A Gift For Kai ;-)

Gunther Halm, was born on August 27 1922 Ultimate Rank: Leutnant. Got his Iron Cross 1st Class on July 24 1942 as a Grenadier.

He got his Knights Cross of the Iron Cross on July 29 1942, while he was serving as a Gunner of a 76.2 mm Anti-tank Gun as a Gefrieter.

Halm was in the 104th Rifle Regiment serving in an Anti-tank Platoon commanded by: Leutnant Skubowius. His first major action was on July 17 1942, and he managed to complete some major feats over the next few days.

The British 23rd Armored Brigade attacked with Mk 2 and Mk 4 Tanks. Leutnent Skubowius, gave the order: "Open Fire" and Halm fired four shots in rapid succession--in which he also destroyed four British tanks which layed motionless abouit 150 meters away from his position.

Halm continued to fire and destroyed five more tanks. Halm knocked out a total of 9 tanks out of a supposed British loss of 98 tanks.

Grenadier Gunther Halm recieved his Knights Cross by Rommels hands. Halm was then promoted to Gefrieter. He served in Afrika until just before Tunisia fell--still serving on Anti-tank Guns and at the end of the war--he was made a prisoner of the Russians.

 

This is my signed photo of Günther Halm. Perhaps I can send it to Otto so he can post it with the autograph visible? The first time Halm used the russian gun he was unfamiliar with it and it took a while til the crew discovered all the safeties so that they could use the gun, the recoil was also quite heavy so since they hadn't secured the gun to the ground they found themselves under their truck after a few shots.

By the way, Halm was the first person to recieve all grades of the iron cross at the same time- EKII, EKI and RK d. EK.



Best regards/ Daniel

[ 22. January 2003, 04:39 AM: Message edited by: charlie don't surf ]

 

Thanx Carl, thanx Charlie!

Great stuff!

 

Your welcome and thanks CDS for the extra info on Halm--I had not known he recieved all three grades at trhe same-time.

 

You are welcome! Perhaps I should mention that a signed photo of Halm is for sale on epier right now. I'm not going to bid on it since I plan to write him myself.

Best regards/ Daniel

 

Also it would be the more economic way to go. Besides--at least you would know for sure that Halm touched your foto.

 

"Also it would be the more economic way to go."- I second that Carl! I've bought a lot of rkt lately...

Best regards/ Daniel