Since medics were not allowed to bear weapons they were intensely trained in close-combat techniques.

Medics' close combat training

General der Infanterie ALEXANDER VON HARTMANN (*11.12.1890 in Berlin, +26.01.1943 KIA in Stalingrad). Commander of the 71st Infanterie-Division, Knight's Cross awarded on October 8th 1942). When the fate of his division and of the entire German 6th Army was sealed General von Hartmann spoke to his officers: &quot;An officer has to die in combat. I am not going to shoot myself but will sell my skin as expensive as possible.&quot; Then he took his rifle and entered the railroad embankment of Stalingrad South in front of the remains of his divsion (3 officers, 7 NCOs and 183 enlisted men) and started firing -standing uprightly and freehand- on the attacking Soviet soldiers. At 8:00 am he was killed by headshot, with him died Lieutenant Colonel Corduan (commander Infanterie-Regiment 191) and Major Bayerlein (commander Infanterie-Regiment 211).

General der Infanterie ALEXANDER VON HARTMANN

Group photo of a German infantry company. The &quot;Spieß&quot; (= spear; nickname for the Wehrmacht's Company First Sergeants) holding the unit's mascot, a German Shepherd Dog. To his right the officer commanding the company.