A German soldier in the trenches lights up a cigarette during a lull in the fighting. Kursk area.

Smoke break

PzKpfw III employed as a gun carriage/hearse at the funeral of Generalmajor Adalbert Schultz.  Adalbert Schultz was one of Germany's most decorated soldiers (Knight's Cross with Oak Leaves, Swords and Diamonds).  His final command was that of the famous 7th Panzer Division, which he led from 1 to 28 January, 1944.  On the latter date, Schultz led an attack by 7th Panzer towards Shepetivka on the Eastern Front.  He was fatally wounded in the head by enemy shrapnel (he appears to have been either operating "sitting open hatch" or standing in the commander's hatch, the former at least of which was commonly employed by experienced tank commanders).  He was medically evacuated immediately, but died later the same day.  Best regards, JR.

"I had a Comrade ..."

Sturmbannfuhrer (later Standartenfuhrer) Max Hansen, commander of SS Panzergrenadier Regiment No.1, SS Panzer Division 1, LSSAH, with his staff, observe an attack by 2 Battalion of that regiment at Radomyshl, Ukraine, November-December, 1943.  This action, part of a major counterattack in the Zhitomir district, which was a success.  For what, in the long term, it was worth.

Hansen subsequently led 1 SS Panzergrenadier Regiment in the Ardennes and in Hungary.  His decorations and awards included the Knight's Cross with Oak Leaves, the German Cross in Gold, Close Combat Clasp in Silver, and Wound Badge in Silver.  He survived the war, and died in 1990, of natural causes.  Best regards, JR.