Bernhard H.Holst

Having to wear wooden shoes as a child which was quite the custom in my home area (then province of Hanover, now Lower Saxony) just walking in them was a pain !! Bernhard H. Holst

Hello readers; Just a minor observation here: the locale is "Strassburg Westpr.(eussen)" not Westrgr. BTW: in my opinion the man got breaks considering that the "Fuehrung" was still rated good with some binges and punishments on his record. Bernhard H. Holst

Hallo Chris. That name (Karl Storck) does not appear in the above mentioned book. Did this man not serve in DSWA? In case someone would like to further explore the publications for possible reference here is a contact: Traditionsverband ehemaliger Schutz-und Ueberseetruppen Freunde der frueheren deutschen Schutzgebiete. The series is called "Beitraege zur deutschen Kolonialgeschichte." The e-mail address of the Geschaeftsfuehrer who is Dipl.Kaufmann Hermann Mietz (with date of 2003): mietz@traditionsverband.de Bernhard H. Holst

Hello Rick. Good eyesight ! Gen.Maj.z.V. Emil Klie , DoB 5.Jan. 1875 Bevensen/Kreis Uelzen and DoD 7.Jun.1949 in Goettingen. His picture in the Biblio series on German Army Generals shows him wearing the Gallipoli Star but his biographical date does not reveal any clear service in the Middle East or Turkey in the defense of the entry to the Black Sea.. Always had assignments to artillery formations incl. commissions for the trials of arty equipment. So I wonder what caused him to be filling in in that Schutztruppen office ?? BTW: just received a neat little bookleT; "Das Offizierskorps der Schutztruppe fuer Deutsch-Ostafrika im Weltkrieg 1914-1918" Ein Verzeichnis aller Ofiziere , welche an dem Feldzuge teilgenommen haben. This is Vol. 10 in a series pertaining to the German Colonial History. It does not claim to be complete but certainly makes an effort. It lists a number of E.K.II and I classes bestowed in 1916 . It does not list awards dated post 1918. The two relief ships are listed here as named: Hilfsschiff " Rubens" which arrived April 1915 and commanded by Oblt.z.S. d.Res. Karl Christiansen and Hilfsschiff "Marie "which arrived 15.Mar. 1916 and commanded by Lt.z.S.d.Res. Konrad Soerensen (umlaut o) Bernhard H. Holst

Hello Chris. A.m.d.W.d.G.b. A.? ( amtlich?) mit der Wahrung der Geschaefte beauftragt". For those in need of a translation : Tasked with the handling of official transactions. As to the name "Keil" ?? Bernhard H. Holst

I side with David but would mention a Hohenzoller House Order as a possibility. Bernhard H. Holst

Hello Chris. The British "Handbook of the German Army in War. April 1918" lists this gun as being used in considerable numbers in the German foot artillery. It does not give units equipped with this gun but lists it as in commonest use together with 10, 15 and 24 cm (naval gun) but gives specifications . Bernhard H. Holst

Hello Maxime. Thank you for showing that amazing collection. Very interesting. Bernhard H. Holst

Hello: Thanks to all who have responded to this topic. It seems that the one in question (for me at least) is the one P. Keating and Christophe showed i.e . skyblue with seven narrow red stripes . Bernhard H. Holst

Hello Christophe. As mentioned the Carte du Combattant issued to me lists that I am entitled to wear the "Croix du Combattant" not the Croix du Combattant Volontaire. I was not given the corresponding medal since this came about in connection with my filing for the French Social Security allotment and two other compensations for prior service. Unfortunately I do not have the capability to post images or e-mail attachments . Bernhard H. Holst

Hello readers: I have before me my Carte du Combattant issued by the Office National Des Anciens Combattants Et Victimes De La Guerre with date of 8.Oct. 1987. On the reverse of the carte the "old style " medal is shown and the remark "Croix du Combattant. The titulaire de la presente carte est authorise, conformement aux dispositions du decret du 24 aout 1930a porter les insignes de Croix du Combattant" . No mention of clasps is made. The issuing office was aware of my active service from 1951 to 1957 with two tours in Indochina and service in Marocco and Algeria. One would think that by 1987 the current nomenclature would have been used ?? Bernhard H. Holst

