Hungary Interesting Pre-WW2 Hungarian Group Photo

[Verdun16]

Hi,

I am trying to figure out the time period when this phto was taken. The third man from the left in the front row is wearing the Officer's Combat Leadership Badge and I hoped that I would be able to date the pic from this but there are no dates for the awarding of this badge in Foreign Legions of the 3rd Reich V.3. Thanks for any info,

Bryan

[Verdun16]

Closeup of the badge. Looks like he is also wearing an Order of the Iron Crown

[Ulsterman]

That's a nice badge! (oops-note edit, I caught myself)

Hunyadi can tell you more, but I think your photo is @1930-35. There are no "occupation" commemorative medals.

Try the Vancouver Hungarian vets website with peter Czink-that's a treasure trove of Hungarian information.

Edited June 12, 2008 by Ulsterman

[Verdun16]

Hi Ulsterman,

Thanks for the info about the link. I am positive that the badge he is wearing is the Officer's Combat Leadership Badge as the Vitez order is solid unlike this one and there is no hand gripping the sword. Here is a photo of the Order of Vitez to compare with this photo,

Bryan

[Verdun16]

Here is the one example of this badge that I have. I hope that it is an original piece and would be happy to hear your comments on it,

Bryan

[Verdun16]

Bought this badge in BP back in 1997 and since I only paid around $5 for it I am a little nervous about it being a copy,

Bryan

[Peter Orincsay]

Hi,

I am trying to figure out the time period when this phto was taken. The third man from the left in the front row is wearing the Officer's Combat Leadership Badge and I hoped that I would be able to date the pic from this but there are no dates for the awarding of this badge in Foreign Legions of the 3rd Reich V.3. Thanks for any info,

Bryan

The picture is most certainly a group of cadetts from a military university. "The Ludovika" in Budapest or some significant. The two officers in the front and the students with the various collar tabs. This was the grades they recived after each year. The ones without any marks are the "acceptabe", the ones with a single line was the second and the doubble line was the best. There was a combination as well with a line and a button but it not seen on this photo. Note the belts on the cadetts are not the officer-one with two pinholes.

[hunyadi]

The Combat Leadership Badge was instituted in 1931 but where it was to be worn on the uniform was not regulated until 1933. As these cadets and instructors wear the standing collar you are certainly before 1939 when the M39 uniform was introduced.

To date - I have not run across any "collectors copies" - IE ones mean to decieve - for the Combat Leadership Badge - yours is legit, but I can double your moeny if you are not comfortable with it.....

[Peter Orincsay]

Hi Ulsterman,

Thanks for the info about the link. I am positive that the badge he is wearing is the Officer's Combat Leadership Badge as the Vitez order is solid unlike this one and there is no hand gripping the sword. Here is a photo of the Order of Vitez to compare with this photo,

Bryan

http://gmic.co.uk/uploads/monthly_06_2008/post-4119-1213277003.jpghttp://gmic.co.uk/uploads/monthly_06_2008/post-4119-1213277015.jpg

Here?s my suggestion of the medalbar on the officer. The order of the VIT?Z would be placed on the left breast pocket and not were the medalbar is. And to me the medals looks like the order of Franz Joseph and the Carl I Troop cross.

P?ter