Bernhard H.Holst

Hello Chris. I found the procedure re. control of absent with leave personnel very interesting and am/was not familiar with such a system while serving my enlistment from 1951 - 1957. Of course a check of class A uniform was done also when passing through the gate. No exchange of any ID took place in my experience neither while on duty at headquarters at Sidi Bel Abbes ( where the large volume of personnel would have such a procedure very difficult to implement) nor while stationed in smaller formation stations. The evening roll call in which I was too often involved being on duty would have revealed an "absent without leave"guy quite quickly. My "rectification" ( or reestablishment of my civil status as being correct and indeed that under which I was accepted for enlistment) took place requiring birth certificate and the completion of a special form containing my mugshot and requiring two persons of my acquaintance ( no family or relations) to certify it was me indeed and the whole thing to be certified at the city-hall. No change of name under which I enlisted, had taken place. Such "rectification" would have aided me in possibly residing in France or territories after discharge, possibility of spending leave(s) in my homeland, consideration to become a reserve officer and a few other perks. Paul: it was my understanding that during the time span of my service and possibly earlier French citizens were prohibited to enlist in the Legion. To circumvent that law they were assigned a fictitious name and the nationality of another french speaking European country. But to other nationalities this did not apply. However some special individual circumstances may have prevailed where such a disguise of name did occur but it was not a common procedure. having had an assignment to HQ in a capacity dealing with new and more veteran personnel as stated above which also brought me into close contact with two persons who were assigned to A. directly to the personnel department and b. to criminal investigations section concerned with the background of new candidates for enlistmentI believe to have had some insight in the workings regarding personnel matters . This may explain your findings in certain documents in your possession. Of course matters may have changed fundamentally since my service so far back. Bernhard H. Holst ex-matricule 80921

Hello readers: I am glad not to have been exposed to the mentioned above "mandatory" crease fittings in view of Chris' described application,while serving from 1951 to 1957. I did see some fancy ironing work on both summer and winter uniforms which I am sure depended a great deal on having a. the inclination, b. the time and b. last but not least the necessary iron ( electrical or "gasp" coal heated). A decent crease of the pants were desired however and always managed but that thank heaven was the extent of it. A small but justified uproar was caused when a new colonel instituted the mandatory whitewash of pistol belts and gaiters for parade. The stuff was next to impossible to remove afterwards and while not important re. the gaiters (which were not worn on active service anyway) pistol belts being only issued one setto the man made nice targets. I must believe sanity set in because this item fell by the wayside. Somewhat surprising concerning the above because I served in the 1er REC and cavalry units were known to be special in many ways. Some cavalry regulations etc could cause confusion when one was transferred to the infantry but I am going astray. Bernhard H. Holst ex mle 80921 2 eme GA-1er REC

Hello readers: further scrutiny of the ref. book on the recipients of this Saxon order revealed several other instances of the order insignias having been handed to the recipients some time after the abdication of the king, Friedrich August III: -Kommandeur 2.Klasse of the Military St.Henry Order:Hptm, Ferdinand Koch. Actions in the summer of 1917, (mine explosions in Wytschaete area). Insignia handed 27.Feb.1920. no mention whether the recipient became a POW . Ritter of the Military St.Henry Order: -Lt.d.Res. Georg Apel, actions in Oct.1918 during retreat covered by his M.G.unit. Severely wounded and disabled for life. Insignia handed 22.Mar.1922. -Lt.d.Res. Walter Dietrich, flying troops. Action Mar.1918, severely wounded. Insignia handed Oct.1922. -Hptm. Hans Ehrenberg, action Aug.1918 and severely wounded. Insignia handed Apr.1920. -Lt.d.Res. Hermann Friedrich, action in 1915, severely wounded and "remained on the field" ( became a POW?). - Lt.d.Ldw. Alfred Grummt, action late Sep.1918. Of note is that this Lt. was acting battalion commander during two months. severely wounded (POW?). Insignia handed Apr.1920. -Lt.d.Res. Walter Guttmann, action in Oct.1918, insignia handed Apr.1920. -Lt.Julius Hemig, action Jun.1918, severely wounded. Insignia handed Jun.1912. -Lt. Erich Scheer. Action Sep.1915, severely wounded. (POW?) Insignia handed Jun.1920. - Lt.Karl Toepfer,action Jun.1917 (POW?) . Insignia handed Jun.1920. -Lt.Walter Westmann. Action Aug.1918, (POW?). Insignia handed Nov.1920. -Hptm. Erich von Lossnitzer, Schutztruppe for German South West Africa, Apparently frequent patrol leader, stayed out for some time after capitulation of the German troops. Could not find him in the list of Iron Cross recipients of that personnel. While there is no hard evidence in the reference book as to the prevailing circumstances why these late handing of the relevant insignias took place one is led to believe that: A. recipients became POW and were not released from captivity until some considerable time after the armistice B. were severely wounded and the insignias did not reach them. Another obscure aspect is that no date of award is given for any of the above listed officers nor the exact day of the month in some cases. The last listed award dates I saw are 9.Nov.1918. As stated before there must have existed some authority handling award matters as late as 1922. Bernhard H. Holst

