Help Identifying Uniforms

[Jennetta]

Hello all.  Can anyone help identifying the uniforms/ranks/positions of the gentlemen in the picture?  The picture would have been taken shortly before the start of WWII. 

I know the youngest man was aboard U-55 in January 1940 when it went down.  He was rescued by (I believe) the British, and was then a prisoner of war in Canada for the remainder of WWII.  I have been told that he was a MaschOGfr (not sure exactly what that means.....).   

The man on the left went down with the Wilhelm Gustloff in January 1945, as did another son who was also in the Kriegsmarine. 

Other than that - I have no idea what their uniforms mean, what ranks they were, or positions they may have held.  I am hoping that with the expertise out here - that an answer can be found!   Any help would be greatly appreciated!   

 

[Chip]

I believe the two older men are wearing the uniform of the NS-RKB (Nationalsozialistische Reichs-Kriegerbund) or the Marinebund, who had the same insignia, but the navy subsection's insignia was gilt metal with an anchor, which is unclear here. They wore a dark blue suit. It was a veteran's organization. There were ranks within the Bund that were signified by the wearing of an armband on the lower left sleeve.

The young sailor in the middle has a cap band that reads "Marineartillerieabteilung" (Naval Artillery Detachment). There was normally a unit number before and after this name, but they cannot be seen in the photo. He is wearing the parade jacket (dress jacket).

"MaschOgfr" would have been his rank, Maschinen Obergefreiter (Mechanic NCO), two grades above a basic seaman (Matrose). 

Chip

[Jennetta]

I believe the two older men are wearing the uniform of the NS-RKB (Nationalsozialistische Reichs-Kriegerbund) or the Marinebund, who had the same insignia, but the navy subsection's insignia was gilt metal with an anchor, which is unclear here. They wore a dark blue suit. It was a veteran's organization. There were ranks within the Bund that were signified by the wearing of an armband on the lower left sleeve.

The young sailor in the middle has a cap band that reads "Marineartillerieabteilung" (Naval Artillery Detachment). There was normally a unit number before and after this name, but they cannot be seen in the photo. He is wearing the parade jacket (dress jacket).

"MaschOgfr" would have been his rank, Maschinen Obergefreiter (Mechanic NCO), two grades above a basic seaman (Matrose). 

Chip

Thank you Chip! I will start looking into the NS-RKB and Marinebund avenue sand see what I can come up with.   

Do you know what the medal on the gentleman to the right is wearing?  I tried looking it up - but am not sure I came up with the right one - possibly the Iron Cross?? 

The men in the photo are my grandfather, great grandfather, and gg grandfather - so I am truly interested in anything that this picture could tell about their military career/life.

Jennetta

 

 

[Chip]

Jenette,

The medal appears to be the 1934 issued, Ehrenkreuz des Weltkriegs 1914/1918 (Honor Cross of the World War 1914/1918). This one is without swords and with the to next of kin ribbon. These Ehrenkreuz für Eltern (Honour Cross for Parents) were normally given to parents and widows of the fallen.

Chip

 

Edited August 6, 2015 by Chip

[Jennetta]

Jenette,

The medal appears to be the 1934 issued, Ehrenkreuz des Weltkriegs 1914/1918 (Honor Cross of the World War 1914/1918). This one is without swords and with the to next of kin ribbon. These Ehrenkreuz für Eltern (Honour Cross for Parents) were normally given to parents and widows of the fallen.

Chip

 

You Rock!  Thank you!  Opens a new area of research!! 

[IR 134]

Guy on the right looks like "Antje the walrus", a former mascot of a german TV channel