SD - Photoalbum, poland - Radom may 1943

[Buckeru]

Hello

I had the luck to find an photoalbum which was a present from
the SD -Comrades to a widow whos husband was killed in action on the 27.05.1943 in Radom poland by partisans.

This album is about the funeral and the celebration and there are real a lot of very interesting and hard to find SD picture with high rank SD Officers aso.

The name of the both officers who were killed:
Willi Berger & Johann Wagner


I found this in the internet:
Willi Berger, SS - Untersturmführer (2nd Lieutenant) and Johann Wagner, SS - Hauptscharführer (Master Sergeant) - members of the Gestapo in Radom. Killed on May 27th, 1943 by Podporucznik (2nd Lieutenant) of Home Army (Armia Krajowa) Bronisław Skoczyński, pseudonym "Robotnik (Worker)" on the Stodolna Road. "


Has anyone more information? was this an ambush, and did the SD any action as recompense?
Let me learn something.

I will only show a few pictures and please excuse the copy security:
Thanks for the help
Best Buckeru

[IMG]<p><img src="http://cdn04.trixum.de/upload2/i/a/iacnHZUuE2gb139317985068P7107.jpg"></p> <p><img src="http://cdn04.trixum.de/upload2/w/X/wXxsmkqErin8139317985422P7107.jpg"></p> <p><img src="http://cdn04.trixum.de/upload2/M/f/Mf6a9Et0KiLg139317985807P7107.jpg"></p> <p><img src="http://cdn02.trixum.de/upload2/X/5/X5kY4dnQoJt8139317986247P7107.jpg"></p>[/IMG]

[stonemint]

Buckeru, I cannot help you, but Yad Vashem is in possession of a memorial portrait of them:

[plaut]

Hi,

I can only help you with this part of article - I used translator - sorry (no time and skils for translation)

If there is something you cannot undested please ask


In 1942, in Radomsk took office the new head of the Gestapo SS - Hauptsturmführer Willy Berger . Together with his deputy Haubtscharführerem Johan Wagner quickly became known for his cruelty . Norm during the hearings have become torture : beatings, hammering pins for nails , or breaking bones. They were called " angles " of Radom . July 17, 1943 in retaliation for the death of Volksdeutsche , who died at the hands of his moreover drunken colleague, in the village Dmenin Berger hanged by order of 10 randomly collected Poles , among which was a 11 - year-old boy met along the way and pulled into the group by Wagner. This event accelerated the Army decided to liquidate both the Gestapo . However, the planned action carried with it the danger of unleashing another wave of repression. On the initiative of " Zbigniew " risky action taken to prevent it . The attempt had shaken Germany and give the impression that stands behind him powerful organization capable stand up for .... treatment of its own citizens.
For working at the headquarters of the Gestapo Wagner and Berger began arriving the warnings in the German language signed by the commanding action " Zbigniew " . Delivered them three times , but each time they were ignored. After a few months on the desks of both the Gestapo landed death sentences . On the surface , they did not give any impression on the Germans , even praise them in front of friends . But that was only pretense , because increased personal protection and stopped individually to the streets .

May 27 afternoon , returning home Gestapo replaced the way two young men armed with Vis - y One of them was the closest collaborator " Zbigniew ", Bronislaw Skin - Skoczyński ps . " Worker " , who recalled in his memoirs : "I see before me frightened eyes Wagner and shoot between them . I hit . Wagner falls clutching his face. Appeal to Berger and shoot again. , I see that he got in the neck because he sat suddenly stained with blood. then the third shot hurt Smaltz ( member protection - ed. Author ) . chauffeur missed and ran for the fence . lying on the sidewalk I pass Berger and Wagner and shoot a fleeing Germans. Suddenly I blast the ball near the ear and gunshot , something is do not think so and turn around . I see that Wagner is slightly injured because a bullet between the eyes instead hit him in the cheek. drew his gun and began to shoot me . I measure up to him and this time get straight to the heart . shot next knock on every door Berger (.. ) . "

Privacy Gestapo withdrew to the magistrate , where after an hour it was ineffective pursuit. The widow demanded Bergerze hang a hundred Poles. Head of the county ordered the arrest 400 ... and then on his desk there is a warning identical to those that ignored the Gestapo . Head after leaving Berger's wife had to say : "I understand her , but she went , and I'm staying (...) " . After being released all the hostages , justifying its decision superiors on several pages of the report.

The coup has met the intended purpose , and much has changed . Germany Radomsk Took respect for the Army. Precision executed action , which killed two people with convictions , additionally regularly warned by the writings of half a year , she made an impression on them . For a while stopped torturing prisoners in the dungeons of the Gestapo. Sojczyński was confirmed that the official judgments of the court of the underground and the prospect of inevitable punishment is an effective method in the fight against the Germans. People started to send and deliver the letter informers , szpiclom , colleagues, the Gestapo and common scum . There were warnings , flogging and death sentences .

In response to these actions Germans were crackdowns and arrests suspected of cooperating with the Army. In retaliation , on August 7 " Zbigniew " led to an attack on a prison in Radomsk by which reflected This more than 50 people and was controlled for a short time almost the whole city . These effective and well thought out operations in reaction to specific , murderous actions of the Gestapo Sojczyńskiego confirmed in the belief that instant , well-planned actions result in uncertainty and confusion of the enemy , and yet the point.

[plaut]

here is foto of Skoczyński

[Buckeru]

Hello

Thanks a lot allready for the real fast help. That seems that I made a small jackpot.

Can someone tell me if Berger or Wagner was from the area of vienna / austria. The album must be from the family from on of both.

Best Buckeru

[Buckeru]

Hello

Are these guys here om the picture who manage the horses and assist the SD soldiers polnish volunteer soldiers?

Thanks for the help.

Best Buckeru

[IMG]<p><img src="http://cdn04.trixum.de/upload2/8/B/8BOmx09h2NGD139326439487P7107.jpg"></p>[/IMG]

[SiPo]

Superb find

[MJC]

Clemens,

I am so pleased that this album found its way into the hands of someone who knows how to appreciate its historic significance. A hearty congratulations as well!

Mike

[plaut]

Hello

Are these guys here om the picture who manage the horses and assist the SD soldiers polnish volunteer soldiers?

Thanks for the help.

Best Buckeru

[IMG]<p><img src="http://cdn04.trixum.de/upload2/8/B/8BOmx09h2NGD139326439487P7107.jpg"></p>[/IMG]

No, I think they are the grooms

[Buckeru]

Hello

But these are polnish unsiforms with swastika armband, or?

best Buckeru

[plaut]

This is not Polish uniforms for sure - I think they would't be allowed get so close any Poles at the ceremony - it would be great chance to kill more SD oficers and officials

[Rheinmetall]

Hello

But these are polnish unsiforms with swastika armband, or?

best Buckeru

They appear to be SA Wehrmannschaft uniforms. You might want to post this in the political section to confirm.

[Buckeru]

They appear to be SA Wehrmannschaft uniforms. You might want to post this in the political section to confirm.

Hello

I posted it in the political section, lets wait and see.

Here is another picture from the album.

Does anyone know these two high rank SD Officers?
Thanks and all the best
Buckeru

[plaut]

I think Sturmbannführer and Hauptsturmführer

[Ohlau]

Interesting.

there is a polish book about Home Army soldiers from Radomsko (not Radom !)
area and there is mention about SD officers from this photoalbum. They were mentioned as war criminals (many civilian victims, brutal interrogations, beating to death etc.), so Polish Home Army sentenced them for death and kill in planned ambush.

There are even reproduction of their photos - which were found in uniforms pockets and taken as "trophy" - proof of realised ambush.