Kompaniechef von Mutius Awarded Medals to His Soldiers

Kompaniechef Oberleutnant Erhard von Mutius awarded the medals in a paper box to the soldiers of Panzergrenadier-Regiment 64 (part of 16. Panzer-Division). The picture was taken on the Eastern Front in July-August 1942. War medals such as the Allgemeines-Sturmabzeichen were awarded with the approval of the regimental headquarters, but the scale of the award ceremony was determined by the grade of the medal being awarded, and the ceremony held only by the company was the smallest ceremony. Although the ceremony was held on the front lines in the summer, it is interesting to note that the company commander also had his first button undone, his pants were made of cotton, and the recipients were casually dressed. Incidentally, in July 1942 the 16. Panzer-Division was assigned to Heeresgruppe Süd (Army Group South) and participated in the battle for Kharkov, Ukraine. In August, it was assigned to Heeresgruppe A and moved to Artemovsk, Ukraine, and then in September. It was used in the struggle against Stalingrad. On 8 July 1942 Oberleutnant von Mutius was appointed as the commander of the 7.Kompanie / II.Bataillon / Panzergrenadier-Regiment 64 / 16.Panzer-Division. Previously, he was the commander of the 2nd company of the 16th Panzer Rifle Battalion, which was formed from armored personnel vehicles from the 64th and 79th Schützen Regiments of the 16th Panzer Division . He was awarded the Deutsches Kreuz in Gold and later promoted to Hauptmann (Captain), before being killed in action at Stalingrad on 6 December 1942.

Oberleutnant Erhard von Mutius' old-style officer's peaked cap (crusher cap), lapel pin, and epaulettes use the military color Wiesengrün (literally translated as "grass green"). It is being said, since the officer belongs to the Panzergrenadier-Regiment unit, one would think that it would be the color of the Panzergrenadier, but grass green was made the color of the motorized infantry (Schützen) and Panzergrenadier only came into being in June 1942 (while the photo was taken from July to August 1942), so we cannot deny the possibility that the old-style field cap and insignia for officers in the new service colors were procured in about a month, even though the Oberleutnant's old-style field cap for officers looks like new. In fact, this grass green came in two shades: the lighter one was used by motorized infantry and units that had been converted from motorized infantry into armored grenadiers, while the darker one was used only by armored grenadiers. As you can see in this photo, it seems that the darker color is used, but these two colors are actually for light infantry units: Jäger and Gebirgsjäger It is difficult to distinguish it from the light green, which is the waffenfarbe for ordinary infantry. It is said that there were four types of light green, and although there was no clear distinction between their uses, it is said that light infantry often used bright colors. What is interesting is the history of Panzergrenadier Regiment 64, to which Oberleutnant Mutius belonged: The Panzergrenadier Regiment 64 was formed in the Wehrkreis VI on 15 October 1935, and was incorporated into the 16. Infanterie-Division, which had been formed in 1934. When the 16. Panzer-Division was formed in November 1940, the regiment was extracted from the 16. Infanterie-Division, reorganized as the Infanterie-Regiment 64 (motorisiert), and then incorporated into the 16. Panzer-Division. Furthermore, in June 1942 it was reorganized into a Panzergrenadier Regiment, but when it was first formed as an infantry regiment in 1935, it was originally a Jäger battalion. Therefore, it is possible that the 2nd Battalion came to use the Grass Green color at the same time that the Jägers were given the color. In the Defense Forces, Jäger and Gebirgsjäger initially belonged to the infantry category, but later on they were given a new Waffenfarbe (military color) as a type of elite unit and were distinguished from regular infantry, so it is possible that the soldiers have been using this light green military color since the days of infantry regiments.

The picture shows the Gefreiter (Corporal) who is about to receive his medal, but he is already a veteran warrior who wears the Eisernes Kreuz II.Klasse, and his epaulettes include the title "Panzerjäger'" (it has a "P" embroidered on it). Tank hunters, who were equipped with anti-tank guns, and heavy weapons companies, which operated heavy machine guns, heavy mortars, etc., were divided into groups into grenadier companies as needed for each operation. At first glance, this Gefreiter looks like a gun commander who detached from Panzerjäger-Abteilung 16 (a tank hunter battalion attached to the 16. Panzer Division). But this Gefreiter's field cap has a chevron insignia (sautache) in the military colors that were abolished in July 1942, and we can see that the color is green. The color of the Panzergrenadier class was established in June 1942, while the sautache field cap was abolished in July 1942, and this unit was reorganized as the Panzergrenadier Regiment in June of the same year. The picture shooting period was from July to August. It is difficult to say for certain, as various things are concentrated during this period. If there is a description in the division history that new military-colored uniforms were issued during this period, then this would be a solution. Also note that the military color of the lapel pin is rose pink. The service color piping on the epaulettes is not visible, but the "P" indicating tank hunter appears to be off-white. In this way, regarding the mismatch between the service color of the field cap and field uniform, it can be seen here and there in the photo, and it is as introduced for the assault gun crew uniform , but in fact, the "P" on the epaulettes is rose pink, which is the color of the service. It is more unusual that it is off-white.

