WW1 Eben Emael

[Chris Boonzaier]

The WW1 parallel was the capture of Luttich.
It was goal numero Uno for the whole German offensive and a whole army had been trained to do it.
When the time came, Ludendorff took command and captured the town, leading 2-3 battalions. One of them was commanded by Major Max Bayer whose doc is pictured below... (check out the award date !!).
Other than zthat, have no info.... Anything your side Rick ?
By the way, it is 27th Inf regt (stamp is hard to read)


[ 01 January 2002: Message edited by: Chris Boonzaier ]

[Chris Boonzaier]

[IMG] http://images.andale.com/f2/124/115/7219494/1009929897190_Pri__Inf._Regt_27.jpg[/IMG]

[Rick Research]

Maximilian Bayer was another "shy" one who didn't put birth info in his German Orders Almanac entry, but:

Sekondeleutnant 22.3.1891
Premierleutnant/Oberleutnant 13.9.1899 V2v
Hauptmann i.G. 10.3.1904 N1
Major 1.10.1913 F10f

As an Oberleutnant, sent from Inf Rgt 97 to the General Staff.

Served on the General Staff of Schutztruppen Su"dwestafrika, where he picked up a Prussian Red Eagle Order 4th Class with swords, a Baden Order of the Za"hringen Lion-Knight 2nd with Oakleaves and Swords, and a Bavarian Military Merit Order 4th Class with Swords.

On the Staff of Inf Rgt 27 when the war started. He MAY be the "Major Bayer" who received a Turkish Medjidie Order 3rd Class 2.9.15.

Bayer was killed in action in Lorraine 25 October 1917, as Commander of Reserve Infantry Regiment 259, 78th Reserve Division. That disvision had served in Russia until April 1917, but when he took over the regiment is unknown.

Shades of "All Quiet On The Western Front"-- having just come through tough 1917 fighting around Verdun, the division was pulled back for rest between Cheminot and Abaucourt on the River Seille 14 October 1917, where, according to British intelligence,

"Its stay in Lorraine was devoid of any particular event."

Except to Major Bayer, of course....

[ 02 January 2002: Message edited by: Rick Lundstrom ]

[Chris Boonzaier]

Thanks Rick,
Its a superb example of a lucky buy.
EK docs are considered small potatoes and a lot of dealers dont even look at them.
This one cost $25 from a dealer who could not be bothered with anything under the $100 mark.