David Gregory

September 28, 2005

Otto,

Wow. That is an outstanding group of photographs, awards and documents and represents a piece of history in a way that no anonymous medal can ever hope to do.

The fact that it belonged to your ancestor makes it even more special.

Judging by the images, he looked as though he had a sense of humour and enjoyed life, despite the circumstances in which he found himself.

David

September 27, 2005

Paul,

Buildings designed by civil engineers and architects were not intended to be bombed or strafed or take the forces of repeated recoil from AA artillery.

Besides acting as a raised gun platform, the Flak towers were built for the purpose of sheltering and supplying the ammunition and protecting the crews.

Although the gun towers have disappeared from most German towns, there are still very many shelters left, as demolition would probably have caused excessive damage to the remaining buildings in the area. Due to the Cold War, some of the shelters in the town where I live were only decommissioned in the 1960s. Those that are left have either been converted for other use, often by having windows cut in the walls or, in most cases, they are simply locked up and only checked at intervals to ensure that any absolutely necessary maintenance is done to stop them from deteriorating.

There is a thriving community of bunker researchers in Germany who run a number of forums and often spend their weekends undergound.

Some of the surviving shelters have been "decorated" with quite bizarre paintwork to make them look different, although a bunker still remains a bunker, no matter what colour you paint it.

David

http://www.luftschutzbunker-wilhelmshaven....luftschutz.html

http://www.luftschutzbunker-osnabrueck.de/...luftschutz.html

http://braunschweig.luftschutz-bunker.de/

http://www.hh-hamm.de/bunk_eng.htm

http://www.warplaces.net/uk086_lsb_berlin.htm

http://www.subbrit.org.uk/sb-sites/sites/g...ers/index.shtml

http://www.warplaces.net/uk040.htm#Luftsch...n,%20Germany%20

September 27, 2005

I, like Mr. Research, has one of those "rare" ones ...

Darrel,

I have a gold one just like that also made by Eugen Marcus.

However, since it doesn't have the silver mark to the right of the catch, I understand that it is the less common gold badge awarded after 1918. Sadly, these are not as uncommon as Rick's silver gilt pre-war type.

Still nice to have.

David

September 26, 2005

This card is certainly not unique, but there can only be very few left elsewhere, and I am confident it can be considered rare.

It once belonged to a certain Oberleutnant Hausser, who served with Infanterie-Regiment 155 and attended the Kriegsakademie in Berlin from 1908 to 1911. He was later to become better known as "Papa" Hausser, "Father" of the Waffen-SS.

Since the Kriegsakademie reference is crossed out, the card probably dates from around 1912 when Hausser was assigned to the Imperial Navy to qualify as an aerial observer.

With the exception of a few signatures of PlM and Knights Cross holders on various documents, this is the only item I have that can be directly attributed to a reasonably well-known historical figure.

David

September 26, 2005

Theodor,

It might be part of the traditional dress worn by German miners, sometimes still seen in bands or orchestras.

However, if it comes from your part of Europe, it might be something quite different.

David

September 26, 2005

I thought it looked very nice, but do you think someone sacrificed a real cross to make a bill clip?

September 24, 2005

Eviromental Protection(on the right)
And some sort of Water Police... If someone could ID this tunic on the left, it would be greatly appreciated!
←

Paul,

According to the cuff title, this is the uniform of the Harbour Police.

I am amazed how much German uniform tradion was retained by the DDR. While these items have probably not been too difficult to acquire in recent years, the sources are sure to dry up in the near future. You have the makings of a good museum.

David

September 23, 2005

Heads-up for anyone who is interested:

eBay auction #6563447707

For the record, I have nothing to do with the auction and my interest is purely academic.

September 20, 2005

Christian,

Please show some images of the Soldbuch.

Thanks in advance,

David

September 20, 2005

Medaille Militaire citations seem to be numbered... I wonder if there is a way of researching them?
←

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

September 20, 2005

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

September 19, 2005

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

September 19, 2005

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

September 17, 2005

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

September 16, 2005

Господин Бeкeр,

Вир кoeннeн ayх aндeпc ....

Дaвид

September 16, 2005

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

September 16, 2005

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.

September 16, 2005

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

September 16, 2005

Antti,

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

David

September 16, 2005

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

September 16, 2005

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