Helmut Von Moltke

Are you referring to his memoirs or the biography with many photographs published by Schiffer with the same title? K

Thanks for the input on Munoz's book Propser! Although it appears to be well researched his writing is a little like that of Franz Kurowski or Charles Whiting. About the caption it was not in Munoz's book but instead in Wenn Alle Bruder Schweigen, originally published by the HIAG's Munin-Verlag, and the Feldwebel probably sent it to a veteran of the unit or the HIAG.

Paddy/Prosper, About Antonio Munoz's 'Forgotten Legions' book which you mentioned here in reference to unethical dealers who have read it, most of the photographs are from the Munin-Verlag, and a large proportion were published in 20 photograph section (the photograph at the botton on pg 478 left out as it shows Luftwaffe FJ) on the SS-FJ-Btl. 500/600 between 476 and 485 of 'Wenn Alle Bruder Schweigen', which was originally published by the MV-Verlag. Although the text is quite detailed. Although from what I have read in the introduction so far (I have just purchased it) it seems to get into those Skorzeny myths again! I'm also curious if you know a certain photograph of 2 Waffen-SS paratroopers, one without a helmet and holding an MG-42, behind a Panzer IV? It appeared in pg 551 of 'Wenn Alle Bruder Schweigen' and I'm curious about the statement of a Wehrmacht-Heer Feldwebel who took the photograph, wrote the caption and sent it for the book which was - About Mr Walter Hummel there is another photograph of him on pg 249 of the mentioned book by Marc Rikmenspoel. The caption is - K

A photograph from ullstein showing the Mufti inspecting a guard of honor led probably by a German Waffen-SS NCO during his 1 January 1944 visit to the division at Neuhammer. The Mufti's Muslim Arab aide is right behind him and to the Mufti's right is SS-Gruppenf?hrer Sauberzweig, followed by his aides and officers. A portrait of an SS-Sch?tze of the division, wearing the divisional collar patch. He is also probably wearing either an M42 or M43 tunic. K

Sorry, I don't have a scanner, the caption says Rikmenspoel's book can be seen on the publishing site J.J Fedorowicz http://www.jjfpub.mb.ca/photo_albums.htm#Waffen_SS or certain types of model or specialist stores, where I bought my copy. Regards, K On another note, it would be nice to see 'Fallschirmj?ger der Waffen-SS in Bild' re-printed by the Nation-Europa-Verlag, as they did with other Munin-Verlag 'in Bild' titles, or Mr. Agte's book on the SS-FJ-Btl. 500/600 translated into English.

Speaking of Walter Hummel's Soldbuch, it also ended up on pg 248 of 'Soldiers of the Waffen-SS - Many Nations, One Motto' by Marc Rikmenspoel. The well known photo taken at Neustrelitz is listed as being taken on the Volkstrauertag (Remembrance Day) by Paul Hausser in pg 476 of 'Wenn Alle Bruder Schweigen', though. K

A nice collection. Although speaking of the discussion here of collecting TR militaria, I collect some (mainly postcards, Feldpost, etc) not out of sympathy with National Socialism but to honour the brave German Fighting Men of the Wehrmacht and Waffen-SS who did nothing more than fight for their fatherland just like any patriotic person of any other country would and prevent their memories from fading away. K

Found out some more information about SS-Untersturmf?hrer Dr. Nikolaus Frank. From the Personal diary of Hans-Meschendoerfer adjutant of the I/28,, entry from 30 April 1944. During that date the I/28's companies were decimated in savage combat with the partisans at Sekovici during Unternehmen 'Maibaum'. Form page 191, Chapter 7 'Maibaum', 'Himmler's Bosnian Division' by George Lepre. 'The battalion aid station is swamped. Our physician, Dr. Nikolaus Frank, works without respite. The companies need reinforcement and ammunition desperately. The last reserves, the pioneer platoon and the pack animal tenders, have been thrown into the fighting.' Here are a few more. A colourised photograph of a SS-Sturmann of the division. Location unknown. An autographed portrait of an SS-Oberscharf?hrer of the division. 2 recruitment posters for Croatians and Bosnians to join the Waffen-SS. They show a Christian wearing the Bergmuetze and a Bosnian Muslim with the SS-fez. A photograph of SS-Standartenf?hrer Herbert von Obwurzer, originally commander of a regiment of the 6. SS-Gebirgs-Division 'Nord', charged with the formation of the division. He formally handed command to Sauberzweig on 9 Aufgust 1943 at Mede, France. The solemn induction into the Waffen-SS is sworn by men of the division at the Zagreb Festival Square on 12 May 1943. It was originally intended as the swearing in of the oath of loyalty but it was not done as the Croatian authorities were outraged that the oath was not sworn to Ante Pavlic. From right to left on the speech stadiums are SS-Sturmbannf?hrer Kirchbaum, SS-Standartenf?hrer von Obwurzer, SS-Sturmbannf?hrer Braun, and SS-Hauptsturmf?hrer von Rautenheld. A post-war colourised photograph taken in 1944 of SS-Sturmann Ejub Jasarevic, decorated with the EK II by Reichsfuehrer-SS Heinrich Himmler for saving Dr. Schweiger's life during the mutiny at Villefranche on 17th August 1943 and the role he played in the crushing of the mutiny. He originally was an orderly to one of the murdered German officers of the 13. Pi. Btl. He and another enlisted man, Adem Okanadzic, outraged by the mutiny, accompanied Dr. Schweiger and convinced the conspirators that they were on their side, thus allowing the trio to reach the headquarters of the 2. Kompanie, and Btl. HQ, thus contacting and allowing reinforcements to arrive. This appeared in it's originaly black and white form in page 91, Chapter 4 'Mutiny' of 'Himmler's Bosnian Division' by George Lepre. A divisional newspaper, 'Handzar', announces the visit of SS-Obergruppenfuehrer Arthur Phelps, commander of the V. SS-Gebirgs-Korps on 28 August - 1 September 1943 to the division in France. He is shown inspecting a captured British Sten Gun captured from local French Partisans. He is wearing the 'Prinz Eugen' cufftitle as before his command he was commander of the 7. SS-Freiwilligen-Gebirgs-Division 'Prinz Eugen' made up of Volksdeutsche from the Balkans. This appeared in page 65 of, Chapter 3: 'Formation and Training of the Division in France' of 'Himmler's Bosnian Division' by George Lepre. There are 8 more photographs of Phelps' visit in pages 66-69 of the book. A SS-Sturmmann of the division pins a portrait of the Grand Mufti of Jerusalem, Haj Amin Al Hussenei, on his barracks wall during the division's training in the training grounds of Neuhammer in Silesia. This photograph appeared in 'Europaische Freiwillige in Bild', a photo book about foreign volunteers of the Waffen-SS. K

