Fallschirmjäger RKTs - pics and career data

John Toner · Post by **John Toner** » 24 Oct 2007 03:04

Does anyone have pictures of:

Knaf, Walter
Köppen, Eckhardt
Krappmann, Heinrich
Methner, Gerhard
Probst, Heinz
Schmid, Fritz-Wilhelm
Thor, Hans

Thanks
John

Peter H · Post by **Peter H** » 24 Oct 2007 04:50

The only photo of Hönscheid I have seen is from:

http://www.das-ritterkreuz.de/

Some deficiencies in Kurowski's book are also apparent--some FJs are left out,some only appear in his Afrikakorps RKT book.

Peter H · Post by **Peter H** » 24 Oct 2007 05:03

Hugo Paul

Fought at Crete with Sturm Regiment.Was wounded in Russia.Deployed to Tunisia with 5FJR but due to illness was evacuated.Commanded III/21FJR in 1944(Fsch.Jäg.Btl Paul).His unit's actions at Venlo and Overloon in repulsing enemy tank attacks resulted is his RKT.Promoted to Major in February 1945.

From: http://www.das-ritterkreuz.de/

Peter H · Post by **Peter H** » 24 Oct 2007 05:10

Bernd

Büttner was definitely in the Stettin area as supported by Kurowski and Jean-Yves Nasse--"during the fighting at Stettin and Altdamm in Pomerania". Vögerl I'm still trying to confirm.

FJR26 was formed in January 1945 in Stettin with two veteran, named bataillons : FJ Btl Schluckebier ( I./FJR 26) and FJ Btl Schäfer ( II./FJR 26). The III. Btl was newly formed.

I and II./FJR 26 stayed in Stettin - Altdamm area, and III was flown into Festung Breslau.

Regards
Peter

Peter H · Post by **Peter H** » 24 Oct 2007 05:38

John Toner wrote:Does anyone have pictures of:

Knaf, Walter
Köppen, Eckhardt
Krappmann, Heinrich
Methner, Gerhard
Probst, Heinz
Schmid, Fritz-Wilhelm
Thor, Hans

Thanks
John

All HG Division,except for Gerhard Methner.

Peter H · Post by **Peter H** » 24 Oct 2007 05:47

Those who later served in the Bundeswehr:

http://www.fschjgbund.de/html/bundeswehr.html

The pic without inscription there is Oberst Werner EWALD !
Dieter Z.

Peter H · Post by **Peter H** » 24 Oct 2007 07:52

Here's Friedrich "Fritz" Schäfer.Staffelführer 4./KG 200 1944.

KG 200 was deployed in the Vercors mission against French partisans.The force was glider dropped.II/KG200 made up of FJs also had Wilhelm Kempke as an officer.

Schäfer was the composer of the song Das Lied der Fallschirmjäger.Served with Sturmabteilung Koch in 1940.Wounded at Crete with Sturm Regiment.Awarded the German Cross in Gold in Russia in 1942.After Vercors awarded the RKT and promoted to Hauptmann.Commanded Battalion Schäfer,7FJD 1944/45.

Photo from wehrmacht-awards.com

Peter H · Post by **Peter H** » 24 Oct 2007 10:12

Has anyone got details on Gerhart Schirmer's arrest by the Gestapo in November 1944 over the July Plot?He was subsequently released in January 1945.

http://www.lexikon-der-wehrmacht.de/Per ... merG-R.htm

Ende Oktober 1944 wurde das Regiment zur Bildung des Memelbrückenkopfes Kukernese bei Tilsit eingesetzt. Am 7. November 1944 wurde Gerhart Schirmer an der Front von der Gestapo verhaftet und nach Berlin gebracht. Ihm wurde eine Beteiligung am Attentat auf Adolf Hitler am 20. Juli 1944 vorgeworfen. Nachdem die Vorwürfe widerlegt werden konnten, wurde er im Januar 1945 aus der Haft entlassen und wurde Berater für Fragen der Luftlandeabwehr im Stab von Generalfeldmarschall Model.

Peter H · Post by **Peter H** » 24 Oct 2007 10:37

Hans Jungwirt(or Jungwirth)

Supposedly awarded the KC on the 9th May 1945,Major Fallsch.Aufkl.Abt. 12.Not officially recognised as a RKT holder though.

However Jungwirt had an extensive combat record going back to Holland,Crete,Russia,Tunisia.Commanded the ad hoc Kampfgruppe Jungwirth in 1944,part of KG 200 in the Vercors partisan operation in July 1944.

From: http://www.luftwaffe39-45.historia.nom. ... ases10.htm

Peter H · Post by **Peter H** » 25 Oct 2007 02:19

Erich Pietzonka (1906-1989)

Knight's Cross-5th Sept 1944
Oak Leaves-16th Sept 1944

Served with Condor Legion in Spain.In General Göring Regiment 1939.Commanded II/FJR2 at Corinth Canal in 1941 but badly injured on landing.Later served in Russia.Commanded FJR2 during Rome occupation 1943.

In Zhitomir,Kirovograd battles 1943:

“The partroopers’ first action around Zhitomir was a relief unit to the 1st SS Panzer Division which was struggling in its assault against Soviet-occupied woodland near Radomyl (the specific unit was FJR 2 under Major Pietzonka). Showing characteristic brilliance, the paratroopers went in as relief on November 30 and by the night of December 1st the sector had been cleared”.

Commanded FJR7 in Normandy and at Brest.Taken prisoner at Brest in 1944.

Film of Pietzonka's surrender at Brest can be seen here;
http://finisterenord.unblog.fr/2007/10/ ... -en-ruine/

Photo from Adalberto:

Peter H · Post by **Peter H** » 25 Oct 2007 02:57

More Brest 2FJD RKT holders

Werner Edwald

Saw action at Holland,Corinth,Crete,Russia.Commanded II/FJR2 at Brest.Captured.

Peter H · Post by **Peter H** » 25 Oct 2007 03:00

All photos from Kurowski.

Robert Gast

First saw action in Russia.As Leutnant commanded 9 Komp/FJR 7 in 1944.Awarded RKT for "his outstanding offensive patrols".Made prisoner at Brest.

Peter H · Post by **Peter H** » 25 Oct 2007 03:03

Siegfried Josef Gerstner

Served in Poland,Norway,Crete,Russia.Commanded II/FJR7 in 1944.Captured at Brest 1944.

Peter H · Post by **Peter H** » 25 Oct 2007 03:07

Reino Hamer

Served with Flak in Norway.Transfered to FJ in 1941.Saw extensive action in Russia with FJR6.Commanded I/FJR7 at Brest in 1944..."lead a counterattack that eliminated an enemy pentration".Surrended at Brest.

Peter H · Post by **Peter H** » 25 Oct 2007 03:12

Max Herzbach

Saw action Poland,Holland,Corinth.Badly wounded at Crete.Served under Ramcke in Russia.Commanded 7 Komp/FJR7 at Brest.Captured.