Brian R

Finally, I have posted some more stories. I show Luftwaffe men who were engaged in defending the Reich from the Allied Bomber Offensive as well as two men who distinguished themselves during the first months of Barbarossa. There are more stories on the way... http://kleinekillpress.com/iron-cross-winners---battlecampaign.html

No, the 1914-1916 dates speak to the initial period of production, when awards were produced by a selected group and done with high levels of silver. The list of makers expanded after 1916 as the war called for far more EK awards than what was initially expected. I like the Berlin flea market anecdote. It's nice to have a story with our crosses, even if they are our own rather than that of the original recipients.

Chris - I agree that the pinbacks are nicer as well. As much as the screwbacks are cool, it's the standard pinbacks that were typically awarded (as opposed to private purchased). The original five were... Sy & Wagner Gebrüder Friedländer Godet & Söhne Johann Wagner & Söhne J. H. Werner All five makers were situated in Berlin.

Quite an interesting set, Kevin. It is interesting to see that the screwback is de-Nazified but still clearly shows the outline of the swastika.

Nice cross. Sy & Wagner was one of the initial five makers authorized to produce government EKs between 1914 and 1916.

That EK1 is sweet!

Definitely!

"There were no IRs or LIRs numbering in the 200s" This is very helpful, Dave. Thank you. I will remember this rule and I will have to put the Bauer and Kraus book in my queue.

I wonder of they all got together for a stitch and bitch after the war. Seriously, these are some sweet bars, Don. I really like seeing the Colonial bars with the Militär-Ehrenzeichen. I have read the Teske write-up before, Chris. Your site has become a tremendous reference for Imperial German history, especially for non-WWI Western Front history. Obviously the Western Front history is robust, but I have learned a lot about other fronts from your site.

I showed this one of the WAF but I think it may be a better fit here. This is a great bar with a particularly violent history. The recipient was awarded for bravery in the First World War as well as during fighting in Africa. His Omaheke clasp commemorates the ruthless campaign against the Herero people - German troops defeated the Herero at the Battle of Waterberg in August 1904. They were forced into the Omaheke desert where countless people died of starvation and thirst. Those who tried to escape were cut down by German patrols on the desert border. It is widely considered the first instance of genocide in the 20th Century. I would almost expect him to have a Waterberg clasp as well.

of 213. IR. I guess this is where I get confused - if there was an IR and a RIR. I'm spoiled by the Lexicon der Wehrmacht (and other references) for matching units during the Second World War. Determining which unit goes with what in WWI continues to be a challenge. Any good recommendations for a general source?

Agreed. Great story and outcome. I always wonder how so many of these groups leave the families in the first place. One man's trash is another's treasure I guess, even among those with the same blood!

I don't think I have ever seen anything like this. This indention from the backing plate is visible. This is a fine case!!

Now, I could definitely imagine some silver wear in that one!

Hi Guys - As part of my never-ending confusion with Imperial German units, allow me to ask this question... there is a reference on a dealer site of an EK awarded to a member of III. 213. I'm assuming this is III. Battalion of Infanterie-Regiment Nr. 213, 46th Reserve Division (formed in Mecklenburg and the Hanseatic Cities). Is this correct? According to "251 Divisions..." the regiment was with the division through 1916. Thanks! B

Here are a couple of new pics of the box shown above. It's likely a put-together but still displays nicely. It came with this matching screwback pin/badge

Definitely a decent looking case, but it still has that "pleather" look about it. Glad to see it was sold as a copy.

Yeah, I didn't really think of a jeweler making cutlery but it seems reasonable to expect some kind of engraved knife or something placed in this box - perhaps a commemorative piece not necessarily used for food. I have a similar box that I keep a medal bar in. I can't recall when I obtained it but have never really concluded it was a legit ordensspange case. Seeing this example has me thinking mine is not necessarily an appropriate case, especially with the similar eagle. I will keep a bar in it anyway, as it works well. I will try and take better pics - the one below is from 10+ years ago. I no longer own the Non Com bar shown.

As with all things, some fakes are better than others. I see some pretty laughable cases from time to time. Here are the pics from the auction listed above. Out of curiosity, would this case be attributable to some kind of jewelry, and not cutlery or silverware? This case is far more convincing than many others.

The fact that May is spelled with a y leaves me skeptical. Can that be possible? Even without looking at the content, the thing definitely seems "off".

A nice pick-up, indeed.

You are absolutely right, Alex. The dealer is less important than one's knowledge, but I do consider Baldes one of the most trustworthy dealers of Flieger items on the planet.

And, by the way, they both came from Baldes.

I have two Imperial Pilot Badges that I will be putting on ebay this week. I am only parting with them because I just "upgraded" them with some other purchases. I would LOVE to keep them but just can't do it given how expensive Flieger stuff is. Send me a PM if your are interested and I'll give you right of first refusal before going to ebay. Brian

I love this group for a number reasons. Firstly, EKs to medical personal are amongst my favorites (both WWI and WWII) and I am super partial to any award that includes documentation as to how or why the award was made. Also, I find Spange documents from the mid-war years to be relatively uncommon. It seems that most were awarded during the early days - Polish Campaign, French Campaign and the first year of Barbarossa.