Youngest, Oldest, The First, The Most, and Other Records

[Adam Carr]

Did not Field Marshal Model commit suicide in battle? Or did he surrender first?

Again out of topic and easy to find by google!
He did not surrender.
The next post out of topic will be deleted without any information.

Dieter Zinke

[Adam Carr]

Again out of topic and easy to find by google!
He did not surrender.
The next post out of topic will be deleted without any information.

How is my question about Model "out of topic"? The current topic is German officers who committed suicide in battle. I asked whether Model came under that heading or not. Kindly stop being so officious.

[AlifRafikKhan]

Hauptmann (later Oberst) Eduard 'Edu' Neumann’s Bf 109s were the first single-engined Luftwaffe fighters to be sent to Africa, they were thrown into the thick of the fighting almost immediately upon arrival!


Source : http://www.leisuregalleries.com/neumann.jpg

[AlifRafikKhan]

It was on 23 April 1941 that Oberfähnrich Hans-Joachim Marseille claimed his first success as a member of JG 27 – another Hurricane over Tobruk. This prompted ‘Edu’ Neumann to remark that ‘we’ll make a proper fighter pilot out of you yet’. The Gruppenkommandeur never spoke a truer word. But with just eight kills under his belt, Marseille was still a long way behind I./JG 27’s leading trio of scorers...


Source : http://www.geocities.com/waltland2002/Biogra/index.html

[AlifRafikKhan]

In the Dutch town of Goirle, a local artist and a former city-council member have started a bid to raise money for a statue for an unlikely hero: a soldier of the Wehrmacht, who was stationed in Goirle during World War II.October 6th 1944, just three days after his 18th birthday, Karl-Heinz Rosch was stationed in a farm with his platoon, when they came under fire. A British artillery barrage strafed the farm, and the Wehrmacht soldiers took shelter in the basement...

Rosch however noticed that the two young children of the farmer, unaware of the danger, were still playing outside, in the courtyard. He left the basement, ran into the courtyard and took the children under his arms, dragging them into the safety of the basement...

When he ran outside again to take up post on the other side of the courtyard, Rosch was struck by a grenade, killing him instantly on the very spot he just withdrew the children from...

Local artist Riet van der Louw has made a clay model of Rosch saving the kids, and former city-council member Herman van Rouwendaal has asked the city to pay the 9500,- euro's it would cost to cast it in bronze. Since the city has declined to pay, they are now raising money to fund a statue for what is probably The Netherlands' most unlikely war hero!

Humanity in conflict is always deserving of recognition. Given this is being constructed by people of the occupied country it only makes the message more meaningful....




Source :
http://forum.axishistory.com/viewtopic. ... 3&t=137305
http://www.militaryphotos.net/forums/sh ... p?t=130836
http://ais.badische-zeitung.de/piece/00 ... 161428.jpg
http://wo2forum.nl/viewtopic.php?f=4&t=20075
http://www.daylife.com/photo/07ac3JAer4ext
http://www.refdag.nl/media/foto/2008/53068-a.jpg
http://nuantorama.blogspot.com/2008/05/ ... i-lnh.html

[Marcus]

Has the unit of Karl-Heinz Rosch been identified yet?

/Marcus

[AlifRafikKhan]

I couldn't found the information about that, Marcus...

Btw, in the fourth pic, there's also attended the two young children of the farmer that saved by Rosch, Jan and Joke Kilsdonk (left)...

[AlifRafikKhan]

Found the video on YouTube...

[AlifRafikKhan]

SS-Brigadeführer und Generalmajor der Waffen-SS Otto Kumm was the last living Swords recipient of the Waffen-SS. He passed away on 23 March 2004, aged 94 years. After the war, he became one of the founders and the first head of the veteran organization HIAG...


Source : http://ep.yimg.com/ca/I/yhst-3219348216 ... 6_13932156

[Adam Carr]

It might be noted that the Soviet war memorial at Treptower Park in Berlin depicts a similar incident in which a Red Army soldier rescued a German child from the rubble during fighting with the Germans. (I doubt he was carrying a sword at the time, however.)

[AlifRafikKhan]

The most decorated Flak soldier of the war, Oakleaves & Swords recipient Generalleutnant Rainer Stahel (1892-1955)...

His awards included :
- Ritterkreuz (397): am 18.01.1942 als Oberstleutnant und Kommandeur des Flak-Regiment 34
- Eichenlaub (169): am 04.01.1943 als Oberst und Kommandeur einer Luftwaffen-Kampfgruppe im Kampfraum von Stalingrad
- Schwerter (79): am 18.07.1944 als Generalmajor und Kommandant Fester Platz Wilna
- 1914 EK I: 24.03.1915
- 1914 EK II: 12.10.1914
- Finn. Freiheitskreuz III. Klasse: 08.05.1918
- Finn. Freiheitskreuz II. Klasse: 29.05.1918
- Verwundetenabzeichen, 1918 in Silber
- Ehrenkreuz für Frontkämpfer
- Wehrmacht-Dienstauszeichnung IV. bis III. Klasse
- Spange zum EK II: 16.07.1941
- Spange zum EK I: 18.09.1941
- Flakkampfabzeichen
- Medaille “Winterschlacht im Osten 1941/1942”
- Wehrmachtbericht: 14.07.1944


Source :
http://forum.axishistory.com/viewtopic. ... 12&start=0
http://www.geocities.com/~orion47/WEHRM ... AINER.html

[Anil]

Last air battle victory of war was recorded by Oblt. Fritz Stehle from JG7.

