Brian R

Indeed. I constantly run into problems researching period documentation from the Russian Font in WWII. I look at maps and can't find the location that is referenced!! Agreed, that it is more like a place name, rather than a surname.

Hi Guys - Question for ya... I have an EK with a reference to Sagarow 1915, or at least the first letter appears to be an S. I was thinking it could be related to Zagarow, Poland but the date (August 20, 1915) wouldn't fit as, it appears, the fighting was farther to the east at this time. Does anyone have any ideas or thoughts on this? Could it possibly be someone's name instead? Thanks! Brian

Definitely fake (not sure about the case, though). I'd rather have the one on Baldes' site. Can someone lend me the money? http://www.militaria-baldes.de/en/catalog/41/0/10777.html

Norm - I think you are right. Part of my guess was related to the ribbons the other officers have. It seems that there is one officer wearing the ribbon for the 1939 EK2 and another for the War Merit Cross. Since these weren't in existence until after the war started, I figured it was a later ceremony. However, the Memel medal was awarded until December 1940, so it is quite possible. Also, the first recipient is quietly likely holding his award document in his left hand. I would lean towards it being a large Memel citation.

Andreas - This is a HUGE help! No need to translate the battles/actions - just having them typed out is quite helpful. Übel saw a lot of action throughout the war. It is interesting to see that he was an early EK2 winner and the fighting in Romania, where the EK1 was likely earned, is intriguing. My knowledge of the First World War is quite limited, and my specific knowledge of the fighting on the Eastern Front is next to known. This will be a great catalyst for a study of the fighting in Romania over the winter of 1916/1917. If there is anything you ever need from the Ancestry US database, please do not hesitate to ask. Brian

Andreas - Thanks so much for this!! I have an Ancestry subscription but currently only have access to the US records. A couple questions... Is a the image from Ancestry a bit larger than this? Is the attached image reduced a bit as a result of being posted on the forum? Are the records on Ancestry limited to Bavarian records or are other their records from other Kingdoms, Duchies, etc.? I really appreciate this info - it will go a long way to making this EK that much more special. There is not much better than attributable Iron Cross!

Cool pictures. I think its a ceremony for presentation of the War Merit Medal.

Hi Guys - Years ago, Rick L. helped me with some information about this engraved EK1 to a with Bavarian Reserve Infantry Regiment 13. He determined that it (probably) belonged to Maximilian Uebel (Übel) of Mindelheim, Bavaria. Born around 1874, he was a Leutnant in Landwehr II by 1913 and made Oberleutnant dLII around the start of the war. He probably made Hauptmann dLII by about 1916. I'm curious if any more information is available out there (like his service record), similar to what Chris B. helped with in this thread... http://gmic.co.uk/index.php/topic/60774-the-service-record-of-a-bavarian-doctor/ I'm pretty sure Bayer RIR 13 was heavily involved in the fighting at Verdun in the early part of 1916, so I wonder if this EK could possibly be from that period. Brian

This is an extraordinary set of documents. These formal awards are quite rare in that initial regulations stated that special posthumous awards could be initiated by local commands and sent to OKH (or OKW) in the event of tremendous bravery/circumstances. It appears that the higher authorities reserved the rights to process these awards but seldom did so as the war progressed, and casualties became so frequent (especially after Barbarossa in 1941). This particular set is interesting in that the date coincides with the start of Fall Rot, the second phase of the war in France. You will see a lot of casualty related awards dating from June 5th or so as the French put up surprisingly stiff resistance after suffering so heavily in the prior weeks, surprising the Germans. There are a couple of posthumous awards in my book, Iron Cross Award Documents of World War II - both formal and informal (on division level). See.... http://kleinekillpress.com/premiere-book-release.html

Guys - Thanks for the responses. I'm pleased to know that this bar is correct - and I've learned something new in that there were two different ribbon options. Best, Brian

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Hi Guys - I have had this bar for years and am now considering selling it. Before doing so, I want to make sure it is right. Is the 1868-1907 Baden Silver Merit Medal wrong for this bar? Shouldn't it be a plain yellow ribbon? In this case, is this a ribbon for the 1908-1916 Friedrich II Silver Medal of Merit and that is what should be there? If it is wrong, isn't the 1868-1907 medal more valuable? I appreciate the help! Brian

Just a quick update. The books have officially arrived and are ready for sale and immediate shipment. Brian

Thanks for the comments, guys. And yes, Paul - I will have a table at the MAX. Looking forward to it! B