Hello readers: Perhaps the following information is of some interest . It is based on the reference book " Der Koeniglich Saechsische Militaer St. Heinrich Orden 1736 - 1918 Ein Ehrenblatt der Saechsischen Armee" ( reprint 1964 of the original of 1937); and "Das Offizierkorps der Schutztruppe fuer Deutsch - Ostafrika im Weltkrieg 1914 - 1918" (The Officers Corps of the Schutztruppe for German East Africa in the World War 1914 - 1918). - Gen. Maj. Paul v. Lettow-Vorbeck Ritter des Mil.St.Heinrich Ordens , the order insignia handed on 30.Jan.1920; - K.S.Gen.Lt. z.D.Kurt Wahle, Ritter with date of 19.Jul.1917, Kommandeur 2.Kl. and the order insignia handed on 29.Oct.1920; - K.S.Oblt.d.R. Ralph Wahle ( son of the above) Ritter,order insignia handed 12.Mar.1920; - K.S.Oblt.d.Lw.Gottfried Schulze,Ritter, order insignia handed 31.Jan.1922, (this officer was four times wounded); - Lt.d.Res.Arthur Winkelmann, Ritter, order insignia handed 20.Mar.1920. Of note are the dates the insignia were actually handed to the recipients(without mention by whom). Of course their return from captivity in a far theatre of operations was rather late but it also demonstrated that there must still have been some authority to handle such matters even after the abdication of King Friedrich August III . Bernhard H. Holst

Hello Kevin: Here is my reading of * 6 followed by my tranlation: "Liebe Lina. Ich habe Deine Kiste mit besten Dank erhalten und mich sehr darueber gefreut. Wie Du schreibst hat Dein Kaninchen fuenf Junge. drei Pakete ?) Schwarze (???) Ich habe schon immer auf Deine Zigaretten Pakete gewartet." And in English: "Dear Lina. I have received your parcel with many thanks and I was very pleased. As you write your rabbit had 5 little ones. 3 packages black ??? I have always waited for your cigarette packages." Bernhard H. Holst

Hello Jan. Thank you for showing this document. Some readers may be unfamiliar with the officer who signed the document, so I take the liberty to elaborate: Kptn.z.S. Friedrich Ruge, Knights Cross on 21.Oct.1940 as Kommodore and Fuehrer d.Minensuchboote West. (Commodore and commander of Minesweepers West just as the signature block indicates). Later V.Admiral in the K.M. and also in the "new" German navy. Had the title of Professor Dr. F.Ruge. His career was spent in the waters off Norway and France and in channel . Bernhard H. Holst

Hello Paul. I finally have had an opportunity to look through the several volumes of the "Soldatenjahrbuecher". While the forming in its different configurations and their deployment over the course of WW II is extensively described I could find no information on uniforms, insignia etc. This series concetrates very much on the Heer units (author served as an officer in Heer B-units), the Waffen-SS B-units and the L.W. and to some extent on KM units, the emphasis is as described above. Bernhard H. Holst

Hello Brian. Mike has already deciphered parts of it. I also read it as from 6./II. 60 or 6th coy,II.Bttalion of the 60 Regiment. Adressed to : Frau Martha Silberstein Seelow i./Mk. Berlinerstrasse 11 BTW:.Seelow in der Mark Brandenburg, situated close to the Oder River, site of intense combats April 1945. Body of the card to the best of my reading /eyes ability: Osten 21.9.16 Mein Liebling. Anbei zum Andenken welches schon lange in Deine Haende galangen sollte. ????????? Sei herzlichst gegruesst(??) und gekuesst von Deinem Georg In English I hope: My darling. Enclosed as remembrance which should have been in your hands for a long time already . ????? Heartfelt greetings(??) and kissed, Yours Georg Perhaps somebody with real eagle eyes and English language skills can improve on the above . Bernhard H. Holst

