Pics of Rattenhuber and his RSD-members

[Max Williams]

I am certain that the man Mark Costa identifies as Gesche is not him, but that begs the question: who is he?
Max.

[AlainDucasse]

It could be Karl Otto Wolff (* 13. Mai 1900 Darmstadt; † 15. Juli 1984 Rosenheim) SS-Obergruppenführer and General der Waffen-SS. The photo is made while the visit of Fitz Todt in FHQ Wolsschanze in September 1941. I am also quite sure that it is not Bruno Gesche.

[Max Williams]

No, definitely not Wolff.
Max.

[AlainDucasse]

Why definitely not?

[Max Williams]

Why definitely not?

Well, apart from the fact it doesn't look like Wolff, the decorations are wrong, he was not part of Hitler's protection and he would not be in a line presented to Himmler by Rattenhuber, his rank is totally wrong for the time.
Max.

[coburg22]

Hello,

I would like to say that it is Gesche standing next to Rattenhuber meeting with Hitler as Rattenhuber representing the RSD and Gesche the SS-BK both as Commanders of their respective units at the time. I have seen many photos of Gesche before including the ones shown above. I may be mistaken, but are we talking about the original photo with Himmler reviewing the RSD and SS-BK or the Hitler, Rattenhuber and Gesche photos? I just want to make sure I am on the right page now that Mark has posted a photo of Dirr.

Best,

James

[Mark Costa]

All:

After reviewing my earlier posts, I believe the man in question is actually Adolf Dirr, also of the SSBK. Max is correct, although a slight resemblence to Gesche it appears that our man here is actually Dirr. Here is shot of Dirr for your reference. Gesche is definately NOT in this photo.

So the line up is actually: Rattenhuber, Himmler, Kempka, Dirr, Schädle, unknown RSD man, then Peter Högl.

Sorry for the confusion.

Mark Costa

[AlainDucasse]

Sorry for confusion, you are right, it can´t be Karl Wolff, because his SS rank at that time was much higher.

I agree with Mark that it is not Bruno Gesche. One reason is, that the man on the photo didn´t wear the NSDAP party badge, which Gesche always did (see attached photos). I also agree with Mark that it is probably Adolf Dirr, who was SS-FBK deputy of Bruno Gesche at that time. As far as I know Adolf Dirr was also original member (beside seven others) of the "SS- Begleitkommando des Führers" (Führerbegleitkommando [FBK] in 29.2.1932 (?).

PS.: I´m desperately searching for photos and bio-data from three others of the original SS-FBK member: 1. Willy Herzberger (* 11.7.1895) 2. Bodo Gelzenleuchter 3. August Körber. Can somebody help?

[AlainDucasse]

All:

After checking other posts and my pictures it could also be Josef Hausner (RSD 1 member). What do you think?