Another Gefreiter is also pictured to the right of the first Gefreiter above, and the bright green military color can be seen on this Gefreiter's field cap and epaulettes. If you look closely at the photo, you can see a green sautache on the field caps of the company members lined up in the rear, confirming that this military color is used by each unit. The Gefreiter's uniform is a herringbone cotton work jacket with lapel pins and epaulettes, and his epaulettes don't even look new! This field gray epaulet was introduced at the same time as the 1940 model field uniform, and was commonly issued in 1942, so there is little to be said about this company and when the green military color was introduced. Although it is useless, if this is a dark green epaulet, it is likely that the green military color was used before June 1942.

The Hauptfeldwebel (Sergeant Major) in the left corner of the photo has two tresse sewn on his sleeve, identifying him as the company's senior noncommissioned officer (spiess). Since there are no officers other than the company commander at company headquarters in the German Army, the oldest non-commissioned officer - who is respected by all the company members - usually serves as the "Spiess" (Mother of the Company) and coordinates all other NCOs. At the same time, he was assigned tasks other than direct combat command. This Spiess, pictured above, appears to be checking the list of recipients of the medals prepared by the company secretary. A black neckerchief with white polkadots can be seen at the collar of the 1936 field uniform, which was worn with an open collar. This Spiess field cap also has a green sautaché, but unfortunately the color of the military color piping on the epaulettes not clearly visible.

In the lower left of the photo, there is a paper box containing military medals that put in a helmet casually placed in it, but considering the rank, the person holding the stahlhelm seems to be the 1st platoon commander (Zugführer). The company commander itself is not a Hauptmann (Captain) but a Oberleutnant (First Lieutenant), so it is unknown how many officers there were in the 7th Company at the time this photo was taken, but usually the role of the Zugführer for the 1st platoon is reserved for a Leutnant (Second Lieutenant). In the Wehrmacht organization at the beginning of the war, each platoon leader was a Leutnant, but due to the loss of personnel because of the protracted war, the platoon leaders, except for the 1st platoon, were later changed to non-commissioned officers. In any case, the fact that the helmet was used as a container for the medals is an indication that the awarding ceremony was held at the frontline.

Source :
Akira Takiguchi photo collection
http://steiner.web.fc2.com/uni/p/029/029.html
https://twitter.com/atakiguchi/status/1709921746860884441/photo/1

Panzergrenadier in Action

The mechanization of war gave rise to a new branch of troops: the Panzergrenadiers. Initially traveling on trucks or the main battle tanks and later equipped with their own half-track vehicles, they secured the conquered terrain and supported the main battle tanks: grenadiers and tanks complemented each other, and one was never happy to be in battle without the other.

Source :
https://www.zinnfigur.com/en/Books-Media/Others/Calendars/Zweiter-Weltkrieg-in-Farbe-2023.html

Panzergrenadiers Driving through Burning Village

 

Panzergrenadiers of the German Wehrmacht driving through a burning village somewhere on the Eastern Front. 1944. Propaganda photo by SS-Kriegsberichter (war reporter) Grönert. Taken from “Signal” magazine, 5th year, issue 18, 1944.

Source :
https://www.facebook.com/groups/237076659811098/permalink/1630505800468170/?__cft__[0]=AZUc7whqFkzd07ifDVuONGhje1Yk965FgCPGWG8exXHdRwSpRCFcD07Jw8rZe8jAJ_ni5KEP9r7HGjrmxxErk988cX01Pg-Q4_Vd-RO3cdG0MkYyix22l7DHO8kZLJYL4cY16KllMghhaNOpW8_TtfXgb3wsnwGsprC9LuiQj_nwWTJezhiaWZ0fpWEnGrONQSQ&__tn__=%2CO%2CP-R

Afrikakorps MG 34 Crew in the Desert Nest

Afrikakorps Panzergrenadiere from Schützen-Regiment 115 / 15.Panzer-Division with an MG34 in the desert nest during Operation Scorpion. They were part of Kampfgruppe von Herff, commanded by Oberst Maximilian von Herff. Operation Scorpion or Unternehmen Skorpion, from 26–27 May 1941, was a military operation during the North African Campaign of World War II, fought between Axis forces under Oberst Herff and British forces under Lieutenant-General William "Strafer" Gott. A counter-attack was made on British positions at Halfaya Pass in north-western Egypt, which had been captured during Operation Brevity (15–16 May 1941). Skorpion was the second offensive operation commanded by Rommel in Africa (apart from the Siege of Tobruk) and pushed the British out of Halfaya Pass, back to the area from Buq Buq to Sofafi. The Germans and Italians fortified the pass and built other strong points back towards Sidi Azeiz as tank killing zones, ready to meet another British attack. The British continued preparations for Operation Battleaxe (15–17 June 1941). Battleaxe was another costly British failure that led to the sacking of General Sir Archibald Wavell, Commander-in-Chief Middle East and other senior officers.

