High Scorers with Panzers and Paks

[alcius]

The other is Unteroffizier Becker
Unteroffizier Becker in einer Panzerjägerabteilung hat am 3. November 1944 im Brückenkopf Meisel südöstlich Helmond von 20 angreifenden Panzern 6 Panzer abgeschossen und damit den Angriff zum Stehen gebracht

Zeitung 16/11/1944

becker unteroffizier.png

I do not know anything else

Antonio

[Gastolli]

Hello Antonio,

as for Ofw. Becker from Pz.Jg.Kp. 1299:
yes, this was the success of his Zug, 3 Sturmgeschütze, so we can't see what was his personal score. But thank you!

Oliver

[Gastolli]

Unteroffizier Becker in einer Panzerjägerabteilung

Hello Antonio,

seems to be XXXXVII. Panzerkorps sector, with 9. PD, 15. PGD, 180. ID, 344. ID ..., but I can't tell you more on this Uffz. Becker (which, again, is a VERY common name in Germany).

Oliver

[alcius]

Thanks Oliver
Gefreiter Richter - 5 kills
Pommersche Panzerjager?
Zeitung August 1943

richter gefreiter.png

Antonio

[Gastolli]

Gefreiter Richter - 5 kills

Hello Antonio,

first, it's 10 tank kills for this Pak gunner, 5 tanks on 5.8.1943 and 5 tanks a few days before already!

I think it should be Gefr. Werner Richter from 14./G.R. 508 of 292. Inf.Div., who according to my notes (don't ask me on my source for that) destroyed 6 tanks on 31.7.1943 and 4 tanks plus one damaged on 6.8.1943. Sounds correct, with slight differences on the newspaper.

At least 292. Inf.Div. originates from Pommern

Gefreiter Richter later on 21.10.1944 got the Deutsches Kreuz in Gold as an Unteroffizier in the same company.

Oliver

[alcius]

Thanks, Oliver
I have mission impossible
Zeitung 25 August 1943
Oberleutnant with 9 kills ?

oberleutnant.png

Antonio

[Gastolli]

I have mission impossible

Hi Antonio,

no, I would not say that ...

This newspaper (do you have a link or the name of the newspaper?) refers to a "württembergische Panzerdivision", i.e. the 23. Pz.Div. (Pz.Rgt. 23).

And, of course, heavy fighting in the middle of August for 23. Pz.Div.:

16.8.43: 12 tanks killed by I./Pz.Rgt. 23 at Dolgenkaja
17.8.43: 37 tanks killed by 23. PD
18.8.43: 9 tanks killed by 23. PD
19.8.43: 36 T34, 1 KW1 killed by 23. PD
22.8.43: 65 tanks killed by I./Pz.Rgt. 23 at Dolgenkaja
23.8.43: 56 tanks killed by I./Pz.Rgt. 23 at Dolgenkaja
24.8.43: 35 tanks killed by 23. PD

my candidate: Leutnant Karl Herlitschka, Führer of 1./Pz.Rgt. 23
He got the Anerkennungsurkunde on 5.10.1943 for action on 22.8.1943 at Dolgenkaja (!)
This of course leads to the assumption that he had a high number of tanks kills that day.

But, well, he's a Leutnant, not a Oberleutnant, and he was the Führer of 1. Kompanie, not the Chef.

On the other hand, Leutnant Herbert Dantzer on 17.12.1943 got the Ehrenblattspange as "Führer of 1./Pz.Rgt. 23" and action on "27.9.1943 at Tarasowka", just one month later, so obviously Leutnant Herlitschka was no longer Führer of 1. Kompanie, he was probably wounded during the action on 22.8.1943.

The Panther-Abteilung had not yet joined the Division, so Lt. Herlitschka is the only one I would suggest in this case!?

Note: He's reported missing from 18.2.1944 onwards, but is not to be found in Volksbund Kriegsgräber databas or in the Vermißtenbildlisten of the Deutsches Rote Kreuz, also no Personalakte exists, so obviously a Reserve-Offizier.

