Major Walter Klein, Ritterkreuz

[Deutschritter]

Gentlemen, can anyone help me identify the ribbon bar of Walter Klein (1890/1891--1941)? Leutnant (der Reserve) in WWI. Ergänzungsoffizier 1935? 1938 Major. RK for Operation Weserübung. Thanks!!! 

 

[Deutschritter]

Maybe this picture is a bit better? Could the far-right ribbon be a NSDAP Long Service Award? For some reason he is listed in the "Personenbezogene Unterlagen der SS und SA" (R 9361-III/568195) in Berlin-Lichterfelde. Maybe he has  the Deutsches Schutzwall-Ehrenzeichen (2nd from right)? He served at the Westwall shortly before the Norway Campaign. Dave Danner confirmed OM3K (second ribbon). 

 

Edited October 30, 2023 by Deutschritter

[Dave Danner]

He was a Lehrer from 1911 to 1914, in military service from 1914 to 1918, a Lehrer again from 1918 to 1927, an Oberlehrer from 1927 to 1935, and returned to military service on 01.11.1935.

 

His only WW1 decorations were the EK1&2 and the ÖM3K. Add an Ehrenkreuz für Frontkämpfer around 1934/35 and a Wehrmacht (Heer) Dienstauszeichnung 4. Klasse on 02.10.1936. Not enough detail for the rest, but the last may be a Hungarian WW1 Kriegserinnerungsmedaille.

 

There's no indication of any Party or SS activity in his Lehrer file. He was likely a member of the Nationalsozialistischer Lehrerbund and possibly had an SA rank before returning to active military service.

[Deutschritter]

Thank you, Dave! Adding Wound Badge for his wounds from 1 November 1914 and 1 February 1918. 

Edited October 31, 2023 by Deutschritter

[xxx]

a  WW 1 Tyrol medall would be very likely