Updates
It happens that we discover new pictures, new facts appear in an archive or somewhere through an estate of a tank man new clues about battles or personnel come to light. In order to keep our readers up to date, we will post these findings, hints and incidents concerning the contents of the book here in this cection.
Sofian Hofmann
Until now, it was only possible to prove from a photo that Sofian Hofmann served with the Panzerabteilung Thoma in the Spanish Civil War. Thanks to a list from the BA, we can now say that he was transferred on 23 July 1938 and probably stayed for one year. He received the Legion Condor Tank Badge. Compare for more infos about him page 506 in the book.
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Oberfeldwebel Albert Dörl​
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Since most of the dog tag lists were handwritten, mistakes were inevitable. No. 37 of the regimental staff is not Albert Vörl, but Albert Dörl. Here is his vitae:
Walter Schuckelt
Researching the biographies for the book was sometimes quite difficult, as unfortunately all the files of fallen or retired officers were destroyed. One of these cases was the later Oberst Walter Schuckelt. Despite this circumstance, his vita could be reconstructed from other sources and is presented in the book. There was a gap from the summer of 1916 until the dissolution of the Prussian army after the First World War. By chance I came across this page today:
Flieger und Luftschiffer (buddecke.de)
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Feldwebel Erich Lorenz wearing the Standarte on 10.11.1938 (compare the book page 197
Herbert Hoffmeyer
We just learned that Hauptmann Herbert Hoffmeyer (compare page 505) was posthumously awarded the German Cross in Gold on January 28, 1943. Hoffmeyer was killed by infantry fire outside his panzer during the relief attack on Stalingrad on December 15, 1942.
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Helmut Schmidt-Bornagius
Leutnant Helmut Schmidt-Bornagius, here seen after the French Campaign in summer 1940 near Orleans. Since he was killed in 1943, there is no file and very little info from him available. What we found is written in his vitae on page 532. Based on the photos we just found one can now ad he was a member of I./ Infanterie-Regiment 900 (mot.) during the French Campaign. This unit was formed in early 1940 from Panzerlehr units.
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Dr. Alfred Ponsold
We just learned that Dr. Alfred Ponsold, who served as a reserve doctor with Panzerregiment 1, received the EKII as well as the EKI (22.08.1941). His available file focused on his medical career and dit not mention any war decorations.
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Meinrad von Lauchert.
Thanks to Oliver Lörscher, we recently learned that Meinrad von Lauchert not only received the ordinary Panzer Assault Badge in Silver but Grade II and III (04.12.1944) as well. Higher grades of the Panzer Assault Badge were often only awarded shortly before the end of the war and are not mentioned in the personnel file.
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Hans Heinrich Thiede in the summer of 1935, serving as Hauptfeldwebel of 6th Lehrtrupp of Kraftfahrlehrkommando II Ohrdruf.​
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The Kompaniefeldwebel of 6th Lehrtrupp has been identified.
Some of the positions in Kraftfahrlehrkommando II Ohrdruf and Panzerregiment 1 have remained unidentified, in spite of all our research efforts. Recently, another position holder has been identified. Hans Heinrich Thiede served as Kompaniefeldwebel of 6th Lehrtupp from 01.08.1934 until Autumn 1935.
Thiede joined the Reichswehr in 1925 and served with the 4. Kraftfahr-Abteilung. In 1934, he transferred as a Feldwebel to the 6th Lehrtrupp. After the dividing of Kraftfahrlehrkommando II Ohrdruf in October 1935, he transferred to Panzerregiment 2 and became a career officer. He was appointed Oberleutnant on 01.05.1937 and Hauptmann on 01.02.1938. At the beginning of the war, he commanded the 6th Company of Panzerregiment 2. During the war he rose to the rank of Major and received the German Cross in Gold (11.01.1943). At the end of WWII, he was taken into Soviet captivity returning home in 1950.
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The delegation of 7. (preussisches) Reiter-Regiment arrives at Eisenach in October 1935, Oberleutnant von Köckritz is leading the column. On the far left is later Knight´s Cross bearer Leutnant Braun von Stumm.
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Hauptmann Werner von Köckritz​
Thanks to the help of pre-eminent WWII military historian Jason Mark (www.leapinghorseman.com.au), we have identified Werner von Köckritz in several images from our archive. These photos reveal more details about his career (page 510). He joined 7. (preuss.) Reiter-Regiment in spring of 1929 and was promoted to Leutnant on 01.04.1933. In 1933/34, he served as a platoon leader with the 1st Eskadron. On 01.12.1934, he was promoted to Oberleutnant. When Panzerregiment 2 was formed in October 1935, he became senior platoon leader in the 4th Company. In October 1936, he transferred to the 7th Company. In early 1937, he became regimental adjutant. In October 1937, von Köckritz took over command of the 5th Company, Panzerregiment 2. For unknown reasons, in the spring or summer of 1939, he was transferred as Hauptmann (01.01.1939) to Panzerregiment 1 and became commander of the 8th Company. Werner von Köckritz fell during the Polish Campaign (compare page 423), and unfortunately, his personnel file was destroyed during the war per Heer regulations. He was likely awarded (posthumously) at least the EKII, although this cannot be confirmed.
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Leutnant Rolf Goerdt​
We found the photo to the left in the album of Kraftfahrer Gellert, who served with the 6th Lehrtrupp of Kraftfahrlehrkommando II Ohrdruf in 1934/35. It shows company commander and platoon leaders of the 6th Lehrtrupp in summer of 1935. Since Leutnant Goerdt is not among them, one can take it for sure that he served as platoon leader in the 2nd Lehrtrupp from early 1935 until October 1935. Find more infos about him on page 500.
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Panzer "II06" and "II07" identified​
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Very few photos from the staff of the II. Abteilung during the Polish Campaign were available when the book was finished. Now, a photo taken most likely in the assembly area in August 1939 appeared. It shows panzer "II07" (Panzerkampfwagen II) and panzer "II06" (Panzerkampfwagen I). Now, only "II04" and "II05" are still missing.
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Picture 34​​
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The second from the left is, of course, the young Obergefreite Hugo Nickel. Promoted to Unteroffizier shortly thereafter, he took over the position of Hauptfeldwebel of the 3rd Company in 1938 and remained in the regiment until the spring of 1942.
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Compare page 523 for further information.
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Picture 34​​
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The second from the left is, of course, the young Obergefreite Hugo Nickel. Promoted to Unteroffizier shortly thereafter, he took over the position of Hauptfeldwebel of the 3rd Company in 1938 and remained in the regiment until the spring of 1942.
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Compare page 523 for further information.
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Panzerschütze Martin Flüch​
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Since most of the dog tag lists were handwritten, mistakes were inevitable. No. 106 of the 5th Company is not Panzerschütze Martin Flück, but Martin Flüch. He was killed in 1942, serving with Panzerabteilung 160.
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Picture 498​
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Although we thoroughly examined each photo, we occasionally missed small details. This was the case with photo 498. The smiling Gefreite is of course Artur Jaschinski.
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Panzer "213" identified
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In the book, the vehicle is just a Panzerkampfwagen III since we had not been able to find a photo. Now, it is clear, Panzer "213" was a model B. The vehicle was a victim of the battle in front of Piotrkow on 05.09.1939 and did not come back in the further course of the campaign.
Feldwebel Heinz Schildbach
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Only recently identified. He served from 1935 until 1940 with the 8th Company of Panzerregiment 1 and must have proven himself very well. He was one of the few NCOs of Panzerregiment 1, who received the Iron Cross 2nd Class already in 1939. He is the 56th EKII recipient (awarded after the Polish Campaign) we have been able to identify.
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