Bernhard H.Holst

Hello Chris. Thank you for showing the photos. Many things have changed since my service. But some have not. Liked the parade picture, smart turnout as one would expect.. Seemed a lot of sharpshooters since the standard weapon is that model ?? We received that rifle (MAS 49) after the end of hostilities in Vietnam when we had no longer practical use for it and did not quite know how to use or calibrate the scope. Also with only two furnished magazines not exactly ample ready supply. Bernhard H. Holst

According to Nimmergut's "Baenderkatalog" (ribbon catalog) of 1992 the Hanseatenkreuz for Luebeck the ribbon should show white-red from the viewer's point. Or in wear starting with white. As stated before the colours do get shown in the two possible combinations. Bernhard H. Holst

Here are the scanty data on three African soldiers serving in the Schutztruppe fuer Deutsch-Ostafrika under, of course General v. Lettow-Vorbeck: -Said Hassan, 4. Rifle Company, KIA Oct.1917 near Mahiwa. Received the Krieger -Verdiemstmedaille 2.Cl. in Silver 2.Sep.1916; -Feldwebel (Sol) Juma Mursal, Detachmant Goering (brother of H.G.) promoted while patrol leader on 8.Jun.1916. because of illness POW of British Forces in Nov.1917. Krieger-Verdienstmedaille 2.Cl. i.Gold 2Sep.1916; -Feldwebel. (Sol) Mitambo, 11.Field Company, Krieger-Verdienstmedaille 2.Cl. i.Gold on 2.Sep.1916. Source: "Das Offizierskorps der Schutztruppe fuer Deutsch-Ostafrika im Weltkrieg 1914-1918" Bernhard H. Holst

This is indeed a great grouping. the Medaille Militaire well earned as one can see one citation " a l'ordre d'armme" which is as high as one can get. A nice find it is! Bernhard H. Holst

A point to ponder: The three Schutztruppen had distinct color identification whereas German-East Africa Schutztruppe had white, German Southwest Africa blue (kornblumenblau) and Cameroon red (ponceaurot). The colors can be discerned on the photo as white and possibly blue hat borders. Schutztruppen personnel, officers and enlisted were recruited from all the different states, dukedoms, principalties etc making up the German Empire as were the Seebataillone and the Gendamerie units serving in the Reichslaender ( Alsace and Lorraine). Bernhard H. Holst

Hello : Prince Aage of Denmark did serve as an officer probably "en titre etranger" as a number of officers did until the 1960's. As I recall efforts were going on in the 1950's to encourage n.c.o.'s to participate in training courses for platoon-leaders in preparation for further training as reserve-officers "en titre etranger" (serving as foreign nationals). Bernhard H. Holst

Hello Paul. The source book was written by a former explosive disposal officer of the Bundeswehr who also was 100% disabled and has extensively lectured and written on the subject. Hptm. Agtha has found his place I believe in the ranks of those who silently did their duty trying to keep the population (to which I belonged at the time) as safe as possible from the unexploded ordnance. The percentage of those was very high due to intentional or true "duds" is not known. Being assigned to Berlin of course gave more than ample work to bomb disposal. more of those perhaps later. I am reminded of the British Television series " Danger UXB" a gripping , well made series placed in Britain during WW II. It shows the progression of munitions and the attempts to stay level with the opposition. Bernhard H. Holst

Hello Rick. Hptm.(W) was Unteroffizier. in the "Feuerwerker Dienst" charged with the elimination of a British unexploded bomb during the night of 7 to 8 Sep.1941 when the explosion took place which severely wounded him and harmed his eyesight.During subsequent treatment of him he met his wife to be who absolved a practical training course in preparation to become a medical doctor. In view of his certified practical ( legal) blindness Agtha to prepare him for eventual civilian employment, followed special training courses. To facilitate further advancement in civilian life the "Feldzeugmeister" (Chief of Ordnance) sponsored in warm terms his advancement under special circumstances and because of wounds to Leutnant (W) and he attended an Officers Candidate Course in Ordnance subjects from Mar.1942 to Mar.1943. Lt. Agtha received the german Cross i. Gold on 19 Jan.1945, the Knights Cross on 3.Feb.1945 together with promotion to Oblt.(W)d.R. and on 12.Mar.1945 the Oakleaves and the promotion to Hptm.(W) d.R. Hptm. Agtha was killed on 2.Mai 1945 near the Charlottenburger Bruecke by a shot in the throat while trying to escape from Berlin. His body was retrieved by an NCO of his command who accompanied him during this attempt and buried. His remains were later retrieved and properly buried.in Berlin-Spandau in a honors section. Source primarily: "Hauptmann (W) Traeger des Ritterkreuzes des Eisernen Kreuzes mit Eichenlaub Egon August Agtha, Feuerwerker und Sprengkommando-Fuehrer Sprengkommando I/III Berlin bis 1945" by Wofgang Thamm Bernhard H. Holst bernhard H. Holst

