Dave Danner

Given the lack of wartime decorations, the 1914 edition would probably be fine, assuming he was not out of service before then. The 1911 Silberne Hochzeitsmedaille means you wouldn't need to look to editions earlier than 1912. https://catalog.hathitrust.org/Record/000676903

Their information is incorrect. I have reviewed Arthur-Hemann v. Briesen's HPA file. No Hohenzollern. On the other hand, here is a Wehrmacht general whom we can confirm did have the HOH3X: Siegfried von Rekowski's WW1 decorations, including the HOH3X, are undated in his HPA file. Here are his later awards: 02.10.1936 Wehrmacht (Heer) Dienstauszeichnung 2. bis 4. Klasse xx.xx.1940 Wehrmacht (Heer) Dienstauszeichnung 1. Klasse xx.xx.1939 Medaille zur Erinnerung an den 1. Oktober 1938 02.10.1939 Spange zum EK2 09.10.1939 Spange zum EK1 15.09.1942 Ostmedaille 02.02.1943 Verwundetenabzeichen in Silber 26.02.1943/05.03.1943 Nennung im Ehrenblatt des Deutschen Heeres 19.06.1943 Deutsches Kreuz in Gold 24.12.1943 Infanterie-Sturmabzeichen in Silber

Röpke, Kurt Reinhard Wilhelm * 29. November 1896 in Solingen † 21. Juli 1966 in Göttingen 1940-1942 Kommandeur des Infanterie-Regiments 50 1942-1943 Kommandeur des Lehrstabes 2 der Infanterieschule Döberitz 1943 stellvertretender Führer der 320. Infanterie-Division 1943-1944 Kommandeur der 46. Infanterie-Division 1944-1945 Führer bzw. Kommandierender General des XXIX. Armeekorps Highest rank reached: General der Infanterie Deutsches Kreuz in Gold (DKiG) - 9.10.1942 Ritterkreuz des Eisernen Kreuzes (RK) - 17.11.1943 Eichenlaub zum Ritterkreuz (EL) - 14.4.1945 https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kurt_Röpke https://de.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kurt_Röpke https://www.lexikon-der-wehrmacht.de/Personenregister/R/RoepkeK-R.htm

Rothkirch und Trach, Ernst Georg Edwin Graf von * 1. November 1888 in Militsch † 29. Juli 1980 auf dem Rettershof bei Kelkheim 1938 Kommandeur der 2. Schützenbrigade 1938-1939 Kommandeur der Befestigungen bei Breslau 1939 Chef des Stabes des Grenzschutz-Abschnitt-Kommandos 14 1939 Chef des Generalstabes des Höheren Kommandos z.b.V. XXXVI 1939-1940 Kommandeur des Divisionsstabes z.b.V. 442 1940-1942 Kommandant der Oberfeldkommandantur 365 1942 Kommandeur der 330. Infanterie-Division 1943 Kommandierender General der Sicherungstruppen und Befehlshaber im Heeresgebiet Mitte 1943-1944 Kommandierender General und Befehlshaber der Sicherungstruppen in Weißruthenien 1944 Wehrmachtbefehlshaber Weißruthenien 1944-1945 Kommandierender General des LIII. Armeekorps Highest rank reached: General der Kavallerie Deutsches Kreuz in Gold (DKiG) - 5.11.1942 https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Edwin_Graf_von_Rothkirch_und_Trach https://de.wikipedia.org/wiki/Edwin_von_Rothkirch_und_Trach https://www.lexikon-der-wehrmacht.de/Personenregister/R/RothkirchundTrachEdwinGrafv.htm

Total fantasy, Don't even try to come up with a plausible back-story.

The RFAR 20 officer was likely Gerhard Becker from the reserve of FAR 10, one of RFAR 20's parent regiments. The other Becker from FAR 10, Leo, was killed in action in 1915 as a Hptm.d.R.

Richard Becker was awarded the HOH3X on 9.8.1918 as a Leutnant der Landwehr in Landwehr-Feldartillerie-Regiment 252.

Huppertz, Gerhard (Gerd) Heinrich * 17. Februar 1875 in Barmen † 30. Juli 1959 in Oberems im Taunus 18.08.1895 Leutnant (W11w) 21.07.1906 Oberleutnant (F) 19.06.1912 Hauptmann (U) 27.01.1917 Major (L3l) char. Oberstleutnant a.D. He was Adjutant of the 3. Feldartillerie-Brigade at the beginning of the war, and later served on the staff of the 89. Infanterie-Division and the 11. Armee. After the war a student in Jena, then Dr.phil. on 9.5.1921, 1922-1945 Kaufmann in Dessau.

