Brian R

And, here is an image of the cross' reverse. Although he could have committed acts of bravery on both dates, I feel certain that the act was July 15th and the award was dated September 22nd. Award dates of the EK, especially during the WWII, were almost never the date the act or actions took place.

On the flip side, I've seen people listed as "schwer verwundet" return to the front after a few weeks.

Those olden days may also be in our future, as over-prescribing of antibiotics and overuse of antibacterial soaps and the like may be leading to the creation of more antibiotic-resistant strains of bacteria.

I completely agree. One of the reasons I have been a vegetarian for 23+ years... overuse of antibiotics in factory farmed animals.

According to the "Histories of the 251 Divisions...", 15th Bavarian Division fought at the Battle of Rheims and on July 15th was "... engaged in the offensive east of Prunay. It advanced to north of Thuizy, suffering very heavy losses, estimated to have been 30 to 40 per cent."

So, an EK1 for Fritze. He suffered a bullet wound to the leg but likely continued to treat wounded soldiers before he allowed himself to be admitted to hospital and away from the front lines. He probably saw some heavy shite with such high casualty rates on that first day of the offensive. An EK1, well deserved.

This is pretty extraordinary. A lot of history in one little piece of metal.

Wonderful information, Dave. Thank you. The Saxe-Meiningen medal, as opposed to cross, is a brain fart on my part. That said, these EK equivalent medals always confuse me a bit. In his case, given that he was a native of Saxe-Meinengen he was decorated by his "home" despite his service with a Bavarian unit?

As for the July 15th wound and its relation to his EK1... I wonder if he was committing some kind of act of bravery at the time he suffered the bullet wound given that he has both dates listed on his EK. As expected, many acts of bravery ultimately resulted in one being wounded (and this is likely not your typical wound related EK award which happened so often in both wars. In those cases it was generally an EK2). Even at this stage of the war, the EK1 still held its status, far better than the EK2. So, I would guess this EK1 was for bravery on that fateful day in July, during the Fifth German Drive.

Guys - I was recently lucky enough to obtain an engraved 1914 Iron Cross First Class to a doctor with Bavarian 30. Infanterie-Regiment. Then, I found even more luck, when Chris B. provided me with the doctor's service record. Iron Cross awards are my ultimate collecting theme but I know far more about the 1939 EK than that of the 1914 EK and World War I. I have tried to decipher some of the attached info but I'm hoping the members here can help me with some more details.

W. Fritze was born in Meiningen on March 5, 1889 and (it appears) went on to work as a doctor in Munich. He was an Oberarzt and, I'm guessing, was activated on August 8, 1914 and served throughout the war. His service brought him to both the Eastern and Western Fronts and he went on to win a number of awards including the...

Iron Cross Second Class March 26, 1916

Saxe-Meiningen Medal for Merit in War August 21, 1916

Military Merit Cross 4th Class with Swords June 4, 1917

Iron Cross First Class September 22, 1918

Wound Badge in Black December 1, 1918

What is of particular interest to me is the information on the left pertaining to his service in 1918. Specifically, he appears to have done something to warrant the award of the EK1 on July 15, 1918. The reverse of his EK reads 15.7./22.9.1918 so I'm guessing he earned his EK in July but was awarded it on the 22nd of September. This timing makes sense given what I know about 1939 EKs, the Vorschlagsliste process, and the typical turnaround time for an award.

Any information you guys could share is greatly appreciated. And please correct me on any thing I have incorrectly interpreted.

Thanks,

Brian

Guys - Thanks for the replies. I was definitely thinking $650 minimum as mounted 1870 EK2s with Oaks are going for 600 or so these days. Honestly, I was thinking this bar would be worth at least double that given that he was a vet of 1866 and 1870 (fought with the Prussians and against them), was at least a Captain in the FP war and was awarded the rare Saxon Albert Order Knight 1st Class with Swords in which very few were awarded. The 2nd Class didn't even exist until 1876.

Hi Guys - I have been sorting through some things lately and have come to the conclusion that I may sell off a few items in my collection. They are various odds and ends but some are items that I never thought I'd part with. One of them is the 1870 Saxon Bar shown below. Some of you may remember it from the WAF about ten years ago. It came with a an Albert Order Knight Second Class with Swords, which was ultimately incorrect for this bar.

The medals are the following...

Thanks in advance.

