General-Lt Karl Wintergerst as Major ca. 1935

[webr55]

Just got this picture of a Major in early WM uniform:

Edited November 11, 2017 by webr55

[webr55]

Close-up of his ribbon bar. I think I see: EK2 1914, HHOX, BMV4XmKr (?, device looks vaguely like a crownX), Hindenburg (?), DA (?).

I could not match anyone from the RH 1932 list with these decorations. However, I might be wrong with the orders. Maybe that is not even a Hindenburg.

Somehow his face also seems familiar to me.

Edited November 11, 2017 by webr55

[Guest Rick Research]

EK

HHOX

?

?

?

I don't think that's a Hindenburg in 4th place-- it could be a Saxon Albert or ?

If his shoulder boards were visible! If he'd signed it!

He might not have been career Reichsheer-- he could be an (L) officer or (E) when the designations changed, 1934/35.

[webr55]

I think this is a crown with X on the third ribbon. It has a shape quite similar to the HHOX device.

I also agree that #4 does not really look Hindenburg-like. Besides the SA3X, the only plausible alternatives for such a ribbon with swords would be Zähringen and SEHO. How does the spectrum shift work for those?

How old is he? I tend to think 40s. Can't really be an XXV in last place. Even an LD2 would not be very likely for his age, would it? Maybe a PrKO?

Ribbon bar is in Bavarian style, but that does not really help.

Edited November 11, 2017 by webr55

[Guest Rick Research]

I think an Albert is most likely for the colors and proportions of the stripes in the 4th one.

The last one is hopeless-- I think the color difference is from shadowing, not the actual colors.

If he was a Bavarian, then the 4th ribbon must be a Hindenburg (otherwisse his Bavarian MMO would still be in first place) and the last one is most likely a 1911 Luitpold Jubilee.

[Ulsterman]

wouldn't this then date the photo to 1935- mid 1936, the time between the award of the HKx and the advent of the LS awards?

[webr55]

wouldn't this then date the photo to 1935- mid 1936, the time between the award of the HKx and the advent of the LS awards?

It certainly would. Usually, the guys who had themselves photographed in the new WM uniform also had the Hindenburg already. A Luitpold jubilee would then be the most logical one.

[webr55]

Could this be the later Generalleutnant Karl Wintergerst? Awards match.

[Guest Rick Research]

From Swordguy's collection-- Saint Henry winner Christoph Stengel, likewise with the new insignia on the old uniform 1934/35, ribbon bar still Saxon awards first, no Hindenburg Cross:

[webr55]

It's difficult to find pictures of Wintergerst where he is definitely ID'd. This one is supposed to be him, front row, 2nd from left:

Somehow, I think I see a resemblance...

Edited November 11, 2017 by webr55

[webr55]

And we have an ID: It is Mountain troops Generalleutnant Karl Wintergerst (1892-1945, MIA). This copy of a photo of him was posted on AHF:

Edited November 11, 2017 by webr55

[Ulsterman]

...not such a nice guy apparently.

[ccj]

...not such a nice guy apparently.

He looks like general Schmidt to me.

Does anyone see the similarities?

[webr55]

He looks like general Schmidt to me.

Does anyone see the similarities?

??? Have I missed anything?

[ccj]

Your man in the photograph looks like Schmidt in my post...don't you think?

[Guest Rick Research]

No-- don't forget, we've got his awards to match up.

That's definitely Wintergerst.

Note that Schmidt is incorrectly wearing his 1941/42 Ostmedfaille AFTER his Hindenburg Cross X!