Bernhard H.Holst

Hello; Perhaps some viewers may enjoy seeing this medal bar with the corresponding ribbon bar: Prussian Iron Cross 1870 with 25 year Oakleaf, Red Eagle 3rd cl.. with bow, Crown Order 3rd cl., Prussia Long service officers 25 years, Prussia 1870/71 comm. medal with "Metz" and "Paris" clasps. Rick Research has begun searching for a name but seems to believe it not too promising. In any event I thank him very much. Bernhard H. Holst

Hello Rick. I do not believe so. B.t.w. German dealers offer them very frequently and for quite low prices. My brother has never mentioned it, he lives here and I think he would have mentioned that to me. Bernhard H. Holst

Hello Paul. I am unaware of any decorations that he may have earned before or following the third Reich. He did serve in the conflicts within Germany and in the eastern border region with Poland following WW I when he became of military service age. In any event no such documents or similar were contained in the estate. Thank you for your interest. Bernhard H. Holst

Hello: I take the liberty to amplify the observation posted by veteran concerning the company of Arthus-Bertrand by picturing a pair of miniature decorations of a modest level which were acquired a little over two years ago. The case in which these miniatures were provided show the company name, year of founding and location. The workmanship is superb with the reverses also finished and the ribbons with their suspension displaying a very nice appearance. The case reflects good quality. So it seems that this manufacturer at least until quite recently mantains a high standard of workmanship and appearance. I was indeed rather pleased to wear my main decorations which they happen to be for the first and possibly only time at a semi-official function to which I had been invited. This was to observe a day of remembrance in 2011of an officer who was elected to give his name to the 2012 graduating class of the French Army Officers Academy St.Cyr due to his outstanding but sadly short career, the Capitaine Xavier de Cacqueray. Under his orders I had served in Vietnam during the 1950's. Bernhard H. Holst

Hello Jon. The 3rd Reich version Honor Roll Clasp is certainly worn, the1957 version less so. A number of reference works I had occasion to see indicate that recommendations to award the K.C. were denied outright, amended to German Cross awards or to inscription in the Honor Roll. But I believe the persons involved were not necessarily informed of all circomstances . Bernhard H. Holst

Hello Jon. The first proposal for the K.C.Award was made in 1941 and denied. The second one was made in 1943 and amended to the Honor Roll which as you most likely know had an outwardly recognizeable distinction instituted later, namely the Honor Roll Clasp. I have Oberst Schuler's decorations in my care, see below. Bernhard H. Holst

Hello Chris: I read the article with great interest because it renewed memories of childhood books devoured relating to WW I warfare in far away East Africa incl attempts to resupply the isolated German forces. There was also an aborted flight by a Zeppelin via Turkey carrying supplies which was abandoned while en route somewhere over the Sudan I believe. I have related in an earlier post a very short encounter with General v.Lettow-Vorbeck while attending a school in Bremen which was named after the general. Bernhard H. Holst former student of Oberschule fuer Jungen General v.Lettow-Vorbeck, 1942 to 1945

Hello Rick. I am unaware of any writings by him. The Biblio reference book on K.C. recipients of German Mountain Troops mentions that he had stomach surgery which kept him in hospital from 11 Sep.1939 to 15 Nov. 1939 followed by assignments to rear area formations for some time. Surviving correspondence makes mention that half his stomach was removed. He obtained promotion to officer in the police early on but apparently did not attend any courses for higher leadership such as battalion or regimental command. Unfortunately the document for the Honor Roll was not in the estate even though it is pictured in the above mentioned reference. With some satisfaction I can state to have obtained all the remaining rest before an announced split, ( pat, pat...) something we do hate. Bernhard H. Holst

Hello readers: Being the caretaker of the military estate of the late Oberst Emil Schuler, decorated with the Knights Cross of the Iron Cross, the Honor Roll Clasp and the German Cross in Gold, I would like to present several photos which reflect this officer's career through the different governments from 1919 to 1962. Oberst E. Schuler born 10 October 1902 and died 8 August 1983. He served in the Freikorps Epp, transferred to the Bavarian State Police in 1924, then the newly reorganized and strengthened German Army in 1935. He entered the (West) German Bundesgrenzschutz ( Border Protection Corps) in 1951 from which he transferred to the new German Army (Bundeswehr) in 1956 as Oberst. He served on active duty until 1962 but continued in reserve functions for some time later. Freikorps Epp upon return from the Ruhr Area: Freikorps Epp (note sleeve insignia position(s): Bavarian State Police: German Army: Shortly after being wounded while serving in the 7. Gebirgs Division: After the award of the Knights Cross: Bundesgrenzschutz: Bundeswehr: Of note are the following observations; Oberst Schuler was previously twice recommended for the Knights Cross with the second recommendation changed to the Honor Roll Clasp. He received the German Cross as early as 2 November 1941. Bernhard H. Holst

Hello Mike: The log indicates 8 September as flight to 60 km west of London; 11 September Feindflug ( combat mission) London; 14 September Sperre am Kanal Boulogne-Hastings (blocking mission on the Chanel Boulogne-Hastings). Bernhard H. Holst

Hello Mike. The first log book shown is for the flight training period ( the different phases of training). The second one shows transfer flights of ME 109 in France , as detailed in the following picture ( departure St.Omer and arriving Caen). A total of Kilometers flown is certified by an officer on staff with the log book apparently closed out as evidenced by the lines drawn. His Red Cross I.D. card in which he is now described as "Hilfsarzt' or assistant medical officer and a June 1944 handwritten change in rank as "Fahnenjunker Unteroffizier" or officer candidate for war service in the medical service. His pilot license follows. It seems that he switched career from pilot to medical officer . Medical officers to be were granted extensive leaves to attend medical schools with intermittent breaks for practical service as medical corps members. Thanks for showing this, Bernhard H. Holst

