Adolf Hitler – Speech in Weimar, 3 July 1936

July 3, 1936

My dear Gauleiter Sauckel, dear Minister-President Marschler!

I thank you for your welcome. You know best how deeply I am moved by being able to dwell these few days within the walls of the old city. It is a wonderful reunion for all of us, a reunion with our comrades in arms, with the majority of those who marched into Weimar back then. Some have passed away; others have grown gray in the meantime, and many are already white. Yet one thing has remained the same, the memory and the zealous resolve to preserve for all time to come the precepts and principles that guided us then! This resolve to dedicate ourselves to the old principles today, too, at a time when, through a miracle of fate, we have power in Germany, in order to assign them to those who will come after us. Ten years of history can be subject to different interpretations. The ten years we have left behind us are, I believe, truly worldshattering years. Only posterity will be in a position to fully gauge the extent of the foundations laid in the course of these years.

Back then, in the year 1926, we launched an offensive against this city, an offensive against this Land and thus an offensive against Germany. Today, barely ten years later, we have already scored the consummate victory. The faith which filled several hundreds of thousands at that time has today become the faith of the entire German Volk! We were not simply given this success; these ten years have been years of countless battles and countless sacrifices. What do they know, the ones who did not become aware of our Movement until after the victory; what do they know about the sacrifices and battles the preceding years cost us? How many troubles we were forced to bear; how much faith was required in order to ultimately turn this small Movement into the ruling power in Germany? What do they know about how much obedience had to be demanded-how much strict obedience, although this subservience all too frequently seemed to contradict every stirring of emotion, indeed even reason itself? How often was it necessary for us in these ten years to admonish our young fighters never to lose their nerve, never to act unwisely, but always-trusting in the future-to allow time to ripen on its own! May today’s youth learn a lesson from this sacrifice and this obedience for themselves and for the German future.

All of this was attainable only by virtue of the boundless loyalty and devotion of my fellow fighters. For this I would like to express to you my special thanks here and now: to you, my dear Gauleiter, who-I am certain- is one of my most loyal followers; to you, my Party comrades in the government; to all of you who have gathered here from elsewhere in Germany as leaders of the individual organizations; and not least to all of those countless lesser Party comrades, the known and the nameless, who remained steadfast in the years in which the seductive power of the other side was so great and the probability of victory so small. I would like to express my thanks to you for having stood by the Movement so loyally and decently throughout those years, that you did not turn your back on it as sometimes seemed the case, as though our mission might not be accomplished after all- but instead more zealously than ever vowed to support me and zealously stood up in my defense. Where would we have ended up had this devotion been demonstrated only in times of success? What has enabled our Movement to become so great has not been loyalty and devotion after victories and successes, but loyalty above all in the wake of our defeats. When we were faring badly, when good fortune seemed to have deserted us entirely, it was then more than ever that these hundreds of thousands of little people came to stand behind the Movement and, I may say, in front of me. Only thus were we able to wage this battle, so unique in German history, through to the end and prevail as victors.

And just as we have achieved our great goal of winning power in Germany and have been able to use this power to accomplish successful work for Germany for the past three-and-a-half years thanks to these virtues, in placing our allegiance in these same principles in the future as well, we will always find our way onwards.

May the German nation never forget that the firmness of a Volk is put to the test not when its leadership can demonstrate visible proof of progress, but in its hours of ostensible failure. As long as a leadership is blessed by good fortune, any weakling can declare his allegiance to it. Only in those hours in which good fortune seems to have vanished do the people who are truly valuable come through. Only then does loyalty count! May the German Volk maintain these virtues in future! With these old precepts, the principles of our Movement, it will march into a great future! Today, in addition to my thanks, I have but one request to the Almighty: that He may bless our Volk in our Movement. It is my most sacred conviction that, as long as the National Socialist Movement stands firm and strong in Germany, Germany will be strong and firm! If this Movement were ever to falter, Germany would falter along with it.

Ten years of struggle lie behind us. Providence has enabled us to score achievements for our Volk in the area of labor and above all to preserve the peace for it. I believe that today we can send no other wish to that same Providence than that this peace be granted our Volk in future as well. But let us always write the word “honor” before peace, and let us always understand this peace to mean liberty! Let us hold that, without this honor and without this liberty, there can be no peace. That is something our Volk knows, and something the world should know, too. I believe that this explicitness is best able to help eliminate false ideas, false hopes, and false opinions and thus promote the cause of genuine peace.

Therefore I may once again thank you, my dear Gauleiter and my dear Minister-President, for your welcome. It is my wish that these days may become for all the Party comrades who are taking part in them for the second time-and even for the first-days of contemplation, of contemplating the magnitude of the Fate we serve!