Hello Chris. No specifics as to gas casualties were given but I believe one can safely include such losses in the overall numbers . Bernhard H. Holst]

Hello: The Alpenkorps was deployed as of the end of May 1916 for operations in the Verdun area but at first had to give up units to other formations which had suffered severe losses.already. The Alpenkorps remained until the 10.of August 1916 for a total of six weeks of frontline deployment. During this time its losses were as follows: Of a "Gefechtsstaerke" (fighting troops) of 10,500 men ( note: the Alpenkorps at this time was only the strength of a division) 274 officers were lost of these 101 were dead or missing. , 12,814 other ranks of which 3,655 were dead or missing. These losses exceeded the total strength when the actions began in May.. General von Dellmensingen, PLM , the commander stated after the war that the most valuable components were destroyed of this excellent formation of mountain troops created with so many efforts . Source Das Deutsche Alpenkorps im Ersten Weltkrieg by Roland Kaltenegger. Bernhard H. Holst

hello Brian. Here is my (partial) reading of the postcard inscription: " Schicke Dir hiermit mein Photo...Haette gern mal Post ... Es gruesst Dich Dein Bruder ... E 8913 Resatzkompanie Abt. b 5. Korporalschaft Schleswig" translation of this partial reading: Herewith I am sending my photo... Would like to receive mail on occasion. Gretings from your brother... E 8913 Replacement Company, Abteilung B 5. Squad Sleswig I cannot make out any ribbon(s) but the one NCO wears the marksman lanyard with two acorns indicating at least shooting proficiency 2.class ( exact class one cannot tell because the differing treads in the lanyard besides the acorns indicate the higher levels) I hope the above is of some help, Bernhard H. Holst

Hello readers: in addition to the above list pertaining to recipients of the Goldene Bayrische Tapferkeits- Medaille Objg.d.Ldw. Johann Berghammer, 1.b.Jg.Btl. on 11.July 1916 needs to be added. Also one recipient of this high Bavarian distinction, namely Vize Fw. d.R. L.Stautner made Lt.d.Res. on 23.Feb.1918 .. He was severely wounded in Oct.1916 in Romania, the effects of which required treatment into 1920 , the year he left military service. He reentered the army in 1934 and the Mountain Troops in 1935. He finished WW II with rank of Oberst and received the Ritterkreuz on 20.June 1940 as Major and commander I./Geb.Jg.Rgt. 139 for his actions during the invasion of Norway.(Narvik). Oberst Stautner was born 4.May 1895 and died 5.Jan.1983. Source for this last entry is the Biblio series on R.K.recipients of the Mountain Troops, part VI,Volume 2. Bernhard H. Holst

hello: the following is a listing of the highest Bavarian decorations bestowed for actions during the Battle of Verdun on personnel of the Bavarian Jaeger units deployed there: - Militaer Sanitaets Orden I. Klasse: Oberarzt d.Res. Dr. Alois Ansprenger, b.Res.Jg.Btl. 1 on 8.Oct.1916; -Militaer Sanitaets Orden 2.Klasse: Assistenz Arzt d.Res. Eugen Luck, b.R.Jg.Btl.2, 11.Aug.1916 (died of wounds 20.Aug.1917). This Order is, I believe the rarest of the rare as only 11 of the 1. Klasse and 162 of the 2.Klasse were given.. Bayrischer Militaer- Max -Joseph Orden : Ritter: Lt.d.Res.Hans Ritter von Neubert Btl.Adj. I./1.b.Jg.Rgt on 27.June 1916 Lt.d.Res. Joseph Ritter von Schmid, Fuehrer 1. Jg.Btl. on 17.July 1916. Total of Ritterkreuze 249. Bayrische Goldene Tapferkeits- Medaille: -Jg.Alois Gruber, 2.b.Jg.Btl. on 12.June 1916; -Jg.Otto Gutmair,1.b.Jg.Btl. on 27.June 1916; - Jg.Alois Hempfer, b.Res.Jg.Btl.1 on 6.Sep.1916; -Jg.Hugo Huth, 1.b.Jg.Btl. on 15/16.Jul.1916; -Vize Fw. d.Res. Max Nickel, 2.b.Jg.Btl. on 12.June 1916; -Vize Fw.and Off.Stellv. Georg Niedermeier, 2.b.Jg.Btl. on 8.Aug.1916; -Vize Fw.d.Res. Ludwig Stautner, 1.B.Jg.Btl. on 8.Aug.1916; - San.Uffz. Andreas Winkler, 1. b.Jg.Btl. on 11.July 1916; -San.Uffz. Hans Zeitler,1.b.Jg.Btl. on 12.June 1916. Note: dates given for these enlisted personnel are the dates of their distinction in the field. A total of 998 of these medals were bestowed. Sources: Bayerns Goldenes Ehrenbuch and ref. book on the Militaer Max-Joseph Orden Bernhard H. Holst

