Markgraf

Dear Gentlemens! I would be happy for any informations about these Totenkopfs. First of all: originals or not?

Dr. Heinrich Taeger (1881 Stettin-?) geologist. I guess he was a Reserve Officer of the German Army In the WWI. After the war he settled in Hungary. I'm looking for informations about his military career (rank, unit, medals).

On his pocket and even on his cap this kappenabzeichen:

Yes, actually for the widows and the orphans. The price was 3 crown.

It had not worn, you had to nail it to your door. See the position on the original flyer:

Anton Esquiere Hussey of Westown ( Text from Carl Fischer Von Wellenborn: Graf Civalart-Uhlanen in den Jahren 1848 und 1849. Wien, 1897.)

1.: Commemorative medal for the Liberation of Transylvania 1940 3.: The Horty-era SIgnum Laudis. On this ribbon awarded for officers but not for war services. 11.: National Defense Cross

It is not a kappenabzeichen. It is a so-called "War Door-nail" (Hadi Ajtószeg in Hungarian). It vended by the War Relief Comission.

The 10th medal isn't the German Comemmorative Medal. It is 2nd class of the Service Cross for military officials. The crosses itself were the same, but the ribbons were different for officers, doctors/judges etc. and the military officials. The HK abbrevation means Honvédségi Közlöny - the Army Gazette. It is a reference for the award. The Cross itself the lower left on the picture (otherwise it is a rare medal). Kásás Árpád wounded on 1916.09.20 on his neck. He spent 4 months on sick leave. BTW the Hindenburg Cross awarded for German citizens only.

The last one is definietly not a kappenabzeichen. It is a so-called "War Door-nail" (Hadi Ajtószeg in Hungarian). It vended by the War Relief Comission. Once I saw it in original position in a local parish, nailed to the door post (and covered by 100 years paint layers). The second pin is something Bavarian. See the so-called Raupenhelm on the top, and the flags with the typical Bavarian lozenge pattern.

One more thing: this book mentioned him some times https://books.google.hu/books?hl=hu&id=yqEiAQAAIAAJ&dq=editions%3AISBN320578149X&focus=searchwithinvolume&q=budiner

I guess the "natural attrition" is more likely. The problem is the newspapers are only secondary sources, some news was "slipped" in the time. He served in a Korpskommando when he was in the Armeestand, in the hinterland. Most likely his commander suggested him for the MVK 3 when he was in the frontline, but the administration delayed.

Ian: The Fremden Blatt listed his promotion 1917.11.21 http://anno.onb.ac.at/cgi-content/anno?aid=fdb&datum=19171121&seite=10&zoom=43&query="budiner"&ref=anno-search Medals: Signum Laudis Reichspost 1917.07.31 http://anno.onb.ac.at/cgi-content/anno?aid=rpt&datum=19170731&seite=5&zoom=33&query="budiner"&ref=anno-search Budapesti Közlöny (Gazette) 1918.06.02 mentioned him as Ret. Lt. Col, served on a Korpskommando, awarded by MVK 3. with swords for the brave conduct in the face of the enemy.

Ian: Feldblatt 1917.07.28: Nach dem Ergebnis der neuerlichen Sup. mit WG. beurlaubt: Obst. Wanka 21, Mjr. Budiner FJB 6. http://anno.onb.ac.at/cgi-content/anno?aid=fel&datum=19170728&seite=5&zoom=33&query="budiner"&ref=anno-search Wiener Zeitung - 1917.07.29 Karl Budiner (mit Wartegebühr beurlaubt) des Feldjägerbatllillons Nr. 6, nach dem Ergebnisse der neuerlichen Superarbitrierung als zum Truppendienst im Heere untauglich, zu Lokaldiensten geeignet http://anno.onb.ac.at/cgi-content/anno?aid=wrz&datum=19170729&seite=3&zoom=33&query="budiner"&ref=anno-search

