German Leadership

"Well done, my good and faithful servant ..."

?Bundesarchiv.

Hitler shakes the hand of old friend, Joseph "Sepp" Dietrich on the occasion of his presentation with the Diamonds to the Knight's Cross with Oak Leaves and Swords. To the left, wearing the white SS "Summer walking out" tunic, is Gruppenfuhrer Hermann Fegelein, Representative of the Reichsfuhrer SS to the Fuhrer's Headquarters; to the right, Sturmbannfuhrer Hein Springer, RKT. Apart from the Knight's Cross with Oak Leaves, Swords and Diamonds, Dietrich is wearing the Eastern Front Medal (ribbon), Iron Cross First Class with WW2 clasp; Luftwaffe Pilot and Observer's Badge (honorary), NSDAP Party Badge in Gold and - a matter of great pride to him - the rare WW1 Tank Assault Badge. He is wearing the rank insignia of his final rank, the tongue-twisting "Oberstgruppenfuhrer und Panzer-Generaloberst der Waffen-SS" (Oberstgruppenfuhrer and Panzer-Colonel General of Waffen-SS troops"). The "architecture" in the background is the characteristic massed reinforced concrete bunker structure of the Fuhrer's eastern headquarters, the "Wolf's Lair" at Rastenburg, East Prussia. It was very unusual for Hitler to make presentations like this personally by this time. However, it was hardly surprising that he made an exception for his old friend and Party comrade, Sepp. Best regards, JR.