World War II Database

1. Gregg Heilman says:
17 Jan 2010 02:00:10 PM

William Knauth

Born: 29. January 1916 in Salchendorf (winner country)

Favour: between that 20. April and 30. April 1945 in the district Staakow with half

Military career/development:
1936 - 1938 Freiwilliger in the armed forces
1.9.1939 reentry into the armed forces
10.5.1940 France campaign
12.2.1943 within the again created heavy tank department 505 employment in the west
April 1943 employment at the east front
5.7. - 13.7.1943 participation in the enterprise citadel, tank battle with Kursk, as leaders of the 3. Company of the heavy tank department 505

Yransports:
1.6.1942 Second Lieutenant of the reserve
1.9.1943 First Lieutenant of the reserve
1.3.1944 Captain of the reserve

Medals and Decorations

25.5.1940 iron cross II. Class
11.11.1940 iron cross I. Class
7.9.1943 honour sheet clips of the army
14.11.1943 knight cross to the iron cross
20.1.1945 German cross in gold

without date golden wounding badge
without date silver tank combat badge

2.  Bill says:
9 Feb 2011 02:59:12 PM

Gregg thanks for your information, always glad to read other comments or opinion on ww2db.
Soldiers who fought on the Russian front look
so thin, but than again the Russian front doesn't put meat on a man's bones.

OSAH REQUIREMENT:

Why is Oberleutnant Knauth wearing his headphones that way?

TACTICAL SITUATION:

This can be an occupational hazard and he's the number one target to get shot at.
Force of habit, the Commander must see and hear whats going on around him, and at the same time, listen and give orders to his crew, he's also is wearing the throat microphone around his neck, along with his Iron Cross.

The Germans were the first to use radios in their tanks, other countries still used flags, that werea handicap on the battlefield, the radio was an advantage tanks were the spearhead of the attack, the Commanders could coordniate the attack.

3.  Bill says:
9 Feb 2011 03:21:33 PM

What does OSHA stand for?
OCCUPATIONAL SAFETY AND HEALTH

Oberleutnant Knauth served with sPz.Abt.505
schwere Panzer Abteilung 505.
Unit was formed February 1943, and Disbanded April/May 1945.
Kill/Loss (1942-1945) sPz.Abt.505
126 Tigers Lost/900 Allied Tanks Lost

4.  Bill says:
10 Feb 2011 05:44:25 PM

Being a Vietnam Veteran, who served in Country from 1967-1970 I see that look in his
eyes, Oberleutnant Knauth has what Veterans call the Thousand Yard Stare, one who is so young and has seen so much...

5.  Bill says:
14 May 2011 11:32:09 AM

UNIFORM OF THE DAY:

Oberleutnant Knauth's black-wool hip-length double breasted jacket w/matching trousers eith skulls on collars.
the totenkopfe(skulls)were worn by the troops of August von Mackensen's Black Hussars, and for political reasons later worn by the SS, Iron Cross w/ribbon around his neck.

The black jacket color made oil stains less visable, and the short jacket was less likely to get caught on machinery working inside an armord vehicle.

The trousers were worn with ankle boots the jacket was worn with a gray shirt and could be worn open collar, or buttoned up in cold weather sometimes, a black tie was worn
maybe in garrison area, but in the field?

Originally a black beret was worn over a hard felt helmet by panzer crews, but it was replaced around 1940 crews used the M34/M38
side cap later the M43 field cap was worn that was black in color.
Officers continued to ware the older peaked hat, and took the stiffiner out, to give the hat a crushed look.

6.  Bill says:
6 May 2012 02:27:30 PM

Did ou know:

General Inspector General Heinz Guderian was looking for a different type of uniform for his panzer troops.
As the story goes, while on a skiing trip Heinz saw skiers wearing a short double breasted jacket, with no visible button holes

It could be worn open or closed. Guderian adopted this jacket along with its trousers
This uiform was produced in black wool, it could also be worn with a shirt and necktie.
Black was chosen because it wouldn't show dirt or grease working around armored vehicles, button holes and was of a clean design. Later issued to all panzer troop, this design was also used by regular army and SS troops for armored units.