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The medal bar of an unknown officer shows the following awards: 1. Königreich Preußen, Eisernes Kreuz 2. Klasse 1914, OEK 1909 2. Königreich Preußen, Kreuz der Ritter mit Schwertern des Königlichen Hausordens der Hohenzollern 1861, OEK 1789 (FR 938) 3. Deutsches Reich, Kriegsverdienstkreuz 2.Klasse 1939, OEK 3836 (missing) 4. Großherzogtum Oldenburg, Friedrich August Kreuz 2. Klasse 1914, OEK 1563 5. Großherzogtum Mecklenburg-Schwerin, Militär-Verdienstkreuz 2.Klasse 1914, OEK 1352 6. Großherzogtum Hessen (-Darmstadt), Allgemeines Ehrenzeichen für Tapferkeit 1894, OEK 884 7. Deutsches Reich, Ehrenkreuz des 1.Weltkrieges/Frontkämpferkreuz, OEK 3803 (Herstellerbezeichnung: „R.V.13 Pforzheim“) 8. Königreich Preußen, Landwehr Dienstauszeichnung 2.Klasse 1913, OEK 1979 The Friedrich August Kreuz 1st class is a variety which was unknown (to me). The two pins on the last picture are still unknown to me. Any comments are more than welcome!

Please find below pictures of an unknown officer's medal bar who did obviously have a connection to the Grand Duchy of Oldenburg. It shows the following awards: 1. Prussia, Iron Cross 2nd class 1914, OEK 1909 2. Prussia, Red eagle 4th class, OEK 1704 3. Prussia, Dienstauszeichnungskreuz for officers, OEK 1970 4. Prussia, Zentenarmedaille (1897), OEK 1965 5. Oldenburg, Friedrich August Cross 2nd class 1914, OEK 1563 6. Oldenburg, Knights Cross 2nd class with Crown of the Haus- und Verdienstorden, OEK 1520 (missing) Since the last award is placed behind the Friedrich August Cross, it should be the civil version of the house order. Any observations are more than welcome!

Thank you Chris for reminding us again of the role the two Nassau regiments played at Waterloo. Many people are not aware that Hougomont was held by them alone before the English arrived. Please find below some examples of the two regimental anniversary medals and a picture of a group of recipients Recommended reading: http://gmic.co.uk/index.php/topic/61882-nassauers-at-waterloo-waterloo-medal/?hl=nassauers http://www.garethglovercollection.com/Martin_Mittelacher.htm

William II. of Württemberg was (unlike William II. of Prussia) well known for despising everything military. Thus, it does not really come as a surprise that he did not know (and did not care) how to wear the order.

Ich möchte ich Euch folgende Ausführungen der Pauline von Württemberg (* 19. Dezember 1877 in Stuttgart; †7. Mai 1965 in Ludwigsburg) nicht vorenthalten, die in Ihren Memoiren anschaulich über die Einstellung ihres Vaters Wilhelms II., des letzten Königs von Württemberg (* 25. Februar 1848 in Stuttgart; †2. Oktober 1921 auf Schloss Bebenhausen) zu Orden berichtet: "In neuester Zeit glaubte man ohne Orden nicht mehr auskommen zu können, nachdem die in schwersten Kämpfen mit Todesmut erworbenen Auszeichnungen verschwinden mussten. Mein Vater pflegte zu sagen: „Die Orden sind nur zum Ärger derer geschaffen, die sie nicht bekommen“. Er klagte über die kostbare Zeit, die allein durch „die Verleihung der dummen Dinger“ verloren ging. Da er die Orden meist nicht kannte, war der Kammerdiener verantwortlich für das richtige Anlegen der Ordensbänder. Trotzdem erschien mein Vater mal zur Neujahrstafel mit dem Bande des Friedrich-Ordens auf der linken Schulter, es war der Gründungstag des Friedrich-Ordens, zu dem er stets angelegt wurde. Mein Mann und der Adjutant vom Dienst konnten gerade noch rechtzeitig das Übel beheben. Wozu braucht wohl eine Republik Orden und Auszeichnungen – sie braucht eben einen Verstärker, um Höchstleistungen hervorzubringen – mit dürren Worten, man treibt Handel mit dem Ehrgeiz der Menschen. In den Fußstapfen meines Vaters gehend auf diesem Gebiet, habe ich mich wohl öfter für die Dekorierung von Mitbürgern eingesetzt und dabei die erstaunlichsten Dinge erlebt, wie ein bisschen Lametta, nur in Aussicht gestellt, die klügsten und fähigsten Männer auf Touren bringen konnte. Die verschlossensten Hände und Taschen taten sich auf, andern zum Nutzen. Ich habe mich immer zutiefst geschämt, wenn mir eine Auszeichnung verliehen wurde, und sie stets nur als eine Anerkennung für die Arbeit derer, die mit mir in der Arbeit des Roten Kreuzes standen, aufgefasst."

