Heer Unknown Oberst

[Deruelle]

Hi everybody,

I have a photo of unknown Oberst d. infanterie. I know he was in the Pion. Batl 10 - Stab.

If someone can help me to id him. Thanks per advance.

Regards

Christophe

[Deruelle]

A close up of the ribbon bar. He wore :

EK2, HHO3X, OK2, EfF, ?, DA, DA, ?M3K, TL m. Sabers, TH

He wore OK1 EK1 too

Christophe

[Ulsterman]

Superb photo!!!! @ 1938?

[Guest Rick Research]

I like Obersten wth nice distinctive ribbon bars.

It is indeed a circa 1938 photo, as Oberst 1.3.38 #22 with the Uniform of Pio Bn 10, Commander of Pioneers VII at Munich.

After his Hindenburg Cross was a Prussian Crown Order 4:

this is RICHARD WIRTZ

born 22 June 1893 K?ln-M?lheim, and living in Planegg bei M?nchen in 1956.

He was in Pio Bn 8 before the first World War.

HHOX gazetted in the MB on 8 September 1917

Reichswehr lists confirm all awards.

Final rank Generalleutnant 1.1.44

He received the German Cross in Silver 17 June 1943.

Highest commands in WW2 were

Commanded 96th Infantry Division 28.7.43-1.11.44

Commander of Pioneers for Heeresgruppe "B" 24.12.44 to capture 12 April 1945.

[Glenn J]

Nice one Rick,

General Wirtz commanded Pionier-Bataillon 10 from 1 October 1934 - 1 October 1938. He died on 9 December 1963.

Regards

Glenn

[Deruelle]

Many thanks Rick and Glenn. Like I have no informations about German officers during WW2 I can't find myself the name.

Regards

Christophe

[Guest Rick Research]

This will make a good identification model for the research section of the Ribbon Bar Article when I get to that stage of things:

For anyone who has never seen a German Rank List-- notice that the awards are NOT shown in the order worn. So this requires a "Rank List" mind to hunt down things as if the alphabet was scrambled AJWDFNT.... I don't think it's lateral thinking. Disorderly maybe.