Laurens Q

I'm not a frequent visitor on this part of the forum, but ventured here because of the following Slovak medal for bravery. There is a small ribbon bar as well, and my question concerns the little device on both ribbon bar and ribbon of the medal. I just found some further reading in the book "Foreign Legions of the Reich (part 3) ", but nobody talks about the enamel device. What's the purpose of that device? Otherwise, I can only guess if the award and ribbon bar were handed out to someone with German or Slovak nationality. I guess Slovaks were also able to receive the EK2 and KVK2. Thanks in advance, Laurens

Thank you for the comments everyone. Tom, Eric, I'd be delighted to learn or see more from the reverse of your device. These don't show up often loose... Laurens

last image...

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ribbon bar carton

Inside my old HP-scanner

??

Is this a mid 30's version, as can be seen in the ribbon bar database from Rick?

The day before yesterday, these two items were waiting in my mailbox when I came home. The ribbon bar with the Brunswick device is the first one in my collection. I think nothing is wrong with this bar in general. However, I would like to comment on the sort of misshaped corners left and right. On those spots and underneath the ribbons, it feels fragile. When gently looking to the side, one can see a white-like powder. I have no clear explanation, but it kind of looks like a chemical reaction to the backing plate. It is no rust, but should be something else. It's important to say that those corners of the metal plate are no longer there and could be pulvarised?? The second item is a larger Brunswick device, and I guess these were used on medal bars. I have never seen one of these, therefore added some scans and photos. I hope shape, prongs and dimensions are correct. It measures 30x23mm or 1.18x0.90 inches. Both items came on a piece of carton as well. They came that way, so I might as well leave it like that... Thanks for any input, Laurens

What's the name of this book, if I may ask? My source is "Das Deutsche Kaiserpaar im Heiligen Lande". I think that text might be very similar (I found the exact same quote as yours and also a similar image of the cross in this book). I quickly counted all the names in the appendix (persons who travelled along with the Kaiser) and an approximate total is 640. Ps: Approximately 170 names are marked with an asterisk. The meaning is quoted as "Die mit einem * bezeichneten Teilnehmer geh?rten der offizielen Festfahrt an.". How would you translate the word "Festfahrt" in this case? I'm a bit at loss here...

Komtur, Did everyone receive a Jerusalem cross when they were invited for this journey? Including females? Or was the cross only awarded to military personnel? Laurens

Paul, Digging up an old thread, but the four ships and the commanders were: - SM Yacht Hohenzollern (Adm. Frhr. Von Bodenhausen) - SMS Hela (Korv-Kpt. Sommerwerck) - SMS Hertha (Korv.-Kpt. von Usedom) - SMS Loreley (Korv.-Kpt. von Witzleben) I'd be grateful if someone has more info regarding these persons and their awards, especially if they held the Jersusalem cross. Otherwise, and unfortunately, I can't be of any more assistance... Laurens

Thanks Rick! Clear answer as usual :rolleyes:

And the reverse with the caption

When examining this photo I recently acquired, can someone confirm if this is the later Generalleutnant Josef Reichert? So far, I have been unable to find another picture to compare. Furthermore, I cannot find Infanterie-Regiment 20 in the following career list, hence my concern if this is really Josef Reichert: http://www.geocities.com/~orion47/WEHRMACH...HERT_JOSEF.html Josef Reichert was already Oberst in August 1937, when in command of Infanterie-Regiment 6. This picture must date before that time, judging by the caption on the reverse. Hopefully someone will be able to assist and/or confirm... Thank you, Laurens

It took me some time to find this older thread, but the same bar turned up in another forum and I only have eyes for the Jerusalem cross (if real, one of the most beautiful awards ever made imho ) I've read this thread twice, and I follow Sascha in his concern. To me, this is a fantasy piece and not a genuine cross. I cannot call myself proud owner of a Jerusalem cross, but I fail to find similarities with other examples in literature, from other collectors or period photos. The loop and the (heart-shaped) attachement to the cross, the thick outlines to the enamel, the shape of the four smaller crosses in the corners and the awkward position of the center medallions are very uncommon. A very nice bar to say the least, but such a strange Jerusalem cross attached to it... Laurens Ps: I'm looking at the cross only and not at its position. I'm not yet able to read bars...

Hello everyone, While this is not an exotic item, I was quite happy when the picture-postcard from Wolf arrived by mail a few days ago. This is an early example with the letters 'WO' on the hull, later replaced by 'WL'. Yet, I have not been able to find the reason of this change? Why was this necessary? Best, Laurens

Rick, Thank you for your valuable input, as it answers all my questions! The addition of the military career from Hans Henigst is very welcome. Also, the story about the Anschluss medal for Kriegsmarine units was new to me. And quite funny though ... Best regards, Laurens Ps: A search on the internet translated i.V. as In Vertretung

The second document is a bit of the same story. The signature should be from the "Torpedoboot Wolf"-commander Lutz Gerstung. But I fail to understand that he was Flottillenchef in Okt. 1939. On top of that, I can't remember what the abbreviation i.V. stands for, could it be that he was replacing flottillenchef Waue (6. Torpedobootsflottille) for a short period? Finally, is it possible that a soldier from the Kriegsmarine was given this particular medal? There are several questions here, so thank you for reading and taking your time to give me a helping hand! Kind regards, Laurens

Hello everyone, Two new documents came my way yesterday. I now try to find a little bit more information regarding the signatures. It seems the first document is signed by Korvettenkapit?n Henigst, yet I am unsure if this is Hans Henigst who would later command the Adm. Hipper. If this would be the case, can someone please add the military career from Henigst? Also, I fail to understand that this torpedobootsflottille was formed in 1941, but this document was already signed in mid 1938:

Oops, while adjusting the picture in Photoshop, I flipped the reverse the wrong side! So that's my mistake I didn't acquire the bar from that seller (or eBay), but when I went through this topic, I saw a similarity with other reverses. Again, I saw nothing wrong with the obverse. So in the end it might well be another parts bar... Laurens

I'm curious if the bar below would also qualify as 'austrian fake'. While the obverse looks rather OK, I tend to see similar backings and I wonder if some will be negative about that. Laurens

and the last one:

Some detail:

Reverse: