Red Eagle Order 4th Class with Crown and Swords
The Red Eagle has always been one of my favorite pieces because the numerous variations one can find.
Here is one of my personal favorites, the Red Eagle Order 4th Class with Crown and Swords.
The Red Eagle Order (RAO) was awarded in four classes. The RAO in the fourth class could be awarded with swords to denote an award for military action.
To further add a level of distinction the RAO in all classes could also be awarded with the addition of a crown device. Wilhelm II authorized awarding of the crown device on June 12, 1892.
As of January 1913 there were only 597 awards of the RAO 4th class with swords. A German source claims there were only 46 awards of the RAO 4th class with crown and swords. Furthermore, during the period between 1907 and 1914 Rick Lundstrom finds 22 holders of REO 4th with crown and swords, all in of them in the colonial service.
If there were that many more awards along the way, it would be a surprise. Most of the officers who received these were generally in the colonial service. Most officers stayed in Africa for years, or were in the Chinese Boxer Rebellion, then the Hottentot / Herero Uprising.
1914 Colonial troops holders were:
Htn (27.1.13) von Mare'es (Reichskolonialamt)
Osl (1.10.13) von Lettow-Vorbeck, CO GEA
German Southwest Africa
RAO 3wCX--- Major (27.1.10) Franke (also had colonial Pour le Merite)
Maj (20.4.10) von Rappard
Maj (ern. 22.3.14) Bauszus
Generaloberarzt (char. 1.10.13)
Dr. Berg (odd, not listed as a "white-black" ribbon award, yet had to have been)
Cameroons--
Htn (16.6.09) Heinicke
Htn (1.10.12) Rausch
During the period of the First World War 1914 - 1918 there are only 4 documented awards of the RAO with Crown and Swords. They were: (gazetted dates, not bestowal dates):
1. Stabsarzt Dr Wezel 15.4.15
2. Hauptmann von Papen 10.2.16
3. Major z.D. Freiherr von Ende 19.8.16
4. Major a.D. Gressmann 10.1.18
Thanks to Rick Lundstrom for the help on the research.
Here is one of my personal favorites, the Red Eagle Order 4th Class with Crown and Swords.
The Red Eagle Order (RAO) was awarded in four classes. The RAO in the fourth class could be awarded with swords to denote an award for military action.
To further add a level of distinction the RAO in all classes could also be awarded with the addition of a crown device. Wilhelm II authorized awarding of the crown device on June 12, 1892.
As of January 1913 there were only 597 awards of the RAO 4th class with swords. A German source claims there were only 46 awards of the RAO 4th class with crown and swords. Furthermore, during the period between 1907 and 1914 Rick Lundstrom finds 22 holders of REO 4th with crown and swords, all in of them in the colonial service.
If there were that many more awards along the way, it would be a surprise. Most of the officers who received these were generally in the colonial service. Most officers stayed in Africa for years, or were in the Chinese Boxer Rebellion, then the Hottentot / Herero Uprising.
1914 Colonial troops holders were:
Htn (27.1.13) von Mare'es (Reichskolonialamt)
Osl (1.10.13) von Lettow-Vorbeck, CO GEA
German Southwest Africa
RAO 3wCX--- Major (27.1.10) Franke (also had colonial Pour le Merite)
Maj (20.4.10) von Rappard
Maj (ern. 22.3.14) Bauszus
Generaloberarzt (char. 1.10.13)
Dr. Berg (odd, not listed as a "white-black" ribbon award, yet had to have been)
Cameroons--
Htn (16.6.09) Heinicke
Htn (1.10.12) Rausch
During the period of the First World War 1914 - 1918 there are only 4 documented awards of the RAO with Crown and Swords. They were: (gazetted dates, not bestowal dates):
1. Stabsarzt Dr Wezel 15.4.15
2. Hauptmann von Papen 10.2.16
3. Major z.D. Freiherr von Ende 19.8.16
4. Major a.D. Gressmann 10.1.18
Thanks to Rick Lundstrom for the help on the research.
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