Post your Panzer "Der Spieß" or "Der Spiess" pics

[WWIIBuff]

Panzer Der Spieß

Hi guys,

I recently picked up a couple more Der Spieß pics I thought I'd share.

[WWIIBuff]

Panzer Der Spieß

2

[vic007]

Thank you i just learned something

[Larrister]

Hi,

Here are three photos of Ernst Blochle. First one is of him when he was in Pz.Jg. Abt. 5. He must have transfered to Pz. Rgt. 4 later on.

Cheers,

Larry

[Larrister]

Ernst in Panzer uniform.

[Larrister]

Another.

[SvenWittnebel]

...
"Der Spieß", literally translated as the spear. The point of the company, affectionally known as the "Mother" of the company.
...

He was the highest ranking NCO of the company and was responsible for the discipline and also for the paperwork. He held direct contact to the officers and was the first to replace an officer. He had to be trained as an platoon, sometimes as a company officer too.

A Spiess was really a spear-like weapon (Sponton), used by Prussian NCOs in the 18th century (in other armys aswell) to show the company the direction of the attack and to discipline men who want to escape in a battle.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Spontoon

[Simon O.]

He was the highest ranking NCO of the company and was responsible for the discipline and also for the paperwork

Not necessarily the highest ranking though he did have the highest authority as hauptfeldwebel. You could find a spiess with the rank of feldwebel, the job gave him the appointment of hauptfeldwebel but his kompanie could include NCOs of oberfeldwebel or stabsfeldwebel rank.

In post #30 you'll see an example of a feldwebel as Spiess

[SvenWittnebel]

Highest ranking as he was the Kompaniefeldwebel (titular rank like a specialist f.e.).
He was the first hand officers replacement.

[Simon O.]

Exactly, it just needed a bit more explaining as it could otherwise be confusing to see a Spiess with the rank of feldwebel on his shoulderstraps alongside an oberfeldwebel of the same kompanie.

[Mark Mac]

By the title of the thread, I am assuming that it is open to Der Spiess photos, not just Panzer. Here is the Luftwaffe version.

[Simon O.]

Here's a rare one. A feldwebel from GJR 137, note the Narvik shield and FJ badge.