I've found "Uncle Klaus" on a website...!

In my intro post, I mentioned a picture of a German soldier that I found in an old collection of photos. No-one in my family knows who he was, so the picture remains a mystery, but for some reason he got the nickname "Uncle Klaus".

In the meantime, a friend told me she had seen the same picture on a WW2 memorabilia site and it had been sold! I didn't believe there was more than one copy of this photograph until she sent me the link! If anyone recognises this soldier, could you please let me know! I have no idea how he ended up in the family album either!

Link http://www.usmbooks.com/images/PORTRAITS/photoSS17.jpg

 

Well it seems like your uncle Klaus was a highly decorated soldier with Iron Cross first class and second class + silver wounded badge + close combat clap.
Famous soldiers had often pictures published (not only for family but also general public) in relatively large quantities and usually signed.
I will have to look further, but according to his rank he was Waffen SS and had the rank of Sharführer (= Staffsergeant) .
Maybe someone could identify his unit thanks to his shoulder tab.

 

Thank you for replying. On the original photo that I have, it says his rank as SS-Unterscharfuhrer, which I think is below a Scharfuhrer? But I was unsure if that was correct.

 

That is correct it is a bit lower rank (like staff Sergeant and Sergeant).
If we identify his unit we may even find his surname. Do you have any hint?

 

No, not at all. I wish I did know more about him. Unfortunately, all I know is what can be seen on that one photograph.

 

I will ask a few of our forum members who are specialized in German units, they might help.

 

Thanks. I have contacted one other forum member and asked if they would take a look at the post.

 

I have possibly a lead about a Claus Ewald in the Hitler Jugend Division, not in the Frundsberg Division at this point . Does this ring a bell?

The 10th SS Panzer Division "Frundsberg"

 

No, it doesn't ring a bell at the moment. I only just discovered his possible unit yesterday and I'm not certain he was a member of the Hitler Jugend.

 

I've asked or membr Carl Evans to help us too. I checked out Heimdal's book about Frundsberg . It has many names and pictures but I could find no Claus at this point. I'll keep looking.

 

Thanks for all your help. Of course as I explained in my 1st post, I am not 100% certain that his name is Claus/Klaus. It is just a nickname he has had over the years, for whatever reason. Although it does make me wonder why that particular name was given to him, so there must be a link with the name somewhere.

 

There are many Frundsberg books available with many pictures.

Early 1943, the SS Kradschutzen Ersatz Bataillon from Elwangen was to become the Embryo of the future 10 SS Panzer Grenadier Division.

300 recruits were assembled at Debica, near Krakov. they also included Reich Arbeiters Dients recruits and mos tof them were born between 1924 and 1926.

Frundsberg served at Bucsacz, Normandy, Arnhem, Pomerenia and finally on the Halbe front.

Therefore wee have reasons to believe that (if Klaus was from Frundsberg) he was born between 1924 and 1926. Which means that if he to the front in 1943 he was between 20 and 22 on the picture you provided (I believe it was from 1944 because he already has his decorations)

 

Thanks. It's all very helpful. I've also been trying to find new leads myself. For example, I have been searching through many death cards. It may be pointless, because he could still be alive, but there is a high chance he isn't.

Also, what would his ribbon bar signify...?

 

the ribbon bar is a recall for two medals, I can't really see them but I think there is a Verdienst Medal (Merit) , the other one could be the one with swords. This would be logical according to the combat disctinctions he deserved.

 

Would you mind taking a look at the link below...

I was looking at some videos on YouTube and I came across an SS tribute. At 4:10 of the video, there is a man on a picture and I thought he resembled Klaus quite a bit. I paused the video and saw resemblence. The photo is somewhat blurred and far away and would be better if it was a lot clearer, but I wanted to know your opinion. He is 2nd from the left, standing.

Link YouTube - Waffen SS tribute

 

Sorry, but when I clicked ont he link I was censored, I must be living in North Korea.....

this is the mesage I got on you tube....."This video is not available in your country due to terms of use violation" . Would you mind posting a still of this video here?

Also Carl Evans is trying to help but he has health problems so it may take time to check pictures.

 

I attached a printscreen I took of it.

 

It is certainly puzzling, same look , same haircut, but although he seems not to be an officer this is not a formal identification . Just a guess. Carl is currently making a list , maybe that by seeing a surname ,you might remember something.

 

Yes, I thought the resemblance was quite uncanny and I thought that if it is him, the photo would have been taken before 1944. Thanks for your help and for Carl's help, etc.

 

Here is a first batch of Carl's research regarding this matter (I pasted this from a pm I got from him)


according to the pic he was unterscharfführer and highly decorated with both EKs and close combat clasp


Hi Skipper, I got the correct name this time and heres what I found that are the closest possibilities to your guy. Nothing came close enough in the RKT listings but I have 8 possibilities from the DKiG/S book. All these are DKiGs and no close matches in the DKiS section.

None of these were listed with a first name known and all are late to end of the war recipients of the DKiG.

1) ??? Dieringen/ SS Oberscharfuhrer/ 3rd Kompanie/ SS Jagerverbande "Mitte" (which means he was in Russia) Award date of: May 1945-no exact day given.

2) ??? Franke/ SS Hauptscharfuhrer/ Abt.Kdt in 2nd Battalion, SS Panzer Regiment 10/ Award Date/ May 45.

3) ??? Joanni/ SS Obersturmfuhrer/ Div.Stabs.KP/ 7th SS Freiw, Gebirge Div/ May 45.

4) ??? Meier/ SS Oberscharfuhrer/ 16th Kompanie/ SS P.G. Rgmt 3 "Deutschland". Sept 11th 1943.

5) ??? Meisenbacher/ SS Obersturmfuhrer/ SS Flak Abt. 2 "Das Reich" No Date given foir award.

6) ??? Ritscher/ SS Obersturmfuhrer. 4th Batterie in Flak Abt. 12/ No date given.

7) ??? Walter/ SS Hauptscharfuhrer/ 2nd Btn of SS P.G. Rgmt 3 "Deuschland" zzzzzzzzmay 45.

8) ??? Willnauer/ SS Hauptscharfuhrer/ 10th Kompanie, SS G.J Rgmt 14. May 45.

Ill be looking through the CCCiG book tomorrow.