UBB.threads Forums Uniform & Accessories Helmet Forum Amazing.....

Great story and photo's Erik.Love it when something is not "Text"book like the cap eagle.

That is awesome Erik have fun hearing all the great stories he has to offer. I am in contact with a 86 year old Panzer Commander that I have his EK2 and award document and picture of him in panzer uniform with autograph on the back and I will tell you what he has some great stories he has told me, but you can read more if you like in the collectors showcase forum under panzer commander grouping Panzer Commander Grouping . I love living history it is great. Enjoy your contact with the few that remain from the biggest conflict in human history.

Great story Erik.
Can you try to write down his warstory and share it with us on the GD? He sure was in combat!!!

I finally got around to take some photos of the officer ermelband. As mentioned this once belonged to Sturmbannfuhrer and Knight Cross holder Heinz Macher (SSPzGren "Deutschland").

Erik

It does not appear to have been sewn on, but the bottom strands (6/7) are worn off at one point. Also the bullion wire is somewhat worn.

backside

and the last photo

Great pickup!

Erik, a really fascinating story, these individuals are so interesting to talk to, at the D-Day celebrations last year my father and I took one of the pilots who dropped the para's over Rainville with us around the area of Pegasus Bridge, we had a fascinating time talking to the veterans,we even met a german paratrooper that fought near Caen in a restaurant one evening.
What really strikes me nowadays are how modest and unassuming all these individuals are who took part.
Nice to see a non text book visor in your photo, I look forward to hearing any other stories you might post here, I am sure you have many hours of conversation ahead.

Erik, you are a very lucky man to have found such a neighbor. I think he will feel lucky too to have found someone who is willing to listen to his stories.
What a story!

Erik, has he mentioned having contact with other W-SS veterans living in Florida?There are or have been others that lived here(dont know if they are still alive?).I think that one of them had written a book...I believe titled "Grenadier"(I know what the book looks like but cant think of the exact or even correct title).I noticed there was a link posted in an earlier reply to a listing for RKTs....I would find it highly unlikely that this individual would be listed.Officialy he is not an RKT.I believe his recommendation would have had to be approved by the OKW and I doubt that happened at that stage of the war.Having been the recipeint of a "battlefield awarding" he may have actually been decorated with an EKII modified with a neck ribbon(just a thought).Anyway he has an impressive list of decorations and I have a listing of recipients of the DKiG and Close Combat Badge in Gold.Have you ask him what brought him to the U.S.?How long has he been here and if he came decades ago did he ever serve in or work for the U.S. military?

"Grenadiere" was writtern by Kurt Meyer. I can assure you he never lived in the U.S.

I don't know to who his contacts have been. I will find out next time I speak with him. I don't think it is with other vets here in the US.

Erik

Fred...Kurt Meyer wrote "GRENADIERS" and I am well aware he didnt reside in the U.S.....he lived in Canada.Hans Schmidt wrote "SS PanzerGrenadier" which is the title of the book I was refering to.

Dave, his father was born in New Jersey and a U.S. citizen. When he was taken prisoner by the Americans in May 1945 he told them so, but they just laughed and beat the crap out of him. After WWII he moved to Argentina, but was able to get U.S. citizenship on basis of his father in 1962 and moved to New York. There he ran a number of restaurants. At one time he was running several restaurants in the Pan Am building. He has had no connection with the U.S. military.

Erik

Dave, the original German title was Grenadiere.

OK Fred,that is correct and we are "splitting hairs" now.

That is a very nice original flatwire woven example of a "Deutschland" cufftitle in Latin script, and from the late Stubaf. Heinz Macher to boot.

Cees

Hi Eik,
this is a Wonderful story and an opportunity of a lifetime, talking to a WW2 German W-SS veteran. I love the cuffband very nice and Thanks for sharing.

Rene Chavez
Http:/axis101.bizland.com

Erik asked me if I would be able to put together a spcial portrait of his friend. "Here's the photo" he said, "Only one problem. He got his RK after the photo was taken." So anyway, he asked me if I would be able to draw the portrait for him since his friends birthday was coming up soon. He would give the drawing to him as a gift. Only, he asked if I would be able to add the RK to the picture as his friend had always wished it were there. So I was able to do this for Erik.
Here ya go Erik. I hope he enjoys it. Having met this guy, I know he deserves it. He's gotten old now and maybe this will make him a little nostalgic for his glory-days that it seems people no doubt told him no longer count. "Well BS!" I say to that. I'm sure your praise will be welcome.

Stephan, you blow me away. I am always so jealous when people have artistic skills. Superb, superb drawing!

I wish I didn't have to chop these images down to under 75K, but that's just the way it goes. Here's another angle with a litte different light.

I am so amazed at the work Stephan does. He has exceptional artistic skills. I have no clue why he is pursuing flying for a living, as I firmly believe he can make a fortune in his artwork!!

Let me say that I am quite honored that Stephan accepted to take this job to draw my friend for me. After seeing his previous work, I knew that he was the man for the job. Notice how nicely and naturally he has been able to add the Knights Cross. My friend was awarded his Knights Cross in April 1945, and no photo exists of him wearing it. I know it was "normal" back then to touch up photographs when a soldier received a promotion, so I came up with the idea of doing the same here.

