Gordon Williamson

Korvettenkapit?n Gerhard Otto Bigalk Commander U-751 Knights Cross 26 December 1941 KIA 17 July 1942 Unsigned photo will be added later if no one has s signed one.

Kapit?nleutnant Gerhard Bielig L.I. on U-103 Knights Cross 10 February 1943

Korvettenkapit?n Ernst Rudolf Ludwig Bauer Commander U-126 Knights Cross 16 March 1942

Kapit?nleutnant Klaus Bargsten Commander U-521 Knights Cross 30 April 1943

Just to keep this separate from Michels slection of fine original wartime signed photos, these are later photos. I?ll start with shots predominantly obtained direct from the aces after the war, with postwar signatures and also a few of the photos issued by the shipyards showing commanders of U-Boats they had built ( most of these are easily spotted as they have printed signatures in white), then fill in the gaps with unsigned prints. Only one had the initial "A". Albrecht Adolf Konrad Achilles of U-161. Don't have a signed photo of him. Will add an unsigned image later if no one else has a signed one to share.

Here he is

My favourite KVK 2 document. This one is to Will L?hner, he was the chief engineer (Leitender Ingineur , or L.I. - pronounced ELL EE ) on U-48 under top ace Herbert Schulze. Survived the war and also received the Bundesverdienstkreuz

"24" is the official contract supplier code for Arbeitsgemeinschaft der Hanauer Plakettenhersteller in Hanau am Main. The acorn mark is probably some sort of QA mark. Iron Crosses made by Alois Rettenmaier often have, as well as the makers LDO code L/59, a range of other marks, circles, squares, dots, the tilde mark ( ~ ) and even a tiny swastika. That these various additional marks found on EKs are quality control marks is speculative, but logical.

Correct Dave. The lower sticker (Ordensband) relates to the ribbon

Wonderful set !!!

I agree, W&L are the finest EKs ( after Steinhauer of course ) and thats a particularly nice example you have there Darrell.

Rick, According to my references the medal was still being bestowed right up to 1945.

Rick, You are right. As the only Japanese award with an Austrian style triangular ribbon, it looks totally out of synch with all the others. They were influenced by many other countries. The medals here have ribbon suspensions which are very "British" in style. The ribbon rosettes they used are said to have been French influence.

Plain reverse with Kanji characters spelling out "Order of Merit Decoration"

Obverse shows a cluster of Paulonia leaves with flowers above.

Introduced 10 April 1875. Awarded to both civilians and military. The majority of the lower grades as shown here were military.

The reverse is plain with the inscription "Order of Merit Decoration" Despite looking brand new, this is an original 1930s piece, the period during which the tiny "M" mark of the Osaka Mint was applied on the lower arm

Awarded for both civil and military merit. The obverse design shows in the centre the legendary Yata Mirror, symbolising purity. Apparently so sacred, that even the emperor was not permitted to look into it. The circular discs represent the Yasakani jewels, which legend has it the Gods hung on the trees to entice the sun godess out of hiding and bring light to the world.

Introduced 4 January 1888. Comes in eight grades. This is the lowest, 8th Grade. I weill add the higher grades as I obtain them.

Reverse shows a representation of the mountains of northern China, the Kanji below reading " China Incident"

Obverse shows not an eagle but "yata-no-karasu" a mythical giant crow, under the Cysanthemum and flanked by two Rising Sun flags. Once again the Kanji on the ribbon bar just say "War Medal"

Awarded to those who served in the Japanese Army in China between 1937-45. Interesting use of the term "Incident" to describe a war lasting 8 years !!

The reverse shows two Japanese steel helmets over Kanji spelling out the inscription "Showa 6th Year to 9th Year Incident"

The bird shown on the obverse is not an eagle but the legendary Golden Kite, perched on a shield with the Cherry Blossom emblem above. The Japanese characters of "Kanji" on the bar on the ribbon reads simply "War Medal"

Introduced on 23 July 1934 for those who served in Manchuria with the Kwantung Army.