12/7/1943

[SJP]

On the anniversary of the greatest armor engagement in history (IMO).

SS Rottenfuhrer Gunter Schmidt was a member of 6.SS Pz Regt 1 LSSAH
__________________________________________________ ________
Cheers Steve

[SJP]

His first action was at Kharkov

[SJP]

#2

[SJP]

#3

[SJP]

Gunther's 6 Kompanie ( Untersturmfuhrer Ribbentrop) was one of 4 that was available for "Operation Zitadelle" as part of LSSAH Pz Regt. 1

On !2/7 his Kompanie engaged the 5th Guards tank army at Prochorowka.

A very detailed account is in "Operation Citadel" of this engagement by members of

6. SS Pz Regt 1 (volume 1 by Jean Restayn)

[SJP]

Several years after the war his Father & brother continued to look him....they finally

got there answer in 1956.
__________________________________________________ _________
Steve

[Richard P]

Steve,

That is a rare set of documents for sure. Since I cannot read German, I cannot tell what his ultimate fate is, but can guess. Was he KIA or wounded/captured? Do you have any photos of him?

Thanks for sharing this group, that is also my daughter's birthday.

Richard

[SJP]

Hi Richard ,Thanks ..it's quite an extensive grp. This is a photo of him albeit not very

good. My understanding of these post-war documents relating to search for him was

that the family was given a contact to work through the Red Cross.

This one was sent to and filled out by Rudolf von Ribbentrop ,his CO. He states he was

KIA on the 12/13. It was on the 12th though.There is another letter from Ribbentop's

driver in # 605 written in 1990 describing how he was killed (direct hit & burned)

In that map he was in 1of the 2 Pz IV's to the right of Ribbentrop's #605 ,both were

destroyed in the engagement.
__________________________________________________ ___
Cheers Steve

[Richard P]

Absolutely stunning history you have tracked down. Having the docs and the photo and the testimony really brings it home. It sounds like you have even more, which is great. Horrible death and how many times was that not the fate for the panzer soldiers.

I for one still think about that stuff when I look over my uniforms. Thanks for sharing the additional info and the photo.

Richard

[PANZERPIONIERE]

Steve, excellent grouping.
Steve

[Greg]

Steve,

Outstanding research and grouping, thanks for sharing! I especially like the PAB document signed by Georg Schönberger.

Best,
Greg

[dennie]

love this set

it a nice set
i am in love
greeting dennie