Greetings!

This is my first posting on the Forum and was hoping to get some new information on a lesser known DAK bearer of the Knight's Cross that earned this most prestigious award during the battle of El Alamein.

On October 23rd 1942 at the beginning of the second battle for El Alamein, Hauptmann Heinrich Hauptmann, a carrier officer, took Command of III. Battalion of 115th Panzer Grenadier Regiment (15th Panzer Division). At that time he was already decorated with both classes of the Iron Cross and the Infantry Assault Badge. His performance in the defensive battles at El Alamein during October 23rd till 28th 1942 earned him the Knight's Cross. The main thrust of the British 8th Army offensive came up against the 115th. The fighting was so fierce that the Regiment was nearly wiped out, the Rgt. Commander was missing and Hauptmann himself got wounded.

I'm hoping to find photos, documents and/or his RK Vorschlag. I already have a copy of his Heer Personnel File and have checked the most popular Forums and RKT websites. Any additional advise or assistance you could offer would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks!!!!
David

Greets David, we have a couple of guys here I think can help you......... do you have any fotos of the RK winner yourself or is this is what you are looking for ?

E ~

Hello Erich,

Thanks for asking and your assistance. I have an original (postcard size) studio photograph & just got a digital image of him in Afrika wearing his RK. I'm hoping to find more images of Heinrich in Afrika or an award document he might have signed as the battalion commander :-) Ideally, I would also like to get a copy of his Vorschlag for the RK.

My primary reason in researching Hauptmann is that I've recently become the proud new "guardian" of his Knight's Cross (with original wearing ribbon) along with his Preliminary RK Award document, AFRIKA cuffband document and all his medals (including his two cuffbands). It's actually quite amazing this group has remained together but the previous owner knew the importance of not splitting it up.

Anyway, your help would be truly appreciated!

David jus witnessed your posting on AHF, what a wonderful collection from this DAK veteran. Congratulations. by chance have had time to post here on the German DAK site - forum ?

afrika-korps.de - deutsches-afrikakorps.de - el-alamein.de - verband-afrikakorps-ev.de

E ~

Erich,

Yes, the previous owner and a highly respected German collector (Albert) already posted an inquiry on this Forum. The link is Deutsches Afrika-Korps :: View topic - Suche Infos zu RKT Major Heinrich Hauptmann. Unfortunately, no new information has come of it thus far.

Here is a link to the AHF thread that has several photos of this amazing Afrikakorps RKT grouping: Axis History Forum :: Afrikakorps RKT Heinrich Hauptmann

Do you know anyone that might have some photos of DAK RKT Heinrich Hauptmann? He's not specifically identified in any DAK reference books so I'm now hoping someone might have photos or other information in their collection....

Again, any assistance to help research this DAK Panzergrenadier officer would be greatly appreciated :-)

All the best!
David