Hello readers: Tom has located the history of this regiment and it seems to be easily available if one is willing to pay the price(s) charged. Here is a brief description of this regiment: Date of formation is given as 1813 ( Kgl.Hann. 5. Inf.Rgt.in existence from 1813 to 1866), participation in the Battle of Waterloo with the subsequent battle honour of "Waterloo" granted. After 1867 constituted as Inf.Rgt. 77 , Kaiser Wilhelm II reinstituted the battle honour "Waterloo" on the helmet bandeau. The regiment was part of the 20. I.D. in the X.Corps in the 40.Inf.Brigade together with the 3rd Hann. Inf.Rgt.79 and the Braunschw. Inf.Rgt. 92. In the timespan most likely pertinent here the regiment was deployed on the Eastern Front.. The 2. M.G.Komp. was part of the II.Btl. The regiment lost in excess of 5,200 dead soldiers . It merited : One PLM (Hptm. Fricke) ; Seven Knightscrosses with Swords of the Royal House of Hohenzollern; Five Prussian Golden Military Merit Crosses ( out of slightly more than 1,700 awarded). Bernhard H. Holst

Hello readers. The history of :" Das Heide Regiment Koenglich Preussisches 2. Hannoversches Infanterie Regiment Nr. 77 im Weltkriege 1914-1918" appeared in 1934. Unfortunately it does not contain an index however I will make an effort to scrutinize it to perhaps find a little more information. It had belonged to a member of the 1. M.G. Kompanie who served from 1912 to 1918. In WW II from 1919 to 1945 in the L.W. L.N.Rgt. 2 as Oberfeldwebel. BTW: as Rick rightly pointed out the circumstances as to the "late" bestowal of the Woundbadge i. G. please note the issuing office namely "Versorgungsamt" or the the office charged with matters of pensions/compensations for veterans incl. those with disabilities. Bernhard H. Holst

Hello Chris. Thank you for showing the document. It is the first one I have ever seen. He had an impressive combat record. I am reminded of the campaigns desribed in the history of the Jg.Btl. 10 (Hann.) That unit also saw action in the 1916 battles in the Verdun area together with its sister unit, the Res.Jg.Btl.10 with of course heavy losses. Unsollicited advice to those who are interested in the Verdun battles . The German Reichsarchiv volumes from the 1920's into 1930's about Verdun are very objectively written and give much information on units deployed with losses experienced and other valuable information as to artillery used and so forth. These volumes are available at relatively low cost and if fortunate still contain the maps with which they came originally. Thanks again, Bernhard H. Holst

Hello Chris. I believe you read that right. Here is my understanding: The Wirtschaftskompanie was subordinated to the Starkstromabteilung, therefore the Abteilung made out the document. The later bavarian award may reflect a transfer. BTW: the picture triggered my interest straight away because of the equipment the man wears, looks a lot like what I remember the electricity- and telephone poleklimbers used (minus the special hook-like barbs fastened to the boots). Bernhard H. Holst

Hello Chris. As you are most likely aware of, the "Ranglisten" list the regular ( aktive) officers only. A good reference in that regard is the two volume "Ehren-Rangliste des ehemaligen Deutschen Heeres Auf Grund der Ranglisten von 1914 mit den inzwischen eingetretenen Veraenderungen " It lists any known changes such as deaths, promotions, last rank and similar up to 1926 . B.T.W. you may know that v. Hadeln is listed as Hptm. a.D. The book "Die Deutsche Schutztruppe 1889/1918" by Werner Haupt ( Doerfler Zeitgeschichte, n.y. ISBN 3-89555-032-9) contains some OoB down to company level but for DSWA only to battailion level. For DOA more extensive ones (to coy level). This is a nice comprehensive overview and includes allied OoB information to some extent. Bernhard H. Holst

Hello Rick and first poster: The following additional information may have some value. Gen.Lt. Paul Seyffardt died on 20.Sep. 1979; Gen.Lt. Gerhard Kauffmann was placed into Fuehrerreserve O.K.H. 12.Jan. 1942 because of a clash with A.Hitler and retired 30.Sep.1943 Gen. Kauffmann died on 16.Jun. 1969 in Berlin. Bernhard H. Holst

Hello: As indicated on the reverse it is the Deutsches Feld Ehrenzeichen. This badge was issued by a German Veterans Association and is not an official badge for which it is sometimes mistaken. It is certainly well made with decent enamel work and one sees it offered for sale fairly often. Bernhard H. Holst