Colleagues in the german forum suggest that it was produced by Wagner between the wars.

...sorry, as a matter of fact it should indeed say "SS-Obergruppenführer".

Gentlemen Please find below some items which belonged to Heinrich v. Maur (Born 1863 in Ulm - Died 1947 in Stuttgart) and some additional illustrating images. Since quite some research has already been done on his career I limit myself to just referring to that: http://de.wikipedia.org/wiki/Heinrich_von_Maur http://www.geocities.com/~orion47/WEHRMACHT/HEER/General2/MAUR_HEINRICH.html http://www.wehrmacht-awards.com/forums/showpost.php?s=db463cb2679b99f51d322b26cbcd958c&p=2729974&postcount=8 The Pour le mérite is not the original one. However, the case probably is. The certificate is a copy. His epaulets as Colonel of the Feld-Artillerie-Regiment Prinz-Regent Luitpold von Bayern (2. Württembergisches) Nr. 29 are most likely unique since he was the only Colonel to wear those after the "29" was removed and replaced by the crowned "L" in 1913.

Portrait of Prince Regent Luitpold of Bavaria (12 March 1821 – 12 December 1912) dedicated to Heinrich Reder, since 1871 Ritter von Reder (* 19 March 1824 in Mellrichstadt; † 17. February 1909 in Munich): „In Erinnerung an den Tag von Ormes (Orleans) – 11. Oktober 1870. München den 1. März 1906 – dem Tag der 100jährigen Stiftungsfeier des Militär-Max-Josephs-Ordens. Luitpold P v Bayern“ In memory of the day of Ormes (Orleans) – 11 October 1870. Munich 1 March 1906 – the day of the 100 anniversary of the founding of the Military Order of Max Joseph. Luitpold P v Bayern“ During the battle of Orleans-Ormes on 11 October 1870 Reder received the order to place himself on the right flank with two platoons of the 8th battery of the 3rd Artillery Regiment in order to fight the enemy artillery. This 1200 meter galopping move happened under heavy fire through the deep trenches of the street “Les-Barres-Orleans”. He was awarded the Military Order of Max Joseph and thus the new title „Ritter von Reder“. In 1908 he became General Major.

...the most fascinating part of the story is of course his ancestry: http://encyclopediaegypt.com/israel/f3000b.htm

...unusual combination of the Friedrich-August-Medal of with the Austrian War Medal.

...here are presents offered to the Reserve-Infanterie-Regiment 64 Sergeant Eugen Ising from Buer (Westphalia) a silver framed portrait of Captain von Brietzke, engraved: “In grateful memory Lutovice 18 Nov 1914 (facsimile signature: Captain v Brietzke) a cigarette case with engraved initials “EI” on the outside and “To the saviour of my husband of 18. November 1914 / In gratitude / Mrs von Brietzke / nee von Benningsen”; on the right: “Eugen Ising" The newspaper cutting mentions a letter of Brietzke in which he describes the event itself but also another episode which happened one day before (17th) when Ising conquered a cossack’s flag. The text also refers to Ising as being mentioned in the regimental history. Does anyone have that or knows more about the two of them?

