EK 1914 The End Of The Line

[Guest Rick Research]

Sic Transit Gloria Mundi--

10 days before the war ends, and an award document made out of a railways traffic routing form:

Vizefeldwebel/Offizier-Aspirant Hans martens of Feldbahn Betriebs Abteilung 22, "ReKodeis" (? Reserve Kommando der Eisenbahn ?) for Line Z (or perhaps an excessively florid 7) was decorated by command of Armeeabteilung "C" on 29 October 1918.

This was filled out by the Traffic Office commander, a Captain I think MIGHT have been a dR officer named "Kumbruch" (trying to fit pre-war railways officers to the scribble's shape) on 1 November 1918. It is small enough to have fit in a Milit?rpass. With the same stamp at upper left, probably used for track priorities orders etc.

[Guest Rick Research]

Martens survived the war and was a high school teacher in Hamburg in 1935:

[Guest Rick Research]

He chose the incredibly ugly Prussian "Supersized Ribbon Bar" style medal bar, which was quite uncommon. No one liked it, obviously. I suspect it was intended to mimic British "court mounting."

Formerly in my own collection and now back Just Visiting for my world renowned skills as an Epson Operator.