German Leadership

Karl Wolff at attention.

Bundesarchiv (?)

Obergruppenfuhrer Karl Wolff stands at attention at the funeral of his fellow-"right-hand man" to the Reichfuhrer-SS, Heinrich Himmler, Invalidenfriedholf military cemetery, Berlin, 9 June, 1942. The interment followed a funeral ceremony at the Reich Chancellery, presided over by Hitler along with SS and Polizei dignitaries, and an earlier funeral service at Prague, 7 June, 1942. Heidrich died of wounds suffered in an attack on his motor car by British-trained Czechoslovak parachutists executing "Operation Anthropoid", 27 May, 1942. This photo was one of a series of official photos taken at the Berlin obsequies. Some of these - as here - seem to have been of indifferent quality, leaving aside the effects of poor quality copying. The medal pillow held by the Sturmbannfuhrer standing in front of Wolff - one of two - carries the largest number - both numerically and in importance - of Heydrich's decorations and awards, but some are a bit hazy. Clear enough, however, at the top of the cushion, is the German Order, Highest Class, pinned there by Hitler at the Reich Chancellery ceremony. This probably explains the fact that the Cross is really too close to the object just under it, which is, presumably, the NSDAP Party Badge in Gold. To the left is the Luftwaffe Combat Clasp for Reconnaissance (in Bronze), under which is the Luftwaffe Pilot's Badge (incredibly, Heydrich had a parallel career as a fighter pilot with the rank of Major in the Luftwaffe Reserve). In the centre of the second row is the Iron Cross, First Class and, to its right, the Olympic Games Decoration, First Class (1936). The Cross at the left of the third row is a bit unclear - possibly the Cross of the Order of the Crown of Italy (?); at centre, the Wound Badge in Gold (posthumous) and, to the right, what is almost certainly the Cross of the German Social Welfare Decoration, First Class (awarded, apparently, for services to public security - this was a general Civil Service award). Finally, at bottom is Heydrich's medal bar, fixed with his "lesser" decorations with, as was standard for WW2 soldiers, the Iron Cross Second Class appended to the left of the bar, in position closest to the breast bone. Interesting to note that the Swastika banner behind Wolff carries the "Police Eagle" emblem, indicating that it is representing the Polizei (or some element of the Polizei) at the interment. Best regards, JR. Best regards, JR.