francisco v.

The worst of all was that the family of Hans Sobotka was forbidden to attend to big Legion Condor parade even when his son made the supreme sacrifice, because his father was jew. The fact that he fought for his country in WWI gaining decorations did not help neither.

Do not like the whole cap...

Cap seen at MCF forum. I do not like the stripes made of german 'tresse'

Fran?ois' wings are pre-war or early war embroided ones for an observer. Nice indeed. I remember when put on sale at Detlev's shop some years ago but Francois was faster clicking on the 'Buy' icon Regards Fran

Superinteresting story Love to know such details. It is know who from 92 Sq. RAF (Spitfires) shot down him? Regards Fran

Hello, It is a custom made ring for anybody. If you find most interesting to think that is from a volunter in Rusia, is OK, but it could also belongs to a milkman ; just only need to be Falange Party member... Regards Fran

Janjan, Are your Meybauer Breast Star from the same individual than the wings? It is known the name to who belonged? Regards

Nice wings made at Berlin with a strong patina . Congrats Fran

Hello Joe, If you are interested to pay a visit, Ensslen was buried at Folkestone New Cementery, Block: 0, grave: 404. Regards Fran

Yes of course. If taken in August, that's was 3 month before his death by Spitfires of 92 Sq. Regards Fran

Yes, but the that devices were also appliable to breast wings. Forgot to say that Nationalist besides the eagle, also added again the crown.

That's a nice early republican period (no crown) side cap. After 1931 with the fall of monarchy, the color switched from green to deep blue in the regulations. Noteworthy is that although sporting a NCO chevron rank, the cap itself is officers issue with golden soutache along the green one. Tipical cap of the beguinning of war when both sides shared the same regulation. Later, each one developed their own regulations. Basically the Nationalist added an St.John's Eagle to wings and the Republicans a red star. Regards Fran

Seems that the document was fulfilled by a german; there are a mispelling with the rank: 'Tiniente' is wrong, should be 'Teniente' Regards Fran

He is Karl Fitzner born 4-7-1915 D?sseldorf. Arrived to Spain 11-1-1939. SKiG 21-8-1942. RK 27-11-1942 as Leutnant. 565 missions in 1.StG77. KIA 08-07-1943 Ssyrszewo, 40Km NW Bjelgorod, Russia Regards Fran

Administrative but with swords ! Did he throw ink to the eyes of the enemy in Spain?

Mercy beaucoup mon ami Jacques. It is hard to make out the device on the disk because it is a bit blurred, but thanks+ Fran

Hello Jacques, Is the NCO in the post#56 a bordschutze/bordfunker? I can make out of his embroided badge. Could you please post a detail of his spanish wings? seems does not have the propeller on the disk, worn by pilots Regards Francisco

I know this will turn Jacques crazy... ExGeorge Petersen colection Regards Fran

This example because its extensive use I'd say is original (or not?). Copies most usually are found minty. Note the asimetrical shape of the nosebridge. Regards Fran

Hello, And, what about the nosebridge piece? Uneven ones are usually associated with fakes but paying attention to this photo I'd say that one ending are more sharply pointed. Regards Fran

Hello Sal, Seems a field made militia patch from the Extremadura Region, near Portugal. 'B?n,' its the abreviature for 'Battailion'. 'Nosotros' means 'we'; curious name. Regards Fran

Dear Fran?ois, Spanish wings are spanish wings no matter who made it. Where this statement came from? I guess spanish pilot when training in Germany in its way to Rusia did not have the neccesity to buy a german made wings since they came with their solid silver Rokiskis much better done (the crown is incredibly fine in detail compared to the german ones) Anyway in the even of purchasing one, I think the owner would not get in problems for this. Some veterans (mainly Mechanics or ground personel that obviosly can not wear the german flugzeugf?hrerabzeichen, granted to pilots) even wore in his spanish uniform the metallic luftwaffe national eagle (as the one in the summer LW tunics) pined in their breast to show his condition of veteran in Russia, when I think this wasn't regulated, and they did not get in problems too. Regards Francisco

Hello, The only regulation is that the foreign wings/badge must be UNDER the Luftwaffe eagle. Of course this not counts for the spanish pilots who put them OVER the eagle Regards Fran

Hello Jacques, The photos are not mine

Here is the unit badge besides his lapel in the photo posted by my friend Jacques