Nahkampfspange in Gold Holders of the Waffen-SS

Published in „Siegrunen“ Magazine – Volume XII, Number 1, Whole Number 69,

Summer 2000

 

 

by William P. Harriman

 

The Nahkampfspange (Close Combat Clasp) decoration was instituted on 25 November 1942, to honour soldiers who had engaged in several days of close or hand-to-hand combat with the enemy without the benefit of armoured support. It came in three versions to be awarded upon completion of minimum of days in close combat as follows: Bronze (15 days), Silver (30 days), Gold (50 days). The award was made retroactive to the start of the Russian Campaign in June 1941.

 

The Nahkampfspange in Gold was considered to be the highest infantry decoration short of the Knight’s Cross to be awarded to infantrymen, and the commander-in-chief (Adolf Hitler), had the right to bestow this personally upon recipients, (see the back cover photo). Of the 585 total awards of the Nahkampfspange in Gold, at least 109 (and probably 110), were made to members of the Waffen-SS. So the Waffen-SS which constituted less than 10% of the German Armed Forces, received 18 1/2 % of these awards! The following is as complete a listing of Waffen-SS Nahkampfspange in Gold recipients as has yet been compiled. Virtually all of these soldiers had already been decorated with the first two classes of the Iron Cross. Other prominent decorations will be noted with these abbreviations: Deutsches Kreuz im Gold (DKG); Ehrenblattspange (ES); Ritterkreuz (RK). The recipients will be listed in alphabetical order with birth date, award date, command position, other awards and combat unit.

 

Waffen-SS Nahkampfspange in Gold Recipients

 

Auer, Karl, Stubaf. (20.10.16): 2.3.45. Btl.Co. (KC); SS-FEB 4/4.SS „Polizei“ Division.

 

Bachler, Franz, Uscha. (21.10.23): 2.9.44. Squad Leader. (DKG); SS- Pz.Pi.Btl.5/5.SS-Div. „Wiking“.

 

Bauer, Gerhard, Uscha. (23.1.24): 2.6.44. Squad Leader. SS- Pz.Gr.Rgt.2/1.SS Div. „LSSAH“.

 

Becker, Ernst, Oscha. (14.5.18): 15.2.44. Platoon Leader. Staff Co./SS-Pz.Gr.Rgt.9/5.SS Div. „Wiking“.

 

Beier, Hans. Oscha. (1.9.21): 3.1.45. Platoon Leader. 4./SS- Pz.Gr.Rgt.5/3.SS Div. „Totenkopf“.p

 

Boosfeld, Joachim, Ostuf. (1.6.22): 21.2.45. Squadron CO. RK. 4./SS- Kav.Rgt.16/8.SS-Div. „Florian Geyer“.

 

Boscheinen, Horst, Uscha. (5.12.19): 18.1.45. Squad Leader. Staff Co./SS-Pz.Gr.Rgt.5/3.SS-Div. „Totenkopf“.

 

Bucher, Maximilian, Hscha. (17.1.17): ?. Platoon Leader. DKG. 3./SS-Schützen Btl.6/6.SS-Div. „Nord“.

 

Buchner, Hermann, Hstuf. (16.1.17): 17.10.43. Btl.CO. DKG.RK. lll./SS-Pz.Gr.Rgt.5/3.SS-Div. „Totenkopf“.

 

Buck, Friedrich, Oscha. (30.1.22): 27.1.45. Squadron CO. RK. 5./SS- Kav.Rgt.18/8.SS-Div. „Florian Geyer“.

 

Büch, Helmut, Hscha. (14.10.19): 14.11.44. Platoon Leader. DKG. 15./SS-Pz.Gr.Rgt.15/3.SS-Div. „Totenkopf“.

 

Degrelle, Leon, Stubaf. (15.6.06): 14.9.44. Brigade CO. RK.EL.DKG. SS-Frei.Brigade „Wallonien“. He had 75 close combat days!

 

Dinse, Otto, Hstuf. (24.10.12):      12.6.44. Company CO. SS-Pz.Gr.Rgt.2/1 .SS-Div. „LSSAH“.

 

Düssei, Fritz, Oscha. (20.10.21): 13.10.44. Platoon leader. DKG. 12,/SS-Pz.Gr.Rgt.5/3.SS-Div. „Totenkopf“.

 

Eckert, Fritz, Stubaf. (20.3.14): 22.11.44. Btl.Co. DKG.ES. II./SS- Pz.Gr.Rgt.6/3.SS-Div. „Totenkopf“.