It's possible that he became a Oberleutnant and was declared "Chef" of 1. Kp. shortly after this event, or the newspaper is just wrong (that's possible of course).

Or ..., I am wrong

Oliver

[alcius]

Hi Oliver
I found the article in some newspapers, one is this.
https://zeitpunkt.nrw/ulbbn/periodical/ ... en%20ab%22
Die Heimat am Mittag (25/08/1943) 198

However I don't think it's Dantzer, because I found an article from 14 January 1944 about him too.
From what I understand, he must have only destroyed Paks.

dantzer.png

Antonio

[Gastolli]

However I don't think it's Dantzer, because I found an article from 14 January 1944 about him too.

Hello Antonio,

thanks for the link on the Herlitschka (?) article.

As for Leutnant Dantzer: yes, the Dantzer action was on 27.9.1943 at Tarasowka, thanks for this newspaper clipping. Although no tank kills reported, it's an important mosaic for the Bio of this officer.

My point was, that the newspaper clipping mentioning Herlitschka's (?) action also mentions that he was wounded. And, as Lt. Dantzer just one month after the action from Lt. Herlitschka (22.8.1943) also was the Führer of 1./Pz.Rgt. 23, well, Lt. Herlitschka obviously left the company, most probably wounded, just another evidence.

Some further digging within available files at Bundesarchiv may provide more certainty in this case, but I'm pretty sure I'm on the right path

Oliver

[alcius]

Ok Oliver
Another
Oberfeldwebel Leopold Hütter - 2.Pz.Abt.118 - 10 kills with his zug.
Ehrenblatt 27/12/1944
I don't know the number of his personal victories

hutter.png

hutter2.png

Antonio

[Gastolli]

Oberfeldwebel Leopold Hütter - 2.Pz.Abt.118 - 10 kills with his zug.

Hi Antonio,

well, I would say the three Josef Stalin mentioned were his personal score "mit seinem beschädigten Sturmgeschütz", he was all alone, but the other two actions were "mit seinem Zug" ...

The action for the Ehrenblatt was that for 21.10.1944 (location = Steinkirch), and originally it was an recommendation for the German Cross in Gold, so that's the reason the newspaper lists THREE actions instead of the usual one!

He got the EK 1 on 6.4.1944 for actions around Stanislau (Pz.Abt. 118 was employed there).

And, sadly he fell on 18.1.1945 at Mielau.

Overall he had at least 5 tank kills, but I would expect a lot more over the course of his career.

Oliver

[alcius]

Thanks Oliver
I have some zeitungsausschnitt from Traces Of War, their victories are few, but I think in total they are more.

Leutnant Karl Pfeiffer - Panzerjäger-Abteilung 37 - 4 kills
https://www.mystiwot.nl/myst/upload/per ... 1%20PM.png

Leutnant Hermann Schulz . PZ.Rgt.23 – 3 kills
https://www.mystiwot.nl/myst/upload/per ... 9%20AM.png

Feldwebel Ludwig Scholl – Pz.Rgt.21 – 5 kills?
https://www.mystiwot.nl/myst/upload/per ... G_4172.jpg

Antonio

[Gastolli]

Hello Antonio,

their victories are few, but I think in total they are more.

unfortunately I can't add anything on these three man, but you are right, all of them were experienced Panzer and Panzerjäger soldiers and for sure had more than the described tank victories ...

Oliver

[alcius]

Obergefreite Lucian Kabell - panzerregiment - 6 kills
Der Grafschafter. 1914-1945 48 (26.2.1943)

kabell.png

Antonio

[Gastolli]

Hello Antonio,

this is easy, but a very, very nice find!!!

4./Pz.Rgt. 11 (Panzer IV), according to the Fold3 card (I just can see the low res thumbnail, but it's clear enough), but it fits with the claim "westfälisches Panzerregiment" and fights going on west of the Donez. That day Pz.Rgt. 11 in total had 13 tank kills with 5 own losses, among them 2 total losses.

Oberleutnant Walter Spiekermann was Chef of 4./Pz.Rgt. 11 from 20.1.1943 on ...

Oliver