Alfred von Randow with his medal bar

[webr55]

Very nice picture of Alfred von Randow (of the Detachement) with his full "I don't care what regulations there are..." medal bar:

Edited November 11, 2017 by webr55

[Guest Rick Research]

[Eric K.]

I'm still a little confused on the Baltic crosses. I see he's wearing a "1st" and "2nd class". I thought that you either wear it as a pin back OR on a medal bar. ??

Eric

[webr55]

As I understand it, there was no 1st or 2nd class. It was a pinback award - and wearing it on the medal bar was completely unofficial. The ribbon was however worn on the RIBBON bar.

[Deutschritter]

What a nice picture! Can anyone identify all decorations? I read, he was not reactivated, so is this a reserve uniform? Also this is a Heeresuniform, but I read somewhere, he was possibly in the Luftwaffe? Can anyone clarify this? Thank you!

[bolewts58]

On 05/06/2008 at 19:32, webr55 said:

As I understand it, there was no 1st or 2nd class. It was a pinback award - and wearing it on the medal bar was completely unofficial. The ribbon was however worn on the RIBBON bar.

True, only 1 class. But, it was more of an either/or rather than the ribbon bar version being "unofficial" because the award document actually mentions the ribbon color and the medal being suspended from it and basically gives it as an alternative option to wear.

Edited August 11, 2021 by bolewts58

[Deutschritter]

If someone has his promotion dates, I would be thankful! What is the medal Nr. 5 after the Flandernkreuz (Nr. 4)? Nr. 3 seems to be the Kriegserinnerungsmedaille (Österreich) mit Schwertern?

Edited August 11, 2021 by Deutschritter

[Ian]

This may be of use.

 

https://de.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alfred_von_Randow

[Deutschritter]

No, Ian, not at all. WP knows hardly anything, not even the date he entered service. But thanks anyway!

[Ian]

Not a very accurate source I know, but I thought they might have gotten some information correct. Sorry.

[Deutschritter]

1) EK II

2) Ehrenkreuz für Frontkäampfer

3) Kriegserinnerungsmedaille (Österreich) mit Schwertern

4) Flandernkreuz

5) ?

6) Baltenkreuz

7) ?

8 ) Deutschritter-Kreuz, 2nd class with swords, although he had the grand cross with star

9) ?

10) ?

11) ?

 

 

Edited August 12, 2021 by Deutschritter

[bolewts58]

9 hours ago, Deutschritter said:

1) EK II

2) Ehrenkreuz für Frontkäampfer

3) Kriegserinnerungsmedaille (Österreich) mit Schwertern

4) Flandernkreuz

5) ?

6) Baltenkreuz

7) ?

8 ) Deutschritter-Kreuz, 2nd class with swords, although he had the grand cross with star

9) ?

10) ?

11) ?

 

 

5) some sort of Kaiser Wilhelm / Kaiser Franz Josef commemorative medal. There were several unofficial versions throughout the war.

7/ I'm pretty sure this is the Russian order of St. Anne 3rd class.

8)Actually the Diebitsch Cross 2nd class from Freikorps Diebitsch (an officer of Detachment von Randow would not wear the Deutschritter-Kreuz, 2nd class. It was for NCOs and enlisted men. Also, it never had swords.)

9) Hungarian War Commemorative Medal

10) Bulgarian War Commemorative Medal

11) Russian St. George Medal of the Russian West Army

 

The last 2 sword devices on the ribbon bar are just extra "bling" and shouldn't be there.

It's unusual that someone who started the war as a Hauptmann, finished the war, still as a Hauptmann only got an EK I and II and no state awards, not even a war merit cross or two. He was just a staff officer during the war and didn't see much combat. But, he was wounded and got a wound badge. So, one would think that he would have gotten some more awards. He was entitled to the Prussian 15 year service cross and may have even been eligible for the 25 year Officer's service cross having finished the war with 23 years service and serving another 2 in the Freikorps. Also, the Kriegserinnerungsmedaille (Österreich) mit Schwertern is in the wrong place. It should have been mounted just before the Hungarian medal. The St. George Medal should have been mounted after the Diebitsch Cross. Overall, it's quite a bizarre, mish-mash of a medal bar with some extraneous stuff thrown on it. I'm surprised he doesn't have the unofficial Ostfront Cross given he served on the Eastern front in WWI. Clearly, the tailor who put this bar together didn't totally understand the precedent regulations.

Officially, he was only entitled to wear an EKII, Ehrenkreuz für Frontkäampfer, Baltic Cross, Kriegserinnerungsmedaille (Österreich) mit Schwertern, Hungarian War Commemorative Medal and Bulgarian War Commemorative Medal.

Edited August 13, 2021 by bolewts58

[Deutschritter]

Thank you so much for your explanations, I just learned a lot!!!

[webr55]

No. 7 might also be the (unofficial) Austrian Ehrenlegion. 

 

[bolewts58]

40 minutes ago, webr55 said:

No. 7 might also be the (unofficial) Austrian Ehrenlegion. 

 

I agree. Looking at it again, that's what is.

Edited August 14, 2021 by bolewts58

[Deutschritter]

Thanks, Gentlemen!