Naxos

Reddeman mentions in the prolog of his book: "That the former members of the GRPR will proudly wear in their veterans clubs the silver Totenkopf on their civilian jackets."

Correct!

As Thomas already mentioned - everyone in the Regiment was entitled to wear the Totenkopf, for the duration of the war, on the sleeve.

Well, that would qualify the white version of the Totenkopf as silver too. You read up on it, good for you. Regardless, silver and gray - all the same, shiny or not. Back to the SB5 sleeve patch: So, the Crown Prince authorized it and the Kaiser tolerated the Crown Prince's decision. I wouldn’t want to be that clerk in the Ordenskanzlei that says: "Wait a minute, that's not official!" .

Nobody is. In Heraldry silver and grey are interchangeable i.e. the same - as is gold and yellow. One can say that the German flag is Schwarz-Rot-Gelb or Schwarz-Rot-Gold. Both is correct. .

No, it says more than that - the correct translation is that the "Ehrenzeichen (Totenkopf and Krone) were awarded to the units. Not just simply worn.

I understand, no argument here. ... but it did, exactly like the flamethrower sleeve badge (with or without the Old Man's blessing).

Thomas, I consider the Schwerin quote hear-say - not evidence. The Gruss Dissertation from 1938 is far more accurate and original than Jean-Louis Larcade's thin book.

What is your source for the above comment

According to Gruss, SB5 was authorized by the Kronprinz to wear the "W".

Fantasy patch IMO

Christophe, nice portraits! I have seen him before (if you don't know his name - I can find him)

Ok! The actions of one battalion during one afternoon on 300 pages and 40 maps. Now that is a detailed report! .

Just some scanning will send it to your email account

Fritz von Oertzen in 1916 Leutnant und Zugführer in 8th coy of II.Batl. I.R.24 Born: Mai 16, 1894 at Salow in Friedland - Killed on: March 23, 1918 at Ste.Christ If you are interested in his "minute by minute" action on Febr.25 1916 at Douaumont, let me know.

Here is the link to the English page for a family-member-tracing-request: click on "Information" first http://www.dd-wast.de/frame_e.htm .

... was thinking along these lines as another possibility

ditto!

Most likely - However, if there would be a crown ... .

no lo sé

I kinda like it ... .

1. Garde-Regiment zu Fuss - Ersatz-Bataillon and 4.Komp. Reserve-Infanterie-Regiment Nr.93 (4. Gardedivision) Since the tag looked like it was in the ground for a long time, I checked the KIA list of RIR93. There I found Grenadier Paul Bruski born on August 16, 1894 - killed in action at the Somme on September 5, 1916 (22 years of age) .

... I totally agree! Thank you Thomas for sharing! .

Bob, good to hear from you! :cheers:

Rick, thanks for the explanation - makes perfect sense. Great addition Les. :cheers: