Bernhard H.Holst

Hello John: Going strictly by memory I would rather not venture a guess. But I believe them to have been more of an all around talented officer. The insignia you showed were for the French north-african formations as the color red, the Crescent and star indicate. Whether the SAS had their own , dedicated insignia I am unable to say (and you did not ask the question). In any event the SAS cling to my memory as an outstanding branch of service. Bernhard H. Holst

Hello Irish: Going strictly by memory having been stationed in Algeria in 1956 - 1957: The SAS were highly specialized officers all speaking Arabic or which ever language prevailed in their respective area of responsibility (Berber). They were to represent the French authorities close to the people and were the direct liaison between army, local defense units (Harkis) and communities. They were involved in civic affairs, improving the daily lives of the population and indeed fighting for the "hearts and minds". The pictured ribbon bar seems to indicate to me that the Medaille Militaire indicates a former n.c.o. who later followed an officer candidate course and upon graduation received special training for the SAS responsibilities. Officer rank were important in these positions and established some authority. These posts were oftentimes lonely and very dangerous positions. Perhaps Veteran or somebody else can shed additional light on these dedicated officers whose important participation in the Algerian Conflict is largely obscure. Bernhard H. Holst

Hello Bob. The dove ("peace dove??" by Picasso if memory serves me right after many years) was a favorite symbol of the Vietminh. Displayed and used as a symbol of the lenient and peace loving Vietnamese people but ring a sad bell in this writers mind recalling the human wrecks who survived imprisonment he witnessed as a member of reception and honor detachments after the armistice in 1954. Bernhard H. Holst ex-Foreign Legion 1951 - 1957

Hello readers: In addition to the very informative posts by Veteran and Prosper for anyone interested in exploring these complicated subjects further the books by Robert O. Paxton ( Legion d'Honneur in 2009)are highly recommended by me: - Vichy France Old Guard and New Order; - Parades and Politics at Vichy. Due to my "Library" being in total disarray I could not retrieve a book specifically about the attack on French naval forces at Mers el Kebir in order to mention its title etc. Of further, perhaps passing interest may be the fact that during the fighting in Syria where the 6. Regiment Etranger d'Infanterie was staioned while under control of the Vichy administration, units of the French Foreign Legion were for the first and I believe only time opposed to each other in hostilities. This left some bitter feelings in the subsequent internal Legion relations based on information contained in some literature. Bernhard H. Holst

Hello Juergen. I am not a collector of French unit insignias but I venture to say that unit crests for small size units such as the BMEO will be hard to find. As to the value, who knows. Also I am not sure how long these units were in the Order of Battle. It was certainly not the insignia of Vandenberghe's commando. I am not sure whether it had the number 24 throughout but was mainly known as Commando Vandenberghe or had the number 24 assigned after his murder. It was stationed in Nam Dinh, Tonkin until the sector South was abandoned in the Summer of 1954 and never was as effective again. Bernhard H. Holst ex-2.Groupement Amphibie du 1.REC, 1951-1953 and 1954 - 1956

Hello Juergen. I believe this unit crest to be that of the 6. Bataillon de March d'Extreme Orient (BMEO) . One of many locally (Indochina) raised formations with European cadres and affiliated with the French Troupes Coloniales as the anchor indicates. None of these BMEO's was deployed in D.B.Ph.during the 1953-1954 battle. However the D.B.Ph. area was occupied by French troops earlier during the conflict or one of the French members of the battle had served in the 6.BMEO previously and kept the unit crest. Sadly it seems after the battle digging goes on there also.... Bernhard H. Holst

Hello readers. Once again it is the anniversary of the death of Capitaine Xavier de Cacqueray-Valmenier on 28.September 1958 in Algeria. This posting is made to perhaps acquaint some additional readers with this distinguished officer who died in the service of France. The family de Cacqueray-Valmenier has a long history of military service which in the words of one of his surviving brothers goes back at least to the time of Louis XIV. The recent naming of a class of the French Army Officers Academy St.Cyr after this officer is certainly a very high honor for him and his entire family. As mentioned before this writer served under his orders in Vietnam in 1952 - 1953 and again in the closing months of the French phase of the Indochina War in 1954 in the ranks of the 1. Regiment Etranger de Cavalerie. For anyone interested in learning more though in French, see: http://promotioncnedecacqueray.fr/ and http://www.sourdeac.fr (clicking on the picture of Capitaine de Cacqueray in the uniform of St.Cyr, the only one shown). Bernhard H. Holst formerly Brigadier-Chef 1.REC and Sergeant 1.RE

