Hi, I’m new here – well, actually I was around quite often some years ago (Marc might still know me – hi Marc
)
As to your question, I couldn’t see the video as YouTube told me they have no rights for showing this footage in Germany (usually this message pops up with music videos I'd like to see
).
However, the pictures you posted are known to me. They are from the german Wochenschau (newsreel) as of December 14, 1944. It is the last part of the newsreel, covering events on the Western Front.
Translated into English, the commentary to the Harmel part runs as follows:
„ Bearer of the Oakleaves, SS-Brigadeführer Harmel, commander of SS-Division „Frundsberg“, who by his personal engagement contributed very much in stabilising the frontline in his sector, in his armored personnel carrier drives to an advanced battalion command post. (It is
very unsual for the Wochenschau to mention the exact unit of a soldier it calls by name. Usually it would only say "General xy, commander of a Panzer-Division").
Jabos attacking!
Out of the car – taking cover!! (very dramatic voice)
Seconds of waiting turn into an eternity.“
Here the newsreel switches from Harmel to some infantrymen taking cover from the same Jabo attack as Harmel. Or so we are told, which is of course not true, but only said to make for a fluid transition of the pictures shown.
During the next part, the newsreel shows infantry men, flamethrower-SPW and two short glimpses of Königstiger. The commentary declares that these are „our frontlines along the (river) Roer and around Geilenkirchen“. While an artillery unit is shown, we are told that this is a battery of 9.Panzer-Division, „which was mentioned in the Wehrmachtsbericht“. The 9.Panzer-Divison was mentioned in the Wehrmachtsbericht of November 26, 1944.
Given these informations, it is obvious that Harmel is shown during the fighting of his divison around Linnich (east of Geilenkirchen) lasting from end of November to the beginning of December 1944. 10.SS-PzDiv took over the sector from 9.Panzer-Division. Schwere Heeres-Panzer-Abteilung 506, equipped with Königstiger, was attached to 9.PzDiv. during these fighting. So it’s also clear that the Königstiger shown are from this battalion.
Harmel’s divisonal command post was in the village of Hottorf at this time, so I presume he starts his ride in this place.
Best regards
Joachim