EK 1914 Unusual Iron Cross 1st Class - Post WW1 actions?

[George Hammerton]

I recently recieved an 1914 iron cross 1st Class:

When I first got it, it seemed pretty normal; magnetic core, silver edges and back, marked "KO" etc. However, when I looked closer, it seemed slightly odd; the back pin had been replaced (as denoted by the tarnish around the hinge), and the frame didn't quite fit the magnetic core.

At first I thought this was fairly common, since I had seen similiar things around the forum, and I presumed it was simply an early imperfect iron cross which had had some adjustments (i.e. the back pin).

However the next thing really stumped me; the medal's documentation.

Having been awarded around 1920, I assumed it was simply a delayed processing award that had only recently been awarded. However when I looked at the award certificate, it seemed a little strange.

First of all, the stamp on the paper is different from other similiar documentation for iron crosses from that period.

Secondly, the wording denoting who the award is from is crossed out, and the initals of the man who awarded it have been changed.

Any ideas? Could this award be one which was unofficial, as denoted by the "adjustments" to the certificate?

Edited July 6, 2009 by George Hammerton

[Chris Boonzaier]

Hi,

I think this falls under the laws that allowed them to do some catch up awards for a short period after the war.

best

Chris

[George Hammerton]

Hi,

I think this falls under the laws that allowed them to do some catch up awards for a short period after the war.

best

Chris

Thats pretty much what I thought....can you explain the crossing out of the last two lines?

[Kev in Deva]

Can you post a picture of the rear?

[Guest Rick Research]

I cannot read what the STAMP says, which should explain WHICH "Koch" signed. As it stands, "as authorized" by the Commander of Wehrkreis II, the lines denoting "by the chief administartor of the demobilization office" being scratched out as inapplicable.

Paperwork from this period is often semi-recycled like this. Nobody cared any more. (I have a 25 Years Service Cross document from 1920 dutifully issued to HIMSELF by the senior Judge Advocate of a former Baden division, as senior demobilization official for legal branch personnel of the ex-formation! ) The STAMP is the key to who issued this, since "Divisional Bridging Train 3" was a unit in some now unfindable old army order of battle, not from the Provisional Reichsheer.

[Chris Boonzaier]

Paperwork from this period is often semi-recycled like this. Nobody cared any more.

Indeed. I have a wound badge and EK doc set. The EK is done on a type written sheer, the wound badge is actually an EK doc with the EK part crossed out....

[Kriztofer]

Indeed. I have a wound badge and EK doc set. The EK is done on a type written sheer, the wound badge is actually an EK doc with the EK part crossed out....

In crayon!!

[Chris Boonzaier]

In crayon!!

Hi,

its a regular EK doc with 2 pen lines through "The Iron Cross 2nd class" and "Wound badge in black" written in.

WW1 EK docs are the wild west days of EK docs...

[Kriztofer]

No Monty Python fans here eh :D

[George Hammerton]

The inscription on the stamp says "ABW.-INTDTR. D. FRÜH. II. A.-K." round the edge of the stamp, and "zweigstelle" at the bottom.

With regards to translation, "ABW.-INTDTR. D. FRÜH. II. A.-K." I think means "Settlement commissariat of the Division of the Former II. Armeekorps" - a bit of a mouthful! "Zweigstelle" translates as "office branch".

This may be completely incorrect, so I welcome any ideas!

[Guest Rick Research]

All indicative of "tidying up" at what we'd have designated the Demobilization Office.

It's a late processing catch up award, as anticipated.

I always wonder, in the absence of other paperwork, WHAT the delay was. Might have been a P.O.W. returning, but in the several examples where I have other paperwork for the officer, it simply seems to have been general inertia in getting things sorted out during and after the collapse. :beer: