EK 1914 Sagarow 1915?

[Brian R]

Hi Guys - Question for ya...

I have an EK with a reference to Sagarow 1915, or at least the first letter appears to be an S. I was thinking it could be related to Zagarow, Poland but the date (August 20, 1915) wouldn't fit as, it appears, the fighting was farther to the east at this time. Does anyone have any ideas or thoughts on this? Could it possibly be someone's name instead?

Thanks!

Brian

[Chris Boonzaier]

I doubt it is a Persons name, just would not fit right.... Might be a Russian place name that was "Germanized", would not be the first time....

[Brian R]

Indeed. I constantly run into problems researching period documentation from the Russian Font in WWII. I look at maps and can't find the location that is referenced!!

Agreed, that it is more like a place name, rather than a surname.

[IrishGunner]

I still think it might be Zagórów, which was only about 100km west of the front line in August 1915. The award could have been made in a rest area or hospital behind the lines for action that happened somewhere else.

[Chris Boonzaier]

I have a book that may help... but at the moment I cannot find it....

[Brian R]

Yup, that is probably the best explanation. It seems weird that someone would put that on his cross if that is where he received it, rather than earned it. I could see the date he received the award before seeing the location.

I do like these EKs with Eastern Front references as it gives me a whole new project. While the Eastern Front is my favorite theatre in WWII, its a mystery to me for WWI. I have a lot to study.

[Brian R]

I have G. Irving Root's Battles East - I have only referenced it in the past. I will have to dive in.

[IrishGunner]

Yup, that is probably the best explanation. It seems weird that someone would put that on his cross if that is where he received it, rather than earned it. I could see the date he received the award before seeing the location.

I do like these EKs with Eastern Front references as it gives me a whole new project. While the Eastern Front is my favorite theatre in WWII, its a mystery to me for WWI. I have a lot to study.

Maybe someone else engraved it for him at presentation...

I've been doing some reading on the Eastern Front; it's a very interesting area. I keep kicking myself for not studying/traveling more with a view to WWI when I lived in Poland.

[dond]

Was a hospital located there? Perhaps it was not awarded for a specific action but to a wounded person for a period of service?

[Brian R]

Guys - thanks for all the replies. This one is a bit baffling but maybe there is something to it being awarded well behind the lines - either the engraving is the result of it being presented in Zagórów for actions earlier or even for continued service at a rear hospital. I guess it's possible it could be an elusive non-combatant award but I think it's more likely for the former.

[kasle]

I think it read Sagorow, not Sagarow. It can be either place or name and surely very common, as it means "behind the hill".

I don´t think it can be now Polish Zagorów, as this small town was called Hinterberg during German times. But it can be for example Staryj Sagorow in nowadays Ukraine.

http://gov.genealogy.net/item/show/STAROWKO20HP

But it can be also the Silesian name.

[IrishGunner]

I don´t think it can be now Polish Zagorów, as this small town was called Hinterberg during German times. But it can be for example Staryj Sagorow in nowadays Ukraine.

Zagorów was in Russian Poland during the First World War period. It was never in Prussia; therefore, it didn't have a German name at that time. I believe Hinterberg came into use for Zagorów after 1939 during the Occupation.

[kasle]

Zagorów was in Russian Poland during the First World War period. It was never in Prussia; therefore, it didn't have a German name at that time. I believe Hinterberg came into use for Zagorów after 1939 during the Occupation.

I put the position of Zagórów from Google maps to ww1 military map of 1915 and it looks it was Russian Polish border village at best. So it is very possible that it was called by Germans Hinterberg sooner than 1939. I put the position of Staryj Sagorow to the same map as well - and you choose what is more possible for the place of August 1915 brave deed. If the Ukrainian village in the direction of German attack from 15th August, or Polish "hospital" 245 miles (245 miles, not 100 kilometres) behind the front.

To the hospital theory:

- Try to imagine that you are brave and proud ww1 German soldier. What would you order to engrave on your EK?

1. Your name (very possible and very practical, nobody can steal it and claim it´s his own)

2. Place of brave deed (very possible, although you don´t need to remind yourself the place where you deserved that EK)

3. Name of the hospital where you were awarded (Hospital? What???????????)

[IrishGunner]

Kasle, the map is very helpful. I did not know there was a Ukrainian village with the exact spelling with an "S" - that's why I went with the Polish village. Based upon your map, I would agree with you...

[kasle]

Thank you, but I can be wrong as well. I think there is still possibility that Sagorow is a name.

[Brian R]

These crosses can be so mysterious, it really could be anything. I could certainly buy the hospital theory having nothing else to go by. That said, I think your conclusion is the most logical. It clearly is Sogorow and not Sagarow like I initially posted. Yes, it could be a name - I have seen single last names with dates on crosses before - but the date combined with the Ukrainian town, and the August 1915 front line shown on the map, are pretty good clues. Your logic is quite reasonable and I feel pretty safe going with this theory. Thanks for replying!

[kasle]

Not at all. Nice cross anyway.