Hello Rick.: Thank you for the very interesting post. I have a pronounced liking for the men who risk and risked everything to render harmless the many devilish devices other men contoct to kill other humans. After having had a slight acquaintance with such articles while on active military service including just one job with a mine-detector while clearing a road in what is today northern Vietnam, I am in total awe of these men. As an addition I would like to draw the attention to an officer W who is somewhat obscure but undeservedly so> It is Hptm. (W) Egon Agtha, recipient of the Woundbadge i.Gold for severe wounds suffered in Sep.1941 causing blindness of both eyes., the German Cross i. Gold, the Knights Cross to the I.C. as well as the Oakleaves thereto. Even though legally blind he continued his work in bomb disposal in Berlin, his hometown until the bitter end when he was killed while attempting to break out of the capital city on 2 May 1945. There were other highly decorated n.c.o.'s and officers whose listing here would go beyond this post.'s subject Bernhard H. Holst

Hello readers: two examples of General Officers who were bestowed the Medaille Militaire : - Marshall Petain , during his trial after WW II the only decoration he wore was the Medaille Militaire; - General Raoul Salan. There are certainly others so decorated. No political statement or similar is intended by posting the above. It may also be of note that in these cases the precedence in wear is M.M. then L.oH. while N.C.O.'s also decorated with the L.o. H.after having received the M.M.the Legion d'Honneur does take precedence over the Medaille Militaire. Bernhard H. Holst

Hello Leigh. The expression "Pieds Noir" apply to French citizens who were born and raised in then French Algeria ( a "Department" of France which also was a Military Region ) From where this expression comes I do not know. To my recollection "Pieds Noir" was applied affectionately but also derisively by those looking down on them. Also it seems worth the mention that only very few French then living in French Algeria deserved a reputation of "evil colonists" (" colon") but were rather hard working folks who when not losing their lives during the conflict, lost their homes and many posessions when Algeria got its independence. I am receptive to any correction of my description of the term "Pieds Noir "which is based on memory only. Bernhard H. Holst

hello: I believe the signature to belong to Gen.d.Inf. Sigismund von Foerster, Commanding General of LXXII. Armee Korps from Feb.1944 to Sep.1944. DoB 23.Jun.1887, DoD 12.Jan.1959. Ritterkreuz des kgl. Hausordens v.Hohenzollern mit Schw.;D.K.i.G.22.Jul.1943. bernhard H. Holst

Hello Chris. Impressive document. Lt.Col. Royer, name sounds very familiar but cannot place this officer any more precisely. But I believe that he later was in command of 3.REI. Perhaps Veteran can. Signed by General Salan, he of the Armee Secrete "fame'"; here "commandant par interim". Have seen him once while lined up for Prise d'Armes while in Vietnam. You are still lucky to have gotten what you did. Bernhard H. Holst

\Hello Chris. I do retain some impression as follows: it must have been in 1942-early 1943 when we were led into the "Buergerpark" quite near our school by a lady teacher. She suddenly halted us when a distinguished gentleman came our way. She addressed him thus: " Good morning, general.( Herr General) I would like to introduce class so-and so of the school which is named after you. Class say good moring. " Now we of course knew who this distinguisshed, small in stature gentleman, dressed in a dark suit was. Gen. v. Lettow-Vorbeck said some words such as doing a good job in scholl and thanked the teacher for the introduction. BTW the park is the place were the Colonial Monument is situated, a huge elephant built from brick, a monster. Of course the school after WW II was renamed and after a communist teacher persecuted by the regime in power 1933 - 1945 Bernhard H. Holst

