Uknown SS-Untersturmführer

[D_Dutch]

Hello all,

Would it be possible to identify the SS-Untersturmführer, or at least a timeframe in which the photo might have been taken? Behind him are approx. 85 men of his unit, so he migt have been a Zugführer or Kompanieführer. Between the men might be one who was awarded the Deutsches Kreuz in Gold, but for that I would need to know which unit this is, which I think may be quite difficult. If anybody wants to see the rest of the photo, just ask.

With kind regards,

Koen.

[chrischa]

Hello.

Notice the D on the collar and the cuff title, so Deutschland and I would say early war or just pre-war. They still wear the number on the collar and they don't have any combat decorations.

It would be interesting to see the whole photo.

Chris.

[MarcRikmenspoel]

I think the time frame for this photo is roughly 1938-1939. The men don't have any decorations yet, as mentioned, yet are wearing Feldgrau, which replaced earlier black uniforms. The collar tabs were generally removed during the 1940 fighting. So there's a rather small window for when this moment was.

[D_Dutch]

Hello all,

Thanks for the replies so far! Below is the whole photograph, with some close-ups.

With kind regards,

Koen.

[JWL]

Very nice portrait!

[D_Dutch]

Very nice portrait!

Indeed, I was so glad when I finally had it. The photo is from a grouping of a SS-Oberscharführer who served in the Politische-Bereitschaft, SS-VT Standarte "Deutschland", SS-Panzer-Grenadier-Regiment "Germania" and SS-Panzer-Grenadier-Regiment "Westland", where he was a Zugführer in the 3. Kompanie.

He was also involved with the Sonderkommando in Stuttgart, but there is very little information about that.

[IchHattEinenKameraden]

The total shot is just awesome, thanks for posting the photograph.

[ordonnans]

The absence of any of the Anschluss Medaillen gives you a good timeframe indication as well. Great picture!

Yvo.

[D_Dutch]

I have forgotten to mention, but one of the men on the group photo above wears a cufftitle with "Sanitäts-Abteilung", but he is wearing a Kragenpatte with "SS3" for as far as I can see.

Below are two photo's which might help, they are from the same grouping.

On the first photo you can see the two men wearing a Ärmelstreiffen with a numbered "12" on it. On their Kragenpatte you can see "SS1" on them. They both wear the SA-Sportabzeichen. What could the "12" on their Ärmelstreiffen mean? Any indication of date? I guess this would be somewhere in 1934?



The second photo is a really nice one in my opinion, clear shot of the helmets, and they seem to be wearing Schulterklappen with a "D" on it, which stands for SS-Standarte Deutschland, right?

[stonemint]

Dutch, excellent pic. Can you get a close-up of the guy in the civilian suit with the white-top hat? He is wearing some sort of armband which may provide a clue.

[D_Dutch]

Dutch, excellent pic. Can you get a close-up of the guy in the civilian suit with the white-top hat? He is wearing some sort of armband which may provide a clue.

You mean this person?

[D_Dutch]

One of the friends of the SS-Oberscharführer to whom the grouping belonged was SS-Hauptscharführer Alfons Stegmaier, who destroyed nearly 30 tanks in 1943.

In Mr. Yerger's book "German Cross in Gold - Holders of the SS and Police" Volume 2, the fate of Stegmaier is unknown after the summer in 1944, but due to the fact that I have contact with his family I can say that he survived the war with a head injury, and died about 10 or 11 years ago.

Below is a photo of Alfons Stegmaier, far before being awarded the Deutsches Kreuz in Gold.

[max history]

The civilian looks like the palace guide.
Max.