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| Forward observers of SS-Pz.Gren.Div. Leibstandarte SS |
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| SS-Uscharf. of SS-Pz.Gren.Div. Totenkopf |
Left image: a Leibstandarte SS officer scanning the area for enemy activity during the retaking of Kharkov in 1943. He is using a Tripod Scherenfernrohr S.F.14/Z scissors telescope. An observer could position the tubular “ears” upright and parallel to each other or splayed out horizontally for greater depth perception. It was often seen employed in different roles and delivered as standard equipment in many German armoured fighting vehicles. The photo was taken by the Leibstandarte SS war correspondent Paul Augustin. He was promoted SS-Hauptscharführer on March 1 1943 and KIA in Ljubotin only eight days later, on March 9. U.S. NARA. Right image: a great portrait taken by SS-Kriegsberichter Hermann Grönert showing a cheerful-looking SS-Unterscharführer of the SS-Panzergrenadier-Division Totenkopf during the battles of Kharkov in 1943. Note the skull insignia in his winter hat. None of the soldiers have been identified. U.S. NARA.
The war correspondent Hermann Groenert who took the second picture was a holder of the Iron Cross I, the Infantry Assault Badge and the Wound Badge in Silver. He was promoted to SS-Unterscharfuehrer August 15, 1944. Many thanks for a great site, which I continue to find a valuable web resource.
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