Turkey Major Lierau, Heavy Artillery Group Commander in Anafartalar, Gallipoli, later Lieutenant Colonel, Artillery Commander in Palestine

[demir]

Hi,

I recently added this picture to my collection and asked Mr. Saral's help to identify it.

He said it is most probably Major Lierau, Heavy Artillery Group Commander in Anafartalar, Gallipoli, later Lieutenant Colonel, Artillery Commander in Palestine. He said Major Lierau wears the Otoman Artillery Officers' uniform and his collar insignia is exploding cannonball which means heavy artillery used in the forts.

He also wears the Turkish War medal. I think he was also wearing the Turkish Liyakat Medal with crossed scimitars on his left breast.

My problem is: if he was Heavy Artillery Group Commander in Anafartalar, Gallipoli and later Lieutenant Colonel, Artillery Commander in Palestine, that means he had been fighting actively in the battle field. So how come he was also wearing white ribbon with red or black on the sides ribbon on the second buttonhole of his tunic.

Then there are two options:

1. This is not a ribbon belonging to either TWM or Iron Cross II,

2. He is not Major Lierau but somebody else (and who is he?) but even then whoever he is, since he has heavy artillery officer insignia and wears TWM how come he has white ribbon (if it is not something else)?

What would you suggest?

Demir

Edited December 8, 2011 by demir

[saschaw]

Could you please post a close up of the ribbons?

I assume it's some German states award, but cannot find any of these for Major Lierau - which doesn't mean much, as I'm not having complete records.

[demir]

Hi Saschaw,

This is the best I can do

Thanks

dmir

[saschaw]

Mhh pity, I don't recognize anything sure. Though thanks!