Knight's Cross Holders Photo Database

[chris44]

Schreiber, Gustav
KC: 02.12.1943 as SS-Hauptscharführer, stellv. Führer 7./SS-PzGrenRgt 9 "Germania"
(source:Bundesarchiv)

[Someone from Kharkov]

Aechtner, Fritz

RK: 20. Dezember 1944, Oberfeldwebel, Flugzeugführer und Beobachter 1./NAG 5

source: private collection

[Someone from Kharkov]

Ahrens, Wilhelm

RK: 4. Mai 1944, Hauptmann, Kommandeur III./GrenRgt 17

source: private collection

[chris44]

Semrau, Paul
KC: 30.09.1944 as Leutnant, Führer 7./PzGrenRgt 25
(source:Bundesarchiv)

[John Toner]

I think that the proposal for a KC Holders photo database is very good, and I had expected that contributors would post pictures that had not been previously available.

I see, though, that the majority of postings are from other websites (mostly the Bundesarchive or the Norwegian research site) and wonder what is the benefit of simply shifting images from one website to another.

John

[Someone from Kharkov]

Albrecht, Kurt

RK: 3. November 1944, Oberst, Kommandeur ArtRgt 172

Source: http://www.rommel-lebt.com/

[chris44]

Scheunemann, Walter
KC: 05.08.1940 as Oberleutnant, Chef 9./InfRgt 272
202. EL: 06.03.1943 as Hauptmann, Kommandeur I./GrenRgt 272
sources:
private collection
Bildarchiv Reichskommissariat Norwegen

[chris44]

Schnarr, Franz-Karl
KC: 26.03.1944 as Oberfeldwebel, Zugführer 13./GrenRgt 366
(source:private collection)

[joerg]

Kurt Klinger, KC 19.01.43 (Oberleutnant, Chef 15./GR89), +03.01.1944
(private collection)

[Bernd R]

I think that the proposal for a KC Holders photo database is very good, and I had expected that contributors would post pictures that had not been previously available.

I see, though, that the majority of postings are from other websites (mostly the Bundesarchive or the Norwegian research site) and wonder what is the benefit of simply shifting images from one website to another.

John

John,
although you have not contributed anything to this database, one has to accept your criticism. Considering the question you raised I came to the conclusion that the benefit is just to have a (that) photograph (from that group in question). You might have realized that the very most of the photographs taken from the BA (wikimedia) and the Norwegian source depict men KIA. Amongst this group also such awarded posthumously. So, there shouldn't be many other or better quality photos available. So, why not take the few standard and good quality reference pics in here ?
With regard to the idea of the database I refer to the intro text on page 1. It wasn't intended to gather rare and unseen variants of photos to create a kind of specialized photo pool. Sounds like a mission impossible to me. It is asked for good portraits. Huge task and difficult enough IMO. New material won't be rejected of course.
So, let's "Auftragstaktik" rule. Our common effort and the contributions decide about the level and the result. It will be a unique compilation anyway.

/ Bernd

[chris44]

Burgdorf, Wilhelm
KC: 29.09.1941 as Oberst, Kommandeur InfRgt 529
sources:
1 private collection
2 Bildarchiv Reichskommissariat Norwegen
3 http://www.spiegel.de/fotostrecke/fotos ... 265-3.html

[AlifRafikKhan]

Herbert Schmidt (03.10.1912 – 16.06.1944)
KC 29.05.1940 as Oberleutnant, Chef 1./Fsch.Jg.Rgt. 1

Source : http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Herbert_Sc ... %C3%A4ger)

[chris44]

picture 1
Leyser, Hans-Georg
KC: 03.05.1942 as Oberst, Kommandeur InfRgt 51 (mot.)

picture 2
Leyser, v. Ernst
KC: 18.09.1941 as Generalmajor, Kommandeur 269.InfDiv

sources:
private collection
Bundesarchiv

[VJK]

Hi Chris,

Unfortunately, I don't think your first pic is of Leyser, although there is a definite resemblance.

1. Leyser was promoted Generalmajor on 1 Feb 1941, received the RK on 18 Sep 1941 - he would have had time to change his collar tabs (unless the RK was added to an older photo, which is not unusual)
2. Your pic shows him wearing the DKiG - he was awarded that only on 14 Apr 1943 by which time he was a General der Infanterie

This of course raises the question - who is he?

Best regards,

VJK

[joerg]

VJK : You're right, these are two different person - but with the same surname "Leyser".
Pic 1: Hans-Georg Leyser, KC 03.05.1942 (Oberst, Kdr. IR 51);
Pic 2: Ernst von Leyser, KC 18.09.1941 ( Gen.Maj., Kdr. 269.ID).

joerg.