Who is this Waffen-SS RK-winner...

[Timowr]

[InfanterieSammler]

Lah Rkt

Hello Timo,
Looks a lot like Gerd Bremer or Hermann Dalke, but I'm not sure it's either. Any date on the pic? Best, John

[Timowr]

Hello Timo,
Looks a lot like Gerd Bremer or Hermann Dalke, but I'm not sure it's either. Any date on the pic? Best, John

LSSAH / HJ. Probably late 1944. No leaves on the trees and misty skies, yet no SS parkas so it is unlikely that the photo was taken during the 1943/44 winter. To the left in the photo is part of the face of Gustav Knittel, but no other RK winners in his SS AA 1 at that time. Bremer and Dalke both had higher ranks by that time and I have never seen Bremer with a goatee.

[Robin Lumsden]

It's Bremer.

[Timowr]

It's Bremer.

Why are you sure about that?

[Lloyd I.]

Why are you sure about that?

I agree with Robin. Tim did you come on here to debate it or ask who we thought it was?

I agree that it is Bremer based on photographs that provide his features. Max Wünsche also was very keen to keep his appearance up in the field but there is a photograph of him unshaven that could make one think he wore a beard if it were the only one of him.

[Timowr]

The complete photo shows Gustav Knittel (his face can be seen to the left in the detail shown above) talking to this RK winner, a Panzer officer and several NCO's. All wear typical late war uniforms or overcoats. No camo smocks, no SS parkas. No leaves on the trees in the background and a foggy sky. The whole scene "feels" like late 1944 or even early 1945. Knittel served as commander of FEB 1 LSSAH before and after the Ardennes Offensive, so it is possible that the photo was taken there. The absence of SS parkas makes the 1943/44 winter unlikely. <?xml:namespace prefix = o ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office" /><o></o>

<o></o>

If it is Bremer, then what’s with his rank? Bremer became a Stubaf. In January 1944. If the photo was taken prior to that date, then on which occasion? Must be in autumn or winter. 1943/44 can’t be possible. Knittel was with SS AA <?xml:namespace prefix = st1 ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:smarttags" /><st1:metricconverter w:st="on" ProductID="1 in">1 in</st1:metricconverter> the <st1:country-region w:st="on"><st1lace w:st="on">Ukraine</st1lace></st1:country-region> at that time, Bremer was with the HJ Division. At Charkow? Why the absence of SS parkas with all men in the photo?<o></o>

[Timowr]

I also discussed the photo with well known Bremer expert Frank DeLaglio. He questions the ID as being Bremer because in no photo of Bremer (and Frank has a huge collection) did he ever see a goatee. The RK winner in the photo clearly had a goatee

[Timowr]

Fragment from same photo. Note the background (fog, winter trees). If Bremer it can't be 1944 or 1945 (rank) and I can't think of any autumn or winter setting which could include Bremer and Knittel, apart from Charkow but then the photo lacks the typical SS parkas.

[InfanterieSammler]

Rkt

Timo,
Some interesting points here...I think rather than speculate as to date, from what can be observed in the picture, which can be deceiving. It might be more worthwhile scanning through pics of the LAH Rkt...Here is a picture of Bremer that I have, notice the crusher cap and in particular the placement of the Totenkopf high up on the cap band. This was a common practice among W-SS officer's for sure, but there appear to be some similiarities in the overall shape of the cap as well. Then, of course, are the obvious facial similarties. Best, John

P.S. The fact that both Knittel and Bremer were AA men, increases the odds here.

[Timowr]

Timo,
Some interesting points here...I think rather than speculate as to date, from what can be observed in the picture, which can be deceiving. It might be more worthwhile scanning through pics of the LAH Rkt...Here is a picture of Bremer that I have, notice the crusher cap and in particular the placement of the Totenkopf high up on the cap band. This was a common practice among W-SS officer's for sure, but there appear to be some similiarities in the overall shape of the cap as well. Then, of course, are the obvious facial similarties. Best, John

...on another forum, somebody suggested that it might be Georg Preuss. I agree that Bremer is our best candidate but it simply feels wrong.

P.S. The fact that both Knittel and Bremer were AA men, increases the odds here.

...I know and believe me, I know the SS AA 1, but that's exactly why I am in doubt. Knittel commanded the FEB 1 LSSAH before and after the Ardennes Offensive and for that reason it could also be a HJ RK-winner. And, as I said before, I can't think of a single occassion during 1943 where this photo could have been taken and for 1944/45 the rank, if it is Bremer, is wrong.

Best regards,
Timo

[Robin Lumsden]

Why are you sure about that?

It's definitely Bremer.
The lack of parkas doesn't mean anything as officers seldom wore them when not actually in combat.
Also - officers 'visited' other units.
I think this is most likely taken at Kharkov in March 1943.

[Timowr]

You know, by now I think you're 100 percent right!!! With "Charkow" in mind I now look at the photo with different eyes and I think we see Meyer discussing something with Knittel, with Bremer in the background and Weiser seen at the back. Meyer is partly covered by Weiser.

interesting pic

[Timowr]

Weiser (left) and Meyer (right)<?xml:namespace prefix = o ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office" /><o></o>

<o></o>

<o></o>

Knittel<o></o>

<o></o>

[Robin Lumsden]

You know, by now I think you're 100 percent right!!! With "Charkow" in mind I now look at the photo with different eyes and I think we see Meyer discussing something with Knittel, with Bremer in the background and Weiser seen at the back. Meyer is partly covered by Weiser.

interesting pic

Glad to be of help.
After the battle of Kharkov, hundreds of propaganda pictures were taken showing the SS 'Heroes of Kharkov' posing in groups, walking around the city, chatting, etc. etc. This was the first battle in the war when a substantial number of SS formations had fought alongside each other in an SS Corps, and it was portrayed at the time as a battle which proved the 'invincibility of the SS'. I think this is one of these propaganda shots.