EK1 1939 version 1957

[kasle]

Hello, I would like to know your opinion about this cross. Thanks in advance. It is three piece construction with magnetic core.

[Gordon Craig]

Kasle,

Good looking cross.  Probably an early one.  For a better opinion I would suggest that you visit the Wehrmacht Awards Forum where you will find a sub forum dedicated to 57 type awards.

Regards,

Gordon

[Alex K]

Difficult to tell from the images but it looks like it has a solid hinge block, if so then Gordon is correct, an earlier piece, later pieces had a different hinge construction

[Elmar Lang]

Hello,

this 1st class cross is identical in any detail, to the piece presented along with the 2nd class, by the German Military Attaché to my father in 1970, when the Federal Republic confirmed the award of the First Class for the act of bravery done on May 30th 1942, Northern Africa, Bir el-Aslagh. The original conferment happened on May 31st, 1942.

Best,

E.L.

Edited October 1, 2020 by Elmar Lang

[Alex K]

2 hours ago, Elmar Lang said:

Hello,

this 1st class cross is identical in any detail, to the piece presented along with the 2nd class, by the German Military Attaché to my father in 1970, when the Federal Republic confirmed the award of the First Class for the act of bravery done on May 30th 1942, Northern Africa, Bir el-Aslagh. The original conferment happened on May 31st, 1942.

Best,

E.L.

Very interesting, I'm surprised it was awarded retrospectively after such a long period, bit late but better than never

Edited October 1, 2020 by Alex K

[Elmar Lang]

It wasn't a "late award". Actually, the regular award took place, as said, on May 31st, 1942, as a reward for the action that took place on the previous day.

My late father, was an italian artillery officer, who fought in Northern Africa as a commander of an AA/AT battery.

He was taken prisoner on July 3rd, 1942 at Alam Nayil, close to the Qattara Depression. After the war, he remained in the army until his retirement in 1976.

When in 1957 the German military awards have been legalized, he immediately asked for the confirmation of his EK1, but his superiors stopped the advancement of his request, because "no nazi award could be authorized for wear!".

Years passed and while being with the rank of full colonel, his commander found correct to forward the request that my father tried once more to advance through the hierarchy.

In 1970, the German Government, having found archival evidence of the award, sent the "Ersatzurkunde" and, a while later, the German Military Attaché, during a little ceremony, consigned a case, containing the 1957-type 1st and 2nd Class crosses.

[Alex K]

Thanks for the explanation, given the time lapse, it was a noble gesture and the fact that the 57er versions were available maybe not so contraversial

regards

[Elmar Lang]

I would like to add the picture of the presentation case with which the Military Attaché offered to my father the EK-I and EK-II, and a detail of the reverse of the 1st Class cross.

I think that the case was prepared in Rome, on behalf of the German Embassy's administration.

Further, a picture of my father's medal bar (the Silver "Al Valore Militare" medal, is a named duplicate).

All the best,

Enzo

[GdC26]

?

Thanks for sharing these superb, very personal pieces Enzo.

[BlackcowboyBS]

wow, great Story, Thanks for telling Enzo, I really appreciate it. 

[Alex K]

Yes very nice, based on the last but one image showing the reverse of the ek1, the hinge block is a solid one showing its an early rather than the later formed hinge, nice to have

Regards

[Elmar Lang]

To complete my contribution to this interesting thread, I would like to add a portrait of my father in full-dress, taken early in 1975 when, as a Major General, he received the Commander's Cross of the Merit Order of the Republic.

He is wearing the above pictured medal bar and EK-I.

All the best,

Enzo (E.L.)

Edited October 7, 2020 by Elmar Lang

[Gordon Craig]

Enzo,

Wonderful picture.  Thanks for posting it.

Regards,

Gordon

 

[Elmar Lang]

Thank you, Gordon.

I took that picture myself (I was nearly 17 years old, then), on dad's return back home in Verona, from the award ceremony, at the Miltary Region Higher Command in Padua.

[Alex K]

A fine military career 

[Elmar Lang]

As a conclusion, I've been able to take a picture of the "Ersatz-Urkunde", released by the Federal Republic of Germany, framed and at the wall, in my late father's study-room.

I think it could be considered as an interesting, rather uncommon document, especially for being given to a non-German.

The original "Urkunde", for what I know, should be somewhere in the desert's sands between Tobruk and Alamein...

 

Edited October 8, 2020 by Elmar Lang

[Megan]

Great story, Enzo, and a great reminder that duty, honour, and courage are displayed on both sides of a conflict (my father served in the British army in Italy...)