EK 1914 Impromptu EK1 to British Soldier

[Nick]

Posting this on behalf of Angela who is researching this story any help gratefully received:

East Anglian Daily Times

Monday November 16 1914

British Officer?s Iron Cross

Wounded German rescued under fire.

Paris, Saturday.

One of the noblest and at the same time, most dramatic stories of battle-field heroism that the war is likely to produce reached Paris today. It is as follows:

During a recent combat German troops attacked the British trenches but were repulsed. They retired to their own trenches, taking with them their wounded, but one of the latter was overlooked and left behind. A comrade, observing him, left the German trenches to effect a rescue, but was almost immediately killed by the British fire, a score of bullets piercing him.

A British officer, however, realised the situation and, having given the order

?cease fire? himself went out into the open to pick up the wounded German. He was struck by several bullets and badly wounded, but the Germans as soon as they saw what his object was, also ordered the ?cease fire?. Thereupon the British officer staggered to the fallen man and carried him to the German lines.

A German officer received him with a salute and, calling for cheers, pinned upon the breast of the British hero an Iron Cross. Then the Britisher returned to his own trenches.

He was recommended for the Victoria Cross for this notable example of chivalry, but succumbed to his wounds.

Signed Alfred J Rorke, Central News.

[Chris Boonzaier]

Hi,

maybe a gesture by the German officer, but divisional commander would be the lowest level to be allowed to authorise an award.

I have a bird or two a legion kepi back in the old days... does not make them Legionnaires ;-)

[Michael Johnson]

I do remember a Canadian PoW rescued a German child, I think it was, while on work detail in the First War, and was awarded a German lifesaving medal.

[Michael Johnson]

I have a bird or two a legion kepi back in the old days... does not make them Legionnaires ;-)

I'm not sure if you're wife would approve of you having a couple of birds from your Legion days.

[Kev in Deva]

Hallo Gents,

this topic or one very similar cropped up on the Great War Forum, and was rated as British Press Propaganda,

East Anglian Daily Times. (forunner of the "Sun"

Monday November 16 1914

British Officer?s Iron Cross.

Wounded German rescued under fire.

Paris, Saturday.

One of the noblest and at the same time, most dramatic stories of battle-field heroism that the war is likely to produce reached Paris today. It is as follows:

During a recent combat German troops attacked the British trenches but were repulsed. They retired to their own trenches, taking with them their wounded, but one of the latter was overlooked and left behind.

A comrade, observing him, left the German trenches to effect a rescue, but was almost immediately killed by the British fire, a score of bullets piercing him.

A British officer, however, realised the situation and, having given the order ?cease fire? himself, went out into the open to pick up the wounded German. He was struck by several bullets and badly wounded, but the Germans as soon as they saw what his object was, also ordered the ?cease fire?. Thereupon the British officer staggered to the fallen man and carried him to the German lines.

A German officer received him with a salute and, calling for cheers, pinned upon the breast of the British hero an Iron Cross. Then the Britisher returned to his own trenches.

He was recommended for the Victoria Cross for this notable example of chivalry, but succumbed to his wounds.

Signed Alfred J Rorke, Central News."

I find it all very convenient, first a heroic German goes out to the rescue and gets killed, the British Officer orders cease fire, he goes out and in turn gets shot by the Germans, who then in turn order a cease fire, the German officer decorates the heroic British officer who despite several bullet wounds wanders casually back to his own trenches. And convieniently dies of his wounds

A. Of interest is the way Alfred J. Rorke refers to the officer as "the Britisher".

B. When supposedly rescued there was no firing taking place.

C. It would be interesting to know, when the German Army first decorated any officers with the Iron Cross Ist Class in 1914, seeing as the war started in August, this event was reported to have happened in early November.

D. Seeing as the Officer was reccomended for a Victoria Croos, a record of the event with the Officers name must be available somewhere.

E. And surely as a propagada coup, the name of the brave British Officer who succumed to his wounds, would have made the papers back home.

Kevin in Deva.

[Chris Boonzaier]

I'm not sure if you're wife would approve of you having a couple of birds from your Legion days.

Sorry, I menat "I gave a bird or two..."

[Chris Boonzaier]

Hi kev,

a select few did have the EK1 in November, but of course, the EK2 was much more common.

The big point is though...

noone there would have been authorised to approve an award. hanging an EK on the British officer would have been akin to Zidane giving Beckham his jersey after a football game... even if Beck had the jersey... does not mean he is really part of the french team.

[Guest Rick Research]

"Urban legend" trash journalism. Like the "Red Cross atrocity" stories from confusing armed blue-clad Landsturm men with big tin crosses on their hats for medical corpsmen.