RKT Oberstleutnant Karl Rossmann, Fallschrimpanzerdivision "Hermann Goering"

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Karl Rossmann is one of those Panzer-Regiment commanders who is often overlooked when it comes to Pz divisional histories. He won the RK early (in 1941), and the Eichenlaub in 1945. He was the last commander of the Pz Regiment of the HG division, and led the Regiment in the last successful counter-offensive of the war, the Battle of Bautzen, which lasted from April 21st to 4-26 1945, and almost resulted in the destruction of the 2nd Polish Army, which caused Koniev to have to detach units from his Berlin offensive to come to their rescue.

Here is Rossmann shortly after having received the RK:

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Here is Rossmann in formal uniform with his father:

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Rossmann in a formal portrait in his Pz wrapper:

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Rossmann in the field:

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In the field:

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A little bit of levity in the field with his company commanders:

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Time to get serious!:

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I believe that is Tschierschwitz in the cupola with Rossmann:

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Dec. 1944 RK awards in the field to the Pz Regiment:

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Pic from that day of Tschierschwitz:

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Surprisingly, Rossmann and Tschierschwitz both survived the war and Russian captivity. After the success of the counter-offensive, the HG fell back to Dresden, and was later encircled by the Soviets. Rossmann died in 2001, if I recall right.

If anyone has anymore pics of Rossmann, please post them here!

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Not Rossmann, but always one of my favorite HG pics. Note the LW breeches and boots worn with the Pz wraps:

[philip turland]

great pictures. Also it would be great to see pics of wolfgang bach, another very good commander in the hg division. I would also love to get a copy of his book. can anyone help?

[Ohlau]

"resulted in the destruction of the "

To be true 2nd Polish Army wasn't finally destroyed during fight with "HG" Division. All german attack was nonsense; loosing by germans last soldiers very short before end of war, when russians where everywhere.

[stonemint]

Ohlau, I meant no offense about the Poles, and I agree, it was senseless to go on fighting at that point in the war (and it was senseless to fight a 2-front war in the first place.) My point only goes to the fact that the Pz regiment managed a successful counter-attack even at this stage of the war, in a battle that is often overlooked, and unknown to most people, as most focus on Berlin.