Hello: I cannot help with the medal but I read the Luebeck writing as " Peter Kark Thransfarder Allee 127 g (?) III Luebeck " but am receptive to other opinion(s). Bernhard H. Holst

Hello Paul. I have found the issue numbers in the index but have not had an opportunity to pull the books from a huge accumulation of books. I am presently a few thousand miles away from home but will give it a try when back home later this month. BTW: the articles appeared over a period of four years I recall and treated the "Bewaehrungstruppe" overall with L.W. units described as the war went on. Bernhard H. Holst

Hello Gordon. I noticed: A.-listed as religion being "gottglaeubig" ( not affiliated with any organized religion); B.- names of both father and mother different from his last name (Schaefer). Bernhard H. Holst

hello Brian. I will give it a go based on French acquired in the school of hard knocks: Dear Emile. I have received your letter ( ??) card. I am still in good health. I am also addressing a photo post card to aunt Lisa. friendly greetings to all, you father. In the margin: I have received a letter from ?? They are doing well. Note: :? indicates word(s) I cannot read. Unable to identify the unit. Bernhard H. Holst

Hello: the following is a list of recipients of the Prussian Gold Military Merit Cross for valor during the World War I. The recipients were members of Prussian Jaeger units . Of note regarding this much overlooked decoration is the total number of only 1773 bestowals during WW I which amount to one cross of every 7,200 who served. - Off.Stell.Vertreter Applel, Wilhelm, Res.Jg.Btl.Nr.8, 3.Nov.1918; - Vice Feldw. Bernhardt,Paul, Jg.Btl.Nr. 11, 10.Jun.1918; - V.Fw. Boizen, Johannes, Res.Jg.Btl.Nr.8, 30.Jun.1918; - Ober Jg. Cieply ( no first name given), Jg.Btl.Nr.6, 21.Apr.1918; - O.Jg. Dreier, Friedrich, Jg.Sturm Btl. Nr.3, 7.May 1918; - O.Jg. Funke, Anton, Res.Jg.Btl.Nr.15 ( Jg.Rgt. Nr.14), 29.Aug.1918; - V.Fw. Gattig, Kurt, Jg.Btl.Nr.5, 7.Sep.1918, - V.Fw. Graendorf, Karl, Jg.Sturm Btl.Nr.3, 7 May 1918; - V.Fw. Griepenkerl, Paul, Jg.Btl.Nr. 16 (Jg.Rgt. Nr.8), 29.Aug.1918; - V.Fw. Groetschel, Julius, Jg.Btl.Nr.5, 11.Sep. 1918; - Off.Stell.Vertr. Heiss, Johannes, Res.Jg.Btl.Nr.8, 17.Sep.1918; - V.Fw. Herrberg, Bruno Jg.Sturm Btl.Nr.3 (2.Armee) 7.May 1918; - V.Fw. Just, Franz Jg.Btl.Nr.6, 21.Apr.1918; - Off.Stell.Vertr. Koch, Karl Jg.Btl.Nr.11 (Jg.Rgt.Nr.4) 7.Sep.1918; - O.Jg. Kraft, Peter Res.Jg.Btl.Nr. 2 (Jg.Rgt. Nr.6) 29.Aug.1918; - V.Fw. Lehnert, Reinhold Jg.Sturm Btl.Nr.3, 31.Jan.1918; - Off.Stell.Vertr. Lehsten, Wilhelm Jg.Btl.Nr.5, 21.Apr.1918; - O.Jg. Niemann (no first name given) Jg.Btl.Nr.10, 13.Oct.1918; - V.Fw. Schoenfelder, Artur Jg.Btl.Nr.5. 21.Apr.1918; - V.Fw. Strunk, Heinrich, Res.Jg.Btl.Nr.2 ( Jg.Rgt.Nr.6), 29.Aug.1918; - V.Fw. Teutberger, Fritz Jg.Btl.Nr.7 3.Nov.1918; - O.Jg. Tuerpitz,Gustav, Res.Jg.Btl.Nr.20, 3.Nov.1918; -Jg. Werner (no first name given) res.Jg.Btl.Nr. 24 ( Jg.Rgt.Nr.8) 29.Aug.1918; - Off.Stell.Vertr. Will, Otto Jg.Btl.Nr.2 3.Nov.1918. Also of note is the date first awarded which was in 1917 with the majority awarded in 1918. Source: Das Preuss. Goldene Militaer Verdienst Kreuz, (Der Pour le Merite des deutschen Unteroffiziers) By Franz Josef Ophaus (who was also a recipient )published 1936 Bernhard H. Holst

