Awards to German regiments

[bilylev]

Hello,

I am not familiar with German ODM. I would like to know, if army units, let´s say regiments,  also received some awards. If yes, where to find  informations.

Thanks

Jan

[Bernd_W]

https://de.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kaiserabzeichen

 

Th claps 1916 for the hessian bravery medal was also awarded on regimental or company level. Cant remember what exactly.

Edit: Only awarded to 3 NCOs (one of each battalion) and 26 officers. So its not the best example.

 

Edited February 6 by Bernd_W

[bilylev]

Thank you very much. But in other countries regiments have been awarded normal medals and orders. In Germany not?

[Bernd_W]

See my edit, there are some rare examples, also in other German states likely.

Dont know if it also sticks to some common awards like IC, which might be your question I guess? Perhaps others can answer this.

[Dave Danner]

Hi

Do you mean the regiment as a whole? Such as U.S. unit citations, French fourragères, or Russian/Soviet naming units as "Guards" units?

[bilylev]

No no. Regular orders and medals which are awarded to soldiers. This is quite normal pratice in many countries like Soviet Union, France, Italy, Czechoslovakia, Bulgaria, Greece and many, many others. 

. 

[bilylev]

For example here:

 

https://fr.wikipedia.org/wiki/4e_régiment_de_chasseurs_d'Afrique

[Bernd_W]

Translated it, but cant find the example.

 

I guess, you talking about something like this (fictional example)?:

For the capture of Fort Douaumont, Cordt von Brandis received the PLM, the entire regiment received the Iron Cross second class, the officers received the first class and the company commanders received the HOH.

 

Stuff like this way done in Germany at Regimental anniversaries, but of course not with combat award, but with house orders and stuff like this. And afaik not down to enlisted man level. 

 

[Dave Danner]

Then I do not understand your question.

 

That Wikipedia article only mentions unit awards, not individual awards.

 

Of course, German soldiers received individual awards. They were nominated by their commanders, usually company, battalion and regimental commanders, and the awards were approved at a higher level. The authority to award the Iron Cross was given to senior commanders, but other awards usually had to be reviewed and approved by the Orders Chancery of the various German states.

[bilylev]

I know my English is bad, but that's why it's simple and I don't understand how my question can't be misunderstood. So I'll try to explain. In most countries of the world, there are Orders, Decorations and Medals (ODM) that honor individuals. In many countries, military units are also honored with these awards. Both platoons, companies, regiments, divisions, army groups, artillery batteries, warships, military schools, military factories, tombs of unknown soldiers, etc., etc. These decorations are usually attached to the flag of the decorated unit and often with a large, so-called flag ribbon in the colors of the award ribbon.

quote Such as U.S. unit citations, French fourragères, or Russian/Soviet naming units as "Guards" units? unquote is something else.

Well, my question is whether it happened also in the case of German units. That, for example, an artillery battery could be awarded the Iron Cross 1st class or some regiment the Order of  Red Eagle, etc.

Thanks

[Bernd_W]

So the flag received the award and not all or some individuals in a regiment. You should have asked this in first. Language would not be a problem then.

 

Some examples are mentioned in this books:

1807-1890: https://ordensmuseum.de/Regimentsgeschichten/Standarten1.pdf

1807-1898: https://ordensmuseum.de/Regimentsgeschichten/Standarten2.pdf

 

Example (Page 6 in first book):

Quote

Auszeichnungen. (Von der alten Standarte übernommen) (ein echtes Eisernes Kreuz I. Klasse aus den Beständen des Zeughauses zu Berlin zum Ersaß für das am 10. September 1889 verlorene, zufolge AB. vom 17. Oktober 1889.) KDM 1813/14. — Er. Kx - B. Das am 23. Juni 1840 verliehene Säkular-Standartenband mit der Inschrift: ERRICHTET 1740. F.II. F. W. III. 1840

 

Quote

Awards. (Taken from the old standard) (a real Iron Cross 1st Class from the holdings of the Armory in Berlin to replace the one lost on September 10, 1889, according to AB. from October 17, 1889.) KDM 1813/14. — He. Kx - B. The secular standard ribbon awarded on June 23, 1840 with the inscription: ERECTED 1740. F.II. F.W. III. 1840

 

 

Unfortunately I dont know about WW1 or if it was still done in WW1.

 

[Dave Danner]

Here are the regimental standards of the Bavarian Army from the museum in Ingolstadt. They all appear to have the Ehrenkreuz für Frontkämpfer, but I cannot see any individual awards like the Iron Cross or Bavarian Military Merit Order, and I don't have a better picture.

 

 

 

Edited February 9 by Dave Danner
fix grammar

[bilylev]

Thank you very much.

[bilylev]

[Farkas]

On 09/02/2024 at 00:14, Dave Danner said:

Here are the regimental standards of the Bavarian Army from the museum in Ingolstadt. They all appear to have the Ehrenkreuz für Frontkämpfer, but I cannot see any individual awards like the Iron Cross or Bavarian Military Merit Order, and I don't have a better picture.

 

 

 

Dave,
Such an interesting picture 👍👍

Made me have a Google…

 

I found this in an interesting & in depth piece on Reddit.  I’ll put the link underneath.

 

’The gilt finials were in the shape of the spear-head with the rulers monogram or a heraldic lion engraved or cut-out. Silk cravats were tied underneath the finial – these were usually donated by the Colonel or a wealthy sponsor and were richly embroidered with patriotic slogans; the decorations of particularly distinguished members of the regiments could also be hung on the standard.’

 

 

tony 🍻