VtwinVince

Brian, that's a great portrait, is it a watercolor? My great-great-great grandfather was with the Prussians at the Voelkerschlacht in 1813, while a cousin of his died the previous year in Russia, fighting with the French.

My uncle graduated from the Rumpler Schule in early 1917, and flew combat for almost a year before finally receiving his Pilot Badge.

Let's not forget the contribution of von Steuben to the revolutionary forces. Brian, being a Berliner made you a Berliner, not a Prussian, something which the Berliners are very proud of. I think a certain president once summed it up, "Ich bin auch ein Berliner". My grandfather was originally from Friedenau, and considered himself a "transplanted" Prussian by virtue of marrying into an East Prussian Junker family.

Agreed, Luftmensch, AH probably did have some respect for Vati, but since when did this stop the Fuehrer from having anyone who opposed him executed? A few famous names come to mind. A despot such as Hitler had little use for feelings as normal people understand them.

Thanks, so far. His first name was definitely Otto, and I think he had alot of other awards, as my father remembers him wearing a very long Kettchen with many orders. He was also very good friends with Arthur Sinnhuber, the artillery Korps CO. At the time of his death, he was at least in his 70's.

My mistake, Luftmensch, I just went through my "archives" and found the original letter. Lacey describes it as an "Honor Plaque" given by Moelders, not a Pokal. It sure sounds interesting, nonetheless. BTW does anyone have an accurate production figure for the Pokal, or is it guesswork?

Hmmm, very interesting thread. I too am quite interested in these goblets, mainly through a family connection. There are a few unnamed examples floating around, as I know of one in a collection in Texas. Strangely enough, I was offered one of the Moelders examples about twenty years ago by none other than James "Ginger" Lacey, of Battle of Britain fame. I declined his offer. As an aside, I sincerely doubt that Hitler would have gone out of his way to make posthumous presentations to Moelders of any sort, given the very bad relationship that existed between the two. His death in November, 1941 must have come as a godsend to Hitler. Now, if anyone can locate the Ehrenpokal awarded to my uncle, Hauptmann Dr. Albrecht Ochs, in October, 1940, I will give you my first born. Apparently it was "liberated" by US forces in 1945.

Gentlemen, I am trying to find more information on the career of my great-great uncle, Oberst Otto Heinemann. All I know is that he was an artillery officer, won the Hausorden von Hohenzollern and was killed in a strafing incident involving Soviet jabos in East Prussia in 1945. Any help would be greatly appreciated.

Quite right, Stogie. From my point of view, coming from an old Prussian family which lost everything to the victors, I tend to view such things with a somewhat jaundiced eye.

Good question, it would be nice if his 1870 Grosskreuz turned up. It makes you wonder what the Americans were doing with Moltke's medals, probably "liberated" in 1945.

Yup, looks like another piece of "echt Blech" to me.

Yup, it's a Swiss national fundraiser for "Our soldiers and their families".

Fascinating story, Chris, and thanks for clarifying how the Greif came to "Grief" (haha). I wonder if Lt. Weddigen was a relation of Otto Weddigen? My grandmother's lawyer was also a Weddigen, and nephew of the Pour-le-Merite captain.

Thanks again, Stogie, for alerting us as to the minefield known as Imperial flight badges

It appears that this individual also served on the Hilfskreuzer Greif, interesting.

Ich denke, du meinst "Hasentisch", Hassen ist was ganz anders.

Coming from an old Junker-Geschlecht, which included Georg von Heimburg and Christoph-Adolf von Rauchhaupt, it's only natural to be interested in this stuff

The remains of Friedrich der Grosse, amongst others, are located at Burg Hohenzollern bei Hechingen, where they were interred after being rescued from the Soviets. And it was the Soviets, and later their puppets in the DDR government, who destroyed Prussia's cultural heritage and with it, Potsdam.

Coincidentally, my great grandfather, Rittmeister Otto Finscher, was a judge in Kassel at this time, and was also awarded the EK 1, unfortunately I have no further information about his career in the war. He was thrown out of his job for his anti-Nazi sympathies in 1934 and died shortly thereafter. His successor was the notorious Roland Freisler of Volksgericht infamy.

I recently received a grouping of swimming medals from an Olympic class swimmer from Magdeburg, who was also an infantry officer. These medals are also mounted in this way.

Brian, I hate to sound like a pedant, but it seems many use the term "Prussian" rather loosely. Being born in Stettin, for instance, would make you a Pommeranian, not a Prussian. Actually, the only people considered to be "real" Prussians were those born in East Prussia. Many would take issue with this, and be offended. My father's best friend, a company commander in Panzerjaegers, was from Magdeburg in Saxony, yet when I questioned his calling himself a Prussian, he was offended.

Great photo of Mackensen, the "Last of the Prussians". Love that Black Eagle.

My mistake, Brian, I think the image you posted was of a Pickelhaube badge, with the Black Eagle and "Suum Cuique".

Brian, a bit off-topic, but could you post more scans of the Schwarzer Adler that you showed in the enamel thread? It's a rare opportunity to see images of this rare order.

Joe, you are correct on that point, however, many of the "major" looted works have simply disappeared into the ether. The return of a few cylinder seals doesn't cut it in my humble view.