Hello, Does anyone have any information on the relationship between Generalmajor Hermann Balck and the Waffen-SS? It is said that he was 'no friend of the Waffen-SS', but General der Panzertruppen Heinrich Eberbach was not either, yet praised Panzeremeyer and the Waffen-SS in Normandy, and wrote the foreword to 'Grenadiers'. It is said that Balck, then commander of the XLVIII. Panzerkorps in conjunction with the II. SS-Panzerkorps during the relief operation of the 1. Panzerarmee at Tarnopol, an operation which he was responsible for, tried to pin the blame for the inperfection of the operation to the 9. SS-Panzerdivision 'Hohenstauffen' and severly criticised the command of SS-Obergruppenfuehrer Willi Bittrich and the performance of his soldiers, in orderr to protect himself from the rage of Adolf Hitler. Yet at the same time, he did not mind having Waffen-SS divisions under his command and when his 3 Panzerdivisions of his XLVIII. Panzerkorps was succesfully carrying out the duty of fire-brigade at critical areas like Brussilov or Zhitomir in the winter of 43-44, the 1. SS-Panzerdivision 'Leibstandarte Adolf Hitler' was among them and valued, and there were no command problems. One one occasion when the LAH returned to the command of XLVIII. Panzerkorps after 6 weeks absence and received their orders, the LAH answered 'Hurrah, we hear our master's voice'. It has also been suggested that Balck had something to do with the infamous 'cuff-title' order in which generals of the Heer minimalised the achievments of the Waffen-SS formations in Hungary as Balck fought alongside the 6. SS-Panzerarmee. However in general Balck's criticisms of some Waffen-SS formations could be due to personal ambition instead of prejudice. Speaking of ambition, it has also been suggested that many Heer officers disliked Balck, with the exception of Generalmajor von Mellenthin, who wrote of Balck as: 'If Manstein was Germany's greatest strategist during World War II, Balck has strong claims to be regarded as our finest field commander. He has a superb grasp of tactics and great qualities of leadership.' Thanks in advance, as this is an interesting subject. Here are some photographs of Balck: A Walter Frenz colour portrait of Balck, wearing the Ritterkreuz, Eichenlaub and Schweten. Balck studying a map at his HQ. There is probably a photo sequence of this as a similar photograph with a different pose apperared in 'Sons of the Reich - II SS Panzer Corps' by Michael Reynolds. A well known portrait of Balck. I remember this appeared in Mellenthin's 'Panzer Battles'. K

