An Official Wartime Press Photo of SS-Obergruppenführer Sepp Dietrich and LSSAH in Prague

Measuring 182x130mm, extremely fine condition with light scuffing and light discolouration. It shows Commander and SS Obergruppenführer Sepp Dietrich (wearing a steel helmet) and the LSSAH “returning victoriously from the Eastern Front” to Prague. The picture shows Dietrich saluting Reich Protector of Bohemia and Moravia, Konstantin Freiherr von Neurath (1873–1956). Dietrich wears a First War Tank Crew Badge, a Golden Party Badge, and an Iron Cross 1st Class. On the reverse the picture shows a copyright stamp of Agence Sempi in Brussels.

Footnote:

Josef “Sepp” Dietrich was born on May 28, 1892 in Hawangen (Bavaria). He joined the Bavarian Army in 1911. During the First War he served in a field artillery unit, winning both classes of the Iron Cross. At the end of it he held the rank of NCO. Dietrich joined the NSDAP in 1928 and became commander of A.H.’s SS bodyguard unit. After the NSDAP seized power in 1933, Dietrich was appointed commander of the LSSAH. He was also involved in the Night of the Long Knives, personally overseeing the shooting of presumed SA traitors. For this he was promoted to SS-Obergruppenführer. Dietrich led the LSSAH during the Polish campaign in the Second War, and afterwards in the conquering of the Netherlands. In France he ordered his unit to take a British position near Dunkirk against direct orders from AH. Instead of being reprimanded, Dietrich was awarded the Knight’s Cross. He took part in the campaigns in Greece and Yugoslavia, and then led the 1st SS Panzer Corps at the Eastern Front. For his leadership role during the Battle of Uman, the crossing of the Dnieper, and the conquering of the city of Rostov Dietrich was awarded the Oak Leaves on December 31, 1941. In early 1943 his unit helped in reconquering Kharkov in the Third Battle of Kharkov, for which Dietrich received the Swords to the Iron Cross. In the summer of 1944, Dietrich and his unit were stationed in Normandy. On August 6, he was awarded the Diamonds to the Iron Cross. Just a few days earlier he had been promoted to SS-Oberstgruppenführer on August 1, 1944, the highest rank he would hold. He went on to command the 6th Panzer Army in the Battle of the Bulge, and finally surrendered to American forces in Austria at the end of the war. Among his other decoration are the Blood Order and the Golden Party Badge.