Karl Roßmann (November 23, 1916 in Kempten - April 1, 2002 in Bad Kreuznach).
He joined Flak-Regiment 5 on April 1, 1936 as a Fahnenjunker (Officer Cadet). On September 1, 1937, he was transferred as Oberfähnrich to the II.Bataillon (Flak) / Regiment "General Göring". He was promoted to Leutnant on April 1, 1938. In the summer of 1939, he and his unit were dispatched to the Führer's Headquarters, where they provided anti-aircraft cover for Adolf Hitler's trips to the front lines. On April 1, 1940, he was promoted to Oberleutnant and in early 1941 went on to command the 16th Battery of the Flak-Regiment Hermann Göring.
On August 2, 1941, as the Battle of Uman came to an end, the encircled Soviet forces attempted a desperate breakout at night. One of the German units on their way, located between Uman and Slatopol near the town of Swerdlikowo, was the Batterie Roßmann along with a handful of infantry, including troops from the SS "Wiking" Division. This small force, under the command of Roßmann himself, was able to withstand all attacks for 14 hours and thus played an important role in ensuring the destruction of the trapped 6th, 12th and elements of the 18th Soviet Armies. For this act he would receive the Ritterkreuz des Eisernen Kreuzes on 12 November 1941.
In late 1941, he and his unit were transferred to France. On July 1, 1942, he was promoted to Hauptmann (captain) and appointed Commander of the I. Abteilung of the Panzer Regiment Hermann Göring. With this unit he fought in Sicily and later in Italy. On January 1, 1944 he was promoted to Major and in June 1944 he was appointed Commander of the Reconnaissance Detachment "Hermann Göring". But already in October 1944 he took over the former I. Abteilung from him in the Fallschirm-Panzer-Regiment "Hermann Göring". His next employment was in East Prussia, at the Russian bridgehead on the Vistula near Warka. On February 1, 1945, as Major and Commander of Fallschirm-Panzer-Regiments 1, he received the Eichenlaub for the Ritterkreuz. On March 1, 1945 he was promoted to Oberstleutnant (Lieutenant Colonel). Towards the end of the war, Roßmann and his unit withdrew across the Oder and Neiße rivers and surrendered to American forces to avoid capture by the Red Army.
Roßmann died on April 1, 2002 in Bad Kreuznach
Source :
https://forum.axishistory.com/viewtopic.php?f=5&t=102216&sid=aa75913a32b3fb9003dcd601cd579d01
https://reibert.info/media/karl-rossmann-jpg.323359/
This
slide is from the estate of Siegfried Keller, which belonged to
Panzer-Abteilung 8. The Panzer-Abteilung 8 was formed in October 1943 as
replacement for the destroyed Panzer-Regiment 8 and was assigned to 20.
Panzergrenadier-Division. The detachment was established in late 1943,
and there is no information about Keller's previous career. This tank,
Pz.Kpfw.IV Ausf.G, chassis number 82849, was sent to the unit in May
1942. The entire surface is factory painted in Tropen 2 scheme, but
inside of the hatches remain gray as seen, and it suggests that gray
painted parts was assembled at the factory and painted in Tropen 2
before shipment. The gun tube was later installed, therefore the gray
primer color is retained. The spare wheel at the front is in red primer
but when you look at it closely the center hub is painted in Tropen 2. Other interesting features like red cross painted on the superstructure front, light gray fire extinguisher, etc.
