Oskar Klingelhöfer

[LuckyStrike23]

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[LuckyStrike23]

here is another great pic published in "duell in the mist" - the wreck of the tank of Scharführer Horst Rempel. It was destroyed outside Büllingen on Dec. 17th by a bazooka team. The whole crew was killed. You can clearly see the paint of the late PzIV J of Kampfgruppe Peiper.

[LuckyStrike23]

The breakout on foot was succesful but in must have been a torture. The best report is that of Major McCown who was the only american who took part. I do own only the German translation - not the English original.
After the the breakthrough the Kampfgruppe was imediately transfered to the Bastogne region (without Peiper). Since only one tank of the 7. company was lost in LaGleize the company was still relatively strong. On Dec. 30th the company had to conduct an attack together with the 6. company. near Lutreboix Lutreboix is called "the grave of the company" within their history:

[LuckyStrike23]

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[LuckyStrike23]

the wreck of the "715" - destroyed near Lutreboix. Fortunately only two men of the company were killed during the attack.

[SMB67]

Great thread, you can't beat the history attached to these items. Thanks for sharing them.

[SSamir]

I'm blown away. This is just an amazing catch. A TK tunic with a face & history to go with it. It went to a good home. My compliments.

Samir

[LuckyStrike23]

After the fighting in the west the "Leibstandarte" was transfered to Hungary to fight the last battle. After beeing lightly wounded in Lutrebois Klingelhöfer took over command again in Feb 45. Not much is known about these actions. The companie suffered heavy casualties and the remnants formed smaller battle groups. The remaining tanks of 6. and 7. company were grouped under OStF Sternebeck (who was probably more experienced in tank warfare). In april Klingelhöfer was sent back into the Reich to aquire new tanks - not the worst task in april 1945. Then his "trace" is lost.

Short after "Baugnez" the US started an elaborate search for members of Kampfgruppe Peiper - not an easy task in all that chaos.....

[LuckyStrike23]

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[LuckyStrike23]

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[DeMil]

I think it will never happen but if you ever sell your group give me a PM

DeMil

[WEISNER]

I think it will never happen but if you ever sell your group give me a PM

DeMil

If you do ever sell the group you will have collectors knocking at the front and back doors, climbing down the chimney and on the phone trying to make a deal LOL!

again thanks for sharing it all with us!

Kevin

[LuckyStrike23]

This lot isnt for sale and wont be as long as i live.

Well, somewhen in mid 1945 the US have catched Klingelhöfer and I guess he was as surprised about the accusation as all the other suspects. I think if he had known what now would beginn he had prefered russian captivity.

During the interogations the US used obviously a lot of dubious techniques. Especially the tried to play of the accused against each other. It didnt matter if they testified the truth or not. Fleps for example was promised freedom when he accused Siptrott (his tank commander who did never speak a word again with him after the war). Siptrott obviously accused Klingelhöfer and Klingelhöfer accused Pötschke. The result was that all were sentenced to death (except of Pötschke, who was already dead). Thats an interesting document that shows clearly the difference. Note especially the testimony of Ehrhardt (who was not among the accused):

[LuckyStrike23]

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[LuckyStrike23]

these dubious technics are the main reason why we will never know what did happen at the crossroad. In short term it might gain some success - all suspects were sentenced but in long term - today - we dont really know which statement is true and which not. Some accused can be very glad because this kind of interrogation was the reason why no accused was hanged. I am very sure that some of the accused were guilty and in 1946 many persons were hanged for much less.....

I will continue soon.....