Earlier the next day after having a quick breakfast, Friedrich and his crew were supplied with another Panzer IV and were ordered to support the LAH 1.zug as they broke into Trafalgar. In the air Stukas continued its bombings and destroyed many fortified British positions which made it easy for the ground troops to penetrate into the city. As Friedrich's tank and men of the LAH moved into Trafalgar Square, they saw lots of British troops retreating into the London underground. Friedrich unbuttoned from his tank and commanded the combat pioneers to blow the station out. Before the pioneers could run into the station. British snipers took them out one by one. Without much choice, Friedrich called for artillery support and shelled the whole area.
Taking a short break with the men. They tuned into the radio with one of Hitler's speeches, "This day! I promise to you my German people! Britain will never be a threat to us! Because soon Britain will be part of our Reich! Our sons and fathers have done the fatherland proud and no more again shall the Treaty of the Versailles endanger Germany! Sieg Heil!" (A roaring of Heil's were heard)
Friedrich looked at the men as they grinned... "We will do the Führer proud! Lets' go!" Friedrich closes the hatch and orders the men to move forward into the city. As planes continue to Blitz London, The remnants of the British Army and partisans along with civilians all poured out from buildings and underground stations with hands raised up some wounded and waving a piece of white cloth.
SS-Feldgendarmes along with Heer Feldgendarmes strips the defeated men and women of weapons and intelligence and secured them. The Feldgendarmes lined up a couple of the men, women and children and the firing squad was already on hand. Friedrich saw what was happening. And ran to scene, his crew also followed him, but before they could do anything. The shooting squad opened fire at the prisoners. They reached the scene, with eyes of shock. One of Friedrich crew wanted to confront the Feldgendarmerie Officer but was stopped by Friedrich.. "No don't do it.. You know very well the Feldgendarmerie has higher authority than we do.." He then stopped.. They made their way into their tank. They were ordered to move into Birmingham palace.
Driving on their way there, they marveled the views of London. As one of the Friedrich crew looked around.. Friedrich nudged at him.. "You looking for beautiful london women?" He looked and replied.. "Nein!!! I got a wife at home already!" Friedrich laughed. They were later joined by the men of the Großdeutschland and Hermann Göring Division Fallschirmjägers. When they reached their destination. To their astonishment, half of the Birmingham palace was leveled by the bombings. But they still made their way in to look for survivors. As the infantrymen went into the dilapidated palace. Friedrich and the Fallschirmjägers covered their backs.
One of the GD Officer yelled in English.. "Hello! Are there anyone in there?" A feminine groan was heard. The men moved in and removed the debris from the woman and also found a few others with her. They pulled them out from the palace and brought them out to safety as the sanitäter treated them of their wounds. The victims were the members of the royal family and one of them was Winston Churchill. Amazed with their find. They reported to the General Georg von Küchler of the 3. Armee. They were promptly taken to the hospital.
A week later. The surrender document was prepared and scheduled to be signed in the House of Lords. Churchill and a few British Generals walked into the hall where the commander of the 3.Armee Georg von Küchler awaited their arrival. Churchill and the Generals took their seats as General Georg von Küchler explained the capitulation details and the document was passed to Churchill and he signed it with regret. And General Georg von Küchler took the document and signed it. Churchill and the others were later escorted by Feldgendarmes to the truck and drove off.
SS Panzergrenadiers posing with an 2 Officers at the outside of Big Ben
2 SS Officers posing for the camera.
2 SS Officers posing for the camera at Scotland Yard.
An SS-Unterscharführer smiling for the camera during his guard duty.
Pictures from www3.mistral.co.uk/sbg1