Berlin, Julius Adolf Lothar *01.06.1880 in Weferlingen, Gardelegen †20.01.1955 in Berlin-Schöneberg xx.xx.1901 in das Fußartillerie-Regiment Nr. 8 eingetreten 18.10.1901 Fähnrich 14.08.1902 Leutnant mit Patent vom 19.08.1901 (B3b) 19.08.1910 Oberleutnant (Y11y) 01.10.1912 in das Fußartillerie-Regiment Nr. 16 versetzt 08.10.1914 Hauptmann (O11o) xx.xx.19xx in das Reichsheer übernommen (3. Artillerie-Regiment) xx.xx.1922 RDA als Hauptmann vom 08.10.1914 (40) 01.08.1924 Major (2) 31.03.1926 ausgeschieden HOH3X, EK1, FEK, VAs

Zimmermann, Anton Ferdinand Ernst * 2. Januar 1858 in Cossenblatt, Beeskow † 28. Oktober 1940 in Berlin-Wilmersdorf 27.01.1913 in den Stab des Infanterie-Regiments Nr. 44 versetzt 01.08.1914 Kommandeur des Landwehr-Infanterie-Regiments Nr. 33 14.07.1916 Kommandeur des Reserve-Infanterie-Regiments Nr. 82 28.08.1916 Kommandeur der 1. Garde-Reserve-Infanterie-Brigade 08.03.1918 Inspekteur der Feldrekrutendepots der 17. Armee 04.07.1918 zur Disposition gestellt 01.10.1912 Oberstleutnant 05.09.1914 Oberst 25.02.1918 Generalmajor

Kiehl, Kurt *4.8.1893 in Dresden, auf dem 30.6.1947 für † erklärt durch Beschluß des Amtsgerichts Heidelberg vom 4.5.1951. 24.09.1914 Kriegsfreiwilliger, Luftschiffer-Ersatz-Abteilung 2 21.11.1914 zum Luftschiffertrupp 14 versetzt 28.04.1915 Gefreiter 18.06.1915 Unteroffizier 30.03.1916 in die Luftschiffer-Ersatz-Abteilung 2 versetzt 08.05.1916 zur Felduftschifferschule Jüterbog 29.07.1916 zum Reserve-Offizier-Aspirant ernannt 23.09.1916 in die Felduftschiffer-Abteilung 43 versetzt 10.12.1916 Vizefeldwebel 31.03.1917 Leutnant der Reserve (I Dresden) der Luftschiffertruppen 29.03.1917 infolge Neugliederung der Abteilung zum Ballonzug 106 versetzt 23.12.1917 mit der Führung des Ballonzugs 106 beauftragt 06.02.1918 verwundet 17.03.1918 aus Lazarett zurück 17.03.1917 EK2 23.11.1917 EK1 07.08.1918 HOH3X

Leutnant d.R. Tauchnitz received the HOH3X on 24.6.1918 while serving in Fliegerabteilung 270 Lb. Unfortunately, there were three Saxon Leutnants d.R. Tauchnitz who served with the Fliegertruppe: Bernhard, Christian (*6.9.1890 in Leipzig-Lößnig) and Stephan (*11.10.1889 in Leipzig, †23.12.1962 in Bad Homburg v.d.H.). I've no idea which one was in FA 270 Lb. Maybe Gunnar can help. Bernhard seems most likely, since he had the SH3. Hptm.a.D. Friedrich Römer in FußAR 12 received the HOH3X on 17.6.1918.

I only know of one China veteran with the MEZ2 who also received the EK2 and AK, and cannot be ruled out because of other known awards, but there may be other candidates. There were hundreds of MEZ2 awards for China. The one candidate I have so far is Hermann Haase, Polizei-Sergeant in Bernburg and in 1916 a Vizefeldwebel d.L. in Reserve-Infanterie-Regiment Nr. 27, *28.04.1877 in Sandersleben, †10.10.1956 in Bad Hersfeld.

Several posts have been removed because some members need to remember that this is a gentleman's forum and personal attacks are not gentlemanly. Regarding the ribbon bar, though it is possible, I doubt the first ribbon has a hole for a Wiederholungsspange. It's possible a China veteran in his 60s might have gotten the clasp, but unlikely. Also, the hole is off-center compared to the holes on the FEK and DA ribbons. It's not a 100% either way; just my speculation. The missing device on the final ribbon would likely be for a Police DA or a Treudienst-Ehrenzeichen for a civil servant.

Bartholomäus, Karl Ernst Max *16.04.1886 in Eschwege †27.11.1962 in Eschwege Fabrikant; Leutnant d.R. (II Cassel) des 2.GFAR, Oberleutnant d.R. am 31.05.1915, Hauptmann d.R. am 05.06.1918. Known awards: HOH3X, FEK

