SS soldiers firing an MG-34 machine gun mounted on a tripod, in a village on the Eastern Front.

Machine gun on a tripod

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.

Sturmbannfuhrer Max Hansen.

A mix of young and old German POWs somewhere in Germany, 1945. Of interest are the Hitler Youth district triangles that two of the youngsters sport on their upper arms (sadly impossible to read with this copy's resolution). Even more interesting, and unusual given his age, is the driver's proficiency badge that the right most adolescent has in his sleeve.