Odulf

Probably a fund raising token/medal, by the German community in the USA for the interned crew of the German Armed Merchant Cruiser "Kronprinz Wilhelm". After a successful service, the ship needed supplies and repairs, and in 1915 the commander decided to enter the neutral US harbour of Newport news. There the ship and crew were interned, as "guests" of the US Government. When the USA gave up neutrality in 1917, the "Kronprinz Wilhelm" was employed in war service by the Americans.

Richard Engel: 22 Nov. 1954 in Marburg/Lahn Constanz Feldt: 22 Mai 1942 in Berlin Hermann Mörsberger: 29 Feb. 1940 in Bremen Victor Reclam: 26 Okt. 1946 in Kiel Source: "Deutschlands Admirale 1849-1945", H.H.Hildebrand & E.Henriot (1989)

Indeed Jock, it is....

Light Anti-Aircraft Gun operated by Heeres-Flak

HJ-Flakhelfer with a light AA-gun

RLB-Luftschützführer

This matter has been discussed earlier on GMIC: http://gmic.co.uk/index.php/topic/49435-kcvo/page-1 There is not a strict relationship between the numbers and a date, because decorations which were returned, were recycled/re-issued.

That is a nice photo Martin!

Can you show some better pics of the Olympic stuff (also the reverse), perhaps that gives a clue...

W.R. Westra van Holthe (born 1888) was a rather insignificant conscript Reserve Officer of the Infantry: 26-03-1909, 2nd Lt. 26-03-1913, 1st Lt. 01-12-1920, hon. discharged He would never have had this combination of medals and decorations. On account of his service he could only have qualified for the 1914-18 Mobilization Cross

Thak you very much Lado

He was appointed 2nd Lt. on 24-7-1893, so he would qualify for the digit XL in 1933, so after being pensionned, and as far as I can tell from the Army Lists he did not serve in the Dutch Indies (service in the tropics counting double for service time). The records I have give no information about his life and career after 1930. The fact, that his medals are mounted in military style lead to the conclusion that they would be worn on a uniform. As I pointed out before, he was allowed to wear a uniform after 1930. I will have a look at the commemorative book of the Guards Regiment of Grenadiers & Rifles 1929-1939, perhaps his name shows up as a member of some committee or so.

In the Dutch Army Lists, there is a Jhr. E.W. [Edzard Willem] van Holthe. The title Jhr. [Jonkheer] can be compared with "the Honourable". E.W. van Holthe was born 8-5-1872 and he died 12-7-1945. His latest rank was a Colonel in the Infantry, posted to the Grenadiers and commanding the 1st Infantry Brigade (consisting of the regiments Grenadiers and Rifles). When he was pensioned on 1-5-1930, he was promoted to Major-General. His decorations are, according to the Army List 1930: Order of Oranje-Nassau, Officer Officers Long Service Decoration, with digit XXXV Honorary Knight of the Order of St.John The Mobilisation Cross 1914-1918 is not always noted in the Army Lists, because it had to be bought at private expenses. However, he is wearing it in the enclosed photo. I am pretty sure that he owned the group of decorations, and that the Swedish Order was added after he was pensioned. As a honorary Major-General he was allowed to wear his uniform and decorations on special occasions. I enclose a photo of him, as a Colonel, but without his Royal Order.

Very nice, thanks for sharing

Yep, thanx!

Thanx, you are right!

What makes you think that this is an aircrew disk? I can only see a number and no further details, such as a name and unit. To my opinion this is the disc of a POW in a German POW camp.

Would he have ignored the orders....

File Name: The British Army in coloured plates (c.1900) File Submitter: Odulf File Submitted: 01 Jan 2015 File Category: Great Britain A rare booklet filled with 52 coloured images, printed in concertina style (19 x 15.5 cm). Editor: Moritz Ruhl, Leipzig Click here to download this file

Very nice Larry, these tainted glass goggles must have made some impression, because I see these frequently on photos - worn as characteristic additional equipment.

What good is Flak without a searchlight when darkness has fallen? Light Luftwaffe searchlight unit on the move on the Western Front. Does any one recognize the Truppenzeichen on the lorries?

Elswhere on the forum it was suggested that the EK2 preceded the Badge for Wounds. Could these postcards support that idea?

That is a very nice catch!

The only Dutch badge is No.1. Royal Dutch Air Force breast badge, Air Base [Vliegbasis] Leeuwarden (Vlb Lw) 3,4,5 are Swiss Army without a doubt

Some more men wearing Austrian medals