LW pilot Gottfied Dulias

[TMurray]

Reichsmarschall Dulias' disappearing awards & ranks, the photographic evidence:

Post no.13
Rank: Leutnant
Awards: Aiguilette, Pilots Badge, Ostmedaille, EK.1, Fighter Clasp

Post no.15
Rank: Oberleutnant
Awards: Pilots Badge, EK.1, Fighter Clasp, Retired Pilots Badge

Post no.54
Rank: Leutnant
Awards: Aiguilette, Pilots Badge, Ostmedaille, EK.1, Fighter Clasp, Retired Pilots Badge, Gold Wound Badge (?)

Post no.110
Rank: Oberleutnant
Awards: as per post no.54 plus personalised cuff title

Now from memory, the Retired Pilots Badge was awarded to those honourably discharged from service in the Luftwaffe but Dulias tells us he was on active duty and shot down to be captured by the Soviets?? And the Gold Wound Badge? I dont recall hearing he was ever wounded five or more times??? The inconsistencies speak volumes about his credibility.

[CWP]

He is involved in reenacting and is playing dress-up like everyone else who participates in that hobby, and thus his rank and awards on his reenactment uniform should not be seen as a claim that he has earned these awards. I cannot state that enough. He is probably wearing stuff that was a gift or is on loan from other reenactors who dress him up however they see fit. I am certain he has never claimed to have been awarded the retired pilot's badge or the gold wound badge.

[WalterB]

He is involved in reenacting and is playing dress-up like everyone else who participates in that hobby, and thus his rank and awards on his reenactment uniform should not be seen as a claim that he has earned these awards. I cannot state that enough. He is probably wearing stuff that was a gift or is on loan from other reenactors who dress him up however they see fit. I am certain he has never claimed to have been awarded the retired pilot's badge or the gold wound badge.

I remember when my sister used to dress up my cat and put him in a baby carriage and parade him around the neighborhood. I think she broke his spirit . What the reenactors appear to be doing to Herr Dulias is also as pathetic. For Herr Dulias to go along with this makes him nothing more than a fake and a charlatan.

[Biber]

He is involved in reenacting and is playing dress-up like everyone else who participates in that hobby, and thus his rank and awards on his reenactment uniform should not be seen as a claim that he has earned these awards. I cannot state that enough. He is probably wearing stuff that was a gift or is on loan from other reenactors who dress him up however they see fit. I am certain he has never claimed to have been awarded the retired pilot's badge or the gold wound badge.

I don't believe that is a gold wound badge. Anybody know what it is?

So how is the public, as consumers of his product (story, persona etc.), to know what IS real? You can't pick and choose. Oh "I'm a REAL ace but the I'm just wearing these medals I didn't earn because I like them and I'm playing dress-up with these people." It's like a person who received an honorary doctorate having the gall to insist on being addressed as "doctor". By the way isn't impersonation or intentional deception illegal?

To me it's just odd that someone who is purportedly the real deal even associates with reenactors, especially to the extent and in the way he does! But in them he's found a believing (and seemingly adoring) constituency. I just don't see this resolving to his benefit, certainly it'll be very sad when the truth finally comes out.

B

[TMurray]

He is involved in reenacting and is playing dress-up like everyone else who participates in that hobby, and thus his rank and awards on his reenactment uniform should not be seen as a claim that he has earned these awards. I cannot state that enough. He is probably wearing stuff that was a gift or is on loan from other reenactors who dress him up however they see fit. I am certain he has never claimed to have been awarded the retired pilot's badge or the gold wound badge.

He parades around in uniform with different ranks and awards, is he re-enacting when claiming to be ace? and you have no problem that the public will associate the way he presents himself with what he claims to have accomplished? utter folly

[VonStigler1]

I'm going to give him a hat the next time I see him and hopefully he'll wear it: it's white, pointy, and says DUNCE on it.

