Otto Ritter von Rauchenberger

[Dete]

Hello,

here are some pictures of a group which was recently sold in an auction. So probably some of you have already seen it. I ve a few questions regarding his awards on the picture. Is he wearing the china medal on his bar? i can t find anything about a service there. Also i read that he got his "Ritter" because of his MMJO which i think is not correct, because he received the order of the crown first. Is there any source where i can find the reason for the awarding of the order of the crown?I do have the explanations for the PLM and the MMJO and I ve his Kriegsstammrolle from Ancestry, but it s very tough to read.

I als would appreciate if anybody can provide another picture of him.

Best regards

Detlev

[Dete]

sorry, forgot his picture.

[Dave Danner]

His China Medal was in steel.

On the ennoblement, you are correct. He was awarded the Merit Order of the Bavarian Crown on 5.1.17 and entered into the Adelsmatrikel on 15.2.17 for that reason.

Edit to add: as for the reason for awarding the Bavarian Crown, someone can correct me if I am wrong, but I think it was customary in Bavaria to grant a life patent to those who had achieved the rank of divisional commander. The only Generalleutnants before the war who were not ennobled were garrison and Landwehr-Inspektion commanders, and the only divisional commanders to not be ennobled did not command divisions until late in the war, so they missed their chance.

Edited March 27, 2014 by Dave Danner

[Dete]

Hi Dave,

thxs for your reply. I didn t know about the bavarian crown.

Best regards

Detlev

[Les]

Rauchenberger was awarded the PlM on 6 September 1917, and on 19 October 1918 was awarded the Oakleaves.

When the Oaks were awarded, they were sent in a small box with the replacement three stripe neck ribbon, and the oaks (with the new ribbon). A second full award of the cross was not given after the first one.

The oaks worn with the PlM were not unique to the PlM only, and the same exact design was used for a few other Prussian neck orders.

The outer box shown in the photo above seems to indicate the award is for both the PlM (cross) -AND- the Oaks at the same time. It's known that Rauchenberger did not receive both at the same time, and the outer carton wrapper suggests ......something isn't right.

Edited March 31, 2014 by Les