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I'm wondering if anyone can identify these paratroopers who were awarded with the German Cross of Gold, seen here during an audience with Goering on 4 May 1944

The men in the photos are survivors of the Battle for Monte Cassino monastery. Therefore they are likely to be veterans of the 1st FJ Division. This shortens the odds a little!

nice fj pictures,and ofcourse grosse Herman

Hello Gentlemen!

Simon H wrote:The men in the photos are survivors of the Battle for Monte Cassino monastery. Therefore they are likely to be veterans of the 1st FJ Division. This shortens the odds a little!

There are lists of highly decorated members (RK and DKiG) of the 1. FJD in the following thread over at AHF:

http://forum.axishistory.com/viewtopic. ... &start=285


And since the photos show five Fallschirmjäger, of whom none seem to have been an officer, and the fact that they were decorated with the DKiG together by Göring, here's my suggestion of the identity...

Dietrich, Bruno, 20.03.1944, Oberfeldwebel, 8./Fsch.Jäg.Rgt. 1
Hartmann, August, 20.03.1944, Feldwebel, 5./Fsch.Jäg.Rgt. 1
Oppelt, Otto, 20.03.1944, Feldwebel, 6./Fsch.Jäg.Rgt. 1
Schon, Georg, 20.03.1944, Oberfeldwebel, 7./Fsch.Jäg.Rgt. 1
Wittig, Karl-Heinz, 20.03.1944, Feldwebel, III./Fsch.Jäg.Rgt. 1

Now, One can go through all the DKiG holders of all the sub-units of the 1. FJD were the award date fits a general time frame concerning the battles for Monte Cassino and of course also research which sub-units who fought were and when in the hills...

Just my two pennies,

Krollspell

KiwiArmour wrote:I'm wondering if anyone can identify these paratroopers who were awarded with the German Cross of Gold, seen here during an audience with Goering on 4 May 1944

I couldn't find any Fallschirmjäger of the 1. FJD that received their DKiG on this particular day, but Göring probably made the formal presentation of the award that was prevoiously recommended and approved by the senior commanders in Italy.