Knights Cross Recipients--an up-date.

Paul,

Thanks for sharing, I knew about Lang but I didn'tknow about Adolf Schmahl!!

I have also just been informed that the last SS Swords winner SS-Brigadeführer Otto Kumm passed away yesterday 23/03/2004.

May they all rest in peace!

 

No problems Phil,

Have just had it confirmed from my OdR Contacts that you are correct,the last Waffen SS General,
Schwertertrager SS Brigadefuhrer und Generalmajor der Waffen SS Otto Kumm has died on 23/3/2004.

Otto Commanded both the LSSAH and Prinz Eugen Divisions but made his name in Russia Commanding the Der Fuhrer Regt in 1941/1942.Otto remained active in the Regimental Association of the DF until late last year.

RIP,

Paul

 

R.I.P. Otto!

 

Sorry I could not reply yesterday.

Rest In Peace Herr Kumm.



I had the priviledge to exchanging letters with him last year.

 

I don't think it has been mentioned but Major Erich Fellmann II./GrenRgt 409 passed away 14.01.2004.

Regards
Phil

 

Following Ritterkreuztragers have passed away recently

Major Franz-Josef Wiechec 19/1/2004

Major Herbert Bullinger 30/1/2004

Oberstleutnant Helmut Storchel 5/2/2004

Hauptmann Hans-Jorg Kimmich 6/2/2004

Major Erich Beine 6/2/2004

Oberstleutnant Herbert Hogeback 15/2/2004 EL / S

Oberleutnant Peter-Eberhard Mullensiefen 18/2/2004

Unteroffizier Ludwig Promesberger 24/2/2004

Wachtmeister Karl Thiel 29/2/2004

Oberfeldwebel Kurt Schonfeld 9/3/2004

Fahnenjunker-Oberfeldwebel Johannes Unruhe 11/3/2004

Oberstabsfeldwebel Herbert Geiger 12/3/2004

Oberstleutnant Johannes Lutter 13/3/2004

R I P

Paul

 

This is a sad day to learn that so many more of these gents have passed away.

I wish them all to Rest In Peace.

 

Leutnant Herbert Kaiser passed away on 05.12.2003 he won his Ritterkreuz on 14.03.1943 as an Oberfeldwebel with 8./JG 77.

 

Hubert Schmidt-Gigo passed away on 12/4/2004

Maximilian Wirsching passed away 18/4/2004,(Tiger Komanie Chef)

RIP

Paul

 

Thanks for sharing this sad news, gents...

 

Very sad to see all those brave men go...

R.I.P.

Kai-Petri

 

an old thread to be sure, many have passed since the lat posting on this thread.........just heard through the Kameraden Gemeinschaft der Schnellboote und Tender

Friedrich Kemnade sailed his last operation on the day of 29.01.2008. A very full life at 97 years of agem he was in charge of the 3rd S-boot flottille, a real thorn in the side of US and British shipping. Later after war he wrote his famous memories "Afrika Flottille".

Sail on, more on him later ...........



my avatar is in memory of him and the men who served under him in the 3.S-boot Flt.

 

* 12.12.1911 in Schwarmstedt / Kreis Fallingbostel.
+ 29.01.2008.

Promotions:
01.10.1931 -- Seekadett
01.04.1932 -- Gefreiter
01.01.1933 -- Fähnrich zur See
01.07.1933 -- Obermaat
01.01.1935 -- Oberfähnrich zur See
01.04.1935 -- Leutnant zur See
01.01.1937 -- Oberleutnant zur See
01.10.1939 -- Kapitänleutnant
01.03.1943 -- Korvettenkapitän
01.04.1956 -- Fregattenkapitän
15.08.1959 -- Kapitän zur See
17.04.1964 -- Flottillenadmiral
02.04.1968 -- Konteradmiral

Decorations & Awards: (See: http://www.ww2awards.com/person/34510 )

