webr55

I'm not so sure anymore that these two bars belong together. 1) Why would he have updated his ribbon bar with the new DAs, but not the medal bar? Usually, we see older versions of RIBBON bars, but less so of MEDAL bars. Especially if there would have been good reason for an update, with FIVE new awards (2 DAs, Bulgarian medal, 1938 Anschluss medal, Swedish order). 2) How would he have got a Swedish sword order KNIGHT after 1938, but also an Italian crown order COMMANDER? If I saw only the ribbon bar, I would think that the Swedish order in that case was a pre-1914 award - or maybe 1920s, but not post-1938. I would really like to see the backing of the ribbon bar.

I think it was much earlier, more like 1928.

A really great bar! A 1914 volunteer who just had 25 years service time in 1939. He wore his Baltic Cross as a pinback, but put it onto his ribbon bar. The Italian award with device is certainly 1930s.

We can safely say yes. All awards have been identified as his (even the Oldenburg FAK on the earlier pic with "Vor dem Feinde"). We know he got the SA3bX - that plus the unique mounting style. Yes, please use the photo. BTW, I found your old thread on the WAF. Chris

Here's what I found: Ronneberger may have been born Saxon. He became parish priest of the garrison in Wilhelmshaven in 1915, but he apparently also went to sea quite often after that. In 1928, he traveled the South Seas aboard the "Emden" and published an article about his voyage. He even opened up a colonial museum in Wilhelmshaven in 1935. After the war, he continued as parish priest until his retirement in 1956. He made his church the Protestant Navy memorial church, which it still is today.

Thanks a lot to all of you! Now I really believe it!! But surely I haven't got the very bar from the photo, or have I? Those ribbons look wider to me. Thanks also for the second photo, that must indeed be a "Vor dem Feinde" clasp which he dropped for his later bar. Ronneberger seems to have been quite an important person, I will dig out more information about him later.

This is a picture of Naval Deacon (Marinedekan) Friedrich August Ronneberger (1886-1968). He seems to use the wider ribbons on this particular bar, but - he's got both the KVK and the Social Welfare Decoration, no EK Spange, - the number of awards matches, - ribbon #2 has got swords and #3 at least might have them (the light is not well enough to see that) - how many ribbon bars do we see that are split in a 4+4 manner?

All ranklist searches turned up nothing - incredible for a navy officer with 25+ years of service. I quote Rick (sometime ago): "Without seeing this bar in wear, I wouldn't even speculate..." I think it's time to start speculating:

I got this set of nice bars sometime ago from Stogie. Though with 25+12 DAs, and most probably navy, this set has always defied identification. The strangest thing about it is the Messina ribbon which was used as a close-enough for - whatever, maybe a Saxon Honor Cross with X.

The only matching Twardy I find is a Helmut Twardy who got a Dr. med. from the University of K?nigsberg on 4th May 1936.

My guess about the Waldeck bar is that the outfitter simply mounted the devices in the wrong way. The crown+swords device belongs on ribbon #2, which makes it an HHOX rather than the KO4X/RO4X without campaign medal.

Incredible- And now, let's identify the car!! (BTW, I probably won't keep this one, so if anyone's interested...)

Folttmann relinquished command of IR103, stationed in Bautzen, to Oberst Karl Edelmann on 1.5.1939. I bet the photo was taken on that occasion. Edelmann (1891-1971) was a Saxon officer, St. Henry winner, and ultimately also made GenLt (1.10.1943). He also got the DKiS on 9.11.1943. Here is his medal bar with the 3 Saxon awards. Strangely, he does not yet wear the Sudeten Medal which later pics show him with:

Definitely ID'able, with Sachsen-Meiningen, all three Hanseatic crosses, Silesian Eagle, and 25+12 DAs. This is Josef Folttmann (1887-1958), who has just been promoted to Generalmajor on 20.4.1939. His final rank was Generalleutnant (1.2.1941), and he got a DKiS on 10.3.1944.

Ok, so one of them is an Oberst, but he will make General later. This is obviously a prewar photo. Here is a close-up of the Generalmajor's medal bar:

The main awards are imperial, that's why I place this here. This picture came without identification:

Very fast, thanks. So am I correct that this is someone who fought in WW2 and got into the Fire Service?

This one:

I have had this ribbon bar in my collection for some time, however French bars are not my area. Can anyone help me what this ribbon with a "France" clasp is? Chris

Very colourful indeed!

I find a Dr. Paul Kayser from Finsterbergen in Gotha, who got his Dr. med. in Berlin on 24.02.1903, as Unterarzt in IR 27.

Yes, we know him. Generalmajor Hans-Richard Lorenz (1879-1968). His ribbon bar was sold some time ago. Regards Chris

I have looked it up, but German library catalogs also have only vol. 1, with a notice that no more volumes appeared.

Thanks for the additional information! Is it possible to say what final rank this person would have had approx.? Chris

That is a great picture, could you do some more close-ups of their ribbon bars? Those guys are wearing really long bars, maybe it's due to the Bavarian folded style. Chris