Paul C

I have/had one of those. You will also find that image on a postcard.

This has turned into a great discussion. It seems to center on if Germany could have prevailed if the US had not sent troops to Europe. I think there is general agreement on post-war Europe if there was a negotiated peace or a German victory. I think one aspect not addressed is the moral support that US troops brought to England and France. Was the "moral support" what aided France to stop the German spring 1918 offensive?

IMO without US involvement the war would have ended with a negotiated peace or a German victory. Long term - no Hitler and second world war as we know it. Russia would have been very diminished and the soviets government may have been overthrown. Japan may have risen in the Pacific but they would have had to contend with German as she had colonies in the Pacific and the US had interests as well. Economically the US would have been a power house and the dominate world power.

America had not joined the fight. I am interested in the opinions of others about the short and long term results if America had not become involved in WWI. I have my opinion which I will state later, but for now I would like to hear yours.

Bernard, I look foreward to the thread. Did officer in these Jager battalions receive the Tyrol medal? I have a ribbon bar with a Tyrol ribbons and the 25/12 Army long service cross. I have never been able to identify who it belonged to.

I would say that the combination is unique enough and you have a picture of him wearing the bar.

That is a nice complete group and congrats.

Thanks.

I would like to sell these, but have no idea of value/price. Any suggestions? Thanks.

In the 1924 Army Ranglist Seegers is listed with the EK2.

There are two sign posts in the bacground maybe they could help with determining the location.

The EK document are nice but the pilot badge doc is rough. The docs belonged to Unteroffizier Paul Ditzler. His unit was a flight unit attached to the army.

Daniel, Yes I got it from you several years ago. Where do you find the picture?

Here is one for General Beli von Pino.

That ID for that bar should jump off the page, but I can't find him. I tried searching for the RAO and BZ3?XE and no luck - very frustrating. Also tried search with the SA3. Damn, I miss Rick!!!

CCJ, Interesting bar. What is the second to last ribbon on the right?

Yes it signifies the HOH3X. As far as worth I GUESS under $100.

The ID to KL Jung checks out.

This is the only one I have. Chris, I did not realise it was post WWII. Since it has moder German ribbons it must be post 1957, correct?

I recently came across this Ordensbandfarbenkarte from Karl Loy of Muchen. It is a great reference. It was made during WWII because the 1939 EK2 ribbon is posted. Below are the cover and first page. I have scanned the entire 6 pages and made a PDF which is 3.21MB. The scan was done at 300dpi. You should be able to download it below. Ordensbandfarbenkarte.pdf

I enjoyed the article but have to disagree with point - 7. Tactics on the Western Front remained unchanged despite repeated failure. He goes on to explain how the weapons changed, which I agree with, but tactics remained the same for the Allieds. It was charge straight ahead into the enemy machine guns. Only with the introduction of the tank did tactics begin to change. I think tactically the Germans changed the most with the use of stormtroopers.

I think he had a KO2x rather than a RAO2. If he has the RAO2 then his ROA4 would not be on the bar. How did you trace to bar to him?

Interest how the WWI vets, at least in America, died quitely in the 1970s 80' and 90s while the WWII vets were lauded as the "Greatest Generation." I am not saying the title of Greatest Generation is not deserved. It is my opinion that the fighting on the Western Front in WWI was more up close and personal then WWII for the American soldier. I think this may have led to the returning WWI vets to just want to never discuss it and try to forget it.

Yes, the St. Louis Record Center is part of NARA. I would suggest using a professional researcher at St. Louis. You pay a bit extra but rather then wait 6 months for a file you usually get it in a few week. I use Geoff at Golden Arrow Research.

Interesting and thanks.