[Jos L C]

Funny thing is that a load of people think he's a clown, but nobody drags him outoff the place and send him home..
It's a typical thing among collectors,re-enactors etc.., same with crooky dealers at shows, we know they're doing wrong, but apparantly we "love" them and don't have the guts to kick them out.., even if they sew you for the 7th time..
It's like with penguins on the South-pole..., some nasty birds are killing their babies and all they can do is watch.., frustrating, but next year it'll be the same etc..
Bottomline is :
We're a large group, nevertheless very weak, because it seems we can't beat the few nasty ones and the nasty ones know..
Pathetic, but the way it always was and will be..

Jos.

[MP43SNIPER]

Bob,

I understand a bit better now and also see how you are getting the word out better than I thought.

However I still squirm a little at the thought that calling an organization and telling them that a "fake", "phoney", or "fraudulent" person is attempting to attend their event. That's why I think a reference type of document or book would be so much easier to use. The best thing about my idea is that it's so black and white. Here is the info known on this guy, that guy, etc. If there is nothing there for a particular person, "there's your sign". Otherwise, anything you say can be taken as opinion, jealousy, hatred, etc by the person on the other end and they may dismiss you. I did notice that Dulias wasn't part of the program and together with this discussion it really squashed his claims in my mind.

Unfortunately no matter what, it'll only be a few more years and nobody will be able to claim they're a WWII fighter ace anymore.

Craig

[münster]

Of course he is discredited and the USAF is also going to get pie on its face. But I do feel a bit sorry for this guy. Also showing up at these militaria shows and being paraded around, I dont know whom is more the victim, him or people posing in photos with him. What a weird situation.

[SprogCollector]

I'm probably just a frustrated with Herr Dulias as most others here. The complete lack of any verifiable evidence is pretty damning and, as already beat to death, the I-16 claims in 1945 are improbable in the extreme. The mysterious Lt Browning of the RAF has not held up to research of RAF records.

While I'm 99.9% convinced his story has no merit, that remaining 0.1% of doubt continues to nag at me. I'd personally like very much to find out the truth of this guys story. Problem is I don't know how to go about it.

I've had a few e-mail exchanges with Dr. Prien about how to proceed but am stymied by a lack of ability to speak, read, or write in German at anything above the most basic level -- making dealing with the BA somewhat difficult.

With the depth of experience and knowledge on this forum, is there any chance of a group research effort to out this topic to bed once and for all?

I'd be willing to contribute financially and help out with research to whatever level I'm able.

If this guys story is a fabrication, it needs to come out and the results forwarded whomever needs them. On the extremely remote chance his story is true, his place in history needs to put right.

[TMurray]

I'm probably just a frustrated with Herr Dulias as most others here. The complete lack of any verifiable evidence is pretty damning and, as already beat to death, the I-16 claims in 1945 are improbable in the extreme. The mysterious Lt Browning of the RAF has not held up to research of RAF records.

While I'm 99.9% convinced his story has no merit, that remaining 0.1% of doubt continues to nag at me. I'd personally like very much to find out the truth of this guys story. Problem is I don't know how to go about it.

I've had a few e-mail exchanges with Dr. Prien about how to proceed but am stymied by a lack of ability to speak, read, or write in German at anything above the most basic level -- making dealing with the BA somewhat difficult.

With the depth of experience and knowledge on this forum, is there any chance of a group research effort to out this topic to bed once and for all?

I'd be willing to contribute financially and help out with research to whatever level I'm able.

If this guys story is a fabrication, it needs to come out and the results forwarded whomever needs them. On the extremely remote chance his story is true, his place in history needs to put right.

Now here is a great suggestion. How do we proceed?

[Biber]

Of course he is discredited and the USAF is also going to get pie on its face.

I wonder if he'll show up at the GoE in uniform. Can't imagine the USAF allowing that. But, stranger things have happened.

B

[münster]

I guess someone here can translate german, if not send the mails here and my girlfriend can do it. My Dad is retired USAF and might be interested a bit in this. As I said myself, I feel bad for the guy.

[Simon O.]

Now here is a great suggestion. How do we proceed?

It's already been suggested on another forum and likely others too.

[SprogCollector]

It's already been suggested on another forum and likely others too.

The real question is whether or not anyone has acted on the suggestion? Like I said, I'm willing to help out both financially and in the research department. My problem is that I really don't know how or where to start.