.flickriver.com/photos/41818881@N06/8776121513/

Wounded SS With StuG and Destroyed T-34

Image size: 1600 x 1155 pixel. 481 KB
Date: Tuesday, 7 October 1941
Place: Staniza-Nowopaskaja, Sea of Azov, Soviet Union
Photographer: Unknown

A Sturmgeschütz (StuG) III A of the 1.Batterie/SS-Sturmgeshütz-Abteilung "Leisbstandarte SS Adolf Hitler" (commanded by SS-Untersturmführer Georg Isecke) approaches the Soviet T-34 tank that just recently destroyed. Other Waffen-SS men are evacuating SS-Unterscharführer Martin Hermann August Bergemann (born 30 July 1920 in Berlin-Heiligensee) from 1.(Krad.-)Kompanie/SS-Aufklärungs-Abteilung "Leisbstandarte SS Adolf Hitler" after his unsuccessful attempt to destroy the tank with a mine. Several rounds fired against the tank at a range of 25 meters failed to damage it. Destruction came as a result of gasoline 'bombs' being hurled against the vehicle and setting it afire. It is possible that the damage to the track and road wheels was done by means other than gasoline bomb. Bergemann died of his wounds in the same day and then buried in Melitopol, Ukraine. This brave young warrior is listed as one of the early tank destroyer of the Wehrmacht.

Source:

Book "Waffen-SS in Action" by Norman Harms and Ron Volstad, page 15

http://www.volksbund.de/index.php?id=1775&tx_igverlustsuche_pi2[gid]=03195b53b216d97b5230c47fa55c3a8d

LSSAH Troops Crossing the River Meuse Near Mook

Image size: 1600 x 1031 pixel. 381 KB
Date: Monday, 13 May 1940
Place: Mook, Limburg, Netherlands
Photographer: Unknown

Troops belonging to the SS-Division "Leibstandarte SS Adolf Hitler" crossing the river Meuse near Mook, 13 May 1940. From "The Leibstandarte" by Rudolf Lehmann and Ralf Tiemann, Vol 1 page 136 (english edition), we have the following: "13-5-1940, 06:00 hours, the reinforced Regiment (minus the reinforced III. Bataillon) marched via Goch, Mook, and Grave to reach Hess, its first march objective, around noon. Here it was subordinated to the XXXIX AK and received orders to move toward Gertruidenberg so as to reach it before nightfall. The reinforced III. Bataillon (formerly Schnelle Gruppe Mitte) moved from Zutphen via Mook, came once more under orders from the Regiment, and was moved to Dongen, sixteen kilometers southeast of Gertruidenberg". Now, just to confirm that these are LSSAH vehicles, the number plates of the two nearest BMW R12s are 816 and 814 and the Horch 1500 has the number plate 933, so they all come from the range SS-501 to SS-2000, which was assigned to the LSSAH. The Horch comes from 6th Kompanie, (II. Bataillon) so this is a shot of the first group mentioned above.

Source:

http://forum.axishistory.com/viewtopic.php?t=62722&highlight=

Ritterkreuz Recipient Heinrich "Hein" Springer

Image size: 1125 x 1600 pixel. 496 KB
Date: Monday, 12 January 1942
Place: Russia
Photographer: Unknown

Heinrich Springer (November 3, 1914 – October 27, 2007) in his formal portrait on the award of the Ritterkreuz des Eisernen Kreuzes (Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross), January 1942. Unlike many "Aces" who won this award by accumulating a "score", Springer earned his for a single infantry combat action where he displayed exemplary personal bravery, leading a charge on a heavily defended bridge over the river Don. He was a Hauptsturmführer (Captain) in the 1. SS-Division "Leibstandarte SS Adolf Hitler". He went to the Gelehrtenschule in Meldorf. Springer trained as a civil engineer and an architect and also served as a Hitlerjugend leader. As a youth in the Weimar Republic he trained to be volunteered for the Waffen-SS and attended the SS officers training school at Bad Tölz, after graduation he was posted to the Leibstandarte SS Adolf Hitler. He went on to command the 3rd company in 1941 with the rank of Obersturmführer (First Lieutenant). It was while in command of the 3rd company that he was awarded the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross. During the Battle of Rostov he seized a vital bridge over the River Don. He later commanded the 1st Company LSSAH from June 1942 to February 1943 with the rank of Hauptsturmführer (Captain). Further information on Springer is sparse. After suffering multiple wounds he was awarded the Verwundetenabzeichen in Gold (Golden Wound Badge). He then spent some time at the OKW as the Waffen SS Liaison officer working with General Alfred Jodl. He was then posted to the headquarters of the Army Group B, under Field Marshal Walter Model, where he stayed during the Normandy Invasion and the Ardennes offensive. He was then the officer in charge of ordnance for Army Group Vistula. He then spent some time in captivity before being released and returning to his family. Springer died in Oelixdorf, Germany in 2007.

