DonC Posted May 24, 2009 Share Posted May 24, 2009 Hello All -I have the tunic and some paperwork on Oberst Mette, who died in Soviet captivity in October 1945. He was in 9.Infanterie Dvision as a Transport/Supply officer with the division. Any additional information is appreciated. DOB: 12/5/1887 died 10/28/1945. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Rick Research Posted May 24, 2009 Share Posted May 24, 2009 NO officer of that name: WW1 Honor Rank List1939 Stellen Liste1944 Dienstaltersliste Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DonC Posted May 24, 2009 Author Share Posted May 24, 2009 Thanks, Rick -He is in the German graves registry as a full Colonel. Could he have been a reservist? The photo I have of him shows a Stahlhelm pin and HK with swords boutonniere ribbon - it is from a hunting lisence he held pre-war.Don Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Naxos Posted May 24, 2009 Share Posted May 24, 2009 (edited) Heinrich Hermann August Mette was the Manager and heir of Heinrich Mette & Co GmbH est. 1787, a large agricultural seed growing company in Quedlinburg.History of the family business: http://www.bbs-quedlinburg.de/mette/mette.html Edited May 24, 2009 by Naxos Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DonC Posted May 24, 2009 Author Share Posted May 24, 2009 (edited) Thanks, Hardy - Unfortunately it looks like the company did not survive the war - I cannot find any current records for it. Here is Oberst Mette's M36 tunic, tailored in 1939: Edited May 24, 2009 by DonC Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Rick Research Posted May 24, 2009 Share Posted May 24, 2009 And what name, rank and place is on the LABEL?I find a Saxon Leutnant der Reserve (20.03.11) Heinrich Mette in Saxon Ulanen Rgt 18 before the war. His sole Saxon award during the war was an Albert-Knight 2nd Class X on 2 August 1916-- still Lt dR.Doesn't seem the sort of fellow who'd have flown up RESERVE ranks faster than an active duty officer. There is the problem of "Rufname," since somebody with 3 middle names could have gone by any of them. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DonC Posted May 25, 2009 Author Share Posted May 25, 2009 Last name only, Mette, dated 1939, tailored by Eduard Meusel, Halberstadt.Don Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ccj Posted May 25, 2009 Share Posted May 25, 2009 Last name only, Mette, dated 1939, tailored by Eduard Meusel, Halberstadt.DonNice tunic, can you show us the shoulder boards? I think I saw a nice visor cap that matches your tunic just today or yesterday....You need a nice post 34 ribbon bar. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DonC Posted May 25, 2009 Author Share Posted May 25, 2009 Here's a shot of the shoulder board, eagle, and collar tabs: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DonC Posted May 25, 2009 Author Share Posted May 25, 2009 Here is his hunting license: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ccj Posted May 25, 2009 Share Posted May 25, 2009 Here is his hunting license:Thanks, that's a fine tunic. Hopefully you'll find out what awards Mette had. It looks like he may have had a 4-5 place ribbon bar. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Naxos Posted May 25, 2009 Share Posted May 25, 2009 (edited) Don, perhaps you can post a larger scan ... of the boutonniere ribbon : Edited May 25, 2009 by Naxos Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DonC Posted May 25, 2009 Author Share Posted May 25, 2009 Here's one blown up, about the best I can do: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DonC Posted May 25, 2009 Author Share Posted May 25, 2009 Rick, do you happen to have a date of birth for your Saxon Leutnant?Don Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Rick Research Posted May 25, 2009 Share Posted May 25, 2009 No. 24 would be kind of tight for a pre-war Lt dR, but still plausible. I can't get over that kind of reserve career for a quartermaster type. :speechless1: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DonC Posted May 25, 2009 Author Share Posted May 25, 2009 He was a major in December 1940 - the tunic also came with a Christmas decoration with his name on it with the rank of major. I have to wonder if he was "connected" - either party or Heer friends in high places. Or he may have just been a hell of a supply officer...Don Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Naxos Posted May 25, 2009 Share Posted May 25, 2009 .... I have to wonder if he was "connected" - either party or Heer friends in high places. Or he may have just been a hell of a supply officer...DonThe Mette family was very wealthy - one of the biggest landowners in Germany. Mette Seeds were exported internationally. The family even owned a castle (quite uncommon for commoners at the time) they build villages for their laborers families. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DonC Posted May 25, 2009 Author Share Posted May 25, 2009 (edited) Mette died in the POW Lager in Reval, Estonia in October, 1945. Money truly can't buy yoou everything...Don Edited May 25, 2009 by DonC Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DonC Posted July 6, 2009 Author Share Posted July 6, 2009 Gents, I try to put all my named tunics up on mannequins if possible as a small gesture to these men's memory. Here is Colonel Mette: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DonC Posted July 6, 2009 Author Share Posted July 6, 2009 Close up. The visor is an Erel Extra with ventilated cockade... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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