speedytop

Hi Graf, there are sources with different statements. The Künker auction house offered 3 classes with the date 1941, gold, silver, bronze: https://books.google.de/books?id=ZtkEf0E8nxAC&pg=PA73&lpg=PA73&dq=bulgarien+"soldatenkreuz+für+tapferkeit"&source=bl&ots=zhrr6gq8Xt&sig=y3azlWPWD9SbWpuwLr-9tbeGrzY&hl=de&sa=X&ved=0CB0Q6AEwAGoVChMI65mIj--NyAIVwbwUCh1yAQYP#v=onepage&q=bulgarien "soldatenkreuz für tapferkeit"&f=false Prince Dimitri Romanoff wrote in his book, that there are 5 classes, the fifth class in bronze had been added. The Carsten Zeige price catalogue from 2009 list 5 classes. But see the documents you posted before in this thread: - document with the award date 19. März 1942, handed out 25. Oktober 1942 > IV. Klasse - document with the award date 10.6. 1942, handed out 27. 10. 1942 > IV. Klasse - document written 22.3.43 > IV. Klasse That speaks really for more than 3 classes! I have only a silver class from 1941 in my collection. Now we can select whatever we want? I don't have the answer. Uwe

On the right is a miniature of the "Leistungsabzeichen" in Bronze, the lowest grade. Please see here: https://de.wikipedia.org/wiki/Abzeichen_für_besondere_Leistungen_im_Truppendienst Uwe

Yes. Uwe

Hi, the Oberleutnant und Staffelführer should be Oberleutnant Franz-Josef Maubach Uwe

Hi Richard, I read it as Kramer Uwe

There had been so many different "Reservistika": pipes, glas and porcelain jugs, beer glasware, bottles, cups, plates, pictures (Reservistenbilder) etc. I have seen some plates, but this is a very nice example. Uwe

And you can find him here in the 12. Kompagnie: http://forum.ahnenforschung.net/showthread.php?t=26020 Uwe

Chris, his name is Leonh[ard] Lengenfelder Uwe

Text on the front, bottom: Aus 10m Entfernung aus dem Schützengraben aufgenommen > photographed in a distance of 10m from the trenches Additional text at the top: In solchem Schwindel rennt man vorne herum. - appr. > in such a crud/muck you run around in the front line Uwe

Hi Eric, "... does it mean he had something to do with Zeppelins at one point?" No, it is the street in the address: Breslau Zeppelinstr. 1 Uwe

Hi M_kuppy, it is hard, to find the exact stamp. I think, that there are hundreds of different Kyffhäuser stamps. Please look here for an example: http://www.philaseiten.de/up/1600737/8/8/ab7d65de_h.jpeg Uwe

Hi Richard, Major Lambert von Konschegg Uwe

Hi Richard, "Major und Kommandant Fliegerhorstkommandantur 15/VII" I think, that it could be Adrario; with much good will I can read Adrario, but really in a very individual handwriting. In different sources I can find him in that time as Hauptmann and as Major, for example: http://www.wiki.luftwaffedata.co.uk/wiki/index.php?title=Fliegerhorstkommandantur_E_15/VII Later you can find him as Hauptmann or as Oberstleutnant at the same time; and who is lying? In another list he is listed as Hauptmann between an Oberst and two Oberstleutnants, in my opinion that can not be correct: http://www.lexikon-der-wehrmacht.de/Gliederungen/Fliegerhorstkommandantur/FHK105-3-R.htm Uwe

Hi Ed, that is historical originated. In former times the rough structure in a unit (Kompanie) was: Hauptmann > Lieutenant > Wachtmeister The Lieutenant was the second in command, the Wachtmeister (Feldwebel) was the man for the disciplin. On the higher level (Regiment): Obrist > Obristlieutenant > Obristwachtmeister On the next level: General > Generallieutenant > Generalwachtmeister In different countries in different times, centuries ago, the rank Obristwachtmeister changed in the naming to Major. And based on that, the naming of the rank Generalwachtmeister changed to Generalmajor. That's all . Uwe

My cross: 35,7g Uwe

Please, don't confuse it. There is the "Verdienstorden der Bundesrepublik Deutschland", absolutely civilian. https://de.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bundesverdienstkreuz And there is the "Ehrenzeichen der Bundeswehr", absolutely military. https://de.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ehrenzeichen_der_Bundeswehr You can change to the English versions. The topic here is the civilian award. Uwe

I don't think so! Please enlarge it and compare: https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/f/ff/Div_BW_Litzen.JPG Uwe

Hi Paul, "... the blue cord at the base of the shoulder strap. Is this optional?" No, the "Schlaufe" (loop) is mandatory in the Army (Heer). It seems, that it is not the correct coloured loop, because the loop for medicals is dark blue; this loop seems to be medium blue, the colour for logistics. Uwe

Hi Paul, it is a civilian award, nearly impossible for EM and very seldom for NCOs. The lower award, the "Verdienstmedaille" http://ordensmuseum.de/bundesverdienstorden/stufen/stufe-verdienstmedaille/ is more accessible, but really not often. I could honor one of my NCOs with the medal, but it was difficult. Normal and very good soldierly service is not enough for such an award, you need some more extraordinary civilian engagement. Uwe

Hi Jens, "... many german soldiers who do not wear their awards at all which is a "no go" in my opinion..." I was one of those soldiers. "... he is wearing his awards not according to ZDV 37/10 (german field manual), but I, personally, do not care as long as he was awarded all of this stuff." And everybody can add, what he want to add? And you (and others) disobey the German regulations, because you prefer an own personal view? And if you disobey these official rules, you can commit other refusals of command? That is valid for you and your subordinated soldiers? I'm wondering, really. Uwe

Hi Jens, I think (hope), that you don't wear this miniatur medal bar (Kleine Ordensschnalle) officially? It is for example not allowed, to wear the "Europäische Polizei-Leistungsabzeichen" on a Bw-Uniform, and it is not allowed, to wear two sports badges. That is, in my very personal opinion, "overdressed". Uwe

It is not another family name, there are only overwritten the (I think wrong) first names with Johann Gustav Uwe

Hi Lambert, what do you want to read? It is one of thousands medals/crosses from German shooting clubs. It is not silver, as many other pieces in this time, and it is in a bad condition. That is my very personal comment. Uwe

Hi, totally unrealistic. You can find another auction, 50€ unsold. That is the reality. Uwe

Hi, unsold medals are not a good reference. As an example, a few years ago I bought one of my "Stein" medals for 32 €. Uwe