Source:

http://www.das-ritterkreuz.de/index_search_db.php4?modul=search_result_det&wert1=6204&searchword=springer

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Heinrich_Springer

http://gmic.co.uk/index.php/topic/22870-major-adund-rkt-heinrich-springer-rip/

Panzer Commanders of Das Reich and LSSAH

Image size: 1600 x 1106 pixel. 349 KB
Date: Between April 1943 to October 1943
Place: Erlangen, Bavaria, Germany
Photographer: Unknown

Warriors of 2. SS-Panzer-Division "Das Reich" and 1. SS-Panzer-Division "Leibstandarte SS Adolf Hitler", from left to right: SS-Untersturmführer Karl Mühleck (later received Ritterkreuz des Eisernen Kreuzes in 4 June 1944 as Zugführer of 2.Kompanie/SS-Panzer-Regiment 2 "Das Reich"); SS-Obersturmführer Joachim-Günther Schöntaube (Chef 2.Kompanie/Panzer Regiment 2 "Das Reich" with one Panzervernichtungsabzeichen he received when he was still with recon units), SS-Hauptsturmführer Herbert Kuhlmann (later received Ritterkreuz des Eisernen Kreuzes in 13 February 1944 as Kommandeur of I.Abteilung/SS-Panzer-Regiment 1 "LSSAH"), SS-Hauptsturmführer Friedrich Holzer (later received Ritterkreuz des Eisernen Kreuzes in 10 December 1943 as Chef 1.Kompanie/Panzer Regiment 2 "Das Reich", shown wearing Deutsches Kreuz in Gold which he received in 21 February 1942 as Führer 7.Kompanie/SS-Panzergrenadier-Regiment 4), and SS-Untersturmführer Josef Zacharias (Zugführer from 1.Kompanie/SS-Panzer-Regiment "Das Reich". No ID as yet for the Untersturmführer on the far right, and the photo was taken at Erlangen

Source:
Mark C. Yerger collection
http://www.wehrmacht-awards.com/forums/showthread.php?t=328624&page=9

LSSAH NCO Helmut Burose Attack A Soviet Armoured Vehicle

Image size: 1600 x 1113 pixel. 579 KB
Date: Sunday, 10 August 1941
Place: Bobry, Smolenskaya Oblast, Russia
Photographer: Unknown

SS-Unterscharführer Helmut Josef Wilhelm "Bubi" Burose (center) tried to knocked a Russian BA-10 armoured car with hand-held weapon. Just seconds later he would died in his effort. This brave NCO from Leibstandarte SS Adolf Hitler (motorisiert) was born in Heide in 29 August 1921, so his tragic death came only 19 days aways from his 20th birthday! His Zugführer, SS-Untersturmführer Emil Wawrzinek, was wounded that same day. This Zug was part of 2.Kompanie/SS-Aufklärungs-Abteilung "LSSAH", commanded temporarily by SS-Obersturmführer Kurt Späth. Hugo Kraas was the actual Kompanieführer, but was temporarily replaced by the unfortunate Späth after he was wounded by heavy artillery fire on 30 July 1941 during the fighting for Hill 258. Späth was KIA by a shot in the head in 16 September 1941 as 2.Kompanie/SS-Aufklärungs-Abteilung "LSSAH" tried to stormed a footbridge in Genitschesk, after which SS-Obersturmführer Karl Böttcher took over temporary command for the Kompanie. Now back to Burose faith! Here is what German source about the event who lead in his death: "10.08.1941 - Um 05.00 Uhr tritt die verstärkte Aufklärungsabteilung wie folgt zur Aufklärung an: verstärkte Kompanie Bremer über Dymowka III, verstärkte Kompanie Späth über Akimowka auf Ssuchoj Jelanez. Um 06.10 Uhr wird Dymowka III feindfrei gemeldet und um 07.00 Uhr Akimowka. Beide Kompanien hatten kurze Begegnungen mit russischen Kavallerie-Spähtrupps. Um 07.55 Uhr wird die Straße in Peno als vermint und die Gefangennahme eines Mannes der Minenleger gemeldet. Um 09.20 Uhr hat die Kompanie Späth erste Feindberührung mit 3 russischen Panzerspähwagen und 1 Lastkraftwagen. 2 Panzerspähwagen werden abgeschossen, der Lastkraftwagen erbeutet. Die Spitze der Kompanie Späth stößt 200m südlich Bobry auf gut ausgebaute und getarnte Feldstellungen. Ohne Rücksicht auf Flankenbedrohung und Verminung der Straße, stößt der Spitzenzugführer, Untersturmführer Emil Wawrzinek, mit seinem Zuge durch den Ort durch, vernichtet den überraschten Gegner völlig, vernichtet zwei Panzer und wird bei der Verfolgung des Gegners durch starkes feindliches Artilleriefeuer aufgehalten. Bei diesem Unternehmen erleidet der Spitzenzug Verluste durch sofort einsetzendes Artilleriefeuer. Wawrzinek wird im feindlichen Artilleriefeuer durch 17 Granatsplitter verwundet. Während des Kampfes um eine kleine Anhöhe stirbt Helmut 'Bubi' Burose, einer von Wawrzineks Unterführern, an der Spitze seiner Gruppe. Der Zug kann sich unter dem Feuerschutz von Panzerspähwagen der Kompanie Späth vom Feind lösen. Inzwischen kommt die Kompanie Bremer von Westen über Grebeniki auch nach Bobry. Die Abteilung richtet sich am Südrand Bobry zur Verteidigung ein." In the Führerstellenbesetzung it is said: "...mein bester Unterscharführer Burose; er ist gefallen, wie er gelebt hat - ich fand ihn mit einem Herzschuss hingestreckt, ein Lachen auf den Lippen!"(my best Unterscharführer Burose, he has fallen, as he lived - I found him stretched out with a shot in his heart, a smile on his face!)

Source:
Book "Soldaten der Leibstandarte SS Adolf Hitler - Bildmappe" (1943)
http://forum.axishistory.com/viewtopic.php?f=38&t=37371