Hello Adler. Thanks for showing this incredible Tschako with all the pieces belonging with it and in such very good condition. It shows the utter ignorance of some people dealing in military articles. Congratulations on this find. Bernhard H. Holst

Hello Rick. I based my guess on the German term "stehendes Heer" or a permanently under arms regular army. Bernhard H. Holst

Hello Rick. As regards "stehendes Kriegslazarett" in my opinion it could mean a permanent hospital being a part of the Corps establishment or possibly a hospital which is not mobile ( which version I am skeptical about). Bernhard H. Holst

Jock: in your latest images the shape of the pin does not seem to be like a Hitler Youth pin but the upper portion appears wider than the lower section. B.H.H.

Hello Jock. At first glance I am tempted to call the other a Hitler Youth Pin. Bernhard H. Holst

Yes it is indeed. Somehow I missed that post. It would have saved me a misstep. Bernhard H. Holst

Hello Chris: Thank you for showing this group. A very tragic ending indeed. The death certificate lists the requirement for elaboration on the reverse of the certificate when the cause of death is as given. I wonder what is recorded there. Bernhard H. Holst

Hello readers: Please see my notice and correction incorporated into my original post above regarding this unfortunate incident of having posted something which does not belong! Thanks to Rick Research for uncovering the truth. Bernhard H. Holst

Hello: A Military St.Henry Gold Medal (maker marked F.U.) together with Saxony-Coburg-Gotha Silver Merit Medal with Swords and the China Commemorative Medal for Combatants. Plus the ribbon bar. Important notice/correction posted Aug.3, 2013: these pictured medal- and ribbon bars have meanwhile been identified as being incorrect/most likely made up to deceive. I thank Rick Research for giving such a thorough expertise of the several matters identifying them as such. And I apologize to have given the impression of them being the genuine articles. B.H.H.

Hello: There is a wealth of information to be found in the internet concerning this remarkable woman who served her country more than well and was ahead of her times in many respects. Bernhard H. Holst

Hello readers: While on my first deployment with the French Foreign Legion in the North of Vietnam from 1951 to 1953 fascinating information came to us about a female helicopter pilot flying single handed medical evacuation missions. On duty with an amphibious unit which was exceptionally well equipped to care for our wounded and to evacuate any of them if necessary, we never had occasion to call on her so did not see her. But her reputation was apparent. I have had occasion to look into this exceptional woman's career and can give here a brief description as follows: - The general Valerie Andre was born on the 21 of April 1922 in Strasbourg, Alsace and pursued medical training. She volunteered for military service after WW II during the Vietnam conflict and qualified as a surgeon, pilot and parachutist. Then holding the rank of captain she received training as a helicopter pilot. The helicopter then somewhat in its operational infancy for military purposes was a Hiller 360 , single pilot and capable of transporting two stretcher cases , one on each side of the craft on a sort of attached stretcher. In Vietnam Captain Andre flew 129 medical evacuation missions , transporting 165 severely wounded to rear facilities. She also made two parachute jumps to provide medical assistance. She continued flying copters in Algeria and added more than 300 missions logging thousands of hours flying time. Promotions followed and she reached the equivalent rank of general in the French Medical Service ( equal to Major General in the US Service) occupying positions of considerable importance. Her decorations include the distinction of Grand Cross of the Legion of Honor as well as the one of the Legion of National Merit. Several citations earning her the Croix de Guerre and the Croix de Valeur Militaire. Also decorations in the medical field among other distinctions. Not to forget the U.S. Legion of Merit. I read that she absolved a simulator program quite recently for a helicopter! I felt a need to bring this extraordinary person to the attention of readers who may never have heard of her. Bernhard H. Holst

Hello Veteran. Thank you for the interesting information regarding the post war gatherings of former enemies and the population at Jebsheim. Perhaps time does heal wounds? Also I am still astonished how one's attachment to one's former regiment remains strong over all the years with memory setting in recalling certain events or persons. Best regards, Bernhard H. Holst

Hello Chris, hello Veteran. First a thank you to Chris for bringing our attention to this excellent article. Indeed a good read and this includes the many readers' comments. I believe that the French military has lost about seventy five members in Afghanistan since 2008. The French Defense Department lists all those who fell on that far battle ground as well as on other theaters of operation such as Mali. It seems to me a high proportion of officers and non commissioned officers gave their lives including those who gave theirs at the hands of Afghan allies. As regards Mali six French military personnel have lost their lives to date. Thank you , Veteran, to have brought to our attention a much forgotten combat of Jebsheim an important part of the Battle of the Colmar Pocket in early 1945. It seems worthwhile to me to mention that meanwhile relations between France and Germany have gotten so much better, this year being the 50th anniversary of the treaty establishing a new relationship between the two neighbors. Example is the participation at this years 14th July parade in Paris of parts of the French-German Brigade. Bernhard H. Holst B.t.w. readers: The French Foreign Legion also paraded including a delegation of my former regiment, 1er REC ( 1.Foreign Cavalry Regiment) but on foot. To my pleasant surprise I came across a small but very good picture in the US paper "The Seattle Times" of July 15 while traveling on the North-West coast. Credit was to AFP / Getty Images but I guess it would be a violation of copy right to post it here. B.H.H.

Hello Rick. Thanks for showing this beauty ! Bernhard H. Holst