Ian Sayer

This photograph of an unidentified Italian who seems to have been some sort of liason officer or military attache in Warsaw in the late 1930s. There is also a photo of a lady who may be his wife. Can anyone help to identify either of these people please.

Many thanks.

This Estonian Lt Col was the military attache to Warsaw in 1934 and may have served longer there in that capacity. I am trying to identify him and locate any relevant biographical information. Can anybody help please. Many thanks.

This officer appears to have acted as a liason officer between the various foreign military attaches weho were based in Warsaw in the mid to late 1930s. Can anyone identify this officer please.

Many thanks.

Can anyone identify this Latvian officer who served as a military attache to Warsaw in 1934? Any biographical info wouild also be greatley appteciated.

Many thanks

I recently acquired a small collection of photos signed by various European military attaches to Poland and/or Warsaw iduring the 1930s. I am still trying to identify some of these individuals and I am also seeking appropriate biographical information so would appreciate any assistance, This one was the Czech military attache to Warsaw in 1937

Many thanks.

Keep up the good work Colin

Regards

Ian

Probably one of the most astonishing pieces I have seen from your world-class collection Ian! Absolutely amazing piece. Imagine that Herzner came within day or two of being in the raiding party that would have killed Hitler. Then he basically triggered WWII through his own actions. First he tries to stop it and then he sets it off. Any idea what ultimatey happened to Dr Herzner?

Colin

Thanks Colin. Unbelievably Herzner was honoured for this incident by the award of the Iron Cross 2nd Class. This therefore became the first medal, awarded for valour, of World War 2. Here it is and you will note that ,unusually ,it is signed by Keitel.

Regards

Ian

Herzner also led a special Wehrmacht/Ukranian nationalist battalion during the invasion of Russia. In 1942 he was wounded in action and sent to a military sanitorium to recuperate. On the 3rd September 1942 he was last seen laying on a float in the middle of a lake. Suddenly he disappeared. His body was found 2o hours later. An investigation was held but his death was deemed to be a simple accident.

Ian - You are correct! See this preview page from Peter Hoffmann's "History of the German Resistance" as confirmation.

http://books.google....%201938&f=false

Also Michael Heinz' page on his father includes a ref to the leaders of the raiding party - Here's an excerpt -

"HEINZ , Franz Liedig (Brigade Ehrhardt), Hans-Jürgen Graf Blumenthal (Offizier), Jürgen von Buttlar (Stahlhelm), Major Döhring (Abwehr II), Haubold Graf Einsiedel, Wolf und Konrad Graf Finckenstein (Stahlhelm), Dr. Fitzner, Grosscurth (Abwehr II), Herbert Hoffmann, Junker (Stahlhelm), Hans-Wolfgang Knaack (Abwehroffizier), Graf von der Recke, Arnold Bistrick, Albrecht Erich Günther (Journalist und Weltkriegsteilnehmer), Ludwig Gehre (Brigade Ehrhardt) und Hans-Albrecht Herzner (Reserveoffizier im IR 9).|

Colin

Hi Colin

Well thanks very much for that. Herzner is an interesting character. Hitler previously authorised the war to commence on the 26th August 1939. As a result of the ever changing political situation Hitler stepped back from the brink and cancelled the attack on Poland. Unfortunatley it was too late to stop Herzner who was leading an Abwehr K Group to capture the stategic railway tunnels which ran through the Polish Jablunka Pass. Just after midnight on the 25th August he sat down and pencilled what would become the first operational order of World War II. " Crossing Polish frontier 0030 hours with J(ablunka) C (Commando) at point 627 north north west of Cadca'. Then he signed it.

There is more about the operation here:

http://en.wikipedia....C3%B3w_Incident

Here is that message

Regards

Ian

Phots of Friedrich Wilhelm Heinz from his son MIchael's excellent web bio - http://www.friedrich-wilhelm-heinz.de/

The officer leaning on the car is Oster.

Colin

Hi Colin

Thought you might like to see a wartime TLS of Heinz to another Brandenburger, I have a feeling that I read somewhere that Herzner was a member of the 1938 plot but I haven't been able to find the original reference that I think I saw. Maybe someone on the forum can help. If someone can confirm that he was I'll post a document by him and provide his CV.

Best

Ian

Excellent work Colin.

Keep it up.

All the best

Ian