Just to get the topic moving again, mentioning the divisional commander now. Here are a few photographs of SS-Gruppenf?hrer Karl Sauberzweig. He lost an eye in the First World War. He was promoted to Oberst on the German General Staff on 1 Febuary 1942, and was formally transfered from the Heer to the Waffen-SS on 1 August 1943 and took command of the 13. Waffen-Gerbigs-Division der SS 'Handschar' on 9 August. Sauberzweig handed command of the division to Desiderius Hampel on 19 June as he was taking higher command of the IX. Waffen-Gebirgs-Korps der SS (kroatisches), which contained 2 divisions, his old command and the newly forming sister division 'Kama'. In the final weeks of the war Sauberzweig returned to the Heer and commanded a corps in Heeresgruppe H in northern Germany. Sauberzweig committed suicide with cynaide on 20 October 1946 in the British Prisoner of war camp at Neuengamme as he was facing imminent extraction to the Yugoslavian Communist Regime for his command in the Balkans. His decorations were: 1914 Iron Cross I. Class 1914 Iron Cross II. Class 1939 ribbon to the 1914 Iron Cross I. Class 1939 ribbon to the 1914 Iron Cross II. Class War Merit Cross (Kriegsverdienstkreuz) with swords 1939 Wound Badge (Verwundetenabzeichen) in Silver Honor Cross for Combatants (Ehrenkreuz f?r Frontk?mpfer) SS Totenkopfring Order of Military Merit 6th Class (1st Grade) of Bulgaria Sauberzweig in his Heer uniform in late May 1940 in Belgium. Sauberzweig wearing his Waffen-SS uniform. He also wears the Waffen-SS Gerbigs Patch on his left shoulder. Sauberzweig wearing the Waffen-SS 'Handschar' Fez. Reichsfuehrer-SS Heinrich Himmler on his second visit to the division's training base at Neuhammer on 11 - 12 January 1944. There are 6 photographs of this visit and his earlier visit on pages 126 - 128 of Mr Lepre's divisional history. Sauberzweig is at far right, wearing glasses and wearing the Waffen-SS officer's Bergmutze with Edelweiss, along with greatcoat. Sauberzweig meeting a Muslim official, possibly during the division's enagement in Bosnia or a representative/subordinate of the Grand Mufti of Jersulem, an Arab propagandist in Germany, during the Grand Mufti's visit to the division at Neuhammer. Sauberzweig is at right, wearing glasses, with fez and a leather greatcoat. Sauberzweig giving orders on a Schwimwagen vehicle. Sauberzweig studying a map. He is the with the glasses and wearing the Waffen-SS officer's Bergumtze with a greatcoat, seconf from left in the photograph. I also have seen this photograph surface in old Charlie Syndor's site, and pg 20 of the November 2005 issue of the HIAG magazine 'Der Frewillige'. K

That being said, many of the men had to be restrained as many Bosnian Muslims in the division wanted revenge on the Serbs and judging by the violent ethnic warfare of the area, most recently seen in the 90s, these things were an unfortuante occurance on both sides. However the division still peformed it's operations well and defeated several partisan divisions. Speaking of partisans, by the laws of the Geneva Convention back in the 40s partisans were not legitimate combatants and could be legally executed. In partisan warfare there was little mercy on both sides, and this bloody series of events culminated in the Bleiburg masacre of tens of thousands of Croatian troops and civilians whom the British unfortuantely handed back. K

Had a check, sorry I had an error there. It only covers Battalion commanders. Still a great book. Anyway, just to inform about another member of the division, according to the January 2004 issue of the HIAG magazine 'Der Freiwillige' published by Munin-Verlag and the author Mr George Lepre of the divisional history of the 13. Waffen-Gerbigs-Division der SS 'Handschar' (kroatische nr. 1) of Bosnian Muslim volunteers, named 'Himmler's Bosnian Division' who corresponded with him in the writing of the history, Imam Dzemal Ibrahimovic, the Imam of SS-Flak-Abteilung. 13 of the division and the last Imam of the division, who was living in exile in Germany after the war, unfortunately passed away on 25 September 2003 in Nuremburg. Mr Ibrahimovic's excellent words in pg 316 of 'Himmler's Bosnian Division' probably represent his comrades. Although not exactly one of the leading formations of the Waffen-SS, the 13. Waffen-Gerbigs-Division der SS 'Handschar' performed well in anti-partisan operations in 1944 in their homeland and with their solid base of German officers and NCOs, a competent unit, with patriotic heritage dating back to holding back the Turks hundreds of years before in the defense of Europe despite being of the Muslim region and the competence of it's regiments in the Austrian-Hungarian army. If anything, it's mass desertions in late 1944 back to their homeland during V. SS-Gerbigs-Korps and the Wehrmacht's retreat from Bosnia did not make them shirkers and cowards, but instead proved that it's men were not loonies of the 'Thousand Year Reich' but men dedicated to their homeland. Rest in Peace Dzemal Ibrahimovic. Respectfully, K

As Manteuffel was a Ritterkreuztraegar, I thought I would post this here. I read that, and with photo evidence (photo posted here), that Manteuffel visited the USA in the 1950s, met Eisenhower in the White house when Eisenhower was president, and gave lectures at West Point. Does anyone know what he talked to Eisenhower about, what lectures he gave, or generally any more information on his visit? thanks in advance. K

As the US Civil War research section seems to be the correct place to ask, does anyone know where I can find a recording/download of the famous Southern Confederate unofficial anthem 'Dixie' on the Internet? Thanks in advance. K

Hello, In old newsreel footage with sound of Soviet foreign minister inspecting a Wehrmacht guard of honout in Berlin after leaving the Reichschancellory after the meeting with Hitler in late 1940, the band plays a military march. Does anybody know what it is called? I also remember the same one was played along with footage of the 1934 Reichsparteitag from the famous propaganda documentary 'Triumph des Willens' shown in the Allied propaganda documentary 'Why we fight'. And does anyone know where I can find a version of it on the internet? Thanks in advance, K