At 16:00 on 8 May 1945 fighters of the JG 7 fought the last aerial battle of World War II in Europe. At about 15:20 Oberleutnant Fritz Stehle and his wingman took off to intercept Russian Yak-9 fighters and came upon the surprised enemy over Freiburg. Stehle's victory may very well be the last aerial victory by a German fighter pilot in World War II.

I'm sorry but I couldn't find picture of Stehle.

[AlifRafikKhan]

Gerardus Mooyman was born in Apeldoorn, Netherlands. He grew up in a very pro-German household. His father was a small time retailer whose business suffered greatly during the great depression, resulting in his joining of the NSB in hope of a better future. Mooyman spent his youth hearing superlatives about Hitler and Nazi Germany and admiring the German victories across Europe...

His father wanted Mooyman to work in the family business but he preferred a military career, so in 1941 he volunteered to serve in the 4th SS Volunteer Panzergrenadier Brigade Netherlands, and was sent to the eastern front as an anti tank gun commander. In the battle at Lake Ladoga he destroyed 13 tanks, for this action he was the first non-German to be awarded the Knight's Cross. By the end of his service on the front he was credited with destroying 23 Soviet tanks.
As the first non-German to be awarded the Knight's Cross the Nazi propaganda widely published his story in newspapers and magazines, he was congratulated personally by Himmler and, like a showpiece, he had to show up at dozens of receptions, parties and parades. He was illustrated as an example to the Dutch youth...

This is how he got the Ritterkreuz :
On 13 February, 1943 a 20 year old Dutchman single handedly knocked out 13 Soviet Tanks with his French-made PaK 97/38 during an attack in the Lake Ilmen area. Gerardus Mooyman, a voluteer with the Waffen SS Freiwilligen-Legion Niederland, became the first Non-German to be awarded the coveted Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross. By his own admission however, Gerardus was a rather unenthusiastic soldier & was sulking in a bunker when the Soviet forces attacked, A German Officer attached to the Legion pratically dragged him out by his ear & the angry Dutchmen vented his fury on the advancing Soviet Armour! How true or correct is this Article? because there's exist other version :

On january the 30th 1943 the teenage SS-Sturmmann Gerardus Mooyman (19) was promoted to commander of anti-tank gun. The numerous Red Army attacks near Mga killed dozens of crews so the legions needed new ones. Mooyman didn't hesitate and proved that he was a capable commander of his 75mm. anti-tank gun. During heavy enemy attacks he managed to destroy a couple of Soviet-Russian tanks. The next night Mooyman sighted a enemy gun very close to the Dutch and Norwegian lines. The young Dutchman silently crawled to the gun and destroyed it personally with a bursting charge...

The next morning the Dutch and Norwegian legion again were confronted with a number of Red armoured attacks. At the end of the day the 22th victory ring was painted on the barrel of Mooymans gun. He and his gun crew destroyed thirtheen tanks on a single day...

When it was time to replace the guncrews, Mooyman had to report to his commanding officer. Mooyman was told that he was rewarded with the Knightscross. On february the 20th 1943 Mooyman received the prestigious German medal...

By the end of the war Mooyman rose to the rank of SS-Untersturmführer. He escaped from a US POW camp in the summer of 1945. He lived in Germany and worked in colemines in the area of Duisburg. In march 1946 Mooyman was arrested in Holland near Alphen. He got homesick and wanted to visit his family and girlfriend but then recognized by the political police, 'famous' as he was as a result of many pictures in the Dutch newspapers during the war. In february 1947 Mooyman escaped again and went to Germany, back to the colemines. In august 1947 he was arrested in Millingen and was brought back to jail. After his trial in october he was transferred to a prison camp for young political prisoners. Mooyman was released by the end of august 1949...

Mooyman became disillusioned with Nazism as soon as he learned about the holocaust and other war crimes perpetrated by Nazi Germany...

Mooyman was released after 3 years in prison, after which he moved to Hoogkerk where he became the owner of a paper-hanging business and the secretary of local football club. He was married and had one daughter.
Gerardus Mooyman died in a car accident in 21 June 1987 near Anloo, prov. Drenthe...

Note : He gave his Ritterkreuz to a collector! Mooyman's first Knights Cross was taken from him by a US soldier at may 4th 1945, as he told a reporter in 1967. He bought himself a second one in Germany in the 50's. That is the one that he gave away to his closest comrade (and also a medal collector). This man died a few years ago and his son finally sold the Cross to a well known Dutch collector who lives in the area of Rotterdam.

Decorations :
- Iron Cross, Second Class
- Iron Cross, First Class
- Knight's Cross
- Black Wound Badge
- Infantry Assault Badge in Bronze
- Eastern Front Medal

Source :
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gerardus_Mooyman
http://forum.axishistory.com/viewtopic. ... 66&start=0
http://germanmilitariacollectibles.com/ ... 737912.jpg
http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/c ... lande".jpg
http://www.waffen-ss.nl/mooyman-e.htm
http://www.hogendoorncollection.com/photos/67.jpg

[Frech]

Dear Alif!

I fear you are wrong again. It is evident that Mooyman was not the first holder of KC who was not a german.

I must confess I dont know who was first but just one example which was long before:

Genllt. Don Augustin Munoz Grandes got his KC on 12 of March 1942!

Because you are so keen on wikipedia: http://de.wikipedia.org/wiki/Agust%C3%A ... oz_Grandes

Regards

Christian

[AlifRafikKhan]

Dear Frech,
So all my sources are wrong, because if you open it, all mentioned that Mooyman is the first KC holder from non-German volunteer...


Regards,

Alif