RKT FJ Stickpin

[Mike Yokum]

Hi friends,

After some negotiations with the seller I was happily able to add this RKT stickpin to my collection. It's an interesting line up with an RK, EKI, EKII, Wound Badge of unknown grade (possibly black?), PAB and FJ Qualification Badge.

There were only 133 FJ RKT's and I'm certain there were very few with PAB's. I intend to do some research to perhaps determine a small pool of candidates who may have earned this piece.

The pin seems to show honest wear and is somewhat unique in my estimation.

As always, I'd love to hear your thoughts.

[Mike Yokum]

1

[streptile]

Hi Mike,

Nice little stickpin! Were these all manufactured by soldering pre-existing individual miniatures in the correct combination to suit the wearer (as this one appears to be)? I feel like I've seen some struck in a single piece before, but I could be wrong. I've never owned one.

There were only 133 FJ RKT's and I'm certain there were very few with PAB's.

You could narrow the number down even further by counting those who made it to 1957, right?

I'm very curious to see what you discover.

[Mike Yokum]

Hey Trev,

As far as I know they were made by soldering individual mini's together to make the series of awards the man had won. I've never seen a single struck piece to the best of my memory.

[Nigel N]

hi Mike, what a great piece, so much history there on that one stickpin!! if you could attribute it, that would be even better!! another fine addition to your collection, very nice my friend!!! -Nigel

[old siagon]

Well done wildman!
V

[Peter J.]

I wonder who ordered this one

cheers
Peter

[LuckyLuudje]

Wow, very nice Mike. And I like them worn!That combination with the PAB and FJ (and RK) make it special.
It looks like the WB is wounded and bleeding

Thanks for sharing.

[LuckyLuudje]

I still don't know why that wound badge is red, could it be blood?

[Mike Yokum]

I poked my finger with a pin and dripped blood on the WB to add some drama to the picture!

[Mike Yokum]

After much research and attempting to gain a solid degree of certainty before adding to this OLD thread, I believe I've found the previous owner of this FJ, RKT stickpin.

Of the 133 FJ RKT's, exactly ONE was awarded the Panzer-Kampf Abzeichen (Heer) im Bronze and this man was Major im Generalstab, Gerhardt Schacht. He was a busy and intelligent man who was also awarded the Flugzeugbeobachter-abzeichen in 1938. He was part of the Czech campaign, the battle for Kreta and North Afrika. He also fought in Poland.

Schacht was the 22nd awardee of the RK in 1940 as Leutnant und Fürher LL-Gruppe "Beton" Fallschirmjager Sturm Abteilung Koch for his role in the capture of Fortress Eben-Emael.

He went on to a Bundeswehr career and gained the rank of Oberst. His military career ended with his death in 1972. As you can read in the wiki website, he was one of few FJ awarded the NKS LW! His was bronze.

This is a very happy and exciting day on which I could add a name to this stickpin!!!

I must state that the conclusion of this research would not have been possible without Luud's help and kindness! Thanks buddy!

[Hagen]

Nicely done Mike, congratulations on tracking down Herr Schacht.

[Mike Yokum]

Thank you Mike!

Here's a wartime shot of Oberleutnant Schacht wearing his RK!

[Mike Yokum]

Here's a shot from his BW days...

[Mike Yokum]

Here are some scans of some of his wartime documents.