The text describes the display of the shield as "statue of Artemis" but does not offer an explanation. The Prussian king would not give such a posh thing to his new noble friend, the latter had to commission and pay it himself. The price depended on the artists and the material he choose. When it comes to this example, the (huge!) box for the seal is only silver plated though real silver ones are known as well. So the date just refers to the day when the king signed the document even though Lange already was a “von” for more than a year. Obviously it took some time to produce it. The latter is true. He left the Prussian army and when he joined it again he had to accept the rank of a major though he was already a Turkish general and commander of a fortress at the Dardanelles.

...maybe not as posh as yours but still looked at as a family treasure: the box that his kids produced as a shrine to keep my great-grandfather's WWI awards, dedícated "to the brave warrior" ("Dem tapferen Krieger").

...a guy with a most amazing career and a really adventurous life. He joined the Prussian army in 1813 (fought at Wavre in 1815) and then left it again in 1824 in order to open a publishing company. He changed his mind in 1829 when he joined the Turkish army. He fought at the battle of Nisib (1839) and was the first to climb the walls of Saida (1840) together with Commodore Charles Napier. He spent a lot of time there with his close friend, the famous Moltke. In 1841 he was back in Prussian Services where he was sent to London in 1848 in order to convince Prince William (the future emperor) to return after he had fled the revolution back home. He then became his first adjutant. After such a life it is no wonder that he chose as motto for his coat of arms: "Gedenke zu leben" (Bear in mind to live)…

Yes, it is mine though it did not buy it on purpose. It came with objects of an other Württemberg officer of high rank. However, I could not find any connection between the two of them, no family or unit ties whatsoever. There is obvously no subesquent timely order of these salvers. Whenever one member of the officer's corps left, he would receive such a farewell present. How often that would usually happen I do not know. The noble fellow officers were probably able to afford it. These salvers seem to be exceptional though. I have never seen any other of such fine workmanship and detailed engravings. However, the price of the Brauchitsch salver might reflect more the significance of the officer himself rather than the value of the salver.

...there is a family "von Harnack"...

Pictures 1-3: Documents of the Nassovian Waterloo veteran Johann Hutter from Niedererbach (Waterloo medal certificate, Service term document, Poem dedicated the City of Wiesbaden/Capital of Nassau) Pictures 4: Nassau Waterloo medal (first of all participating states) Pictures 5: Nassau Taler (1815) engraved with the date of the Nassovian troops entering Paris Pictures 6 and 7: three varieties oft the Waterloo medal miniature Pictures 8 and 9: unknown Nassovian captain; Nassovian colonel Heinrich Friedrich Carl von Rettberg, both wearing the Waterloo medal at the first place of the bar

Inscription: "Szefostwo Fortyfikacji Grudziądz". The city/fortress was German/Prussian pre 1919 when it became Polish. During the Napoleonic invasion in Prussia in 1806/07, the fortress was successfully defended by General Wilhelm René de l'Homme de Courbière against attacks by French troops. Here is a picture of German troops taking the city in September 1939: http://www.bridgemanart.com/en-GB/asset/348037/german-photographer-20th-century/civilians-greet-german-soldiers-on-their-entry-into-graudenz-4th-september-1939-b-w-photo

Here is a farewell present from his fellow officers of the 3. Grade Feldartillerie-Regiment in form of a silver dish engraved with all their arms. Those who were not noble and/or did not have arms just added their monograms. Karl von Normann-Ehrenfels died as commander oft the Feldartillerie-Regiment „König Karl“ (1. Württembergisches) Nr. 13 at the beginning of WWI. His other biographical/career data can be seen on the last scan. An almost identical piece is known for Generalfeldmarschall Werner von Brauchitsch (1881-1948): http://www.huesken.com/shop/de/persoenlichkeiten-des-iii-reiches/werner-brauchitsch-silberteller-41769.html

