Gebirgsjaeger rgt 98 photo: Harald von Hirschfeld with Spanische Freiwilligen??

[dan734]

Hello! I would like to discuss this interesteng photo. It is from photo-group of soldier from GJR98 (7.Kp). You can see Harald von Hirschfeld (on the right). The man on the left has an armpatch, similar to armpatch of Spanische Freiwilligen from Blaue Division. I have no ideas how Geb.Div.1 could contact with Blaue Division, they worked in different areas. What do you think of it? Thanks in advance!

[dan734]

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[MarcRikmenspoel]

The man on the left is probably a Walloon of the 373. Infanterie Bataillon, encountered somewhere in the Kuban/West Caucasus during the summer and autumn 1942 campaign there.

[naxos]

The man on the left is probably a Walloon of the 373. Infanterie Bataillon, encountered somewhere in the Kuban/West Caucasus during the summer and autumn 1942 campaign there.

Agree! (Maikop - Tuapse area)

[dan734]

Thank you very much! Absolutely agree!

[Beersheba4thLH]

The man on the left is probably a Walloon of the 373. Infanterie Bataillon, encountered somewhere in the Kuban/West Caucasus during the summer and autumn 1942 campaign there.

Normally I would agree, but look closely at the arm shield.

[MarcRikmenspoel]

It looks like the man had a patch on his sleeve, but it came off, leaving behind a stain where it had been. Also, most Walloons wore their badge on the left sleeve, but I have seen it on the right sleeve. The man does look like many of the Walloon volunteers, who were older Rexists who volunteered in August 1941.