I guess the diarist noted Sir Charles Drury besides Fisher but missed his rank. The full text of the report: THE ARMY AND NAVY GAZETTE, &c. March 7, 1908. The Austro-Hungarian squadron, consisting of the battleships Erzherzog Karl, Erzherzog Ferdinand Maximilian, Erzherzog Friedrich, and two torpedo-boat destroyers, left Teodo (Dalmatia) on Saturday for Malta, arriving there on Monday morning. In the evening Admiral Sir Charles Drury entertained to dinner at Admiralty House, Rear-Admiral von Ziegler and the senior officers of the squadron. Admiral of the Fleet Sir C. Hotham was present. The toasts of " The King " and " The Emperor Francis Joseph " were honoured with the greatest enthusiasm, the National Anthems of Great Britain and Austria-Hungary being played by the band. The officers of the Queen, the Prince of Wales, and the Bacchante simultaneously entertained the officers of the Erzherzog Karl, the Erzherzog Friedrich, and the Erzherzog Ferdinand Maximilian respectively. A carnival ball was given in the Duke of Connaught's Palace at Malta on Monday night, his Royal Highness being represented by Major-Gen. Grant, the Governor. The ball was attended by over 1,300 guests, including Admiral of the Fleet Sir C. Hotham and the admirals and general officers of the Navy and Army, the officers of the Austrian squadron being the special guests. At noon on Tuesday 400 Austrian seamen were entertained at luncheon by a similar number of their British comrades at the Royal Naval Canteen. Before lunch Rear-Admiral von Ziegler, Admiral of the Fleet Sir C. Hotham, Admiral Sir C. Drury, and Rear-Admiral Sir H. D. Barry entered the canteen. Admiral von Zeigler, addressing the men in German, referred in flattering terms to the great hospitality extended to the Austrian seamen by their British comrades, and finally called upon them to drink to Sir Charles Drury and the British Mediter-ranean Fleet. The Austrians responded with three ringing cheers. After lunch the party were present at a football match, and had tea together. Admiral von Ziegler lunched with Sir Charles and Lady Drury. The officers of the squadron dined on Tuesday evening with Lieut.-Gen. Grant, the Governor, and Mrs. Grant, at the Auberge d'Aragon. Two hundred and forty Austro-Hungarian petty officers and leading seamen and an equal number of British sat down to dinner in the canteen. Capt. Troubridge, chief of the staff of the Mediterraneann Fleet, speaking in German, welcomed the visitors, and expressed his pleasure at seeing them united with their British com-rades. During the dinner the toasts of "The King " and "The Emperor Francis Joseph" were lustily honoured. A most enjoyable theatrical entertain-ment followed. The same night the commander-in-chief, flag officers, captains, and other officers of the Mediterranean Fleet gave a ball in honour of the Austro-Hungarian officers at the Union Club. Over 1,000 guests were invited. The Austrian admiral invited to lunch on Wednesday on board the Erzherzog Karl, Gen. and Mrs. Grant, Princess Henry of Battenberg, Sir Charles and Lady Drury, the flag officers and generals on the station, and Capt. Troubridge. Admiral von Ziegler proposed the toast of the King and Queen, and Gen. Grant that of the Emperor Francis Joseph. The toasts were received enthusiastically, the National Anthem of the two countries being played. The Austrian admiral then proposed the toast of Sir Charles Drury and the Mediterranean Fleet, referring with sincere pleasure to the great hospitality extended to the Austrian visitors. Sir Charles Drury replied in equally cordial strain, and hinted at the return of the Austrian squadron next year. On Thursday morning Admiral von Ziegler, accompanied by Admiral Sir C. Drury and Rear-Admiral F. W. Fisher, paid a visit to the dockyard and naval establishments. At noon, Vice-Admiral Prince Louis of Battenberg gave a luncheon party on board his flagship, the Prince of Wales. In addition to Admiral von Ziegler and the senior officers of his squadron, Princess Henry and Princess Louis of Battenberg were present. The speeches were most cordial, Prince Louis and Admiral von Ziegler proposing the healths of the Emperor Francis Joseph and the King respectively. In the afternoon the Erzherzog Friedrich and Er.hemog Ferdinand Max were thrown open to visitors. In the evening Admiral von Ziegler held a reception on board his flagship, the guests including the admirals and generals on the station. The officers received their visitors with great cordiality, and the evening, which closed with a dance, afforded one of the most successful entertainments given during the stay of the squadron.