army historian

Very nice - I noticed the "Corduroy" tunic - I seen others. Thanks for posting. Cheers George

Thanks Hardy - I appreciate the response - That was my feeling also. Have a Happy Holidays - Cheers George

Hello all - I am not sure of these two Colonial Medals (dimensions are good) by they do not match a couple of issued pieces I have. Were there multiple suppliers? Thanks in advance Cheers Captain Albert

First one:

Second one:

My issued piece:

Thanks Dave - I have a death card coming and the soldier apparently was awarded the 2 class MMC prior to his death on 1 Oct 1914. I have been using ancestry.com - but his birth date does not match any Josef Pschorr, only one born 19 Feb 1876. The card states 1883, but said he had the Kaiser Wilhelm's medal (1897) but if he was born in 1883 he would have been 14. The card is posted under docs, photos, and research. Cheers Captain Albert

Thanks Beau, that is really helpful. I understand they were awarded by rank. Anyone know what rank got the 2nd class? Cheers Captain Albert

Hello all, can anyone help me find more information? He appears to be an enlisted man (Bavarian). The card has this:

Josef Pschorr

War veteran of Eastern Africa holder of the colonial-medal born on February 19, 1883 in Augsburg died the hero's death for homeland on 1 October 1914 in elsenstraat in Mechelen Belgium. Holder of the Verdienst-Kreuzes with schwetern II. Class and the kaiser- Wilhelms-Medaille.

I don't think he could of had the Kaiser Wilhelm Centennial medal as he was 14 in 1897. The last medal could be a long service medal of some sort. Thanks in advance Cheers Captain Albert

Hello all can any one explain the different classes 1-3 of the Bavarian Military Merit Crosses? I know they came with and without Crown, and with or without swords. What distinguishes each class. Cheers Captain Albert

Thank you both - I used to use www.worldmedals - but he didn't answer the last two times. I tried once more and got a response. Again Thanks Captain Albert

Hello All - I need a source for Imperial German replacement ribbon in 9 inch lengths for a medal bar. At the moment I need China and South West Africa. Thanks Captain Albert

Yes sure looks like it. Cheers Captain Albert

Hello All - I am looking for a good copy or original of a photograph taken c.1943-44 Left to right Vice Admiral Kurt Slevogt, and Rear Admiral Walther Koehler (10 May 1943-31 Dec. 1944) both Judges, Prize Court of Hamburg. I saw an 8"x10" of this photograph sold on ebay a number of years back but missed buying it. Thanks in advance, please PM me if you can help. Cheers Captain Albert

Neat - thanks for sharing Captain Albert

Extremely nice collection. The military history of South American is very interesting, and seldom encountered. Thanks and keep adding the information and medals. Cheers Captain Albert

Meryvn, any chances to open up the articles to all the other countries. I have a lot of research and written US groups, a few German, etc. Maybe something like the download sections, but by countries. Cheers Captain Albert

George of Ohio - I can't comment on the aero patchs, but the mine planter patches are rare in themselves. No expert, but at least $50.00 each. Cheers Captain Albert

Extraordinary Collection. Thanks for posting. Cheers Captain Albert

Signature of Konter Admiral Walther Koehler - retired Dec 1944.

Koehler was recall as a Kapitan Zur See in the Navy of the Third Reich. On 16 April 1941 he was appointed as Commander of Information for the Prize Count of Hamburg. He was next assigned as Reichs-Commissioner of the Prize Court for Berlin-Riga from 23 Jun. 1941 to 31 Mar 1942, at the same time he was the Reichs-Commissioner for the Prize Court of Berlin-Soloniki from 01 Nov. 1941 to 31 Mar. 1942. Kapitan Zur See Walther Koehler was promoted to Konter-Admiral (Rear Admiral), Acting on 01 April 1942. This was a full promotion and not an honorary title. Admiral Koehler was next assigned as Reichs-Commissioner of the Prize Court at Berlin from 01 April 1942 to 01 Mar. 1943. Rear Admiral Koehler served as a Judge for the Prize Court of Hamburg from 01 Mar. 1943 until his retirement from active service on 31 Dec. 1944 at the age 62 (1944 Annual List, and web.genealogie). He returned to his position of “Standing Assessor” of the Upper Sea Office, Berlin from 01 Jan 1945 to 08 May 1945 when the War in Europe ended, and the Third Reich fell.

Walther Koehler was born on 2 September 1882 in Sulau parish, Silesia, Prussia. It appears he came from a Military Family. He joined the Kaiserlich Deutschen Marine (Imperial German Navy, Crew of 1901) on 8 Apr. 1901, at the age of 18 years, as a See Kadett (Sea Cadet). Served with East Asiatic Squadron 28 Nov. 1903 to Mar. 1905 (S.M.S. Hertha), transferred to S.M.S. thetis. Served in East Africa (Maji Maji Rebellion) 26 Sep. 1905 to April 1906. Lieutenant z.S Koehler commanded "Detachment Koehler" during the uprising. Served on various ships. 14 Oct. 1913 assigned as Navigation Officer on S.M.S. Leipzig East Asiatic Squadron. Iron Cross 2nd Class battle of Coronel; and Iron Cross 1st Class battle of the Falklands. Koehler was one of 18 survivors of the Leipzig (Also the ranking survivor). Taken Prisoner 8 Dec. 1914 to Jan. 1918 when interned in Holland. Re entered service in the Navy 21 Dec. 1918. Retired 27 Sep. 1932. Recalled as above in 1941. By Captain George Albert (army historian)

Yes - Naxos - thanks for posting. Cheers captain Albert

Wow Daniel - that is an impressive list. Cheers Captain Albert

Very nice group - cheers Captain Albert

Thanks Mervyn, I will list soon. Cheers Captain Albert

Thanks Leutwein, you are correct. Hochstein served on First Bismarck 1/4/1900 - 6/6/1901. Cheers Captain Albert

Thanks Chris - I appreciate it. From what little I know of Imperial German naval ratings - that photo above is an NCO sailor not a Machinist. Correct? That's too bad, as he looks like Hochstein. Cheers Captain Albert

Thanks QSAMIKE. That is helpful - too bad I don't have ancestry.com at the moment. I might list it for $165.00. Cheers Captain Albert

It is the regular impressed style. I do not have a good enough camera. Sorry - Cheers Captain Albert