Iron Cross Award Documents of World War II is now available for purchase. The preliminary copies have arrived and everything looks great! The main shipment should reach New York in about the first or second week of June. The synopsis is below. To me, a book on this subject was long overdue. I wrote it with Iron Cross and Iron Cross Document collectors in mind. Even if you are just an EK collector, you will appreciate the background of the awarding of the 1939 Iron Cross that has been shown in detail... Iron Cross Award Documents of World War II by Brian Razkauskas is the first comprehensive presentation and study of the 1939 Iron Cross award document. It features over 200 Iron Cross First and Second Class award citations and related material and dissects the documents’ various attributes, all while presenting them in historical context. Included are in-depth studies of Iron Cross award regulations, award proceedings, casualty-related awards, unit-specific awards and award document variants. It is likely to be the ultimate source for Iron Cross collectors, and Iron Cross award document collectors and researchers, for years to come. Regular Book Price = $110 + S&H Any order received between now and June 6 will receive $10 off. All contributors will receive an additional discount. The book with packaging weighs approximate 3 lbs., 10 oz. Domestic shipping will be available via Priority Mail ($17) or Media Mail with Delivery Confirmation ($7.50). International mail pricing will vary by destination. Please send an email to info@kleinekillpress.com to reserve your copy. Thank you!! I am excited to finally share this work with you all. Brian R. kleinekillpress.com

Yes, it is Wolf and it is a stamp. His sig is basically always found stamped from the mid-war years on.

Thanks for straightening this out, Kevin. I was going by the info on the ww2.dk site.

Yes, its nice but with a few scratches and dings. The cross is marked We.

What a great thread this is! My interest in this unit is based on an EK1 I recently acquired, so the information provided is most appreciated. Specifically, the Iron Cross First Class is engraved to a man by the name of Langendorf for an award related to the fighting at Krewo-Smorgon. It includes the date of August 2, 1917. I will have try and get the regimental history.

Hauptmann Heinz-Martin Hadeball Gruppe Kommander: I. Gruppe, Nachtjagdgeschwader 6 26.4.44 - 3.7.44 Document Image: Heldentod Citation

Yup, the IAB doc is standard and related to fighting with Army Group Center.

I have recently become interested in this unit and battle as well (July 22-23, 1917). My understanding is that there were specific fortifications at Krevo (which is located south of Smorgon) and that the Russians attacked with massive artillery. The attack was somewhat diversionary relative to attacks further to the south (Galicia?). I think a lot of units occupied the lines in the area; 16th Landwehr Division was there in addition to 226th Division, but it was 2nd Landwehr Regiment that bore the brunt of the fighting and held out despite massive losses. I agree with the original poster that it is tough to find info on this area of the war in the US (English writing on the subject).

Indeed, I never connected 1227 to this group until this thread, even with the faint pencil mark on the document. It certainly seems to make sense now. I guess the fact that its written on the Uboat doc - the earliest citation in the group - never made me think that it could actually be a reference to a boat he later served on. My understanding of the U-boat clasp is that its criteria was somewhat vague - it could be awarded for repeated service but appears to have been given for special circumstances, above and beyond the accumulation of service. I would think this could be one of those cases as October 4, 1944 was a day when the boat faced counter attacks. From http://uboat.net/boats/u1227.htm 4 Oct 1944 The boat attempted a bold surface attack on a convoy under a bright moon and was quickly discovered and counter-attacked by the escorts. She managed to torpedo the Canadian frigate HMCS Chebogue during the hour-long pursuit by escorts. The frigate was a total loss, but the boat escaped and continued the patrol. (Sources: Blair, vol 2, page 645) Of course, the date has to be taken with a grain of salt in that it could be the date of an action or just the date the paperwork or Vorschlagsliste was processed. I'm not sure I have ever seen a wound badge doc to a Uboat crewman - I think this may be my first and only one. I contacted Mr. Bredow years ago on two separate matters. Unfortunately the second one resulted in a scolding and an accusation that the documents I was inquiring about were fake (they are not). So, I am truly grateful for the info he did supply in the past, but I have not contacted him since. Thanks again, Brian

Eric-Jan - Do you have a crew list for U-1227? This is exciting as I have never known what boat Rein served on after his U-106. The info makes sense for the date of his Clasp doc - it is the same date as the October 4th actions in which it was counter-attacked by convoy escorts.

Hey Chris, maybe they knew each other... http://gmic.co.uk/index.php/topic/46458-document-group-u-106/?hl=rein