P.F. Posted June 21, 2014 Posted June 21, 2014 Hi, I would appreciate if someone could translate the words underlined in red. I assume this is stating the grade of the award? My thanks Pierce
new world Posted June 21, 2014 Posted June 21, 2014 (edited) Lieutenant Milch at the time of awarding was a Secretary in German Ministry of Aviation. He later became a Fieldmarshal in Nazi Germany. Edited June 21, 2014 by new world
922F Posted June 21, 2014 Posted June 21, 2014 Pierce, is this a document for his Bulgarian Grand Officer, Civil Merit Order or his first class Military Merit Order? Not sure if he had war decoration on his Military Merit Order & document would reveal this.
P.F. Posted June 21, 2014 Author Posted June 21, 2014 He did not have the war decoration, but he did have swords on his Military Merit Order. Is the First Class and Grand Cross the same grade?
new world Posted June 21, 2014 Posted June 21, 2014 These look like 2 different documents. Grand and 1st class are not the same. Do you have full pics of his documents?
P.F. Posted June 21, 2014 Author Posted June 21, 2014 Unfortunately I do not have photos of the two documents.What is the difference in First Class and Grand Cross? Is first class the equivalent to Grand Officer grade?My thanksPierce
922F Posted June 21, 2014 Posted June 21, 2014 (edited) Bulgarian czarist award structure can be confusing; brief overview follows: What we call in English [& most other languages} the Bulgarian Order of Military Merit is, according to original statute, the military division of the National Order of Merit founded in August, 1891. This National Order of Merit was structured into a typical 5 class award with an associated cross and the highest grade being called 'first class'. By 1900 crown suspensions could be added to the lowest grade and cross for added merits. In May, 1900, the National Order of Merit was partitioned into two divisions, one for military and one for civil activities. Differences between the two divisions include use of red enamel for military merit vs. white enamel for civil merit; replacing oak sprigs between arms for civil merit with crossed swords for military merit and use of white green red ribbon for civil and yellow, black white ribbon for military. War decoration distinctions for the military division [laurel/oak wreath surround central medallion] came into use ca. 1916 during WW I. In 1933 [some say 1923] both divisions obtained what we generally now call the 'first class' grade ; a star badge and sash. However, as the pre-change highest grade had been named first class so the former first class [badge sash star] highest grade became termed grand cross. All 'Military Merit Order' insignia have swords between the cross arms. Main differences in appearance between Grand Cross and First Class insignia: Often/Sometimes Grand Cross insignia is a bit larger in size Grand cross 8 point star body is silver with 4 gilt rays appearing between 4 principal points -- first class 8 point star body all silver Grand Cross sash about 100-105 mm wide First class sash about 90 mm wide. [sash color distribution a bit different for first class grade from other classes] Believe there's a detailed discussion of these differences elsewhere on GMIC--see also Petrov's and Pavlov's works [excerpts on-line] on the subject. Hope this helps you understand the differences in insignia/grades. Edited June 21, 2014 by 922F
P.F. Posted June 21, 2014 Author Posted June 21, 2014 (edited) This has been very helpful- thank you so much! Such a great explanation. Kind regardsPierce Edited June 21, 2014 by P.F.
P.F. Posted June 21, 2014 Author Posted June 21, 2014 I will try and find a copy of Milch's award cert for the Military Order. Would someone here be able to read it and determine which grade he actually received? It is recorded in his Soldbuch as 1. Class but this, in German terms, would mean the Grand Cross. He has also recorded the Civil Merit Order as 2. Class- which is Grand Officer grade, as stated above. This is why I am assuming he received the Grand Cross of the Military Order.
P.F. Posted June 21, 2014 Author Posted June 21, 2014 (edited) I have managed to get a good clear copy of the award cert for the Military Merit Order. Edited June 21, 2014 by P.F.
new world Posted June 21, 2014 Posted June 21, 2014 I have managed to get a good clear copy of the award cert for the Military Merit Order. It's for Grand Cross. Awarded to Lieutanant-General E Milch, State Secretary of Aviation Ministry. Very impressive doc! Do whether it's in a museum or in a collection?
922F Posted June 21, 2014 Posted June 21, 2014 (edited) Thanks New World, beat me to it. Could you identify the signatures [orders secretary and registrar], please? Great document--auctioned a few years back?? Edited June 21, 2014 by 922F
P.F. Posted June 21, 2014 Author Posted June 21, 2014 Brilliant!! Thanks so much to you both. Yes, auctioned off a few years back I believe. Best Pierce
new world Posted June 24, 2014 Posted June 24, 2014 (edited) Pierce - welcome! In your initial post there are TWO documents to Milch. What's the other document? Edited June 24, 2014 by new world
P.F. Posted June 24, 2014 Author Posted June 24, 2014 It was the document for the Order of Civil Merit, Grand Officer Class. Kind regards Pierce
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