Soldaten im Einsatz

A captured Sd.Kfz.251/21 Ausf.D Drilling in Soviet use, look at those smiles, and look how many are packed in there.

fallschirmjager:

Herbert Fries

Born: March 1, 1925 Waldmühlen, Westerwald District
Ultimate Rank: Leutnant
Last Service: Commander of a JagdPanzer IV
Knights Cross on September 5, 1944 as vehicle commander and gunner of the tank destroyer “Schlafmütze” of the 2nd Company, 1st Parachute Anti-tank Battalion, with the rank of Gefreiter.

Here we see Gefreiter Fries atop his Jagdpanzer (Note the “Panther” cupola) , he held back the Allied attacks in the third battle of Monte Cassino. From May 11th to May 18th he and other Germans held the nearby town of Piedimonte.
Later he would receive his Knights Cross for destroying a total of 19 Allied vehicles between May 21st to May 23rd 1944.

suomisodassa:

Photo courtesy of  Ville Kosonen.

fallschirmjager:

Men of Wilhelm Pleischlen’s Kompanie awaiting to board Tante-Ju at an embarkation point at an airfield in Greece.

fallschirmjager:

Oberfeldwebel Pleischen’s Gruppe mid-flight into the hell that will be known as Kreta, 20, Mai, 1941

fallschirmjager:

Fallschirmjager of Pleischen’s Company in Rethymnon after securing the city proper.

Of note is the use of British tropical gear, as the tropical garments intended for the Fjs were not shipped out by the time of the invasion of Kreta.

fallschirmjager:

Fallschirmjager from Oberfeldwebel Pleishen’s company being entertained by Gypsies in Greece.

fallschirmjager:

Fallschirmjager check their gear and weapons on an airfield in Greece before their jump into Crete.

fallschirmjager:

Sepp Warner and August Baar from 13 Kompanie./3rd Fallschirmjager Regiment, Kreta, 21. May. 1941.

fallschirmjager:

Thirsty Fallschirmjager of the 3rd Fallschirmjager Regiment, drinking water.
Kreta, 20. May. 1941.