Jagdgeschwader 2 'Richthofen'

On July 25,1941,Siegfried Schnell receives the Eichenlaub from Adolf Hitler personally at the Wolffschanze, the Führer’s headquarters in Eastern Prussia. With him is his future commanding officer, Hptm. Walter Oesau (newly appointed Kommodore of JG 2) receiving the Schwerten to his Ritterkreuz for his 86 kills, Oberstleutnant Adolf Galland (also receiving the Schwerten) and Hauptmann Herbert Ihlefeld who, like Schnell, is presented with the Eichenlaub.