Hello Adalberto and Laurence. From a person who pleads guilty to the occasional senior moments : "i.G. " : im Generalstab. Used behind the rank, i.e Oberst i.G. to indicate belonging to the corps of General Staff Officers and on duty with deployed formations. When on duty with High Commands it would be expressed as "d.G." or des Generalstabes. General Officers would no longer be so identified regardless whether on assignment as general staff officer or in command of troops . Bernhard H. Holst

Hello Chip. Over time the geographical terms such as you refer to, have changed . I remember the words of a song (Niedersachsenlied) in which the boundaries appear in the lyrics as outlined by me above. With the creation of the Federal Republic of Germany the Bundesland Niedersachsen was formed which now includes for examle what was the Grand Duchy of Oldenburg and Braunschweig in Imperial times. So the former boundaries of the Kingdom of Hanover are no longer in relation to the present day Niedersachsen. I know little about Oberbayern except to many of them (including many of the rest of Bavarians), we are oftentimes the "Prussians" with additional choice description(s) omitted. Never mind that we were gobbled up by Prussia in 1866. B.T.W.: The attempts by Kaiser Wilhelm II to instute certain traditions of the former Hanoverian Army in the late 1890's and early 1900's did mend some fences. Bernhard H. Holst

Hello Paul. No. The Kingdom Of Hanover 's boundaries were the rivers Weser to the west and Elbe to the east. Dortmund was part of the Province of Westphalia in the Kingdom of Prussia. Bernhard H. Holst formerly a resident of the successor province Hannover and Bundesland Niedersachsen (Lower Saxony)

Hello, I read the location as : "Haumont" Bernhard H. Holst

Hello Rick. Gen.Maj. Gottfried Barton DoB 29.Mar. 1885 Wien. DoD 13.Jan.1977 Wien. Entered Austrian Army 18.Aug.1904 Transferred German Army 15.Mar.1938 E-Off. 1.Aug.1938 ( later Date of Rank established as 1.Aug.1935 ( Keilig gives this dte. as only date of rank); 27.Aug.1939 Charakter as Gen.Maj. 1.Feb.1941 Gen.Maj. and established as "aktiver" officer. Left the service 30.Jun. 1943. Ritterkreuz des Militaer Maria-Theresia Ordens 9. May 1922 Ribbon bar in photo does not resemble the one you pictured. Gen.Maj. Moritz Basler DoB 24.Dec.1886 Wartenberg/Bohemia; DoD 13.Jul.1941 Salzburg. Entered Austrian Army 18.Aug.1909; Transferred to German Army 15.Mar.1938 Austr. Gen.Maj. 1.Jan.1938; German Gen.Maj. 15.Mar.1938 ( without date of rank) Gen.Maj.1. Aug.1941. No picture available. Gen.d.Inf. Eugen Beyer picture shows a ribbon bar which could, just maybe the one you show. Gen.Lt. Joseph Brauner (von Haydringen) died 27. Apr. 1954 in Soviet captivity. D.K.i.G. 23.Jan. 1942. Picture shows E.K. II ribbon with Spange 1939, Eastmedal ribbon and other ribbon underneath? Gen.Maj. z.V. Ing. Robert Dietinger DoB. 14.Feb. 1880 Marburg/Drau - DoD 3.Oct.1960 Wien Entered Austr. Army 18. Aug.1898; i.R. 30.Jul. 1932 z.V. German Army 1.Oct.1939, a.D. 31.May 1944 Gen.Maj. z.V. 1.Oct.1939 This officer was arty branch, in WW II directed the German supervisory services at Schneider-Creusot. No picture. Source for the above: Biblio series on German army general officers Bernhard H.Holst

Hello Johnny. The ref.book I find to be of help is: "German Order of Battle 1945" The regiments, formations and units of the German ground forces. A British Intelligence Service manual prepared for the 1944 Invasion of France. Reprinted fairly recently with ISBN 1-85367 170-3. Eisenbahn troops of the German army had military ranks such as Unteroffizier etc Bernhard H.Holst

Hello Rick. The Handbook of the German Army in War April 1918 contains some specifications. But plans etc ? Have to look some more. Bernhard