Brian R

Richard - These really are some great docs. They're especially good because they are both aesthetically pleasing and are a double pair from Crete. I wonder if he distinguished himself numerous times or did something so great that it warranted the EK1 and had to have both medals awarded simultaneously. I would imagine that these documents were processed on company level and sent up the ladder for signing. I would like to know what percentage of FJ were decorated for Merkur. It almost seems like whoever jumped got an EK.

Tom - I really like the ostmedaille doc. And, you're right, the actual award date is rarely encountered. Its also interesting that the place "Metz" is listed as well. The FP number could be telling as the doc seems to have been processed in France while the division was still fighting in Russia. He must have been in between units at the time - or perhaps he was wounded between 41 and 43 and convalescing in France.

Thanks for all the nice comments!

Finally, in October 1944, Rein was awarded his Uboat Frontspange in Bronze. Now, I don't really know what for but it appears that he was back in the service of a Uboat, this time in the Baltic Sea. Perhaps it will take a letter to Mr. Bredow to find out. This is only my third Uboat group but I try and wait for special ones. This one really caught my eye given the fact that he was a survivor and was actually awarded a BWB as a result of the action. I can't recall seeing this type of group too often before. I can only imagine what a frightening experience it was - to be survivor of an Uboat that resulted in the death of 22 of one's crew!

After being led by two different commanders since 1941, the boat was commanded by Wolf-Dietrich Damerow as of June, 1943. He took the boat out for its tenth patrol (and his first as commander) on July 28, 1943. On August 1st the boat was attacked by a Canadian Wellington bomber. the plane dropped depth charges and tracked the boat until more planes could arrive. The boat was sunk the next day, but not before Damerow was able to call for support. Two German torpedo boats arrived in time to rescue Damerow and 35 of his men. However, 22 sailors were lost. Among the survivors was Rein, who was awarded a Black Wound Badge and the Iron Cross Second Class for his experience.

Here is a great document group that I was lucky enough to get off the WAF estand. It finally made it to Brooklyn yesterday and I was very pleased to say the least. It is to a sailor who served on U-106 of 2. Unterseebootsflottille. The boat ultimately went on 10 patrols from January 1941 through August 1943. This particular sailor, Matrosenobergefrieter Friedrich Rein, probably joined the boat's crew sometime in 1942 and received his U-boat badge in December of that year. The doc is the "second" type and includes U-106 in light pencil on two different parts of the doc.

Was he wounded multiple times or was the WB in gold for one wound?

Oh, I like this one much better! What a great design. Although I don't collect KM badges I would surely add this one to my library soley for the pics and award documents.

Wow, Kevin. This group is even nicer than I had imagined. The change in technology here is amazing as well. It is interesting to think that the recipeint rode in a Panzer II and a King Tiger within just a few years of each other. What a contrast in fighting equipment!

Very nice group, Gordon. I wonder where he won his EK2 - perhaps in Crete as part of the Western Group.

Wow, this really is a great group. I don't think I've ever seen such an early U-boat badge doc.

Great bar, Gary. Was the recipient a member of the Luftwaffe? I ask becuase I don't think I've seen the Italo-German Medal awarded to anyone in the Heer or KM.

Are my ears that big? I wish I had his pilot's badge!!

A sling and an EK2... a great way to pick up chicks!

Fellow Collectors: I recent months I've started a book project concerning award documents for the 1939 Iron Cross First and Second Class. Inspired by William Hammelman’s book on WWI EK docs as well as Chris Boonzaier’s website; Kaiserscross.com, I am putting together a study of the WWII EK citation. The idea is to not only give a background of these docs, but to also present them from a historical standpoint. The project is in two parts; a general overview as well as a chronological history of the war told with various document examples. So far I have over 70 examples of docs for this project that cover a significant amount of the war. I'm hoping to add to this with the help of the forum and its members. The major parts that I am missing are documents that can be attributed to the following...� Battle of Kursk Invasion of Sicily and Italy/Salerno (I already have examples that cover the crossing at Messina as well as the fighting around Cassino) Operation Bagration and the destruction of Army Group Center Operation Market Garden (Arnhem, Nijmegen etc.) The fighting around Aachen and other border battles on the Western Front I'm also looking for... Variations - docs that are of alternative designs and/or for a specific unit. Any documents that are especially interesting... unique units, unique circumstances or actions, and interesting recipients. I'd like to include more examples that include specific details of how an award was earned (docs with details from a CO for example would be excellent). Please send a PM or contact me at if interested. I'm looking for scans that have not been published before. Please provide the best scans possible (at least 300 dpi) and please limit them to just EK1 and EK2. All document owners will be given complete credit. Thanks and best regards, Brian R. Brooklyn, NY

More great information. Thanks Gordon!! Two quick guestions... what does the W after Leutnant mean? Also, what is the meaning of An Bord on KM docs... is it basically figurative? I would imagine that although it is often listed on various award documents, the awards were not actually presented on the actual vessels. This EK doc, for example... Admiral Schniewind probably wasn't on the Ostmark to sign and award this EK. My guess is that it was probably prepared at his headquarters and An Bord is included in a sort of symbolic fashion. Please tell me if this at all makes sense. Thanks again, Brian

Excellent Naxos. Thanks so much!! Where are you seeing the operational entries?

Here is an interesting document to a Leutnant on Minenschiff "Ostmark'. It is an uncommon example of an EK award with the actual ship listed. Included with this document is Eisensträger's Minesweeper doc and his EK2 doc; awarded June 28, 1941 and July, 4, 1941, respectively. I have learned that Ostmark, originally the French "COTE D'ARGENT", was captured during evacuation duties in July, 1940. The ship was converted to German use and was operational in the Baltic. Ostmark was eventually sunk by British bombers in April, 1945 off the island of Anholt in Denmark. Does anyone have an idea as to what the Ostmark was up to in September, 1942 in order for Eisensträger to win his EK1? B

Yes, correct.

I tried searching the WWI Registration Cards on Ancestry.com hoping for somewhat of a match. The only one I have found with a J as a middle name is William Jefferson Folsom of Florida but originally from Georgia. He appears to have been a farmer and was born January 12, 1891. He doesn't appear to be one of the guys Rick listed. The chances that this is the guy are relatively slim but its a start

Nice group, Chris. Do you, by any chance, know his middle name or the state he was from?

Paul - You must have been beside yourself, having identified this bar and having to wait for the doors to open again on Saturday (and hoping/PRAYING it was still there)!!!! Congratulations on a great addition to your collection. You certainly have been awarded for your hard work.

My apologies - I posted this question and never came back. My wife gave birth to our second child just a few days later. A new born and a three-year old kept me away from the forum for the next three months. I'm going to believe, at this point, that these are civilian tunics - mostly becuase I still believe this picture is from before 1910. If I find out anything else in the future about the details of this photo, I will follow up. Thanks again, Brian

I recently obtained this image - I'm pretty sure the girl on the lower right is my great grandmother. Her family was from Lithuania - this picture is probably from somewhere between 1905 and 1910. The question is... are the boys in the back wearing tunics from the Czar's Army? I know nothing about this area of militaria collecting - any info is greatly appreciated!!! Brian

Here is the EK2 doc mentioned above - probably given for actions in April, 1940... Z8 participated in the invasion of Norway as part of Group 2. Bruno Heinemann, along with three other destroyers, escorted the heavy cruiser Admiral Hipper to Trondheim. The group came into contact with Norwegian guns in the approaches of the town. Admiral Hipper engaged the guns while the four destroyers ?ran the batteries? and were able to reach the city, landing the troops of 3.Gebirgs-Division.