"Spoof" cross or grave marker ?

[australia]

Gday all ,

Please explain this picture , is it a grave marker or "spoof" cross ?

[FrenchVolunteer]

Hi,

clearly a "joke" made for a new Ritterkreuzträger (i think i temporary forgot the name of this guy).
Grave markers were more rustic than that usually.
Here the detail is well done.

See You

Vince

[juoneen]

Of course nobody can explain it 100% without some diary entry relating to the cross, but my feelings are the officer earned the RK, but likely was somewhere where he could not get the award, so I think his friends in his outfit made this cross as you said a gag gift until his award came .

Germans were quite handy in Woodworking, and likely whipped this wooden version out in short order for him to wear for this photo, or possibly he was not awarded the RK, but his fellow soldiers felt he should have so they may have made one for him....as you know at times even second class medals were used as fill ins when awards couldn't get to the troops, but regardless, he seems very pleased, and amused by the look on his face, and must have had great comradely with his fellows in his outfit.

I hope someone can identify just who he is, as he did win the order of the German cross, maybe mark Yeager knows. This is quite an anecdotal photo, and one that shows the lighter side of soldiering during a difficult period in history. thanks for posting it.

[rebeldevil89]

but my feelings are the officer earned the RK, but likely was somewhere where he could not get the award, so I think his friends in his outfit made this cross as you said a gag gift until his award came .

Looks the same way to me too as he is already a recipient of the EK1 and DK.
Very interesting photo, indeed.

[australia]

Believed to be Heinz Harmel (29 June 1906 – 2 September 2000) was a German Brigadeführer and Generalmajor of the Waffen-SS during World War II. He was also a recipient of the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross with Oak Leaves and Swords.

[chrischa]

Photos such as the attached have been shown here before (this would fit better in the photo and paper item forum).

Coincidently, on Hannahs Reich at the moment, there is an award document and photos for Knights cross winner Poetschke showing a similar amusing overlarge Knights Cross.

[FrenchVolunteer]

Hi,

this is not Heinz Harmel, visage, eyebrows and hears clearly don't match.
There is a something similar look, but it is not him.



See You

Vince

[Brig]

That's a great photo, very amusing and showing, as stated, the humorous side of soldiering. Wish we knew more about it. Is it the original?

[chrischa]

Hi,

this is not Heinz Harmel, visage, eyebrows and hears clearly don't match.
There is a something similar look, but it is not him.



See You

Vince

Hello.

Correct.

It's Heinz Hämel not Heinz Harmel.

Cheers,
Chris.

[australia]

yes it is Heinz Hämel

[Tom B]

I agree

[Lloyd I.]

Poetschke gag RK