Hello Chris. If recollection serves me right this formation was also the equevalent of the Compagnie de Discipline of the Legion meaning it also served as a unit to correct the attitude of hard cases who ran and ran afoul of the rules and regulations of military service. The six (?) months of assignment to the units which were part of the Legion (one in Colomb-Bechar -Algeria and the other on an island near Vietnam, time period 1940's and 50's) usually did the job. My understanding still is that the BILA had even more severe internal "discipline" than the CD-LE. If I read the date on the document correctly (1923) hostilities which still were on in Maroc until 1930 or so gave ample opportunities for action. Thanks for showing this. Bernhard H. Holst

Hello Rick. Thank you for showing these impressive medals. Indeed it is surprising that they stayed together these long years and in such splendid condition. As a native of what was the former Kingdom of Hanover and somewhat influenced by my father who was an adherent to the Deutsch Hannoversche Partei ( a Monarchist leaning party in existence until 1933) I had the opportunity to read some books in my youth on the subject. Presently I only own some publications concerning the Kings German Legion and the old Hanoverian Army, books which still surface from time to time. but no decorations. The most extensive is the three volume history by Beamish of the K.G.L. which was republished not so long ago. As to medals of that time period I own a commemorative medal to the Hanseatic Legion with a much used ribbon.so my envy is great. Thanks again for sharing the pictures. Bernhard H. Holst

Hello Paul. Based on the OoB of 1.Aug.1915 listed in the book "Das Deutsche Alpenkorps im Ersten Weltkrieg" by Roland Kaltenegger the following Pio.Kompanien were part of the Alpenkorps as individual/separate companies: Pi.K. 101, 102, 105 , 106 and 9 ( this unit left later in the year).No affiliations with a Pio.Btl. or other higher echelon formation were given which leads me to believe that they were "independent "companies. The OoB of 31.Jul.1916 lists only b.Pi.K. 102 and Pi.K. 263. The OoB of Spring 1918 lists b.Pi.K.9, b.Pi.K.102 and Pi.K.233. So apparently Pionier units were shifted around. Bernhard H. Holst

Hello Paul. I am an agreement with the other respondents as to the absolute faked document pictured. is is a crude attempt to peddle a document which is a rarity. The clues are just overwhelming that it is an absolute fraud. Lately two have appeared in Europe which seem genuine and asking prices are between 3,500 and 3,900 Euro. Also blank documents for the award of the D.K.i.S.have been available over time which has made it easier for fraudsters to ply their " trade". Bernhard H. Holst

Hello readers: Because tomorrow, the 28th of September is the 50th anniversary of the death in action in Algeria of this brave officer I am once more placing this post. It is meant to commemorate his death in the service of his country and to again make note of his personal bravery and also of his fairness towards those subordinated to him. This writer has served under him in some proximity, being company radio operator and then 1st Lt. de Cacqueray the executive officer of 5.Cie.Portee, 2 GA / 1er REC. Remaining calm and steady under some trying circumstances perhaps make him still so present in my memory. It should also be of note that the later Captain de Cacqueray earned his first Croix de Guerre for his actions as a 16 year old in the French Resistance, the first of a total of five citations. this certainly made him stand out while attending Officers School. For any one interested in some more information concerning this outstanding officer please read my original post from last year above I thank anyone reading this post. Bernhard H. Holst ex. matricule 80921 formerly Brigadier Chef, 1er REC, Sergent, RE

Hello Westfale. Thank you for showing these articles . The liner "Bremen" touches a special cord with this reader; my grandmother returned from the USA on board the "Bremen" on the voyage just before the one described in your posting and spoke about it many times. as readers may well know the liner caught fire during the war and was not repaired. My wife to-be worked for the North German Lloyd post-war and was a passenger during a short trial run of the new German liner "Bremen" the ex-"Pasteur"/French liner, WWII and then Far East troopship on which I sailed twice to and from Vietnam. Thanks again for triggering memories. Bernhard H. Holst

