Famous photo, but who is it?

[zeigler]

Hello everyone. Im new to this forum in writing but I have followed many many threads with much excitements. Anywho,



This is a picture that is widely known and personally its my favorite picture from the war since it screams combat all over. There are other pictures of Mg-gunners or other famous photos that have been identified. But is this one of them?

Who is this soldier and from what unit does he belong to?

Uniformwise it seems he carries Rauchtarn - Blurred edge smock but its very hard to see and so is the helmet cover. The pants are also very hard to determine, but they look patched. Perhaps italian?

[Leandros]

Since he carries an MG 42 it is is obviously in the latter part of the world. BTW - welcome to the forum... ....

Fred

[zeigler]

Thanks! Anyone that has any opinion about this picture? Ive heard that he might be a soldier in the 12th SS?

[Franz Repper]

He is from the 12th dont know the name sadly

[storm39]

You're correct he is from the 12th SS his picture appears in Hubert Meyer's book "The 12th SS - vol2"page 182. Unfortunately he does not give us his name, just calls him a "young grenadier" He's also in Herbert Walther's book as well and I'm sur lots of others. It may be difficult to get his name as none of the pictures I have seen of him give his name.

[zeigler]

You're correct he is from the 12th SS his picture appears in Hubert Meyer's book "The 12th SS - vol2"page 182. Unfortunately he does not give us his name, just calls him a "young grenadier" He's also in Herbert Walther's book as well and I'm sur lots of others. It may be difficult to get his name as none of the pictures I have seen of him give his name.

Alright that concludes his unit at least.

Thank you very much! Any opinions on what sort of pants he is wearing?

[max12ss]

He is member of 15/25...from SS Pz.Gren. Rgt. 25, picture is from training of Kompanie in village "Le Sap", Normandie, near town Vimoutiers. 15/25 spent some days here before invasion.
About his name, is possible to find it in Kompanie list...I´ll try it...

[Simon H]

Thank you very much! Any opinions on what sort of pants he is wearing?

Alot of 12th troops utilised clothing made from Italian camouflage pattern clothing. It's possible he is wearing trousers of this type. But the pattern on the right leg is unusual. I did think it was perhaps to do with shadows falling on this leg.

Will be interesting if a positive ID can be made. The photo will be very familiar with many here.

Good luck!

[zeigler]

Thank you very much! Any opinions on what sort of pants he is wearing?

Alot of 12th troops utilised clothing made from Italian camouflage pattern clothing. It's possible he is wearing trousers of this type. But the pattern on the right leg is unusual. I did think it was perhaps to do with shadows falling on this leg.

Will be interesting if a positive ID can be made. The photo will be very familiar with many here.

Good luck!

Indeed, it might be a patch sewed on to repair a pair of italian camo pants?

[TimoWr]

He is member of 15/25...from SS Pz.Gren. Rgt. 25, picture is from training of Kompanie in village "Le Sap", Normandie, near town Vimoutiers. 15/25 spent some days here before invasion.
About his name, is possible to find it in Kompanie list...I´ll try it...

Say the Kompanie list contains 300 names. I'm a bit puzzled about how you can link a name from such a list to a specific picture of an unidentified soldier.

[max12ss]

Why whole list ??
On the pictures are Hptm. Baedekerl and SS-Hscha. Boigk, so he was leader of 3.Zug.
3.Zug had 3 Gruppen, each with 4 Schwimmwagens - with 2 MG gunners
In the 1.Gruppe are 2 MG gunners - SS-Ogren. Strelow and SS-Gren. Weiss
2.Gruppe - ? I must search
3.Gruppe - ?

Another pics from Sap in June 44....

[zeigler]

Why whole list ??
On the pictures are Hptm. Baedekerl and SS-Hscha. Boigk, so he was leader of 3.Zug.
3.Zug had 3 Gruppen, each with 4 Schwimmwagens - with 2 MG gunners
In the 1.Gruppe are 2 MG gunners - SS-Ogren. Strelow and SS-Gren. Weiss
2.Gruppe - ? I must search
3.Gruppe - ?

Another pics from Sap in June 44....

Fantastic.. im very gratefull for this information mate :)

[Simon H]

Well found Max12,

Good to see this in the context of the other pictures.

Best,
Simon.