Just initials and a date

[Paul C]

Most of you, I am sure, know who Gen. der Panzer Walter Wenck was. In addition to refusing to bring his armee group into the caldron of Berlin he was an RK and DKiG holder and one of the youngest German generals. I know have his sword. It is a Reicheswehr era sword which matches up with when Wenck went into the army. There are initial's of WW on the langet and engraved on the blade is:

Unserm scheidenden Zügführer Zur Erinnrung an seinen III Zug 9. Komp 9. (Pr) IR Ruhl. Januar 1926

Translated: To our departing platoon leader in memory of your service III platoon, 9th Company, 9 Infantry Regiment Ruhl. January 1926

Ruhl is an abbreviation for Ruhleben which is a district of Berlin where the regiment was stationed.

[Paul C]

Blade inscription

[Paul C]

A look at the 1925 Army Ranklist confirms that Wenck is the only officer in the 9th company who last name begins with W. He is list in the bottom group, right side and 4th one up. To the right is which company he is with - 9.

[Paul C]

So now we have the initials of WW confirmed but what about the date of January 1926? Below is an extract from Wenck's service record which confirms that in January, 1926 he departed the 9th company for Machine Gun School and went on to machine guns. So we have a perfect match of the initials and inscription.

[helen]

Interesting and a great object to call one's own. Thanks for sharing!

[Wild Card]

:speechless1:

Congratulations!

:beer:

[joe campbell]

what a great find! and the talent to

confirm its owner.

joe