David Gregory

Christian, Please show some images of the Soldbuch. Thanks in advance, David

Chris, Do you mean the formal citations that lend themselves well to framing? The fragile documents referring to brigade or army orders are probably only an extract of the brigade or army records. Are these archived anywhere? /David

Brian, I wasn't generalising, nor was I trying to be unfair to PlM holders in general or in particular. Should any of your remarks above be directed at me after my reply to your rather terse PM, I do not have a chip on my shoulder that I am projecting back into history, either. As far as I am concerned, this forum is an opportunity to learn and discuss. I was simply wondering aloud as I do not have much knowledge of the circumstances of PlM awards to higher ranking officers. However, I would like to learn more about them. From the posts above, I do not have the impression that anyone is trying to draw you into a fight, nor do I see anyone claiming that PlMs were awarded for ceremonial purposes. Les makes some good points about the role of leadership and how battlefield command and control was practised in WW1. Of course, some general officers were certainly exposed to front-line risks in the course of their duties. Generalleutnant von Wencher, commander of 7. (Württembergische) Landwehr-Division, was badly wounded and the officers accompanying him were killed in the front line while they were preparing one of the many raids carried out in the comparatively quiet sector held by the division in April 1916, for example. In my view, the relative merits of earning a PlM compared to an EK2 have nothing to do with the fact that some, not all, senior officers received the PlM as a merit award for leadership. /David

Chris, Excellent find. Is there by any chance an entry for Sous-Lieutenant Fr?d?ric (Francois) Lesueur, probably of 312?me. R?giment d'Infanterie? He received the Croix de Guerre and was mentioned in brigade orders in May 1915 for combat in early September 1914. Thanks in advance, David

Christophe, Very nice images. After looking at all of those rather elderly gentlemen, I wonder how many of them actually risked their lives or went anywhere near the front. Regimental commanders and the officers that served beneath them almost certainly deserved the PlM as a bravery award. For the rest, it was probably only a merit distinction. It is interesting to note that von Brandis, a nobleman and professional officer, was regarded for many years as the conqueror of Douaumont and received the PlM, while Leutnant der Reserve Radtke, who actually occupied and held the fort with his company, only received a signed photograph of the Crown Prince for his efforts as a commoner. David

Was it usual for Kriegsmarine flyers to receive Luftwaffe qualification awards and flying clasps?

Господин Бeкeр, Вир кoeннeн ayх aндeпc .... Дaвид

Eric, Thanks for that excellent history of the country in a nutshell. The only things I have seen of Albania in recent years have been some rather good photo essays in quality magazines such as the Sunday Times colour supplement. Apart from that, the only Albanian influence here in Germany seems to be a disproportionately high share of expatriate Albanian participation in low-level organised crime. In younger years I spent a few months working on ships in the Mediterranean and passed along the Albanian coast several times. Time and permission by the Albanian government permitting, I would like to visit the country for a holiday in the future and see for myself what has been hidden from us for so many years. Is Albanian militaria easy to find? Thanks in advance, David

I'll need some time to go through the Milit?rp?sse I have, but from memory I am fairly certain that men who served as Hoboist either before the war, or when they joined a unit for active service, were either used as stretcher bearers or as regular soldiers. As such they were entitled to the same awards as any other soldier. I am trying to organise my documents in such a way that I can answer precisely this sort of question without having to leaf through hundreds of fragile booklets. Chris Boonzaier (MrBean) has an EK award document to Hoboist-Vizefeldwebel Rommel who served with the staff of Bayerisches Infanterie-Regiment 14.

