Gerd Becker

I don´t know, if i ever posted this, but here is the deathcard of my uncle Reinhold Becker, who fell near Orel end of 43 with 19 years. I´m not good with uniforms, can someone fill me in, what he is wearing here? Text: "For Führer and Fatherland, our oldest son, Grenadier Reinhold Becker died on the 7.7.1943 south of orel a hero´s death.(Heldentod, is there a specific translation?). His company commander writes: "He was a very honest soldier and allways ready for action. His goal was to give everything for the victory." in mourning: Karl Becker, Emilie Becker, Parents; Robert (my father) and Elsa Becker, brother and sister. Swierczyn colony, 6.8.1943"

Indeed, what an amazing little Treasure. Congrats! Is it mounted this way and is there an attachment on the reverse?

Hi Paul, looks good to me too. Nice Civilian Bar Gerd PS: Hi Rick!

Very interesting, i´ve never heard about this tradition before. Impressive piece, Chris. Good luck with the restauration.

Thats also a good one in my opinion. Price, no idea, probably around 30.-40 Dollar with document.

Hello, i can only comment to your second badge. Thats an Excellence in Socialist Competition Badge, Oil Ministry and these usually came with a document. I would price your badge in the 75-100 $ region, as its a nice early version of that badge. hope, i could help... best regards, Gerd

Christian, i am glad to hear, your Glory Trio turned out good. Congrats

They are just variations, Charles, different makers, slightly different production methods, i suppose. Yours is btw, (congrats ) the new lowest observed number. Former lowest observed was 180.195

Agree with Andreas 100% Nice pieces

Also interesting is the combination RAO 4th class with crown and RAO 3rd class with bow. He obviously still wore the 4th class, so that everyone can see, that his 4th class had a crown, right? Or was there a way to signify the crown on the 3rd class somehow? I know none. However, fantastic photo with the 1st class Red Cross Medal. I have never seen one worn on a uniform before. The ones, i have seen, were awarded to princesses and such.

Well, if you know a little bit about the SA and consider the color of the cufftitle... Interesting piece. First time, i have seen one like it.

Can?t be, that would be a Type 3 V2 (PMD). Looks to me like 173.125, which would conform with the variation. Nice Red Banner, USAF

To whom were these generally awarded? Also the RAO with enamel CO ribbon? Sorry, can?t say anything to the originality, i haven?t seen anything to compare it to this one except catalog photos.

The LD1 hangs a little bit lower than the others. Would the combination would make more sense with an LD2, which someone potentionally switched with the LD1, because he found it more fancy with 4 crosses?

Thats the first one without s/n for me too. Interesting piece, Bryan

Jim, the second ribbon is the Brunswick Kriegsverdienstkreuz 2nd class with the "Bew?hrungsabzeichen" (some kind of frontspange, if i remember correctly. Hope, someone will correct me, if i am wrong) ? think, it has good chances to be a good one. Can you show us the reverse? best, Gerd

Thanks for the links, Ed. Very interesting. Did anyone notice Comrade Leonid Grabanick?s OGPW 1st class Type 1 on his breast? Could be for Stalingrad, if he was there and he obviously was, as he wears the Stalingrad-Medal too. Again, many thanks, Ed

Hi Andreas, if you are nice to me, you can maybe get one or even two The two first classes are placeholder for the 2nd classes, i was to lazy to remove them from the groups, they belong to. best, Gerd

Come on, guys, there must be more out there. Be careful, when you stick them together in a box, they breed

It impossible to say, if this is a group without research. Research for unubered MMM?s is possible, but if he indeed was naval, its questionable, that you get a result. Gerd

Beautiful tunic, Paul.

Great catch, Ed. I really like the Bravery Medal, i??ll check again later, when i have more time...

Some great and thought provoking pictures, Bryan. Thanks for posting these here.

Another great group, Ed. Thanks for sharing Fingers crossed, that the research turnes up for this group. Gerd

Fantastic group, Ed. Can?t wait to see the complete research Here is, what i have for the 183rd Rifle Division: