German 1937 Heer Rank List ?

[Gary B]

Hi,

I am trying to find out some information on a named waffenrock I recently obtained. The officers name is Hauptmann Walther 1937. He later became a Oberst in one of the Infantry schools.

The uniform has loops on the right breast for either a German Cross or Spanish Cross.

Any help appreciated.

Thanks.

Gary B

[Guest Rick Research]

After 1932 they never published another Rank List publicly.

I have the January 1939-- Podzun's 1953 reprint of that secret edition. What UNIT numbers are on the boards? What city was the tailor in?

There were multiple Captain Walthers, so need more specific clues.

[Gary B]

Hi Rick,

I apologize for my reeeaaaly delayed response. Somehow this fell off my screen with the post holiday festivities....

Anyway to answer your questions, information on the tailor label/uniform:

Hauptmann Walther

Nr: 6754

Dez 37

Berlin Tailor label

Uniform now has Oberst boards with the letter "S" on them (I assume for a school). Uniform is looped for 3 badges on the left and one on the right breast (DKiG??). Additionally there are 5 ribbon loops.

Any help appreciated. Thanks in advance. I wish he had a more unusual name!

Gary

After 1932 they never published another Rank List publicly.

I have the January 1939-- Podzun's 1953 reprint of that secret edition. What UNIT numbers are on the boards? What city was the tailor in?

There were multiple Captain Walthers, so need more specific clues.

[Guest Rick Research]

Hm. There was a Hauptmann (1.5.34 #13, uniform of Machine Gun Battalion 38) Walther on Staff of the Army Luftschutz School in January 1939 as the ONLY potential infantry CAPTAIN.

A MAJOR (1.8.36 #8) was commander of the 1st Replacements Battalion of Inf Rgt 68, 23rd Division, Wehrkreis III in January 1939 who fits the place, but not time.

The only infantry Walther I find with a German Cross in Gold was Oberst Siegfried Walther, on 10 August 1943 as commander of Grenadier Regiment 20 (motorized). HE had to have been the Oberst (1.1.43 #71) "PzGr"branch shown in the May 1944 Senirority List as on the staff of the Army Flak School of the Infantry.

Some confusion-- I'm confused, anyway-- about rank dates and Waffenfarbe not quite matching up, but I don't see who else it could have been with that name. It is "Walther" with an H?

[Gary B]

Dear Rick,

From what you have told me I believe the waffenrock would have belonged to would be Oberst Siegfried Walther. Assuming he was a Hauptmann in 1937, I believe it is possible for him to have risen to Oberst by 1943. Does your list show what other awards Oberst Walther was awarded?

Thanks again.

Gary B

Hm. There was a Hauptmann (1.5.34 #13, uniform of Machine Gun Battalion 38) Walther on Staff of the Army Luftschutz School in January 1939 as the ONLY potential infantry CAPTAIN.

A MAJOR (1.8.36 #8) was commander of the 1st Replacements Battalion of Inf Rgt 68, 23rd Division, Wehrkreis III in January 1939 who fits the place, but not time.

The only infantry Walther I find with a German Cross in Gold was Oberst Siegfried Walther, on 10 August 1943 as commander of Grenadier Regiment 20 (motorized). HE had to have been the Oberst (1.1.43 #71) "PzGr"branch shown in the May 1944 Senirority List as on the staff of the Army Flak School of the Infantry.

Some confusion-- I'm confused, anyway-- about rank dates and Waffenfarbe not quite matching up, but I don't see who else it could have been with that name. It is "Walther" with an H?

Edited February 12, 2007 by Gary B

[Guest Rick Research]

No. No awards shown after the 1932 Rank List. Seniority Lists just show rank dates.

[Gary B]

Thanks again Rick. 99% sure that this is my man.

Gary B

No. No awards shown after the 1932 Rank List. Seniority Lists just show rank dates.

[Gary B]

Rick,

One more question. Does your list have date of rank for Oberst Siegfried Walther to Hauptmann?

Gary B

Edited February 12, 2007 by Gary B