Eric, I was always under the impression that Albania had closer links to PR China than any of the Eastern Block countries. Did the DDR manufacture many Albanian awards and did PR China do anything more than provide political clout? Thanks in advance, David

Antti, Is it on the way to you or did someone else get it? David

Gordon, The images are amazing. Do you know who is funding this project? It looks like a film set or playground for re-enactors. The urge to recreate chunks of history or extracts from comics and dress up in all sorts of historical or other costumes seems to be very popular in Japan. Since re-enactors in Japan seem to pay enormous attention to detail and like to get things right, I wonder if there are any Kamikaze units and how they bring their re-enactments to a successful conclusion. There do seem to be people interested in re-enactment in Germany, but there is so much stigma attached to 20th century German history, and so much mistrust of anyone who shows an interest in representing it, I don't think we'll see any German battleships larger than radio-controlled models here for some time to come. David

Ed, If you have his name and possibly an address or at least some indication of where he lived or worked, he or his family can probably be found in an online telephone directory or similar listing. /David

Gerd, They are codes used by the various manufacturers of all types of weapons and equipment pre-1945. There are a few sites with further details, such as at http://www.radix.net/~bbrown/codes_full.html Cheers, David

Unfortunately, the links I posted above seem to work fine in preview mode, but are chewed beyond recognition when the post is submitted. To make things easier, and so that you can track this seller's auctions in future, the name of the seller is cetra2003. The link below may work: http://search.ebay.de/_W0QQfgtpZ1QQfrppZ25QQsassZcetra2003 The auctions currently running are: #6207165435 #6207178557 #6207181834 #6207187922 #6207193440 #6207201959 #6207207411 #6207211479 Take a look as the images will soon be gone. /David

Claudio, Judging by the captions added to the album, Swatau (or Swatan) seems to be a place name. /David

As far as I am concerned, Cetra2003 is definitely one of the outlets for raritaetensammlerclub's offerings. Take a look at the following auctions, all of which features bad items offered by our favourite Imperial faker on German eBay: http://cgi.ebay.de/Eisernes-Kreuz-1-Klasse...1QQcmdZViewItem http://cgi.ebay.de/Erinnerungskreuz-Treuen...1QQcmdZViewItem http://cgi.ebay.de/Verwundetenabz-1914-in-...1QQcmdZViewItem http://cgi.ebay.de/Jubilaeumsspange-25-zum...1QQcmdZViewItem http://cgi.ebay.de/Dienstauszeichnung-Bade...1QQcmdZViewItem http://cgi.ebay.de/Verwundetenabz-der-Mari...1QQcmdZViewItem http://cgi.ebay.de/Verdienstkreuz-Kriegshi...1QQcmdZViewItem http://cgi.ebay.de/Erinnerungskreuz-Koenig...1QQcmdZViewItem Caveat emptor!

Brian, Wonderful stuff and with a real story, to boot. I like your eclectic collecting interests (framed photo in lower right of image in post #3). /David

Bring it on, Ed.

Was it common for naval flyers to receive Luftwaffe badges?

Hi Bob, Nice examples of home-made bars, of which I also have a couple. I really like these simple combinations of basic awards from more than one state. Is there any paperwork to go with it? Particularly nice is the late-war Sachsen-Meiningen medal made of zinc. They also came in bronze and in other metals with a bronzed finish. /David

Are the dates of the photos known? Were they taken before the campaign ribbons were issued?

Darrel, I have the following: 2 DRA bronze by Wernstein, non-magnetic 2 DRA silver by Wernstein, non-magnetic DRA gold by Eugen Marcus, non-magnetic DRL bronze without swastika, no maker, centre not cut out between the letters, non-magnetic DRL bronze with swastika by Wernstein, magnetic Tust this helps, David

Bill, I've just received a nice citation for a Croix de Guerre awarded in early 1915. I bought it on www.ebay.fr. There are always plenty of medals to be had there for a lot less than what the usual online dealers ask. If I can coax my scanner into working, I'll post an image in a new thread. /David

Claudio, That is a fabulous group, brought to life by Rick's excellent research. Do you have any information regarding the award date of his Hessen cross? I have some documents to a Saxon NCO who also received the cross for front line service on the Western Front. I also have some documents to men who fought in Macedonia and ended their service there after spending time in hospital at Uesk?b while being treated for malaria. Who knows, perhaps their paths crossed with Dr. Hansen's. /David