Waffen SS surrenders in Italy

[schnellmann]

I hate to disagree with you, but you are mistaken. Fritz Klingenberg was promoted to SS-Standartenführer on 21 December 1944 whilst he was commandant of SS-Junkerschule Bad Tölz. He was ordered to take command of 17. SS-Panzer-Grenadier-Division "Götz von Berlichingen" effective 12 January 1945 and actually took command nine days later. He was killed in that command as a SS-Standartenführer on 22 March 1945. He was not posthumously promoted to SS-Oberführer.
W.

I don't want to argue with you, either. I got my info from "das-ritterkreux.de" They have made mistakes before, so maybe they made a mistake with Fritz. Tell them about it...

[Woske]

That is not the only website which mistakenly shows him as Oberführer. This is a prime example of how the internet cannot be relied upon as a reliable source. The mistake gets perpetuated when one site relies on another for information. In the case of Klingenberg, the divisional diaries, written subsequent to his death, record him as KIA as SS-Standartenführer and this is his last recorded rank.
W.

[schnellmann]

That is not the only website which mistakenly shows him as Oberführer. This is a prime example of how the internet cannot be relied upon as a reliable source. The mistake gets perpetuated when one site relies on another for information. In the case of Klingenberg, the divisional diaries, written subsequent to his death, record him as KIA as SS-Standartenführer and this is his last recorded rank.
W.

Let me give you a prime example of what a bunch of BOZOS run das-ritterkreuz.de. A few years ago I sent them a foto of an RKT Major in DAK uniform- asking if they knew who it is. They did not answer me. Then a few months later I just happened to type "OESAU" in their search engine, because I wanted to know something about him, and guess what! They entered that foto in Oesau's profile! I wrote to them 3 times, even insulting their integrity, and to this day they STILL have MY unknown Major in Oesau's place! Now THAT is truly lame! Go to their site and type in Oesau, and see for yourself. And if you know who the RKT is please tell me - but it is NOT Oesau! There is no excuse for that type of incompetence!!!

[stonemint]

Getting back on track to the original post, the clip is one of the most interesting of the SS I have seen. Note that Rauff wears a visor with Luftwaffe-style trim, rarely seen. The hat is most likely locally made in Milan.

There also is a shot of an unknown Brigadefuhrer wearing the pre-1942 style tabs. (He is also seen briefly in the back of a staff car wearing sunglasses and trying to shield his face from the cameraman)--does anyone know who he is?

[stonemint]

None of these SS men seem particulary dejected with regard to surrendering. In fact, they seem like they are still on active duty, with a mission to accomplish. Note that they are all disarmed, yet fully kitted out.

Further, they are all allowed to leave in SS-marked vehicles. Note that on this date, the Reich still had another week to live.

Also note that the poplulace, while held back, are throwing things at the SS officers, and even a few blows are thrown--one of the SS guys looks back to see who did it, as if to have him arrested.
(It even looks like on of the Officers M-43 cap is taken off his head by a local Milanese).

I have tried to find more information as to where the SS men went from Milan--some say they were allowed to return to Germany, unarmed and unescorted, which seems highly unlikely.
It is know that Rauff escaped from an Allied camp.

Anyone have any more info on this incident?

[militarymania]

it looks as those men wearing the m-43 caps have Edelweiss' on them,one even looks to be made of water pattern camo or perhaps evern Italian camo,,,i couldnt see the collar tabs of the Officer in the back of the car,so if he was wearing the pre-1942 collar tabs,you sure have eagle eyes