27.05.1943 -- Eichenlaub zum Ritterkreuz des Eisernen Kreuzes (249.) as Korvettenkapitän and Chef 3.Schnellbootflottille
23.07.1942 -- Ritterkreuz des Eisernen Kreuzes as Kapitänleutnant and Chef 3.Schnellbootflottille
02.02.1942 -- Deutsches Kreuz in Gold as Kapitänleutnant and Chef 3.Schnellbootflotille
ca. 1943 -- Schnellboot-Kriegsabzeichen mit Brillanten
24.12.1940 -- 1939 Eisernes Kreuz I.Klasse
30.04.1940 -- 1939 Eisernes Kreuz II.Klasse
02.01.1943 -- Flottenkriegsabzeichen
11.03.1941 -- Schnellboot-Kriegsabzeichen
20.09.1940 -- Verwundetenabzeichen in Schwarz
12.01.1943 -- Erinnerungsmedaille an den deutsch-ital. Feldzug in Afrika
05.12.1942 -- Erinnerungsmedaille Afrika
12.10.1943 -- Ärmelband "Afrika"
02.10.1936 -- Wehrmacht-Dienstauszeichnung IV.Klasse
00.00.1936 -- Deutsche Olympia-Ehrenmedaille
17.03.1943 -- War Cross for Military Bravery (Croce al Valore militare, Italy)
00.00.1943 -- Medaglia d’Argento al Valore Militare (Silver Medal for Military Valor, Italy), 3rd Award
24.01.1943 -- Medaglia d’Argento al Valore Militare, 2nd Award
21.05.1942 -- Medaglia d’Argento al Valore Militare, 1st Award
00.00.19__ -- Commander's Cross of the Order of the Crown of Italy
00.09.1970 -- Großes Verdienstkreuz des Bundesverdienstordens

 

I AM LOOKING TO WRITE TO SOME OF THESE GENTLEMEN..I AM A COLLECTOR OF AUTOGRAPHS OF THE BRAVE MEN OF WORLD WAR TWO..IF ANYONE CAN HELP ME WITH A NAME AND ADRESS PLEASE GET BACK TO ME....

I WILL GIVE YOU MY EMAIL IF YOU WRITE ..OK

THANK YOU
XRAYBOB

 

look at my above posts about Feldgrau.com - The German Armed Forces 1919-1945

note the veterans organizations that is a good lead for you, the German vets for one are getting up there too fast in years and are not responding much anymore just to give you a heads up unless you have personal contact with one or more or are member of the OdR such as Paul as an example.......

E ~

 

NOTE TO: Members Balmung and C. Evans, re Ritterkreuztrager Heinz Heuer. Both books on the Feldgendarmerie, Chained Dogs I & II were written by Bob Witter who is unrelated to Herr Heuer. It was through written correspondence and by invitation that Herr Heuer permitted an interview with Mr Witter in the mid 1990's. During the interview Herr and Frau Heuer served Bob and my friend Josef Unger strong coffee using the same porcelain set which Hitler presented to Heuer upon his promotion subsequent to his extraordinary efforts as a messenger during the final days of the Reich.

To my knowledge there is no German printed version of either book, and it received little if only local recognition. Witter, myself and Josef Unger were very active in the WW2HRS, a reenacting group in Chicago. We also formed Feldgendarmerie Studies after dissociation with HRS. I edited the newsletter for our group; you'll find my name in the acknowledgments in Witter's first book. Of note, Bob Witter did much research, and it took no small effort for him to obtain permission from the Bundesarchiv to review their materials on the Feldgendarmerie.

Also, Bob was a talented artist, and painted for Herr Heuer a portrait of Heuer wearing his RK. I don't remember if or how Herr Heuer was awarded his Knight's Cross, but the portrait meant much to Herr Heuer--a humbling moment for everyone there.

Lance Otto

Bob was particularly impressed with the picture Mr Evans references; that's why he left it for the very end book. Mr Evans got the message. (And the poor b@stard's about to be arrested....)

 

*

 

You will have to be a bit patient as member Balmung posted here for the last time in April 2003, he may take a while in noticing your post.

 

Misunderstood but also the reply above was badly worded....