Claudius

Without looking at it in person, I would have to say its a good piece. :cheers:

That's a narrow group of guys! Great stuff. Does anyone have a medalbar or a ribbon bar with a hawaian order on it?

Great photo. Thank you for sharing and for the translation.

What do the most accurate sources say are the bars for this unit? 2nd Hanoverian-77th Regiment, 3rd (Fusilier) Battalion, 9th Company. I can spot the battles of Gravellotte-St. Privat and Spicheren.

Question: Does a black light also catch Mr. Ohio's bars? Bob, have you used a black light on this one?

Ouch. Oh, sure saschaw, a little salt in my wound. But I'm glad for the identity sake of the bar that I was wrong.

Spectacular sleuthing. photo and extra.... http://www.specialcamp11.fsnet.co.uk/Generalleutnant%20Kurt%20Dittmar.htm

Ulsterman is right...if James Bond taught us anything it's "Never Say Never" (and "Never Say Never Again") With the Lubeck rolls done, he would be there. If not a NCO, then he was some junior officer during the time frame mentioned. (When I said NCO, I was thinking of my F-P NCO with a KO4, however he didn't get the KO4 until much later when he left the military and became a prison guard and climbed the ranks there. He was awarded the KO4 for his service as a Prison Officer.)

Very nice bar! A son of Lübeck, or Lübeck unit. Had years of service before WWI, earned a KO4 and Imperial LS for prewar service, then traded them out for TR LS and a Hindy by 1934. Was likely an old man by then. Maybe an NCO? Again a great bar. Too bad it's likely not identifiable.

Outstanding photo. I try to imagine the circumstances on how four aviators from different branches happen to all get together for a pleasant stroll through the woods, with walking sticks, and then pause to have their group photo taken.

Ok, alright... No wait...what? So this is...huh? Hold on? What just happened here? I thought we were going to see the whole bar, and reverse. Now, were are not? Or can't. He has the award doc , anddddddddddddddddddddddddd? Can we see the doc? Name, rank, etc? I kindof lost the tail on this tiger of a conversation.

The reason I ask is that there was "sortof" a militaria show in the Badger state and would have been very surprised if you traveled this far, to see so little... HAL-2001: you have to really worry when it starts talking back to you; OPEN THE POD DOORS HAL! "I'm sorry, Dave. I'm afraid I can't do that."

Hello Glenn; "lost" its pin and catch? It was shorn by deliberate hands. Someone obviously wanted it hang from the "loop" created at the top, perhaps so that both sides could be displayed. (That pin down across its face made it very annoying to read the engraving ) They had no concern that it made their EK1 look like an EK2. Pity we don't know for sure why it was stripped of its original fasteners. Research: I think you should start with the 27th IR history. From there, see what action it was involved in just BEFORE the date on the cross. It may be the battle that Sommerfeld was involved that earned him the EK1. Try posting a request on the "Military Research" forum of GMIC for the IR history. Hopefully someone will have a copy to look up. Good luck, and keep us informed of your progress!

Show? What show(s) did you visit?

Here are photos of Vince's bar. Thank you for making them available for us.

Hello VtwinVince, You can't post pictures?!?!? I, for one, would love to see this bar, front and back.

Great job Jan pulling that related item out from obscurity!

I'm not doubting or questioning the use of the "beret". I understand paratroopers or other branches of the military using a beret for regulation headgear. I just didn't fully "get it" why there was the orange beret for parades and then a dr. grey for field wear. Why not wear the dr. grey in the parades? Or why not wear the orange in the field? If the "field" is the home barracks, no problem. If the "field" is combat or near combat areas I can see why you don't want to be glowing like a firefly for snipers. But then the dr. grey would be their beret color and they would use them for parades as well. Is it that the orange beret is for wear with the dress uniform and the dr. grey for the field fatigues? If so, then it is notable that no other country does this distintion. Are there any photos of EG paratroopers, both in uniform and in field gear? Also, don't misunderstand my use of "vanity". "Vanity" might suggest an over self-indulgence on appearance. Paratroopers are hand-picked troops that have unique training. Distinguishing markings and coloration would be due to an elite group to set them off from other troops. It represents a notable and deserved pride.

Outstanding find. I looked on Craigslist in my area but all I ever found was a GI mess kit and US tanker badge. An awkward conversation ensued from there..."ah, no I am not interested in these very "rare" items for $50, but thank you for offering..."

Order of Saints Maurice and Lazarus Breast Star

Hmmmm. Thank you Paul for the information. It would seem an all-too-common fate during WWII.

Hello; Is there a Japanese list of non-Japanese award holders? Specifically, for Germans who were awarded the Order of the Rising Sun -6th class and above. Did the Japanese even keep such records?

Ahh...so really the orange used in parades is really a bit of vanity. The paratroopers need to be noticed and admired!

Thanks.

The berets are real...it?s the kids that are fake. They're both in their early twenties. She just took a drag of her Russian cigarette and is contemplating the boredom and hopelessness of East German barracks life. And he has a miserable excuse for a salute. ;)