 

Eckert, Hans, Ostuf. (1.6.16): 20.4.44. Btl.Co. DKG.RK. II./SS- Pz.Gr.Rgt.3/2.SS-Div. „Das Reich“.

 

Ehm, Ewald, Ustuf. (30.12.19): 7.5.45. Platoon Leader. DKG. 16./SS- Pz.Gr.Rgt.3/2.SS-Div. „Das Reich“.

 

Exinger, August, Oscha. (10.6.21): 1.5.44. Platoon Leader. DKG. 7./SS-Pz.Gr.Rgt.4/2.SS-Div. „Das Reich“.

 

Fehlhaber, Erwin, Ustuf. (27.7.11): 6.3.45. Platoon Leader. DKG. 12./SS-Pz.Gr.Rgt.6/3.SS-Div. „Totenkopf“.

 

Franke, Kurt, Ostuf. (13.6.13): 6.3.45. Company CO. DKG.RK. 11./SS- Pz.Gr.Rgt.6/3.SS-Div. „Totenkopf“.

 

Friedhoff, Siegfired, Oscha. (25.11.20): 2.6.44. Orderly Officer. DKG. ll./SS-Pz.Gr.Rgt.2/1 .SS-Div. „LSSAH“.

 

Gelbert, Wilhelm, Uscha. (10.4.24): 28.2.45. Scout Troop Leader. DKG. 2./SS-PZ.A.A.1/1 .SS-Div. „LSSAH“.

 

Gödel, Whilhelm, Uscha. (29.10.20): 1.1.44. Squad Leader. 5./SS- Pz.Gr.Rgt.9/5.SS-Div. „Wiking“.

 

Golbs, Herbert, Oscha. (?):  ?. Squad Leader. 16./SS-Pz.Gr.Rgt.19/9.SS-Div. „Hohenstuafen“.

 

Grabner, Franz, Uscha. (23.6.21): 1.4.44. Squad Leader. 11./SS- Pz.Gr.Rgt.4/2.SS-Div. „Das Reich“.

 

Hack, Franz, Ostubaf. (3.2.15): 1.5.45. Regimental CO. DKG.RK.EL. SS-Pz.Gr.Rgt.10/5.SS-Div. „Wiking“.

 

Hansen, Max, Ostubaf. (31.7.08): 12.3.45. Regimental CO. DKG.RK.EL.SWORDS. SS-Pz.Gr.Rgt.1/1 .SS-Div.“LSSAH“.

 

Harnack, Martin, Ostuf. (28.2.21): 10.2.45. Company CO. DKG. 1./SS- Pz.Gr.Rgt.8/4.SS-“Polizei“ Div.

 

Herberth, Willi, Oscha. (7.3.23): ?. Platoon Leader. 16./SS- Pz.Gr.Rgt.6/3.SS-Div. „Totenkopf“.

 

Hermann, Adolf, Oscha. (2.7.19): 1.1.44. Company CO. DKG. 5./SS-Pz.Gr.Rgt.9/5.SS-Div. „Wiking“.

 

Herrmann, Kurt, Ostuf. (22.10.19): 1.3.44. Company CO. DKG. 7./SS-Pz.Gr.Rgt.6/3.SS-Div. „Totenkopf“.

 

Hilber, Emil, Hstuf. (3.1.21): 2.5.45. Company OO. DKG. 14./SS- Pz.Gr.Rgt. 3/2.SS-Div. „Das Reich“.

 

Above: Leon Degrelle, as commander of the immortal 28. SS Division „Wallonien“ and one of the greatest soldiers and leaders of any era, wearing the Nahkampfspange in Gold on his left breast

 

Hille, Alfred, Oscha. (10.10.20): 15.3.45. Signals Platoon Leader. DKG. lll./SS-Pz.Gr.Rgt.6/3.SS-Div. „Totenkopf“.

 

Hinz, Bruno, Ostuf. (25.8.15):       5.9.44. Company CO. DKG.RK.EL. 2./SS-Pz.Gr.Rgt.10/5.SS-Div. „Wiking“.

 

Hinz, Gustav, Hscha. (15.6.19): 17.2.45. Platoon Leader. DKG. 8./SS- Pz.Gr.Rgt.1/1.SS-Div. „LSSAH“.

 

Holzer, Friedrich, Hstuf. (13.5.12): ?. Company CO. DKG.RK. II./SS- Pz.Gr.Rgt.4/2.SS-Div. „Das Reich“.

 

Homolka, Franz, Uscha. (21.12.21): 28.1.45. Platoon Leader. DKG. 1 ./SS-Pz.Gr.Rgt.9/5.SS-Div. „Wiking“.

