Chris Boonzaier

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Another thought.... Can we not assume that the Germans are practicle minded enough to have known that it would be very difficult to fire a rifle with one of these? Especially the first model. Would that maybe point to it being originally being meant for troops that do not shoulder a weapon... i.e. MG troops... then later being adapted for use with a rifle?

Here is what I wonder.... what exactly was the purpose of these? I have read for MG troops, sentries etc... I can see the sense if it was meant to be used by someone facing an advancing enemy... you are protected from the front... however, an MG troop or sentry may be protected by earthworks in front of them... but their back would not be protected... and shell landing behind them would allow wounds with no protection from the panzer... surely this fact was not overlooked... there must have been a reason only the front was protected... it would have been just as easy to make a plate that protected front and rear?

I agree... but I am keeping an open mind.... I have an EK1 award document to a Leutnant d. Res in Sturmbataillon Rohr... he is not on some officers lists I have heard of, and is not mentioned n the SB Rohr History.... by chance i was able to nail his membership in the Battalion by a chance mention in the Sturm Bataillon 7 history.... it is not the only case where I have had officers in a Unit that slipped through the cracks when we have period documentation... I think NCOs and simple soldiers even more so... Of course, that is no proof either way, just a possibility....

Thats really interesting Tony... here are 3 postcards from the RIR119 on the Somme....

I am guessing that the FK Epp did take over experianced Armoured car men? Lets also not forget, there are plenty of men in such units who were not part of the Tank Crews themselves. The Abteilung would have had supply, medical and signals men who were part of the unit, but not in a tank... In the same way there are plenty of men in a modern Tank unit who are not part of the crews. Also, at this later date there are lots of awards for accumulated brave service during 4 years of war, these are not related to a certain action in 1918. An interesting award, maybe someday the answer will turn up :-)

Indeed... I read an article that puts forward the argument that there is/will be so much more PTSD in the future (Compared to WW1 and 2 for example) because a WW2 soldier would have a shell explode near him, get a shell splinter in the arm, leg, whatever.... then be in hospital for a few months... Nowdays helmets, balistic glasses, body armour etc means a guy CAN get blown up 17 times..... The argument was, that the mental strain on the modern soldier is actually many times more under strain than a WW2 vet (for example) because the "get out of jail free" card with a small wound and a short hospial stay.... and the potential brain damage potential is horrific.

I must check it !!!

I have a Blue prewar one... but no Fieldgrey :-( http://www.kaiserscross.com/286801/293101.html

That is really fantastic! Thanks a million. Question for a champion.... how is the best way to display one, without the straps breaking? I assume a complicated way of wiring it all up? I am getting one and will add it to the thread when it arrives.

Can anyone understand what went wrong here? I read it 3 times and still cannot understand how he messed up !?!? http://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2014/jul/08/horatio-chapple-inquest-eton-leader-gouged-eyes-polar-bear

... that takes some doing!! http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/asia/afghanistan/10716699/Military-Cross-for-the-bomb-magnet-soldier-blown-up-17-times.html

Hi, I have a document to a soldier who only served a year, he had about as many battle bars.... he applied and recieved bars for just about every sector he took a train through!!

Indeed, the Defense national is automatically given with the Legion Bar

Hi, a patriotic pin, I would guess maybe even Pre Boer war as it is solely Transvaal. The Germans used to make a lot of Boer War supporter stuff, but usually it included a transvaal and free state flag during the war.

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Hi, very possible, I forgot that variation. Thanks Chris

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Finally got the missing leather.....

I assume the bottom left is the Spanish Morocco medal? What is the wreath with the star on the right?

A studio shot of a man from the 4th Company...

Thats nice, I have a couple of old print ones, but some of these I have never seen.

I can cry.... I am guessing whoever transcribed at Ancestry screwed up the name :-(

Hi, The name Hofsauer is so rare it is almost non existent... and none listed on acestry in the bavarian records :-(

I just picked up a Steel Saxon one with a BAXIX18 stamp on the belt...