Hello Theodor. The letter is from the Flotilla Commander to which U 104 belonged to the brother of the missing Bulgarian ensign who is serving in the Royal Bulgarian Navy. In the letter the known particulars are given as they stood six weeks after the boat's departure. Only two short radio messages were received namely on the 13. and 16. April. Also from the enemy side no news were had. There cannot be hope for a safe return of the boat.Therefore the only conclusion is that the boat fell victim to the enemy countermeasures. The ensign was described as an energetic and capable young man who on the return leg from the first mission was already entrusted with an officer's duty.His renewed assignment to this vessel was at the wish of the boat commander who had expressed his satisfaction with the performance of the ensign during his first voyage. I hope this contributes to a better understanding of the letter, Bernhard H. Holst

Hi Ulsterman. he did not reveal any individual stories but I learned for instance that up to four months after a contract was signed , sealed and entered into , the Legion could without giving any reason dissolve the contract and ship you back to whence you came. Authorities could well be waiting at the border or wherever you were shipped to. However an enlistee had no such means to get out of his contract short of deserting (usually unsuccessful), making a very poor soldier, butting up against the military system to be found unwanted (faking it usually did not work and there was such a unit which took care of most offenders , the "Compagnie de Discipline". At my discharge a small number of such "undesirables" were part of the total party being shipped back to Metropolitan France then to go their separate ways. Ihope i did not belabor the point. Bernhard H. Holst ex-mle 80921

Hi Rick. The ref. book consulted by me is based on records kept during wartime. Therefore Maj.i.G. K. Messerer could still have been a late war/after the capitulation casualty even in a Gen.Staff slot. ( see Obstlt.i.G. Rudolf Haen, Ia 14.Armee, Oakleaves. Shot dead while a U.S. PoW on 09.May 1945 for still unknown reason(s).) I will check Maj.Messerer in Volksbund. BTW: I believe Engineer- and Arty Officers were and are more brain endowed and perhaps preferred as prospective Gen.Staff Officer material. Bernhard H. Holst

Hi Rick. I believe they had a talent to pick qualified personnel and not necessarily tainted by political considerations. Plus of course a pressing need to fill the gaps left by the huge losses on the Eastern front and the practical complete loss of the formations in Africa. A detailed scrutiny of the 1944/45 Rangliste gives a good indication of how matters were handled as does the "Taetigkeitsbericht" of the Army Personnel Department (published by Biblio )which from time to time gives detailed and comprehensive statistics on officers losses and related subjects. Motto something like "Weg frei dem Tuechtigen!" ( for those not comfortable with that language: Clear the way for the capable ones ). i am waiting for the third volume lising those Gen.Staff Officers KIA, MIA, transferred or otherwise left General Staff career track but will probably not see publication not being a believer in reincarnation. Bernhard H.Holst

Hello Rick. Major i.G.Klaus Messerer, DoB 07.Dec.1915 . Before Mobil.1939 bei Kdr.d.Pi.VII ( as you are aware of); 26.08.1939 Pi.Rgt.617 (Adj.); 10.02.1940 Pi.Btl.269; 01.12.1942 F.R. OKH, kdt.Stb.18.Pz.Gren.Div. ( for those perhaps not familiar with abbreviations etc: Officers Pool Army High Command detached to staff of 18.Pz.Gren.Div.); 15.06.1943 a.d.Kriegsakademie versetzt. (transferred to the War Academy for training as General Staff Officer); 01.10.1943 z.Gen.St. kdt ( detached to the Army General Staff); 25.11.1943 Stab 337.Inf.Div.(Ib) (staff of 337.Inf.Division as Ib or second generalstabs officer ); 01.04.1944 i.d.Gen.St. versetzt ,(transferred to the Army General Staff); 10.05.1944 Gen.St. L.V. A.K. (Qu.) General Staff L.V. Army Corps, Quartiermeister); 20.11.1944 F.R. OKH, , D r.Chef P3 ( officers pool Army High Command, duties directed by Personnel Directorate 3); 01.02.1945 - 20.03.1845 OKW./WFST kdt (Qu.) , ( Armed Forces High Command/Operations Staff, Quartiermeister); 01.94.1945 GenSt. 10.Armee (Qu.1) , (generalstaff 10.Army, Quartiermeister 1). Promoted to Major 01.08.1943 (24i). Decorations: E.K.I Bernhard H.Holst