 

Huber, Johann, Uscha. (29.6.23): 21.8.44. Squad Leader. 12./SS- Pz.Gr.Rgt.5/3.SS-Div. „Totenkopf“.

 

Jira, Karl, Ostuf. (17.7.16): 4.12.43. Company CO. DKG. 3./SS- Pz.A.A.5/5.SS-Div. „Wiking“.

 

Joachim, Georg, Oscha. (26.10.19): 4.11.44. Company CO. DKG. 7./SS-Pz.Gr.Rgt.6/3.SS-Div. „Totenkopf“.

 

Juchem, Hans. Hstuf. (4.6.17):      10.8.43. Btl.CO. DKG.RK. III./SS-Pz.Gr.Rgt.9/5.SS-Div. „Wiking“.

 

Kachel, Georg, Rttfhr. (16.7.20): 15.11.43. Squad Leader. 15./SS- Pz.Gr.Rgt.4/2.SS-Div. „Das Reich“.

 

Kämpfe, Helmut, Stubaf. (31.7.09): ?. Btl.CO. DKG.RK. III./SS- Pz.Gr.Rgt.4/2.SS-Div. „Das Reich“.

 

Kaiser, Vinzenz, Hstuf. (28.2.04): ?. Btl.CO. DKG.RK.EL. III./SS- Pz.Gr.Rgt.4/2.SS-Div. „Das Reich“.

 

Karowski, Hans, Oscha. (19.5.20): 12.08.44. Platoon Leader. 3./SS- Pz.Gr.Rgt.5/3.SS-Div. „Totenkopf“.

 

Kindler, Werner, Uscha. (15.7.22): 1.4.45. Squad Leader. DKG. 12./SS-Pz.Gr.Rgt.2/1 .SS-Div. „LSSAH“.Knittel, Gustav, Stubaf. (27.11.14): 13.10.44. Btl.CO. DKG.RK. SS- Pz.A.A.1/1 .SS-Div.“LSSAH“.

 

Knobloch, Rudi, Hscha. (23.9.19): 1.4.45. Platoon Leader. 10./SS- Pz.Gr.Rgt.2/1 .SS-Div. „LSSAH“.

 

König, Lambert, Uscha. (4.9.19): 22.11.44. Squad Leader. 9./SS- Pz.Gr.Rgt.5/3.SS-Div. „Totenkopf“.

 

König, Ludwig, Rttfhr. (18.7.24): 6.3.45. Messenger. Staff/lll./SS- Pz.Gr.Rgt.5/3.SS-Div. „Totenkopf’.

 

Lainer, Josef, Hscha. (13.3.20): 15.10.43. Platoon Leader. RK. 3./SS- Pz.Gr.Rgt.4/2.SS-Div. „Das Reich”.

 

Lauchstadt, Edmund, Rttfhr. (12.4.24): 3.1.45. Squad Leader. 1./SS- Pz.Gr.Rgt.5/3.SS-Div. „Totenkopf“.

 

Lith, Willi, Uscha. (30.9.23): 6.3.45. Company Troop Leader. 9./SS- Pz.Gr.Rgt.6/3.SS-Div. „Totenkopf“.

 

Lohrum, Ludwig, Uscha. (26.3.22): 12.8.44. Squad Leader. DKG. 12./SS-Pz.Gr.Rgt.6/3.SS-Div. „Totenkopf“.

 

Loose, Wolfgang, Ostuf. (16.2.16): 13.3.45. Btl.Adjutant(?).

 

Staff/l./SS-Pz.Gr.Rgt.3/2.SS-Div. „Das Reich“.

 

Macher, Heinz, Ostuf. (31.12.19): 23.10.44. Company CO. KG.RK.EL. 16./SS-Pz.Gr.Rgt.3/2.SS-Div. „Das Reich“.

 

Maringgele, Hermann, Hscha. (29.11.11): 21.2.45. Company CO. DKG.RK. 2./SS-Kav.Rgt.15/8.SS-Div. „Florian Geyer“. Maringgele recorded 84 close combat days, the highest number known!

 

Mees, Alfred, Rttfhr. (19.1.24): 31.10.44. ?. 3./SS-Pz.Pi.Btl.5/5.SS-Div. „Wiking“.

 

Metz, Werner, Ostuf. (4.10.20): 2.10.44. Company CO. 1./SS- Pz.Pi.Btl.5/5.SS-Div. „Wiking“.

 

Meyer, Werner, Ostuf. (18.9.19): 12.4.45. Company CO. DKG.RK. I. /SS-Pz.Gr.Rgt.9/5.SS-Div. „Wiking“.

