SS-Obersturmbannführer Harry Polewacz

[kahl]

Hello guys!

I have this photo with SS-Obersturmbannführer Harry Polewacz in the middel.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Harry_Polewacz

Can any tell me who the other two guys are?

At the back of the photo it says;
"Der kommandeur Polewacz aüf dem Kasernenhof süsammen mit höeren Officeren die ein Gelände-Scharfschiessen ab genommen haben"

[Doktor Krollspell]

Hello Kahl!

According to several sources, among them Mark C. Yerger's highly recommended "German Cross in Gold - Holders of the SS and Police: Regiment and Division Nordland" (2008), Harry Polewacz's last rank when killed in January 1943 was that of SS-Obersturmbannführer. A ritterkreuzträger and also a holder of the DKiG, which he received as a SS-Sturmbannführer all show that Wikipedia has (again) wrongly identified a person since your man is clearly a SS-Standartenführer with the EK-I.

Unfortunately I don't recognize the other two SS Officers...


Regards,

Krollspell

[Charles Trang]

Could you make a focus on the armbands ? This would help to identify the unit and thus the officers.

[Mansal D]

"Nord----"

"Nordland"
"Nordwest"?

[Charles Trang]

Not "Nordwest" as its commander was Otto Reich and it's not him on this picture.

[kahl]

Thank you Trang, Krollspell

He is the commander of "Nordland", and the amband says "Nordland" also.

[kahl]

Here are some better photos..

[PATRICK CHARRON]

Hi,
Here is what I guess.
First, I think that it's really Harry Polewacz on the left but he is Stubaf and only the caption of the pic is wrong for the rank.
The Staf could be Gottfried Klingemann the first Kommandeur of Nordland from September 20,1940 to December 1,1940.
The Stubaf on the right could be Wiil Fortenbacher the first Kr II/Nordland
The pic would be taken during the commanding time of Klingemann.
The book of Mark C.Yerger GCiG Vol. 3 Nordland has been an inestimable source for this topic.

Regards
Patrick

[kahl]

Hello Patrick!

So you think that it is Harry Polewacz on the left, the commander Gottfried Klingemann, in the middle and Wiil Fortenbacher on the right?

Best redards

Thomas

[kahl]

I think you are right Patrick, regarding Harry Polewacz.

Here is the three photos I can find of Harry Polewacz, one is my own, one is from Mr. Mark C. Yerger's book and the last is from freecorps denmarks homepage.

When I compare those three photos, I do think you are 100% right regarding Harry Polewacz..

Best regards
Thomas

[kahl]

SS-Regiment ”Nordland” (SS-Standarte Nordland)

Namehistory:
» SS-Regiment "Nordland" (1940 - ?)
» SS-Infanterieregiment "Nordland"
» SS-Panzergrenadierregiment "Nordland" (1942-43)

COMMANDER:

SS-Standartenführer Jacobsen, Dr. Rudolf 04.06.1940-01.09.1940
SS-Standartenführer Klingemann, Gottfried 00.00.1940-01.12.1940
SS-Brigadeführer Scholz Edler von Rarancze, Friedrich ('Fritz') von 01.12.1940-10.01.1943
Joerchel, Wolfgang 10.01.1943-20.04.1943

KLINGEMANN, Gottfried (DK/Gold)
(1884 - 19 )
SS-Brigadeführer und Generalmajor der Waffen-SS:
Born: 28. Jan. 1884./Died:
NSDAP-Nr.: 817 565/SS-Nr.: 290 318
Promotion:
SS-Brigf.u.Gen.Maj.d.W-SS: 31. Mar. 1942;
Assignments:
RSHA: (9. Nov. 1944)
Decorations & Awards:
Deutsches Kreuz in Gold: ;
1939 Spangen zum 1914 EK I/II; KVK II m. Schw.; Verwundetenabeichen, 1918 in Silber; Ehrenkreuz für Frontkämpfer; Ehrendegen des RF SS/Totenkopfring der SS.

Source; http://www.geocities.com/~orion47/SS-PO ... f_K-N.html

[PATRICK CHARRON]

Hi,
It seems that my guess is the good one. The same pic was posted on AHF
See: http://forum.axishistory.com/viewtopic. ... 8&t=155739

Regards
Patrick

[kahl]

Thank you so mutch Patrick.

I got the orginal photo here. And now I really got some nice info regarding the 3 persons on that photo..

Best regards
Thomas

[kahl]

SS-Sturmbannführer Harry Polewacz was Kmd. for both 1. and 3. bat. Nordland.

From Nov. 1941 to Dec. 1941 in 3. Bat. Nordland
From Dec. 1941 to Sep. 1942 in 1. Bat. Nordland

Harry Polewacz was SS-Sturmbannführer from 10. may 1940 to 1. Sep. 1942, regarding Mr. Mark C. Yerger's book page 123.

SS-Sturmbannführer Willi Fortenbacher

Was Kmd. in 2. Bat. Nordland in 1942

and SS-Standartenführer Gottfried Klingemann was kmd. for SS-Regiment "Nordland" from 20. Sep. to 1. Dec. 1940

The conclusion must be that the photo is dated between Sep. to Dec. 1940