There is a Lt.d.R. Lepper who received the HOH3X on 18.05.1918 while serving with Fliegerabteilung 39, gazetted in the MWB on 16.07.1918. I have one Lepper connected to the Fliegertruppe, but his Kriegsrangliste entry ended in 1916. Maybe Gunnar knows whether he was the one in FA 39 in 1918 or if there is another candidate. Lepper, Friedrich (Fritz) Andreas Heinrich *07.01.1889 in Cassel †27.10.1970 in Hanau Landmesser in Jarotschin 01.10.1912-30.09.1913 Einjährig-Freiwilliger im IR 83 03.08.1914 in das IR 47 eingerückt 10.10.1914 Unteroffizier d.R. 21.11.1914 Vizefeldwebel d.R. 27.01.1915 Leutnant d.R. (Schrimm) des IR 47 13.06.1916 zur Ausbildung als Beobachter zur FEA 4 Posen versetzt 15.07.1916 zum Beobachter-Kursus bei der FEA 6 11.08.1916 dem AFP Strantz überwiesen 29.08.1916 zur FFA 19 kommandiert 03.10.1916 in die FFA 19 versetzt Known awards: 09.10.1914 EK2 24.09.1915 EK1 31.10.1916 Beobachter-Abzeichen xx.xx.191x K.u.k. Österreich-Ungarisches Militärverdienstkreuz 3. Klasse mit der Kriegsdekoration 3. Klasse xx.xx.191x Verwundetenabzeichen in schwarz

Gschwind, Edgar Roß *9.12.1870 in Cassel †18.4.1963 in Flensburg Hauptmann, FAR 73, Major am 27.1.1915, Oberstleutnant a.D. Known awards are the RAO4, HOH3X and Cent. He may also have received the Prussian DA after the war.

Weird Internet discovery of the day: apparently, Lt. Col. Mikhailiuk is not only a senior police official, but also, with his wife, an amateur photographer. https://www.shutterstock.com/g/OLGAMIKHAILIUK

Christophe, according to the Militär-Kabinett, his HOH3X was awarded on 3 May 1916.

More or less. The NKVD was split into the MVD and MGB after World War II. The MGB (later KGB) ran the secret police and foreign intelligence, while the MVD handled the regular police, internal security troops, prisons (including the Gulag), and other internal security matters. It also ran the psychiatric hospitals which were effectively political prisons. After the collapse of the USSR, the Russian Federation's MVD continued most of this (hospitals had been transferred to the Ministry of Health when their use as political prisons was ended), but in 2016, Putin placed the internal security troops and a few other "elite" formations like SOBR and OMON into a National Guard of Russia under his personal control. So the current MVD is mostly regular police, criminal and drug investigations, passport control, and prison guards. By the way, is it me, or does LTC Mikhailiuk look like a bald Jeremy Renner?

Canine Training/Service Center of the Ministry of the Interior administration in Ulyanovsk Oblast. Head: Police Lt.Col. Vitalii Valerievich Mikhailiuk

There were three Feldartillerie officers named Hertz who received the HOH3X: • OLt.d.R., FAR 504 - 18.07.1918 HOH3X • OLt.d.R., FAR 17 - 30.09.1918 HOH3X • Lt.d.R., RFAR 3 - 15.10.1918 HOH3X The first two I know, but I don't know which was which: Hertz, Gustav, *13.04.1886 in Kleptow, Prenzlau, †25.02.1967 in Verden an der Aller; Lt.d.R. (Anklam) d. FAR 17 (27.01.11), 17.05.16 OLt.d.R., ... Maj.d.R., Kdr. I./AR 258, OTL d.R., Kdr. AR 240, 01.07.42 Oberst d.R.; besides the HOH3X, other known awards are the Ritterkreuz (29.09.40), DKiG (20.03.42), Anerkennungsurkunde des Ob.d.H. (05.12.44), Allgemeines Sturmabzeichen, Verwundetenabzeichen in schwarz. Hertz, Albrecht Franz Julius, *11.06.1887 in Eichenrode, Wirsitz, †03.09.1937 in Berlin; Lt.d.R. (VI Berlin) d. FAR 17, 27.4.18 OLt.d.R.; Ingenieur in Berlin. Hans, the OLt.d.R. in FAR 53, was already a Hptm.d.R. from 30.07.1915, so he can be eliminated from consideration. The other Lt.d.R. in FAR 17 was Albrecht's brother Georg. He was "schwer verwundet" in 1915 and discharged in 1916, so he can be eliminated. I don't have anything on Martin, the Lt.d.R. in FAR 9, other than that he was born in Würzburg. He is probably the one who received the MMV2 with the Munitions-Kolonnen und Trains of the 54. ID. The RFAR 3 Lt.d.R. is a bit of a mystery. RFAR 3 was a Pomeranian regiment and the active Hauptmann in FAR 17, Jochen, was a Batterie-Führer in RFAR 3. The only Lt.d.R. I know of connected to RFAR 3 was Albert, the later Luftwaffe Oberst. He would seem like the best candidate; however, it appears that he is the Lt.d.R. who was made an active Leutnant in FAR 17 on 14.10.1917, a year before the award of the HOH3X. Maybe Gunnar has come across him in his research into Fliegertruppe officers? He was from Kleptow, like Hans and Gustav, so they may be brothers.

Some additional examples:

One more example:

One more example, from 1936: