impressive 16 place medal bar

[Alex K]

Hi all, attached is an image of a impressive 16 place medal bar being worn by a NSDAP official, clearly the medals are from imperial times, the name is given as"Fritz Lauffer", Googling the name produces nothing unfortunately, does anyone recognise or know of his career to allow him to so bountifully awarded?

 

regards

 

Alex K

[Nicolas7507]

Hi,

Fritz Johann Ludwig Lauffer was born on June 5, 1868 in Berlin. His military career began on February 1, 1888 with the entry into the Field Artillery Regiment No. 29. On January 1, 1894 Lauffer was transferred to the Dragoon Regiment ¿König¿ (2nd Württ.) No. 26 in Ulm, the was transferred to Stuttgart in July of the same year. Due to its excellent riding characteristics he got from 1897 to 1899 a command at the military riding institute in Hanover. Lauffer then returned to his old regiment back to Stuttgart. There he led the 5th squadron as successor to Duke Robert of Württemberg.

Lauffer was commissioned by the Inspector of the Prussian Cavalry v. Kleist was appointed to a commission in Berlin in 1911 and 1912. In 1913 he was promoted to Major. When General Liman von Sanders was commissioned to lead a military mission for Turkey, this Lauffer requested for the Turkish Riding School at the Military Cabinet. At the end of February 1914 Lauffer traveled to Constantinople and became commander of the officer riding school. In the Ottoman Empire Lauffer also experienced the beginning of the First World War. He first came to the Palestinian front and became Governor of Jerusalem and commander of the front section from Nablus to Gaza. He then led the right wing on the Sinaifront at El Arisch, where he feigned various advances against the Suez Canal. In the fall of 1915 he left the Orient and returned to Europe. First Lauffer was used in the 25th Reserve Division in Serbia. After Christmas, the division was transferred to the Argonne, but remained behind the front. At his own request Lauffer was repeatedly used as a battalion commander and combat troops commander in Reserve Infantry Regiment No. 83 used. On August 6, 1916 Lauffer was appointed commander of the 2nd Reserve Uhlans Regiment, shortly thereafter intended to represent the wounded commander, Lieutenant Colonel Grimm, the Reserve Infantry Regiment No. 236. This regiment fought after the detachment from the Somme Battle in Champagne, later in Verdun, Ripont and Soissons. Due to the death of his son Hans Joachim Lauffer, who had also served in the Reserve Infantry Regiment No. 236, in fighting for the place Vailly on August 3, 1918 Lauffer took a longer holiday. During this time he experienced the end of the First World War.

After the war Lauffer was first commander of the Dragoon Regiment No. 26. Later, he was ordered to the so-called "hanging commission", which had the mission to say goodbye to all officers who went over the budget of 100 000 men's army. Due to disagreements with the country commander Major General Otto Haas Lauffer was dismissed in May 1920 from military service. He then founded as a riding instructor and horse expert rural and urban riding clubs in Württemberg. 6000 members of these clubs he led to the seizure of power of the Nazi Party 1933 SA-cavalry. Lauffer became the group rider leader of SA Group Southwest. In the spring of 1937 he resigned.

Fritz Lauffer died on 4 November 1941 in Stuttgart

[Alex K]

Hi wow! thanks for the speedy and in-depth reply, a very distinguished career it seems,  also explains the Turkish decoration he's wearing around his neck. It looks like he's also wearing the Swedish order of the Sword (Last medal on the medal bar), any involvement there in his career?

 

best regards

 

Alex K

[BalkanCollector]

Such an amazing photo with an amazing bar! 

[VtwinVince]

No kidding, that guy is decorated like a Christmas tree.

[Von Thronstahl]

On 14/09/2018 at 10:07, Alex K said:

Hi wow! thanks for the speedy and in-depth reply, a very distinguished career it seems,  also explains the Turkish decoration he's wearing around his neck. It looks like he's also wearing the Swedish order of the Sword (Last medal on the medal bar), any involvement there in his career?

 

best regards

 

Alex K

I think there is more turkish medals on his right pocket.

[Alex K]

Yes, one is the Turkish war medal, pinback (Eiserne Halbmund), the one on the ribbon I guess either one of these

 

[1812 Overture]

it is this

[Dave Danner]

The Order of Osmanieh 3rd Class is worn around the neck. The Silver Imtiaz Medal with Swords is worn on the right pocket flap, with the Turkish War Medal (the so-called Eiserne Halbmond or Iron Half-Moon) below it on the right pocket.

As a Württemberg officer, he normally would not have received the Kaiser Wilhelm Gedächtnismedaille (Centenarmedaille), which is second-to-last on the medal bar. However, as Nicolas7507 mentions above, he was commanded to the Prussian Militär-Reitinstitut in 1897.