Per "The Medals Decorations & Orders of World War II 1939-1945" by Alec A. Purves the George Medal was instituted on 24 September 1940 and was primarily intended for civilians but could be awarded to members of the armed forces for acts of great bravery for which purely military Honours are not normally granted. the medal , in silver, has the crowned effigy of the Sovereign on the obv. , while the rev. depicts "St. George slaying the Dragon on the coast of England", the design is after a bookplate in the Royal Library, Windsor Castle. Suspension is by a ring. The ribbon is 32 mm wide, red with five equally spaced narrow Garter blue stripes. A bar was authorized. Naming is usually by engraved capitals , with or without serifs, but some impressed examples are known. This gives the main points of the George Medal. Bernhard H. Holst

Hello Bob: these are not beret insignias but unit crests/insignias and as Kevin alluded to were/are worn on the right shirt/tunic pocket. During my time in service at the F.F.L.(1951 - 1957) leather fobs were quite the rage. Easy to attach and always centered. As to the i.d.of the pictured items I cannot read them all. They are however of old vintage meaning some of the formations changed name or are no longer on the rolls ( such as the Legion airborne mortar company which was destroyed in Dien Bien Phu) I still believe these insignias to be valuable and certainly interesting to see several of them which make some memories come to mind once again. Bernhard H. Holst

Hello John. The Bulgarian reigning family: -the reigning sovereigns of the allied powers (Mittelmaechte) were all bestowed with the Grosskreuz. This included Bulgaria, however no details were given. In addition the Ritter grade was bestowed on Crownprince Boris of Bulgaria,Prince of Tyrnova with date of 17.Sep.1918. He was a la suite des Kgl.Saechs. Garde-Reiter Rgt. Bernhard H. Holst PS: a total of 2,700 officers were decorated with the several grades of this order. There was no posthumous bestowal. B.H.H.

Hello John. Higher grade bestowal(s) I found under Kommandeure 2. Klasse : -Herzog Ernst II. v. Sachsen-Altenburg, Kgl.Saechs. Gen.d.Inf. u. Kdr.Pr. 8.Inf.Div.. Awarded on 28.Aug.1916. No bestowals of Kommandeur 1. Klasse nor Grosskreuz. Bernhard H. Holst

Thanks to Rick and Paul for showing these items and tracking them down. Especially for this reader who is from what was once part of the United Kingdom as the Electorate of Hanover then the Kingdom of Hanover. It is probable that fewer and fewer people feel any connection with those of my countrymen who during dark times kept the faith and braved odds and even death to join a formation such as the King's German Legion. Rick's and others' work will keep records alive and ensure that these brave men are not entirely forgotten. Bernhard H. Holst native of the now State of Lower Saxony and previously called the Province of Hanover

Hello John. per the reference book : " Der Kgl. Saechs. Militaer-St.Heinrichs-Orden 1736-1918 Ein Ehrenblatt der Saechsischen Arme" Reprint of 1964 lists the following members of the several Saxon reigning houses as Ritter: -Herzog Ernst II v. Sachsen-Altenburg, Kgl.S. Gen.d.Inf. on 9.Nov.1914; -Grossherzog Wilhelm Ernst v.Sachsen-Weimar-Eisenach,Kgl.S. General d.Kav., on 26. Feb. 1915; - Herzog Karl Eduard v.Sachsen-Coburg und Gotha, Kgl.S. Gen.Lt., on 26.Feb.1915; -Herzog Bernhard III. von Sachsen-Meiningen und Hildburghausen, Kgl.Pr. Gen.Oberst, on 3.Apr.1915. For higher levels in this Saxon order I shall place additional posts. Bernhard H. Holst

JNoble: this woman's profession is given: -first as Reichsangestellte or Reichs/State Employee ( term used for clerical employees); - second as Kriegsaushilfangestellte or Wartime Auxiliary Employee (again indicating a clerical employment, quite in line with first mentioned). Bernhard H. Holst