 

Micheie, Rudolf, Sturmann. (5.5.23): 21.8.44. ?. 10./SS-Pz.Gr.Rgt.6/3.SS-Div. „Totenkopf“.

 

Müllenbach, Gerd, Oscha. (9.1.22): 31.10.44. Platoon Leader. 1./SS- Pz.Pi.Btl.5/5.SS-Div. „Wiking“.

 

Müller, Arnold, Oscha. (18.7.23): 18.11.44. Platoon Leader. SS- Pz.Pi.Btl.5/5.SS-Div. „Wiking“.

 

Müller, Heinz, Hstuf. (6.12.12): 6.3.45. Btl.CO. DKG.RK. III./SS- Pz.Gr.Rgt.6/3.SS-Div. „Totenkopf“.

 

Obermeier, Josef, Ustuf. (7.11.19): 30.12.43. Company CO. DKG.ES. I./SS-Pz.Gr.Rgt.5/3.SS-Div. „Totenkopf“.

 

Olf, Alfred, Oscha. (8.4.19): 1.4.44. Platoon Leader. 9./SS- Pz.Gr.Rgt.4/2.SS Div. „Das Reich“.

 

Ottmann, Werner, Hstuf. (15.1.19): 4.45. Btl. Co. DKG. SS-Pz.Gr.Btl. 506/6.SS-Div. „Nord“.

 

Papp, Soltan, Uscha. (18.7.13): 28.1.45. Squad Leader. 1./SS- Pz.Gr.Rgt.9/5.SS-Div. „Wiking“.

 

Peichl, Adolf, Hscha. (8.12.17): 26.10.43. Platoon Leader. DKG.RK. 12./SS-Pz.Gr.Rgt.4/2.SS-Div. „Das Reich“.

 

Phönix, Harry, Hstuf. (13.1.19): 21.2.45. Detachment CO. DKG.RK. fl./SS-Art.Rgt.8/8.SS-Div. „Florian Geyer“.

 

Pöhler, Gerhard, Oscha. (2.4.20): 16.2.45. Platoon Leader. DKG. 2./SS-Pz.A.A.4/4.SS-“Polizei“ Div.

 

Pösch, Hermann, Uscha. (16.1.23): 8.8.43. Squad Leader. 9./SS- Pz.Gr.Rgt.4/2.SS-Div. „Das Reich“.

 

Above:    SS-Ostubaf. Günter-Eberhardt Wisliceny, (CO SS-Pz.Gr.Rgt.3 „Deutschiand“/“Das Reich“ Division), wearing the Nahkampspange in Gold as is the unidentified SS-Ostuf. to his left

 

Porsch, Frithjof-Elmo, Ustuf. (19.10.24): 8.8.43. Company CO. RK. SS-Pz.Jagd.Co. „Dora II“.

 

Preuss, Georg, Hstuf. (24.4.20): 1.4.45. Btl.CO. DKG.RK. III./SS- Pz.Gr.Rgt.2/1 .SS-Div. „LSSAH“.

 

Raith, Alois, Uscha. (5.5.20):        16.2.45. Squad Leader. SS-Pz.A.A.4/4.SS-^,,Polizei“ Dlv.

 

Rappel, Ludwig, Hscha. (28.1.21): 31.10.44. Platoon Leader. DKG. Staff Co./SS-Pz.Pi.Btl.5/5.SS-Div. „Wiking“.

 

Rink, Herbert, Ostuf. (13.11.19): 17.2.45. Company CO. DKG. 2./SS- Pz.Gr.Rgt.1/1.SS-Div. „LSSAH“.

 

Rock, Willi, Oscha. (6.12.22): 2.10.44. Platoon Leader. 3./SS- Pz.Pi.Btl.5/5.SS-Div. „Wiking“.

 

Roll, Wilhelm, Rttfhr. (23.10.24): 6.3.45. Messenger. Staff/lll./SS- Pz.Gr.Rgt.5/3.SS-Div. „Totenkopf“.

 

Rogmann, Willi, Uscha. (5.4.23): 2.6.44. Squad Leader. DKG. SS- Pz.Gr.Rgt.2/1 .SS-Div. „LSSAH“.

 

Rüffert, Hans, Hscha. (2.2.15): 15.12.43. Platoon Leader. DKG. 2./SS- Pz.Pi.Btl.2/2.SS-Div. „Das Reich“.

 

Schade, Engelbert, Oscha. (23.10.12): 6.3.45. Btl.Adjutant. DKG. ill./SS-Pz.Gr.Rgt.6/3.SS-Div. „Totenkopf“.

