Bernhard H.Holst

hello Chris. The history of Jg.Btl.10 (Hann.) by Lt.d.R .F.Jung while fairly well illustrated shows only one picture ( a sketch) with Tschako wearing Jaeger at rest on campaign with the Edelweiss visible on three Tschakos. They are apparently fastened just behind the front visor and shlightly up. While the picture of this sketch is not large the particular shape of the Edelweiss can be easily made out. None of the other pictures show an Edelweiss in wear ,not on the Tschakos, Kraetzchen nor soft officers visor hats. BTW : while not a subject of discussion here the book contains a picture of the then Hptm. Kirchheim, PLM and WW II General and recipient of the K.C. , last commander of Jg.Btl. 10 wearing the Edelweiss on the tunic collar (rt.side only is visible).

Hello Chris. Thank you for showing the Bavarian Tschako. It is a fine example and looks in good condition . Bernhard H. Holst

Hello readers: pre 1914 Tschako for Jg.Btl. 10 (Hannoversches) even without Paradebush. Tschako had bandeau with: "Peninsula-Waterloo-Venta del Pozo" BTW: this unit also wore the campaign cufftitle "Gibraltar". It .served with the German Alpenkorps . A number of its officers became General Officers and were awarded high decorations in WW II. Am looking for this Tschako it seems foreve, to go with the uniform tunic I am fortunate to own. Bernhard H. Holst

Hello Rick. Thank you for showing this picture. It seems that the "Einjaehrig Freiwillige" while enjoying certain privileges still had to participate in the "Putz und Flickstunde" (for the non-initiated this means time set aside to clean, maintain and repair clothing and equipment) The narrow gismo with a larger hole at one end reminds me of a piece of equipment issued to French troops in the 1950's to polish brass buttons without coming to close to the cloth.

Hello Jon. Leni is indeed a female first name ( think Leni Riefenstahl ). I suppose such photos of rather important events were given to relatives, friends, colleagues etc Bernhard H. Holst

Hello Jon. The inscription says: " To remember your work colleague Leni Easter 1943"

Hello: The "Ehren-Rangliste des ehemaligen Deutschen Heeres", published 1926 lists Obst.Lt. a.D. Keil as having served in the Kommando der Schutztruppen im Reichs-Kolonialamt. ( he is listed there already in the 1913 Rangliste) I have recently received a small but informative book " For Valour" The History of the Iron Cross and Wound Badge in German South West Africa 1914-1918 by Gordon McGregor, published and printed 2005 in Windhoek, Namibia; ISBN 99916-40-61-4 . This publication also describes the above mentioned "Hildegard Orden" and contains a list of the recipients of it as well as the Iron Cross and the Woundbadge without laying claim to completeness of these lists.. Pictured is a Award Certificate with the signature of Keil. BTW: mention is made in this book of the preparation by the same author of further books with these titles -Handbook on the South West Africa Commemorative Medal; -The Cross of Honourof the World War 1914-1918 in South Weast Africa; -The South African Free Corps 1914-1915. Bernhard H. Holst

Hello Prosper. I believe the action during which this fellow distinguished himself, was theGerman airborne / land forces action against the French Resistance formations in the Vercors area. If recollection serves right the timeframe is before D-Day (May 1944) to get rid of a much troublesome partisan activity. And I also believe the resistance formations were simply called "Vercors". Bernhard H. Holst

Hello Chris. The 1913 Rangliste shows this officer as Lt. w/dte of rank as 27.Jan.1908 assigned as Adj. II./FAR 6 FAR 6 : Feldartillerie-Regiment von Peucker (1.Schlesisches) Nr.6 The "Ehrenrangliste " of 1926 shows him as Hptm.a.D. from the same unit, so he apparently survived WW I. Bernhard H. Holst

Hello Motorhead. Thank you for showing this group. For family reasons I have collected and still am looking for material related to the 22. Inf.Div. components. Of Pz.JgAbt. 22 I have been able to obtain the formal D.K.i.G. Urkunde and some other docs of Maj. Knebel whose signature is on one of the docs you show. Also two docs to a member of 3./Pz.Jg.Abt. 22 (Sturmabzeichen and Verw,Abz, Schwarz.,one shows Knebel's signature as well) I am still on the chase for something pertaining to San.Abt. 22 , Na.Abt.22 and other supporting units. Perhaps some day. Thanks again, Bernhard H. Holst

Hello Chris. He looks like Adj.Chef Vanden Berghe (sp.) , commanding a Commando in Tonkin . He was a legend in his time and died under suspicous cicumstances ( killed by a member of his unit??) never saw him but we heard a lot about him. Of course much gained in the telling. Bernhard H. Holst