In this article (in German) Alexander Demandt, a German historian at the Free University of Berlin is asking the very same question. He suggests that there would have been an “exhaustion peace” in 1917: http://www.welt.de/kultur/history/article12178229/Wenn-die-USA-den-Ersten-Weltkrieg-gemieden-haetten.html He also refers to Winston Churchill who according to the New York Enquirer has said literally in 1936: "America should have minded her own business and stayed out of the World War. If you hadn't entered the war the Allies would have made peace with Germany in the Spring of 1917. Had we made peace then there would have been no collapse in Russia followed by Communism, no breakdown in Italy followed by Fascism, and Germany would not have signed the Versailles Treaty, which has enthroned Nazism in Germany. If America had stayed out of the war, all these 'isms' wouldn't today be sweeping the continent of Europe and breaking down parliamentary government - and if England had made peace early in 1917, it would have saved over one million British, French, American, and other lives."

I can only add two promotion documents of Kapitänleutnant Rudolf Andler, commander of U 98, one signed by the Kaiser. SM U-98 was one of the 329 submarines serving in the Imperial German Navy in World War I. U-98 was engaged in the naval warfare and took part in the First Battle of the Atlantic. He was awarded with the iron cross 2nd class on Jan 8 1916. WWI U-boat Successes (uboat.net) 24 Mar 1918 Anchoria (d.) 5,430 br 26 May 1918 Janvold 1,366 nw 14 Jul 1918 Maurice 164 fr 31 Jul 1918 Alkor 269 nw i.e. 3 ships sunk (1,799 tons) and 1 ship damaged (5,430 tons). Career - "Hay" (Hafenfl. d. Jade/Weser), Komdt. 9.14, - "Markgraf" W. u. R. Offz., 4.17, - U-Boots Schule, Ausb., 10.17, - "U 57" (II), Ausb., 12.17, - "U 98" (IV) Komdt. Awards Allerhöchste Belobigung Fähnrich zur See 1906, 10.23. für vorzügliche Kenntnisse in der Seeoffizierprüfung Pr. Rettungsmedaille am Bande Leutnant zur See 1908, 05.21. KÖNIG WILHELM Allerhöchste Belobigung Oberleutnant zur See 1912, 11.18. Schiffsartillerieschule, Lehrer Pr. Eisernes Kreuz 1914 II. Kl. Kapitänleutnant 1916, 08.01.R MARKGRAF, Wachoffizier Württb. Friedrichs-O. Ritterkreuz 1. Kl. m. Schw. Kapitänleutnant 1916, 08.01.R MARKGRAF, Wachoffizier Ubootkriegsabzeichen 1918 Kapitänleutnant 1918, 02.01.S U 57 und U 98, Kommandant Ritterkreuz 1.Kl. m. Schw. Hausorden vom Weißen Falken. (Thanks to jaba the hunt and roli56 for additional Information)

Here is a staff captain promotion certicate for the Hessian mercennary Johann Konrad Schraidt dated 25 may 1781. It is signed by Frederick II, Landgrave of Hesse-Kassel from 1760 to 1785 who raised money by renting soldiers (called "Hessians") to Great Britain to help fight the American Revolutionary War. His military career is quite well recorded: http://www.lagis-hessen.de/en/subjects/xsrec/id/18572/current/57/page/3/sn/hetrina?q=YToxOntzOjg6InNpZ25hdHVyIjtzOjEwOiIxNSBOci4gMzUzIjt9 However, the record stops in 1783 and we do not know whether he returned to Hesse or what happened to him.

I am afraid there was no real chance to save money. The unit just had "29" in the place of the "L" before 1913 (example for a captain/Rittmeister attached). Since Luitpold was just a prince regent (for both the mad kings Ludwig and Otto) his "L" would not have been entitled to wear the royal crown...

...I think the "L" actually stands for king Ludwig III. who took over in 1913. Here is an example for a Colonel.