**Soldbuch Kampfgruppe Sievers, Karl Sievers***

[Erwin L]

Thanks Piw, Lee and Christof glad you like it. I like the part as well that he had his own Kampfgruppe at the last days of the war.

Regards

Erwin

[Floris]

Interessting soldbuch
Great score

[Revellations]

[Panzer Rob]

I have to agree with the others... It's not often you find a Soldbuch to the commander of a Kampfgruppe which was named after its commander! Very nice indeed. Congras, and thanks for sharing it with us.

Best,
Rob

[Tim DC]

Very nice Soldbuch. Must have been nice for you to find one to a commander of a Kampfgruppe fighting in Holland. Lovely photo with the Schirmmutze in wear.

[Erwin L]

I got some very nice and interesting documents from a good friend of mine, who thought it would be a nice informative addition to this thread about this Soldbuch.
Interesting to see that both received their EKII on the same date 26-11-1940

The grouping contains the Wehrpass, EKII document, letter to his father and several pictures from Obergefreiten Adalbert Kottke.
He was in the Stapskp.I/Pz.Rgt. 33 during the invasion of Holland, May 1940. Adalbert Kottke got wounded May.13.1940 during the battle at the Barendrecht bridge.

An Artillery projectile hit his Panzer. As a result Adalbert Kottke was injured on his face (Facial burning wounds) as you can see on the picture made in the village centre of Barendrecht where he is standing (with bandage) next to his damaged Panzer.

For this he most probably received his EKII on 26-11-1940 as you can see on the document.
The same date as Karl Sievers got his EKII (See Soldbuch entry)

I don't believe that Adalbert Kottke was still active in a Panzer as a result of his wounds, during the hot summer of the Westfeldzug in France 1940.

I hope you like it as much as I do

First Adalbert Kottke EKII document and Karl Sievers EKII soldbuch to compare. both dates are 26-11-1940

Regards

Erwin

[Erwin L]

Interesting entry in Adalbert Kottke his Wehrpass.

[Erwin L]

Finally two pictures. On one you can clearly see Adalbert Kottke with his bandaged head next to his damaged Panzer in the village centre of Barendrecht.. On the other pictures you can see damaged Panzers on the Barendrecht Bridge

[Erwin L]

Here some nice extra additional info for the people who might be interested.

Five panzers attacked the Barendrecht Bridge on 13 may 1940. Two stayed for the bridge as supporting panzers, while the other 3 went over the Barendrecht Bridge. All 3 who went over were knocked out by a brave Dutch "Pak" crew with a few grenates.

In my opinion the last panzer which you can see on the bridge is Kottke's Panzer. As you can see in the simularities in point A,B,C

Simularities Kottke's panzer vs the last one. See A,B,C

A hatch is damaged
B The turret is in the same direction and the gun and canon are
direction a bit to the sky
C There is a black spot above the hatch. Probably damaged by a grenate

On Kottkes panzer you can see that the mudguard has been damaged. You can't see this damage on the panzer on the rioght side on front. (see letter D

I'm interested to hear other peoples opinion.

The first beautifull picture with all three tanks was sold on ebay a while ago. So credits go to the owner. If he wants it to be removed let me know. No problem
Thanks in advance

Regards

Erwin

[Floris]

Great photo's and documents of Barendrecht!!!

[Erwin L]

Great photo's and documents of Barendrecht!!!

thanks for the comment. It are indeed great photo's and documents related to the Battle of the Barendrecht Bridge

regards

Erwin

[walter1010de]

Great SB of Mr. SIEVERS!

[Erwin L]

Great SB of Mr. SIEVERS!

Thanks Marc

Regards

Erwin

[Panzer Rob]

EJ- The Obergefreiten Adalbert Kottke grouping is just wonderful! I agree that the Panzer in question is indeed Kottke's Panzer II and the photos really bring the grouping to life.

I have not spoken to you in quite some time - my fault as I have been very busy the last few months... I hope you and your family are doing well!


Erwin, thanks for posting these on EJ's behalf

Rob