Germany, SS. A HIAG Tracing Service File for SS-Oberscharführer Harald Freiherr von Richthofen

(SS Suchdienst Papier). A HIAG (Mutual Aid Association of Former Waffen-SS Members) Tracing Service file for SS-Oberscharführer Harald Freiherr von Richthofen, who was born on 18 March 1905, and who served with the 37th SS Volunteer Cavalry Division Lützow. His last known whereabouts were in Pisek (then the Protectorate of Bohemia and Moravia, now Písek, Czech Republic) on 12 May 1945, following the Red Army’s capture of that city. Importantly, it mentions that a German prisoner of war who returned from Soviet captivity reported hearing about a prisoner named von Richthofen also held in a camp in Karaganda (Kazakh SSR) in 1949. The request for information was filed by his wife, Sibylle Freifau von Richthofen. The file retains a black-and-white studio portrait of von Richthofen. Measuring 21 cm (w) x 14.5 cm (h), this document is an interesting example to a member of a notable noble family which rendered legendary military service in an extremely fine condition.

Footnote: Genealogical documents confirm that Harald Freiherr von Richthofen was never located and, with his fate undetermined, likely perished in Soviet captivity.