Hello Chris. The letter is the coverletter for the enclosed Iron Cross first class to the recipient Hptm. Langemak. The "Ehren-Rangliste des ehemaligen Deutschen Heeres" lists Hptm. Langemak as woundedwhile in the ranks of Inf.Rgt. von Luetzow (1.Rheinisches ) Nr.25 on 26.Aug. 1914 and died as Major on 20.Oct.1916 in Aachen. Inf.Rgt. Nr.25 was part of VIII. AK and its garrison was Aachen.. Noteworthy seems to be what would now be considered "old-style"( addressing the recipient and other phrases used). Bernhard H. Holst

Hello Don. I found " German Order of Battle, The regiments, formations and units of the German ground forces " quite helpful. This book was apparently prepared by British Intelligence for the 1944 Landings in Normandie. It was reprinted since its first edition for the public in 1975 with ISBN 1-85367 170-3 Bernhard H. Holst

Hello Chris. I am in agreement re. " Verwendung als I.a" Bernhard H. Holst

Hello Chris. Without wanting to steal Gerd's thunder here is my partial reading: "Zum Brief vom 28.XI.16. Ich hatte Genl.v. Hoehn von meiner neuen Verwendung ? ? des bay.Res.Korps (Genlt. v. Fasbender) meinen Eindruck aus der Somme Schlacht geschrieben . Dieser Brief ist die Antwort auf meinen diesbezueglichen. Genl. v. Hoehn ist inzwischen zum Gen.d. Artl. befoerdert u. zum Kom.Gen. des G.Kdo. 15. b. Res.Kps ernannt worden u. hat einen Kampfabschnitt als Teil der Vogesenfront . " Bernhard H. Holst

Hello Gordon. Thank you for the preview of your forthcoming reference book on the recipients of the K.C. to the War Merit Cross. By what I can see it promises to be a vast improvement over the 1970's and 1980's Patzwall products . Bernhard H. Holst

hello Rod. As Rick already indicated as a possibility Obstlt.Held had an addendum posted to his name in the 1926 Ehrenrangliste which indicates his status as a.D. (retired) Bernhard H. Holst

Hello Rod. The 1913 preuss. und wuertt. Rangliste shows Hptm. Held as having seniority as of 22.Mar.1912 and being assigned to 1.Battery in 4.Badisches Feldart.Regt.Nr.66 . The Ehrenrangliste of 1926 shows him as Oberstlt.in 5.Art.Rgt. and apparently having stayed with that regiment throughout the war. Bernhard H.Holst

Hello : As Rick already pointed out the signature may well be that of Gen.d.Pol. Kurt Daluege. A comparison of this signature and the one pictured in Michael Miller's new reference book "Leaders of the SS & German Police" Vol. 1 pertaining to D.shows great similarity. Daluege was apparently authorized to sign on H.Himmler's behalf when H. was absent. Bernhard H. Holst

Hello Giorgio. First picture shows an Identification/Authorisation Card for family members of a serving Kriegsmarine serviceman entitling them to medical care. Second picture gives particulars on the unit of the serviceman which is responsible for his pay. Bernhard H. Holst

Hello readers. Here is a book one might find interesting because it treats the subject in more general terms rather than concentrating on a single unit: "Stormtroop Tactics Innovation in the German Army 1914-1918" by Bruce I. Gudmundson 1989 and 1995 ISBN 0-275-95401-3 Bernhard H. Holst

Hello Simon. Thank you for the link. Very interesting to see that the little ships got there due consideration. I had a quick look earlier at a quick reference book about the German Surface units of the K.M. in which they were listed but only in somewhat condensed fashion. But it is very apparent what high losses they incurred. Bernhard H. Holst

Hello Mike. I believe that to be the "artificer" or ordnance specialist for bombs. Part of groundcrew in charge of bombs . Bernhard H. Holst

Hello: Gen.d.Inf. Gerhard Matzky died 9.June 1985. He was also the recipient of the German Cross i. Gold and served in the Bundeswehr . Bernhard H. Holst

Hello: In reference to Gen.Lt.z.V. Fritz (Friedrich) Haselmayr the Biblio series on German Army Generals lists his DoD as 18.June 1965 at Lochham near Munich. Feldkommandantur 569 was located as of Jun. 1940 in Gent, as of April 1941 on the Balkans; Oberfeldkommandantur 579 in the Eastern Area of Operations (Luga/Ukraine)) per Tessin. Bernhard H. Holst