Brian R

I got word from the family (I've contacted them on a side note; genaology research). It turns out this sailor was on an LCD as part of the 3rd Wave at Omaha Beach.

Great information, guys. Thanks. Based on his campaign ribbons and the fact that the studio shot is from London, he may have been some serious action landing troops on the European invasion beaches.

I don't agree with the seller that this would be a 1914 NC EK with a Widows/Next of Kin Honor Cross.

An NCO, of course. For some reason I was thinking officer because of the LS Cross. He would have an Albert Order or higher if an officer.

Here is a five piece bar to a Saxon Officer located safely behind the lines (probably back in Saxony). I'm guessing the Silver Merit Cross w/o Swords was awarded before the war and the War Merit Cross came in the war years. Perhaps a simple officer who needed to be awarded for something during the war and the War Merit Cross "worked". Please share your opinions. Thanks, as always, Brian

Can anyone help identify the shoulder patch in this picture? This portrait was taken in a London studio during the war - he is my grandfather's first cousin. Thanks, Brian

Great info, Rick. Thanks. The reverse has a faint stamp from Aurbach in Saxony.

A family portrait that includes what appears to be a Saxon in the Reichswehr... it looks like ihe wears multiple LS awards along with is EK and Hungarian Commemorative medal. I cant make out the first - an FAM? Any sense as to his rank?

Here is larger portrait of Ferdinand Honisch. It's actually a different photo as you can see that his head is in a slightly different position. His bar is a bit clearer in this one...

A book on the subject would be tremendous. I just finished Holger Herwig's book and it was the first time I learned that much about the East. I never knew how much of a steam roller the German Army was on the Eastern Front and the fact that it was primarily mobile fighting as about the trench warfare is very interesting. It's almost a forgotten theater here in the States but was actually a huge aspect of the war. I'd like learn more about it!!

I can't beleive he'd be wearing the W?rttemberg Friedrichs order's knight's cross IInd class in front of the EK2 after 1934, but wouldn't also be wearing the MVO. If he was weraing the MVO on his button hole than the Friedrichs order would probably be placed after the EK, per regulations.

Nice bar - you outbid me by two euro. Congrats!!! Since the listing only included a picture of the obverse, please post the reverse when you receive it. I'm curious if there is a maker's label on it. Also, the HC looks like it could be could be bronze

Rick is right - I wonder if it's worth it if these troubles potentially go along with the transaction. As for the cross - without pictures it's hard to tell. However, an off-center crown is not necessarily a bad sign as the cores within the frames often come loose over the years. B

Here is an EK2 doc to Ersatz - Reservisten Kaliner of 7 Komp, Reserve Infantry Regiment 77 in 2nd Guard Reserve Division dated August 24, 1916. My assumption is that this Regt. was from Hannover (although Kaliner was not). Does anyone have any sense as to how the Regt. made it through The Somme and who the Regt. Commander was? Brian

I'm surprised to see this type of fake on the Collectors Guild site. From what I know of this seller it seems this isn't the kind of junk he usually peddles.

Sorry - this is definitely no good.

Anyone? Mr. Keating?

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Here are the Godets I mentioned earlier... to the left - awarded to a Lt of RIR 212 (I have the the shipping carton with his name) center - engraved to a Haupt. of R.I.R. 13 to the right - near mint, but no longer in my possession I like Stogiman's theory about the leftovers. But, I wonder if they were continually made throughout the late 1800's through 1914 and purchased by the various EK makers; even during the early years of WWI.

Rick gave me some insight on this "white-black" doc years ago but I lost the data. I hoping to have it "re-explained"(I can post close-ups if need be). It is interesting that, although it appears to be quicky hand-written, it is actually a fill-in type and only the name, dates and "weiss-schwarz" parts are written...

Here is a nice EK2 document to a a member of FJR 13. The information below is the best I have - I pieced much of it together from a post P Keating wrote on another forum a few years ago. FJR 13 was basically destroyed in the Normandy town of St. Lo in July, 2004. Some survivors went on to fight in the Falaise Gap, the retreat over the Seine and into Holland during September and October. The regiment was reformed in Den Haag in November, 1944. Lt-General Wilke signed this doc although he had officially left command of 5 FJD in late September. He stayed on until Ludwig Heilmann formally assumed command in December 1944. He may have, as a last gesture, awarded Iron Crosses to all of the Normandy veterans who didn't already have one. Also, this document appears to have lazerett written on the top right corner in faint pencil meaning this could have been awarded while Voight was recovering from wounds in the hospital. Thoughts on this?

I have had three of these cases (now have only two). All three have come with Godet marked EKs (G on the pin). I'm curious as to what other marked crosses have come with this case type.

Below is an EK2 doc to an Obergefreiten of FJ Regt. 4. It is dated June 9, 1943, has the (old) Fliegerdivision 7 stamp and is signed by Heidrich. My question is... what is it for, possibly for actions in Russia earlier that winter? I guess re-fitting in France was a good time to catch up on paperwork. Thoughts? Brian

Thanks for the info. I have always imagined the 10,000-13,000 "white-blacks" went to Beamten and not civilians (especially since Chris has basically proven that this was not a "non-combatant at the front" type of award. Wouldn't a civilian winner be less common than a military man, despite their being well behind the line (like Bremen or Berlin or....)?

I agree with these two lines from Chris... definitely copyright this!!!! and, I'm ready for one too (if and when the time is right).