Hello Gentlemen - I've recently been in search of portraits and/or images of a number of Generals for my project on 1939 EK documents. I have found every one that I need with the exception of one, Generalmajor Thomas-Emil von Wickede . He was one of the men killed in the plane crash that also took the life of Eduard Dietl.

Bringing this back up - very good research and a great write-up!!

I would not pay spit extra for Sperrle, all the LW ones have a good name on them, but I agree this unit is fantastic !!!!! Probably worth what the Sperrle inflation was!

I agree, and I think the same goes for Kesselring signatures. In my experience he signed A LOT of EK documents from 1940-1943. His is an interesting signature to own but it certainly isn't uncommon. Generally, its the air units on the docs that he signed that are often more desireable than his actual signature.

Pionier Bataillon (Mot.) 900

Badly wounded in North Africa, the EK was an almost automatic award with his Silver Wound Badge

I definitely would agree that the EK was automatic in this case.

All very nice citations, guys!!

Here's a great document I grabbbed off the WAF estand a few months ago. It was completely overpriced at the time (the price was inflated due to the perceived ultra-value of Sperrle's signature) but I just had to have it because of the unit. Although it is basically impossible to research, the thought of an EK2 for bravery to an air-sea rescue crewman out of Cherbourg during the Battle of Britain is quite exciting and interesting.

I have never seen such a TR citation. Were these common?

This is a "unit specific" example of a 1939 EK citation. Specifically, this one was printed for Luftgau XI and has the stamped signature of Ludwig Wolf. They are uncommon, but not rare.

This is a great document - any citation that includes details as to how the award was earned is extra special. I'm a sucker for them, and this one related to Gomorrah is really great given that it is for actions within Germany.

Kevin gave me scans of this citation for my ongoing project and I had hoped to use it as an example of an award that was won as a result of one's death. It turns out there is no indication that the recipeint died during the actions surrounding this award. It pays to have a good translation! I was very fortunate to recently make a connection with someone who has selflessly provided me with translations of a number of pieces of period paperwork. It was his generosity, and not mine, that brought light to Kevin's document. First class all around!!

Generalleutnant Gustav Wilke

Born: 6 Mar. 1898

Died: 14 Mar. 1977

Highest rank reached: Generalleutnant

Kommandeur der 5. Fallschirm-Jäger-Division

Image: Iron Cross 2nd Class Citation

Do you have a date for the second one as it could be Georg Neuffer who commanded 5 Flakdivision as a Generalmajor from April to November 1942.

That is, indeed, the sig of Neuffer. I have an example of his signature from when he commanded 20. Flak Division.

Oberst Bruno Bräuer

Born: 4 Febuary 1893
Died: 20 May 1947

Highest rank reached: General der Fallschirmtruppe

Fallschirm-Jäger-Regiment 1 (Jun. 1939 - 1940, 1940 - Sep. 1942)

Image: Iron Cross 2nd Class Citation

Generalleutnant Walter Lackner

Born: 5, Febuary 1891

Died: 25 September 1976

Highest rank reached: Generalleutnant

Kdr 2. Fallschirmjäger-Division (Nov. 1944 - Apr. 1945)

Image: Iron Cross 2nd Class Citation

Generalleutnant Hermann Niehoff.

Born: 3rd April 1897

Died: 5th November 1980

Highest rank reached: General der Infanterie

Kommandeur der 371. Infanterie Division

Festungs-Kommandant von Breslau

Image: Iron Cross 2nd Class Citation

A great and detailed list, Hucks! You can also add...

Fire Brigades, The Panzer Divisions 1943-1945 by Kamen Nevenkin. This is a tremendous source for detalied info on Germany's panzer units during the final three years of the war (I learned of this book from you, actually)

The various Luftwaffe Reference books, in particular...

Bomber Units of the Luftwaffe 1933-1945 Volumes 1 & 2 by Henry L. de Zeng and Douglas G. Stankey with Eddie J. Clark. This is a great source for formations and locations of the Luftwaffe's bomber force throughout the war.

Great research, Kevin!!

Those last pictures are excellent and show just how lopsided this engagement was. What a horrible place it must have been for the mountain troops!

Hi Dobri - the project is going well but will still take some time.

Here's another doc to add to the thread.. for actions at Heraklion.

Nice Holland / Crete combo, Dobri!!