Stalingrad German Cross winner uniform grouping

**butschekantiques** · 03-06-2013, 05:32 PM

Hello everyone,

I hope this is the right section to post.
We got this untouched grouping on consignment. It was sold by the family around 15 years ago to a small local antique shop and stayed with a collector ever since. The collector even lived in the same town as the veterans family but unfortunately never got in contact.

The grouping belonged to Hauptmann Arnulf Datz. We just found out today he served with Grenadier Regiment 517 and was awarded the German Cross in gold on 30. January 1943 in Stalingrad! His regiment commander, Oberstleutnant Richard Claassen, was awarded the Knights Cross one day later. Now, does anyone know the story of Gren.Rgt.517 around this time?

While I look forward to your comments on the tunics, are there any Stalingrad specialists out there who can provide additional information on Datz and his unit at all?

Many thanks for your help!
Klaus

**Espenlaub Militaria** · 03-06-2013 05:32 PM

We also buy and trade your items and full collections!

**bigmacglenn** · 03-06-2013, 05:41 PM

Grenadier Regiment 517 was indeed destroyed at Stalingrad...I'm assuming the officer didn't make it...Fantastic grouping!
cheers, Glenn

**Paul D** · 03-06-2013, 05:48 PM

Very nice Klaus , Classen was awarded the RK on 29/1/43 , was captured at Stalingrad and died in a Soviet POW Camp on 26/41943 !! Grenadier Regt 517 was part of the 295 Infanterie Division.

**Paul D** · 03-06-2013, 06:05 PM

As far as i know the units of 295 ID were fighting in the area of the City Centre south of the Mamayev Kurgan and the Factory district during Jan 1943 up until the surrender.

**butschekantiques** · 03-06-2013, 06:47 PM

I just got more information on Datz from a fellow collector. I really appreciate his help. Here you go:

He was born in June 8th, 1919 in Werfen Austria. In Feb. 1940 he was a squad leader in the 6th company of IR 517 of the 295th ID, they took part in the invasion of France in 1940 and then were moved to southern Poland and fought with Armee Group Sud, converted to Grenadier Rgt. 517 in 1942. The unit was effectively destroyed in the pocket and was reformed in Norway spending the rest of the War there. He is reported as KIA/MIA in Stalingrad the day after he was awarded the DKiG, 31 January, 1943.