If any of you have someone you want to give a unique and personal gift to, I can recommend Stephan's work! It is very personal, and a true piece of art that will last for generations. Your imagination is the limit, and Stephan will be able to put your thoughts and ideas on the paper in a professional and artistic way that few others can do as well as him. On top of it, what you get is a true piece of art (not a reproduction or print).

Thank you Stephan. I feel truly honored to be able to give my friend this unique piece of art created by you.

Erik

What a great gift!!!
Dean

I am in awe!

Superb picture Stephan, I trust your friend was thrilled Erik.

As a matter of fact, his 87th birthday is not until end of April. The picture is right now on Stephan's wall overlooking his helmet collection. But I can insure you that my friend will be quite thrilled when he sees it. Keep in mind that his Knights Cross was taken from him only a few weeks after it was awarded, and he was never officially entered in as a recepient. His Soldbuch had the entry, but unfortunately, he no longer has that. So in a way, this will be his Knights Cross.

Also, I should add that the "Deutchland" Cuffband given to him by Heinz Macher (Knights Cross w/ Oaks Leaf), was given to him as a token by his friend after he took out the three Russian tanks in April 1945. Macher told him as a half joke that he should sew it on his uniform so that other people would believe he was in his unit.

Erik

Thanks for the compliments guys. You too Erik. I appreciate and humbly accept your review of my work, of course.

quote:

Originally posted by Stephan Wahl:
Thanks for the compliments guys. You too Erik. I appreciate and humbly accept your review of my work, of course.

It is deserved, nice potrait

Marc

Stephan -

Email me at [email protected] - I need to talk with you and your email needs updated.

TK

This has to be the most fascinating story that I have ever heard since I've started collecting 5 years ago.
It just blows my mind away !
Thanks for sharing it with us.

Oh hey Tom. Sent you an e-mail. And, at risk of sounding too self-promotional here is my address if anyone else wants to contact me.
[email protected]

quote:

Originally posted by Tom Kibler:
Stephan -

Email me at [email protected] - I need to talk with you and your email needs updated.

TK

What an great story!....
Thank you for charing!


Cheerio
/Thomas

Erik,
That is out of this world stuff to have the luck in timing to be so close to such a historical figure .
Good work.

Stephan,
You certainly have unique skills in this field.
Have you illustrated many other similar subjects?Would like to see if any.
Have you a background in the fine arts or design field?
Distinction in my view.Your initiative and effort amazes me.

Cheers

NCO

NCO,

I did take some classes in college way back in the early 90's but I realized how little money was in it unless I would move to California and somehow landed an art director job. So I stopped pursuing it until recently again.

Here's one I did for Darryl. It was a gift to him.

http://daggers.infopop.cc/eve/forums/a/tpc/f/7480909271/m/9530086493

Stephan,

It shows you truely enjoy this no question, looks like some serious hours have been put into these works ? Especially Darryl's .

I have an Art & Design background myself and can appreciate this art of yours, but trying to find time to devote some hours to this work is another thing .I'm usually stuffed by the time I get home. I would love to get into some of this art soon and try it ,when I've cleared some space in some room that could get me there.
I think you have inspired me.

Thanks

NCO

quote:

Originally posted by Stephan Wahl:
I wish I didn't have to chop these images down to under 75K, but that's just the way it goes. Here's another angle with a litte different light.

Stephan, since you put the Knight's Cross on the picture, you should have rearranged his badges on his pocket and gave him the EK1, which was a prerequisite for the RK.

Tim

He never received the EKI and went straight for the RK. The RK was awarded to him at the very end of the war and I believe there are many cases where they went straight for the RK in these late days. Stephans picture is 100% correct.

Erik

This is an outstanding, awesome thread! Hate to see it come to an end. Great story. JohnJ

There will be much more on this thread. I am working on documenting as much as possible of his history. The problem is simply his age. It is extremely hard to stay on track with him and very often the story changes due to his memory.

What I can add, is that Heinz Macher himself awarded him his Knights Cross in April 1945. My friend and Macher at that time drove from Dresden to Berlin as Macher had a meeting with the Reichsfuhrer SS. This must have been around mid April. Most likely second or third week of April as he was while in Berlin given 21 days leave until 12 May.

We all know by now, that Macher was the one that undertook the orders directly from Himmler to blast the SS Honor Rings into the mountain by Wewelsburg. Also, Macher accompanied Himmler when he was arrested. So his meetings in Berlin makes sense. Personally I believe he went to the Reichsfuhrer SS to give the report from Wewelsburg which took place first days of April. Macher was one of the few people that Himmler trusted at the end.

My friend says he never saw Himmler himself while in Berlin, but he belives that Macher had received approval from the Reichsfuhrer SS for his RK. He also tells me that Macher entered it into his Soldbuch. WHERE IS THAT SOLDBUCH TODAY?

Also I have a correction. The 3 tanks he shot with Panzerfaust outside of Breslau was in January 1945.

Here is a photo of both of taken recently.

Erik