Provenance: Personal-made album, likely compiled by Hans Brückner (?), based on names and notes contained inside.
Unit: 11. Kompanie / SS-Panzergrenadier-Regiment 2, 1. SS-Panzer-Division “Adolf Hitler”
Timeframe: Primarily October 1944, photographed in Venne shortly before the Ardennes Offensive.

Content & Highlights

• Small album with 28x photographs of which numerous high-quality, sharp, with detailed captions.

• Shows officers, NCOs, and group scenes from 11./SS-Panzergrenadier-Regiment 2 "LAH" — nearly all names are written in the album, providing rare and precise identification.

• Two photographs include Obersturmführer Heinz Tomhardt.

• Also one of the photographs shows Alwin Schlüter, a veteran that later also wrote his memoirs in a book (Veteranen der Waffen-SS Berichten).

Historical Context: Heinz Tomhardt & Malmedy

• Heinz Tomhardt (SS-Obersturmführer, b. 1921 – d. 1946) was a company commander in SS-Panzergrenadier-Regiment 2.

• He served under Kampfgruppe Peiper during the Ardennes Offensive (December 1944).

• After the war, Tomhardt was implicated in the Malmedy Massacre, in which American POWs and civilians were murdered by elements of Kampfgruppe Peiper near Baugnez crossroads. He was sentenced to death at Dachau in 1946, later commuted to life imprisonment.

• His appearance in this album adds a direct and rare connection to one of the most infamous war crimes of WWII.

Significance

• This album documents men and moments from a frontline SS-Panzergrenadier company just weeks before their participation in the Ardennes Offensive, making it a unique primary source.

• The connection to Kampfgruppe Peiper, the naming of individuals, and the inclusion of Tomhardt photographs greatly enhance the historical importance.

• Once-in-a-lifetime collector’s item — very few such intact, personalized albums have survived.

Condition

• As seen in photos: compact, personal-sized album with period handwriting and annotations.

• Photographs remain crisp with strong contrast; captions are legible.

Original photograph of SS-Obersturmführer Theodor Lange - see below for more information about him! Size 6x9cm. Condition as seen. WATERMARKED CLEARLY FOR SALE PURPOSES AND BUYER HAVING THE ONLY COMPLETE IMAGE. Sold for historical purposes!

SS‑Obersturmführer Theodor Lange – From Waffen‑SS Frontline Officer to Auschwitz Adjutant

Born: 28 September 1918, Essen, Germany
Died: 5 November 1944, drowned in the Meuse (Maas) River
Nationality: Reich German (Reichsdeutscher)
Civilian Profession: Clerk (Angestellter)

Theodor Lange was born in the industrial city of Essen in 1918. From 1 September 1934 to 10 October 1937, he was a member of the Hitlerjugend (HJ), the indoctrination and paramilitary youth wing of the Nazi Party. Following his HJ service, Lange joined the Reichsarbeitsdienst (RAD) on 10 October 1937, completing compulsory labor service.

In November 1938, Lange entered the Allgemeine‑SS, receiving membership number 400 103. Initially serving as an SS‑Bewerber (candidate), he was assigned to the 1. Kompanie / SS‑Standarte “Germania”, part of the SS‑Verfügungstruppe (SS‑VT), the forerunner of the Waffen‑SS.

When the war began, Lange continued to develop as an SS officer, later serving with the 5. SS‑Panzer‑Division “Wiking”. By August 1941, Lange had been commissioned as an SS‑Untersturmführer (second lieutenant) in the 5. Kompanie / Infanterie‑Regiment “Nordland”, a regiment within the Waffen‑SS. “Nordland” saw heavy combat on the Eastern Front, and its officers gained both frontline and anti‑partisan experience.

Service at Auschwitz

From December 1942 to September 1944, Lange commanded the 8. Ukrainische Kompanie (U‑Kompanie) of the SS‑Wachsturmbann Auschwitz. This unit, sometimes referred to under Kommando Zeppelin, consisted of Ukrainian auxiliaries — many of them Soviet POWs recruited by the Germans.

The Ukrainian company wore modified Soviet uniforms and spoke primarily Russian. Their duties included:

• Guarding the camp perimeter

• Escorting prisoner work details (Häftlingsbegleitung)

• Assisting with security during prisoner transports

• Participating in anti‑partisan patrols in the surrounding countryside

In addition to his company command, Lange served in early 1944 as Adjutant to the commandant of Auschwitz — a highly trusted administrative post responsible for handling official correspondence, issuing orders, and coordinating between camp departments.

By July 1944, Lange had been reassigned to the 10. SS‑Panzer‑Division “Frundsberg”, a frontline Waffen‑SS armored unit. This division fought in Normandy and later retreated through France and the Low Countries.

On 5 November 1944, Theodor Lange drowned in the Meuse (Maas) River during operations in the Netherlands or Belgium. His death was not in battle but likely an accident during the chaotic withdrawal of German forces.

Promotions

• 31 March 1943 – Promoted to SS‑Untersturmführer

• 30 January 1944 – Promoted to SS‑Obersturmführer, confirmed in Auschwitz Standortbefehl (Garrison Order) No. 5/44 issued 1 February 1944