Soldaten im Einsatz

kampfgruppe:

267.Volksgrenadier write orders to maintain the strict orders that all units in the staging areas are to maintain a strict vigilance while moving to their respectful areas.

kampfgruppe:

Three young Volksgrenadiers are thawing out with a canteen cup of hot ersatz coffee provided from a forward kitchen. The Soldat at the right wears captured US over-boots and is eating a piece of ‘Kommisbrot’ softened by the hot coffee.

I love this picture for so many reasons.

A little something I’d like to share about this picture. The fellow furthest to the left is none other than von der Heydte. He and 1200 Fallschirmjäger would would form Kampfgruppe von der Heydte for Operation Stösser. The unit was tasked with dropping at night onto a strategic road junction 11 kilometers north of Malmédy and to hold it for approximately twenty-four hours until relieved by the 12th SS Panzer Division, with the aim of hampering the flow of Allied reinforcements and supplies. Von der Heydte jumped with on Dec. 16 1944 with a fractured collarbone.

Cut off, without supplies and hunted by forces including a regiment of the U.S. 1st Infantry Division and a combat command of the U.S. 3rd Armored Division, von der Heydte ordered his men to break through Allied lines and reach the German front. Von der Heydte arrived in Monschau on the evening of December 21st, with a broken arm. On December 23, he had a school teacher’s son send a surrender note to the Allies. He was held as a prisoner of war in England until July 12, 1947.

(via heldentod)