 

Schasche, Willi, Ustuf. (6.1.21): 21.8.44. Platoon Leader. DKG. 3./SS-Pz.A.A.3/3.SS-Div. „Totenkopf“.

 

Schiedl, Walter, Uscha. (6.3.21): 21.8.44. Platoon Leader. DKG. 3./SS-Pz.Gr.Rgt.5/3.SS-Div. „Totenkopf“.

 

Schmidinger, Karl, Rttfhr. (28.1.25): 21.8.44. ?. DKG. 11./SS- Pz.Gr.Rgt.6/3.SS-Div. „Totenkopf“.

 

Schmidt, Walter, Oscha. (6.3.21): ?. Platoon Leader. 3./SS- Pz.A.A.3/3.SS-Div. „Totenkopf“.

 

Schreiber, Gustav, Hscha. (25.12.16): 7.12.43. Platoon Leader. DKG.RK. 7./SS-Pz.Gr.Rgt.9/5.SS-Div. „Wiking“.

 

Schreiber, Helmuth, Stubaf. (25.3.17): 24.5.44. Btl.CO. DKG.RK. SS- Pz.Gr.Rgt.3/2.SS-Div. „Das Reich“.

 

Schulze, Herbert, Stubaf. (1.4.14): 9.11.43. Btl.CO. DKG.RK. II./SS- Pz.Gr.Rgt.4/2.SS-Div. „Das Reich“.

 

Schulzer, Johann, Ostuf. (31.5.18): 20.11.43. Company CO. DKG.ES. 5./SS-Pz.Gr.Rgt.4/2.SS-Div. „Das Reich“.

 

Seebach, Walter, Ostuf. (5.11.21): 16.3.44. Company CO. RK. 5./SS- Pz.Gr.Rgt.24/11. SS-Div. „Nordland“.

 

Sievers, Franz, Ostuf. (25.2.15): ?. Company CO. ES. 3./SS- Pi.Pz.Btl.1/1 .SS-Div. „LSSAH“.

 

Stadler, Silvester, Ostubaf. (30.12.10): 12.12.43. Regimental CO. RK.EL.SWORDS. SS-Pz.Gr.Rgt.4/2.SS-Div.“Das Reich“.

 

Stanek, Horst, Rttfhr. (8.7.24): 6.3.45. Radioman. Staff/lll./SS- Pz.Gr.Rgt.5/3.SS-Div. „Totenkopf“.

 

Steinhoff, Horst, Ustuf. (12.3.20): 1.4.45. Company CO. DKG. 5./SS- Pz.Gr.Rgt.2/1. SS-Div. „LSSAH“.

 

Stienen, Peter, Hstuf. (21.2.11): 19.11.44. Btl. CO. DKG. I./SS- Pz.Gr.Rgt.5/3.SS-Div. „Totenkopf“.

 

Ternedde, Rudolf, Stubaf. (26.10.15): 23.4.45. Regimental CO. DKG.ES. SS-Pz.Gr.Rgt.24/11.SS-Div. „Nordland“.

 

Theismann, Günter, Oscha. (11.6.20): 1.1.44. Platoon Leader. DKG. 7./SS-Pz.Gr.Rgt.9/5.SS-Div. „Wiking“.

 

Timm, Peter W., Ustuf. (?): 1944. ?. SS-Fallschirmjäger Btl. 500. Viehmann, Karl, Oscha. (?): 3.4.45. Platoon Leader. 14./SS- Pz.Gr.Rgt.23/11 .SS-Div. „Nordland“.

 

Weck, Julius, Ostuf. (11.4.13): 21.8.44. Company CO. DKG. 2./SS- Pz.Pi.Btl.5/5.SS-Div. „Wiking“.

 

Weisser, Hans, Ustuf. (5.9.20): 4.11.44. Platoon Leader. DKG. 7./SS- Pz.Gr.Rgt.6/3.SS-Div. „Totenkopf“.

 

Werner, Heinz, Stubaf. (2.12.17): ?. Btl.CO. DKG.RK.EL. III./SS- Pz.Gr.Rgt.4/2.SS-Div. „Das Reich“.

 

Wettstein, Willi, Hscha. (9.1.21): ?. Platoon Leader. SS-Pz.Gr.Rgt.23/11 .SS-Div. „Nordland“.

 

Winters, Karl, Oscha. (18.10.21): 27.1.45. Platoon Leader. DKG. Staff Co./SS-Pz.Gr.5/3.SS-Div. „Totenkopf“.

 

Wisliceny, Günther-Eberhardt, Ostubaf. (5.9.12): 31.3.45. Regimental CO. DKG.RK.EL.SWORDS. SS-Pz.Gr.Rgt.3/2.SS-Div. „Das Reich“. Zander, Willi, Uscha. (2.5.23): 28.2.45. Squad Leader. SS- Pz.A.A.1/1 .SS-Div. „LSSAH“.