Source :
https://de.allbuch.online/wiki/Maschinengewehr_34
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Operation_Skorpion

A Grenadier from Hitlerjugend SS Division Smoking in Normandy

A Grenadier from 12. SS-Panzer-Division "Hitlerjugend" lit a cigarette during a pause in the battle. The picture was taken in Normandy front (France) in June 1944 by SS-Kriegsberichter Wilfried Woscidlo. Described as a "Crack Babies" division, the Hitlerjugend was unique because the majority of its junior enlisted men were drawn from members of the Hitler Youth born in 1926, while the senior NCOs and officers were generally veterans of the Eastern Front. The division, with 20,540 personnel, first saw action on June 7, 1944 as part of the German defense of the Caen area during the Normandy campaign. The battle for Normandy took its toll on the division and it came out of the Falaise pocket with a divisional strength of 12,500 men. The division has been criticized for performing inadequately in the opening days of the Normandy campaign. Following the invasion battles, the division was sent to Germany for refitting. On 16 December 1944, it was committed against the US Army in the Battle of the Bulge. After the failure of the Ardennes offensive the division was sent east to fight the Red Army near Budapest. The 12th SS Division eventually withdrew into Austria; on 8 May 1945, the surviving 10,000 men surrendered to the US Army at Enns.The reputation of Hitlerjugend has been affected by war crimes committed by members of the division during the early battles in Normandy.

Source :
http://www.ww2incolor.com/rating/3.5%3Fg2_itemId%3D1060?g2_itemId=347004

Panzerkampfwagen IVs of the Afrika Korps

A column of Panzerkampfwagen IVs on the move. Some of the men appear to be wearing the tropical hat (tropenhelm) first issued in 1941

Source:
Signal magazine

Panzer III and Panzergrenadier Advances Through the Kuban Steppe

Panzerkampfwagen III of Heeresgruppe Süd (Army Group South) advances through the Kuban Steppe on the Caucasus Mountains during Operation Blue (Unternehmen Blau/Fall Blau)

Source:
Signal Magazine, November 1942

Panzer III and Panzergrenadier Advances Through the Kuban Steppe

Panzerkampfwagen III of Heeresgruppe Süd (Army Group South) advances through the Kuban Steppe on the Caucasus Mountains during Operation Blue (Unternehmen Blau/Fall Blau)

Source:
Signal Magazine, November 1942

Panzer III and Panzergrenadier Advances Through the Kuban Steppe

Panzerkampfwagen III of Heeresgruppe Süd (Army Group South) advances through the Kuban Steppe on the Caucasus Mountains during Operation Blue (Unternehmen Blau/Fall Blau). The Panzer III is from the 6. Kompanie, 3. Zug and is tank number 3, going by its turret number '633'; there're a couple of symbols on the right rear mudgard- the one on the right might be that of the 1. Panzer-Division. Original caption from Signal magazine: "tank 633 spots a Russian anti-tank emplacement and at once opens fire"

Source:
Signal Magazine, November 1942

Panzer III of 11. Panzer-Division in a Russian Village

Panzerkampfwagen III Ausf.H tanks of 11. Panzer-Division enter a Soviet village. Note the equipment covered by tarps and the extra track on the Panzer III ("21") in the background. Behind the front tank we can see the Ghost emblem of the Division. Crews would live out of their vehicle. The Panzer III in the foreground has a Swastika flag strapped on the turret for identification by German aircraft. Soon fighting would ground to a halt as both the Germans and the Soviets would seek to survive the Russian winters

Source:
http://www.worldwar2database.com/gallery3/index.php/wwii120

A German Panzergrenadier company in advance

A German Panzergrenadier company in advance. According to Tomek Basarabowicz from "Soldaten Fotoalbum" Facebook group, this unit are Panzergrenadier-Division Großdeutschland (based on the zoom in of Opel Blitz mudguard in the center). The vehicles are: Sd.Kfz.11's, Sd.Kfz.10's, a number of Steyr 1500's plus whole lotta of Pz.Kpfw.III's and IV's. Panzergrenadier (abbreviated PzGren or Pzg) is a German term for motorised or mechanized infantry – that is, infantry transported in combat vehicles specialized for such tasks – as introduced during World War II. It is used in the armies of Austria, Germany and Switzerland.

Source:

Das III.Reich 43 - Kursker Schlacht