Identifaction Of Rk With Oakleaf Bearer Includes Photo

[Carl Ellingstad]

I need help to identify a RK bearer with oakleaf! Only thing I know is that the photo(photos) are taken some time after 1943 in Serbien-Romanian. Most likely in a big offical funural that took place there. He have a lot of decorations arm shield, EKI Wounded silver e.t.c. Of notice he is a officer in a Jaeger unit.<p><center><img src=http://home.online.no/~carellin/artimages/RK_offizer_detail.jpg></center><p> Any comments about what his name and history was would be of great help for me!

Regards

Carl

[Denis]

Hello Carl

In my opinion, this is either :
- Helmuth Thumm
- or Hartwig von Ludwiger
Both bear glasses but I can't find a good photo which will allows to give a definitive answer.
Hope this helps
Regards
Denis

[Carl Ellingstad]

Thanks Denis ! Do you have any more information on those two?

Regards

Carl

[Denis]

Sure :


THUMM HELMUTH
DoB : 25/08/1895
DoD : 13/07/1977
Last rank : GENERAL d. INF.
Last unit : LXIV. A.K.
EK1 : 13/06/1940
DKiG : Not awarded
RK : 30/06/1941 (326th) as Obstlt. Kdr. JÄG. RGT. 56 (5. JÄG. DIV.)
EL : 23/12/1942 (166th) as Obst. Kdr. JÄG. RGT. 56 (5. JÄG. DIV.)
LUDWIGER (v.) HARTWIG
DoB : 29/06/1895
DoD : 05/05/1947
Last rank : GENERAL d. INF.
Last unit : XXI. A.K.
EK1 : 18/10/1939
DKiG : Not awarded
RK : 15/07/1941 (359th) as Obst. Kdr. JÄG. RGT. 83 (28. JÄG. DIV.)
EL : 23/12/1942 (163th) as Obst. Kdr. JÄG. RGT. 83 (28. JÄG. DIV.)

Just a guess : as von Ludwiger was hanged by Yugoslavians in Belgrad (05/05/47), this might suppose he was convicted of war crimes in this country and consequently he wpuld have been there during the war. As your photo is seemingly taken in Serbia, there might be a chance that this is von L.
Hope this helps
Regards
Denis

[Carl Ellingstad]

Anyone else that might have comments?

Regards

Carl

[Denis]

Hi again Carl
I wil have a look this evening in my book and I will try to find a photo of them when I come back to home.
I will tell you tomorrow.
Anyaway, it is likely that the response is included in Angolia's "On the Field of Honor" (volume 2) or in Bilbilo Verlag's 2 volumes set or in Stockert's 4 volume set delaing with OL recipients.
If somebody own one of these, his help will be appreciated.
Regards
Denis

[Carl Ellingstad]

Hi Denis!

Thank you for your help, Im crossing my fingers that your book have a photo who may give a answer.

Regards

Carl

[Denis]

Hello Carl
Yesterday, I looke din Angolia's "On the Field of Honor". Although both guys were displayed, the 2 photos were quite identical : they were shaking hands with AH when this latter one was awarded OL. The worst thing was that both photos were taken from the same angle, a 3/4 view showing only their own right chest. Thus, it was impossible to make a difference between the 2 !!
To make things more complicated (at least for me), I lent the Biblio Verlag book covering OL recipients from letter L to Z.
However, I would say that von Ludwiger remains the first in the (very short) list.
I also attach a photo of Thumm. This is the sole that I have retrieved.
Sorry not being more helpful.
Denis

[Carl Ellingstad]

I notice that Thumm have the rank of General, the officer on the photo have a lower grade than General! Could this give any more clue? If anyone else have comments please post them, thanks again Denis for your research so far.

Regards

Carl

[Carl Ellingstad]

No one who can help me further on with identify this officer?

Regards

Carl

[V. J. Kursietis]

Hi!

My money is firmly on von Ludwiger for the following reasons:-

1. Facially the resemblance is much greater than to Thumm

2. Thumm commanded the 5. Jaeger Div. at the time the photo was taken - that Div. was stationed on the Northern sector of the Eastern front during this time

3. Ludwiger commanded the 104. Jaeger Div. stationed in Serbia.

Regards,

VJK

Source: "The Wehrmacht at War 1939 - 1945"; Andris J. Kursietis

[Denis]

Hello
Many thanks Valdis !!
By the way, is there any connection between the author and you (just by pure curiosity) ?
Regards
Denis

[V. J. Kursietis]

Hi Denis!

Funny you should mention it, but just by pure coincidence, he happens to be my twin brother!!

Regards,

Valdis

[Carl Ellingstad]

The world is small
Could someone explain the collar tabs on the two photos that is posted? one with Officer tabs and one with general tabs, did he get a promotion after he received the OL ?

Regards

Carl

[V. J. Kursietis]

Hi Carl!

Ludwiger was awarded the Oakleaves as an Oberst on 23.12.1942. He was promoted to Generalmajor on 1.5.1943.

Regards,

VJK