 

Zielke, Heinrich, Hstuf. (22.5.16): 10.5.44. Btl.CO. DKG. III./SS- Pz.Gr.Rgt.5/3.SS-Div. „Totenkopf“.

 

ADDITIONAL:       Mayer, Karl, Oscha. (14.3.22): 1.12.43. Platoon Leader. SS-Pz.Gr.Rgt. 4/2.SS-Div.“Das Reich“.

 

Nahkampspange Breakdown by Unit

 

„LSSAH“: 15, „Das Reich“: 24, „Totenkopf“: 32, „Polizei“: 4, „Wiking“: 20, „Nord“: 4, „Florian Geyer“: 4, „Hohenstaufen“: 1, „Nordland“: 4, „Wallonien“: 1, SS-Fallschirmjäger Btl. 500: 1, SS- Pz.Jagd.Company „Dora II“: 1.

 

 

Above: SS-Ostuf. Willi Hund, who should have been a bearer of the Nahkampfspange in Gold if he wasn’t.

 

Manfred Dörr in his book DIE TRÄGER DER NAHKAMPFSPANGE IN GOLD (3rd Edition, 1988), listed 109 soldiers of the Waffen-SS and one Polizei member who earned this rare and prestigious combat decoration. Based upon my recent research, I believe that I have discovered another Waffen-SS combatant, (also a Knight’s Cross Holder), who might have (should have!) also won this decoration. This soldier was SS-Ostuf. Willi Hund. On page 867 of Krätschmer’s classic book DIE RITTERKREUZTRÄGER DER WAFFEN-SS, (3rd Edition, 1982), there is a brief military biography of SS-Ostuf. Willi Hund who served as a company commander within the SS-Pz.Gr.Rgt.23 „Norge“ of the 11.SS- Pz.Gr.Div. „Nordland“. The article dearly states that by the end of the war, Hund had accumulated 64 close combat days. If this information is true, Ostuf. Hund should be confirmed as being the 110th Waffen-SS soldier to have at least been eligible to receive the Nahkampfspange in Gold. However I have not been able to find any additional information that would verify or support Hund’s receipt of this decoration. He was however awarded the Honour Roll Clasp on 17 Dec. 1944, while commanding 7th Company in SS Rgt. „Norge“. Hund was born on 23 Feb. 1923 in Wiesbaden. While one source indicates that he fell in the battle for Berlin, others suggest that he survived the war.

 

Selected References

 

Dorr, Manfred. DIE TRÄGER DER NAHKAMPFSPANGE IN GOLD; HEER, LUFTWAFFE,WAFFEN-SS (3rd Edition, 1988).

 

Krätschmer, E.G. DIE RITTERKREUZTRÄGER DER WAFFEN-SS. Sheibert, Horst. DIE TRÄGER DER EHRENBLATTSPANGE...

 

Hab mich lieb (1942)

Love Me

 

Directed by: Harald Braun

Written by: Kurt Bortfeldt, Georg Jacoby, Herbert Witt & Johann von Vásáry

Produced by: Georg Jacoby

Cinematography: Reimar Kuntze

Edited by: Margret Noell

Music by: Franz Grothe

Production company: UFA

Distributed by: Deutsche Filmvertriebs

Release date: 8 December 1942

Running time: 100 minutes

Country: Germany

Language: German

 

 

Starring:

 

Marika Rökk: Monika Koch

Viktor Staal: Andreas Rüdiger

Hans Brausewetter: Dr Georg Nöhring, Egyptologist

Mady Rahl: Helene, Monika’s friend

Aribert Wäscher: Director of the Revue Theatre

Ursula Herking: Miss Müller, secretary

Günther Lüders: Paul, Nöhring’s valet

Paul Henckels: Papa Schmidtke

Herta Mayen: singer

Hans von Kusserow: dancer

Lucie Euler: Miss Knispe, landlady

Sonja Kuska: Christine

Karin Lüsebrink: Barbara

Clemens Hasse: Doorman at the “Schneehof”

Emil Heß: Doorman at the “Schneehof”

Eduard Wenck: Train conductor

Willy Witte: Singer

Herbert Weißbach: Head waiter at the cancelled engagement dinner

 

Love Me or Make Love to Me (German: Hab mich lieb) is a 1942 German musical comedy film directed by Harald Braun and starring Marika Rökk, Viktor Staal and Hans Brausewetter. It was shot at the Tempelhof Studios in Berlin. The films sets were designed by the art director Ernst H. Albrecht. The film is a backstage musical and was a major commercial success on its release.