Hello Rob. Here goes: Gruss und Kuss or greetings and a kiss; Nichts Neues weiter or nothing new so far; Anbei meine neueste Aufnahme or enclosed the newest photo of me. The rest I am unable to make out. Bernhard H. Holst

Hello Hardy. I read the name as "Eichinger". If this , my reading is correct it would be Fw.Lt. Eichinger, Josef of 3./bay. Res.Inf.Rgt.16. Born 24.Mar.1879 . Peacetime occupation Gendamerie -Sergeant. He distinguished himself on the Western Front on 30.May 1918 and on other occasions and was the recipient of the Bay. Silberne Tapferkeitsmedaille. Source: "Bayerns Goldenes Ehrenbuch, gewidmet den Inhabern der hoechsten bayrischen Kriegsauszeichnungen aus dem Weltkrieg 1914-1918 Published 1928 in Munich Bernhard H. Holst

Hi Chris. Have checked the 1st edition. On page 181 a picture of a similar "document" appears, bearing the same oversize stamp and the "Daressalam" stamp. Layout is similar to the picture you show on the ...cross site Poor grammar ( den Gefreiten.) plus the name Peter F. Fromer (middle initial rarely if ever used) Unfortunately I cannot post pics. Bernhard H. Holst

Hello: The following may be of interest: Here is another v.d.Bussche-Streithorst. Maj. Axel Freiherr von dem Bussche-Streithorst DoB 20 Apr. 1919, Braunschweig DoD 26.Jan.1993 Switzerland. German Cross in Gold 15.Dec.1941, Anerkennungsurkunde 25.Jan.1944, Knights Cross 7.Mar.1944 as Hptm. I./Gren.Rgt.9. Lost one leg on the eastern front. Note the regiment he belonged to. Was involved in one plot to kill A.H. but never discovered as such. Bernhard H. Holst

Hello Rick. It is possible that necessary records were not available to the exiled Royal family to establish a date so that the insignias of the order were handed over with perhaps a pertinent, generic document. Gen.Lt. Wahle's Knights Order was the only one dated (1917) BTW: the school I attended during the war was of course renamed following May 1945 in order to eradicate all traces of militarism and renamed after a communist teacher. It seems Gen.v.Lettow-Vorbeck enjoyed a far better reputation in other countries and still does, than in his own. Bernhard H. Holst

Hello readers: the following officers were made Knights of the Saxon St.Henry order and received the insignias following there return to Germany after the end of the war: -Gen.Maj. Paul v.Lettow-Vorbeck, received on 30.Jan.1920; The following officers were affiliated with the Royal Saxon Army: -Gen.Lt.z.D. Kurt Wahle, Knight with date of 19.Jul.1917 and Commander 2nd class, received on 29.Oct.1920; -Oblt.d.R. Ralph Wahle, (son of the Gen.Lt. K.Wahle, above) received on 12.Mar.1920; -Oblt.d.Lw. Gottfried Schulze, received on 31.Jan.1922 ( this officer was also wounded four times); - Lt.d.R. Arthur Winkelmann, received on 20.Mar.1920. On a personal note: I was privileged in 1942 or 43 to have been introduced with the other members of my form to Gen.v.Lettow-Vorbeck while attending the school in Bremen named after him. Perhaps it can be understood what an impression this made! Sources: "Das Offizierskorps der Schutztruppe fuer Deutsch-Ostafrika im Weltkrieg 1914-1918"; and "Der Koenigliche Saechsische Militaer-St.Heinrichs-Orden 1736 - 1918, Ein Ehrenblatt der Saechsischen Armee" Bernhard H. Holst