Hello Chris Interesting points you make. My thinking was triggered by the structure/wording of the document which made me believe it not to be even a preliminary bestowal document. My collection of documents or groups consists mostly of Preussen, Freie u. Hanse Staedte and Braunschweig. And they do not contain such. Your caption." ..those strange Saxons" appears on the mark. Bernhard H. Holst

Hello: I have pondered this subject and came to this conclusion: this document seems to be a congratulatory note to distinguished soldiers ( having earned more than one medal)for the Christmas holidays rather than the original bestowal document. The identical date of award(s) for two different awards to me seems very unlikely. Bernhard H. Holst

Here is my tentative reading: "Es wurde aber eine ganz grosse Trauerfeier durch die Loge Probell (?) Meister vom Stuhl... (last word ???)" The obituary mentions a quiet (in aller Stille)funeral which then turned into a great one after all. Bernhard H. Holst

Hello: In regards to Maj. Graf v. Berndorff. The officer concerned here is Oberstlt. d.R. Dr. Fritz Graf v. Oberndorff, Ritterkreuz awarded with date of 25 Aug.1941 as commander of A.A.34. DoB 20 Dec.1891, DoD 27 Mar. 1970. Bernhard H. Holst

Hello Thomas. A strange uniform etc outfit ( at least to me). A guess perhaps a wild one like in SWAG would tell me he is outfitted in preparation for deployment in a hot climate area with Turkish troops. What with mosquito netting from his soft hat and jacket and pants seemingly of lightweight/tropical material.My earlier stated mention of a Garde replacement unit would not necessarily be altered since transfers I believe, to other than Garde formations took place. This even though efforts were made to keep returning wounded and such in their respective , original units. It certainly is an interesting picture and perhaps other readers can shed better light on this than I have tried to do. Bernhard H. Holst

Hello Thomas. His rank could be "Grenadier". Units could then be two as there were two Garde-Grenadier Regimenter both stationed in Berlin. But I am sure you are aware of that. Bernhard H. Holst

Hello Thomas. "Was fuer eine Klaue!!!" Here is what I read of this awful handwriting: 3.Komp.(3.Kompanie),R. (Reserve) Btl. (Bataillon) G (Garde). The text to me seems to be leading to the unit the man gives. Bernhard H. Holst

Hello Heiko. The Ehren-Rangliste des ehemaligen Deutschen Heeres lists Hptm. v.d.Groeben as having survived the war. He was last the commander of LIR 383 and is reported as Major a.D. The Rangliste des Deutschen Heeres 1944/45 does not list any likely officer. Bernhard H. Holst

Hello Paul: I am in agreement with all of the above. As a little aside and perhaps to illustrate a minute glance of humor of which we Germans are supposedly totally void: Two cases come readily to mind: - a highly decorated German flyer by the name (you guessed it) Mueller had a rather prominent protrusion in his face . So he was called Nasen-Mueller (Nose-Mueller); -another, artillery officer was called Mueller-Bumm (Mueller-Boom); Bernhard H. Holst

hello readers: in addition to earlier posts it may be of interest that a number of officers on active duty with the army during the war were put on detached service with the Waffen-SS (kommandiert) Example is the K.C. recipient Hptm.d.R.Otto Toll KIA while on duty with the 12.SS-Pz.Div. "Hitler Jugend" as co.cmdr in the engineer battalion. Others transferred . Such cases also took place in connection with the L.W. and K.M. A much circulated photo of high ranking generals ( F.M.von Rundstedt and others) visiting the above mentioned division with a view of saluting officers in the two then prevailing methods of military salutes in the German armed forces. Bernhard H. Holst

Hello: a more complete picture of H. Kinz in the K.C.recipients of the Waffen-SS and the police by J.Schneider indicates that he served in the SS-Polizei Division at a time that a somewhat mixed uniform was worn i.e. police uniform but with the SS sleeve eagle. In his case he wears the SS Runen on the tunic indicating him to be a full member of the SS. BTW: the Scherzer reference book on K.C.Recipients questions the bestowal of the K.C. as there is no official documentation available in the German archives. Bernhard H. Holst