 

Plot summary

 

Monika Koch works as a revue dancer at the theatre. One evening, she is running late for her performance, so she sneaks onto the stage and promptly ends up in the wrong scene. In her desperation, the spirited young woman begins to improvise. In doing so, she reveals unexpected talents as a comic relief: right in the middle of the two leading actors’ aria, she tumbles down a hill as Cupid with a bow and arrow, landing right at the couple’s feet. In her desperation, Monika tap-dances and dances, and accidentally fires the arrow into the leading lady’s back, who then runs off into the wings. Monika finishes the aria with the scene partner who has been left behind. The audience applauds and is delighted, but the theatre director is the exact opposite: he is furious and promptly throws Monika out of the ensemble. To make matters worse, Monika’s landlady also evicts her from her little room, as she can no longer pay the overdue rent. In the stairwell, the hapless Monika bumps into her neighbour, the Egyptologist Georg Nöhring, who feels just as lonely and abandoned as she does. He invites Monika into his flat, and the two quickly hit it off. By the end of the same evening, they are engaged.

 

At the earliest opportunity, Georg tells his best friend, Andreas Rüdiger, about his future wife. Andreas, however, is anything but enthusiastic and believes that Georg is courting disaster if he commits the folly of getting engaged to a woman he doesn’t know at all. To prevent a disaster, Andreas promptly instructs Georg’s valet, Paul, to ring each of the invited guests and cancel the upcoming engagement party. Only Papa Schmidtke turns up at the huge festive table in the upmarket restaurant and is treated to a sumptuous meal for one. Andreas persuades Georg to go on a last-minute winter holiday. But Georg refuses and instead locks himself away at home. So Andreas turns up at the station in his place, where he runs into an angry Monika. She had originally come here to stop Georg from going on the trip.

 

In the train corridor, Monika gives Andreas a proper telling-off just as the express train begins to move slowly and Monika can no longer get off. She is now forced to travel with Andreas – whom she initially can’t stand because of his scheming – to the mountains in Tyrol. To make matters worse, the hotel at their destination is fully booked. Andreas manages to make up for some of the damage he’s caused by offering Monika his room and inviting her to dinner. He even organises an evening dress for her, though it’s far too big. Monika soon realises that Georg’s friend isn’t quite as bad a bloke as she’d assumed. On the contrary: as time goes on, she actually finds him more appealing than her still-fiancé.

 

Meanwhile, Monika’s best friend Helene is worried and wonders where Monika is, given that she was only supposed to pop over to the station for a moment. She goes to see Georg, and the two young people get on exceptionally well from the very start, especially as the Egyptologist thinks Helene bears a certain resemblance to the bust of Nefertiti, a replica of which stands in his flat. Shortly afterwards, Georg decides to travel to Tyrol to see Monika and call off their engagement. Monika, for her part, isn’t angry with him at all and throws her arms round her ex-fiancé’s neck. When Andreas sees this, he misinterprets the scene and leaves his holiday resort in disappointment without telling anyone. Meanwhile, the director of the revue theatre has decided to give her the lead role in the new revue (in light of the excellent reviews of Monika’s impromptu performance in the last show). Andreas is also in the audience at the premiere. In the box next door sit Georg and Helene, who have since got married. Georg makes it clear to him that Monika loves only him, Andreas. He secretly sneaks backstage to confess his love to Monika in the middle of her singing performance.

 

Production notes

 

„Hab’ mich lieb!“ was filmed from 15 June until the end of July 1942 at the UFA studios in Berlin-Tempelhof. It premiered on 8 December 1942 in two Berlin cinemas. The following year, the film was also released in Finnish, Dutch and French cinemas. From the end of May 1944, „Hab mich lieb!“ was also screened in Sweden.

 

Rökk’s husband, Georg Jacoby, took on the role of production manager in addition to heading the production team. Ernst H. Albrecht designed the film sets. The costume designs were by Vera Mügge, and Walter Rühland was the sound engineer. The dances were choreographed by Sabine Ress.

 

The lyrics to Franz Grothe’s music were written by Willy Dehmel. Of the four Grothe/Rökk songs featured in the film – „Es ist nur die Liebe“, „Ich möchte so gerne, ich weiß nur nicht was“, „Komm und gib mir deine Hand“ and „Sing mit mir!“ – the latter in particular became an evergreen.

 

Production costs amounted to approximately 1,441,000 Reichsmark; box-office takings, after a run of just five months, totalled around 3,830,000 RM by April 1943. This made „Hab’ mich lieb!“ an overwhelming box-office success.