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Leutnant Herbert Fries
Knights Cross winning paratrooper. Born 1st March 1925, he was part of 2./Fallschirm-Panzer-Jagd-Abteilung 1, and was awarded the Knights Cross on 5th September 1944. In June 1943 Herbert Fries volunteered for the Paratroopers. He trained at Pakausbildung andhad further training at Angouleme and Avignon (France) In the middle of December 1943 to Janaury 1944 he served with the 2nd company of the parachute tank hunter unit 1 of, the 1st paratroop division, part of the LXXVI army corps of the 10th army and part of army group C at the main combat line in Francavilla with Pescara (Italy, Adriaküste) At the end of January 1944 Fries went with the 2nd company to Cassinoth Cassino. There Herbert Fries manned an entrenched 'Panther' Dome, equipped with a 7,5-cm-KwK 42/L70 and machine gun. While commanding an emplaced Panther tank turret east of Piedimonte, the young Gefreiter Herbert Fries, and his crew Meier the gun loader, Schirra the radio operator and Emmrich from 2./FschPzJägAbt 1, slowed down the Allies who were trying to outflank what was left of 1FJD. In two days he and his crew knocked out 17 enemy tanks. For this defence Herbert Fries received both iron crosses. He died on 6th January 2014.
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| Knights Cross |
| Leutnant Herbert Fries - Signed Aviation Art Prints, Paintings and Drawings Military and Aviation Signatures |
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| Text for the above items : |
The Second Wave, Greece, 20th May 1941 by David Pentland. Following the initial parachute drops at Maleme (West) and Canea (Middle) Group East, comprising of Fallschirmjager Regiment 1 and 2nd battalion FJR2, prepared for their descent on Crete. Charged with the capture of Heraklion and its aerodrome, their departure was postponed until late afternoon due to the repairs and refuelling needed for the returning Junker 52 transports. |
The Battle for Norway by David Pentland. In this, the first true parachute operation of World War Two, German paratroops of 1st battalion Fallschirmjäger Regiment 1, proved themselves an invaluable component of Blitzkrieg. First in the initial stages of the campaign by seizing airfields and bridges in Norway and Denmark, and subsequently by supporting army ground forces engaged at Narvik. |
Jagdverbande Mitte, Pomerania, Germany, March 1945 by David Pentland. In early 1945 Obersturmfuhrer Walter Girg was given command of a small unit of SS commandos whose task was to operate Russian tanks behind enemy lines. One such mission took him to the area of the enemy-encircled Kolberg garrison. The German forces there however believed Girg and his men to be Seydlitz agents (German soldiers working for the Soviet forces) and they were taken to be shot. Luckily the mistake was discovered a short time later and Girg remained in Kolberg until 18 March 1945 when the garrison was evacuated by sea. |
Anzio Annie, Italy, 29th January 1944 by David Pentland. Sturmgeschutz IIIg and Paratroops of the 4th Fallschirmjager Division, driving to the front line, pass one of the two giant 28cm K5 (Eisenbaum) railway guns responsible for the shelling the Allied beacheads at Anzio and Nettuno. |
Panther Stellung, Monte Cassino, Italy, 21st -22nd May 1944 by David Pentland. While commanding an emplaced Panther tank turret east of Piedimonte, the young Gefreiter Herbert Fries, from 2./FschPzJagAbt 1, slowed down the Allies who were trying to outflank what was left of 1FJD. In two days he and his crew knocked out 17 enemy tanks. |
Hornisse, Central Russia, November 1943 by David Pentland. Hornet self propelled 88mm anti-tank guns of Heavy Anti-tank Battalion 519 attached to 3rd Army, Army Group Center. Oberleutnant Erwin Kressmann commanded 1st company, while its 1st platoon was led by the soon to be famous Lt Albert Ernst, who in an engagement during the Witebsk battles destroyed 14 Soviet tanks with just 21 rounds. |
Lull in the Battle, Central Russia, December 1943 by David Pentland. Hornet self propelled 88mm anti-tank guns of Heavy Anti-tank Battalion 519 attached to 3rd Army, Army Group Center. Oberleutnant Erwin Kressmann commanded 1st company, while 1st platoon was led by the soon to be famous Lt Albert Ernst, who in an engagement during the Witebsk battles destroyed 14 Soviet tanks with just 21 rounds. |
Winter Offensive, Ardennes Forest, Germany, December 1944 by David Pentland. Jagdpanther self propelled 88mm anti-tank guns of Heavy Anti-tank Battalion 519 attached to 6th SS Panzer Army during the ill fated Ardennes offensive. Only the 1st company commanded by Hautmann Erwin Kressmann took part in the campaign. |
Jagdpanthers in the Ardennes, Ardennes Forest, Germany, December 1944 by David Pentland. Jagdpanther self propelled 88mm anti-tank guns of Heavy Anti-tank Battalion 519 attached to 6th SS Panzer Army during the ill fated Ardennes offensive. Only the 1st company commanded by Hauptmann Erwin Kressmann took part in the campaign. |
| Leutnant Herbert Fries Aircraft details |
| Leutnant Herbert Fries Squadron details |
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