Chris Liontas

Raupenhelm close up

I absolutly love the German Pickelhaube, however there are so many States to collect, I decided to stick with Bavaria. I love the early pre 1910 wrappen with the leaves upon the lion's legs. First Two Artillery helmets. One Raupenhelm for parade; while the second is marked to an artillery rgt on the inside. The helmet pre dates the "ball" attachment and retains the spike.

Damn that is nice!! Chris, how did they distribute the different kinds of grenades? Everyone knows the classic "potato masher" but more and more often I read about WWI German egg grenades. Was it a case of you used what you had? Were stick grenades used more for assult, since their blast radius was smaller??

Very Very nice!! It shows just how much effort you have put into your collection! Fantastic stuff!

Amazing group Scott! Thanks for posting this one!

I think it is a local or even a VFW non military award. I have several named tunics to the US 32nd division which have the same ribbon. I believe it was a standard ribbon, with the State's personal medal attached. I dont think it has any military significance Here is a link to the US Militaria forum to my topic on the 32nd division. It is hard to tell from the photo, but the uniform of PVT Frank Jaster, 120th FA, 32nd division has that ribbon also. Pretty neat. http://www.usmilitariaforum.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=28862&hl=32nd+division

Hmmm I dont believe so. I think observers recieved the wing after training at Issodun for their specific purpose. Most Observers that I have seen are actually artillery officers assigned to the aviation squadrons. I will check, but I am not sure he would have qualified

I never realized that the KVK would go ahead of the State bravery award. Was this a standard practice for a merit medal in the III Reich??

That is an amazing set!! Thank you so much for shareing.

***comes out from under his rock*** OMG!!! WOW!! I didnt even know this was coming out!! To Amazon....awaaaaaaayyy!! :)

NICE!!! Fantastic award Chris I think we need the story of how that one got away!! :)

Really interesting topic Chris. Most of us here grew up with a healthy dose of respect for the medals that individuals wear, hence I think our fascination with them even now. When I think of the IC, I think of men sitting in the trenches of Verdun, Tannenburg, or the Argonne....not sitting in a library. Good work like this SHOULD be recognized I think, but there are other ways to do it, even now. I remember so many guys taking advantage of the system after the first Storm, and in all the other operations after that. My commander in Dover had two bronze stars for his work in DS, he was a Maj Maintenance officer in charge of heavy back shop maintenance in Saudi -- miles behind the lines. There was a nurse who showed her Bronze star and talked about being a serious "combat vet", she was stationed in Germany (a loooooong time after WWII) We had to coordinate extra flights in '96 in Kuwait for the pilots so each of them could get at least one Air Medal (we weren't even carrying ordinance). Some left with two medals after four months.

Does anyone have any information on this individual: Uffz. Hans Kleinschred, Royal Bavarian Jagdstaffel 23?? I am trying to find out more about his flying career and possibly where he trained, and was posted before and after Jagd 23. Thanks a ton in advance!!

M28 would be my choice. Just a great looking weapon. The M1A1 just starts to look like all modern guns...functional

Wow!! I did not expect the diamond division!! Awesome find Chris!! Going to read up on this engagement right now :)

NICE Chris!! Any idea what division he was from??

WOW!! Talk about a guy who was there! 'Grats Chris!

front

AH HA!! I knew I saved a photo!! This is A. Oeller, Kath Div.-pfarrer 1 Bayer. Res RGT

Hi Rick!! Happy New Year!! I had an Epson actually....and I stepped on it (long story) I am going to post the remaining photos this week. The portrait shot IS named to a fellow who ended up being listed in Chris B's book on the Bavarian Chaplains in WWI. I had a loose photo of him, the exact one in the album, but I sold it and never wrote down the name I will look at the one in the book, fairly sure his name is there. The problem is, I cant identify him in the rest of the album, unless he is the guy with the beard. Let me check again and post the rest of the photos. The photos of the trench works are impressive

Nice shot of Von Hindenburg

How often have you seen your priest in a gas mask? The first photo is comprised of all Bavarian Chaplains. Fairly interesting to see the difference between the crosses on the visors.

Shot of the chaplain and some nice field service photos. The man in the black vestments could possibly be a Franciscan as he is never shown in a uniform. He obviously has rank on the other chaplains in the photos

I got this album years ago. After seeing Chris' photos from the Boer War, I went through some of my old albums. This photo album starts in 1918. It contains some neat photos, not usually associated with the Chaplain service.

Nice display!!! I too make my own mannequins. I got so sick of paying for ones that never seemed to fit right. This one looks great!!! I agree with you 100% Dan. I have so many fond memories of going to pawn shops and surplus stores and going through all sorts of material. I went to my old haunts this year, and they are all gone. The surplus stores are worthless, and the pawn shops are all gone--or selling crap. It's too bad--but Ebay has become the local pawn/surplus store of yesterday.