Who is this WWI General?

[sb98]

Hi,

I was hoping someone might recognize this general and let me know who he is. I'm not very familiar with with his medals other than the EK. Is that a Red Eagle w/ Swords and Oakleaves he's wearing? Which class is this one and what did he have to do to earn it? The white cross reminds me of a St. John's Cross (of the UK). What does this one represent? Thanks in advance for the education.

Tim

[Gerd Becker]

Hi,

I was hoping someone might recognize this general and let me know who he is. I'm not very familiar with with his medals other than the EK. Is that a Red Eagle w/ Swords and Oakleaves he's wearing? Which class is this one and what did he have to do to earn it? The white cross reminds me of a St. John's Cross (of the UK). What does this one represent? Thanks in advance for the education.

Tim

Hi Tim,

i think, thats and early pic of the later General Wilhelm Heye. A high decorated officer of WW1 and later.

He started as a cadet in Inf Reg Nr 1, an he wore a uniform longer than 65 years

Born: 31. January 1869

I didn´t knew, that he had the RAO (2nd class, i assume), but its no surprise as he had several neck-orders from a lot of european states.

i will add more later, when i have a bit more time.

best,
Gerd

[Tom Y]

The white cross reminds me of a St. John's Cross (of the UK).

As well it should. Here

http://dev.wehrmacht-awards.com/foru...ght=johanniter and here

http://dev.wehrmacht-awards.com/foru...ght=johanniter is the info.

[Glenn2438]

Not Heye

Gerd,

Heye did not become a Generalmajor until after the war - 16 June 1920 and was not the recipient of a Johanniter Order as he was not from the Protestant nobility. Here is a wartime shot of Heye wearing his PLM awarded as an Oberst on the 20th of August 1916.:

Regards
Glenn

[Gerd Becker]

Gerd,

Heye did not become a Generalmajor until after the war - 16 June 1920 and was not the recipient of a Johanniter Order as he was not from the Protestant nobility. Here is a wartime shot of Heye wearing his PLM awarded as an Oberst on the 20th of August 1916.:

Regards
Glenn

Glenn, thanks . You are absolutely right, its not Heye. I have compared all photos and on all pictures from him he wears this strange mustache. That solves the riddle with the RAO 2nd or 1st class he is wearing.

best,
Gerd

[sb98]

Hi Guys,


Thanks for the help so far.

So I guess the Johanniter was like having A.K.A. papers for a human, a way to show off "I've got better blood than you". Ah, "nobility".

Tim

[Tom Y]

So I guess the Johanniter was like having A.K.A. papers for a human, a way to show off "I've got better blood than you". Ah, "nobility".

Well, yeah, but think of a guide dog with papers. There were "good works" that went along with it, at least in theory.

[Daniel Krause]

Ufff,

not a lot of hot spots. RAO2EX, EK1, Johanniter, blurry ribbon bar, looks like a LtGen.

Will have a look but it might last some days to have guesses or an ID.

Best regards

Daniel

[sb98]

Well, yeah, but think of a guide dog with papers. There were "good works" that went along with it, at least in theory.

That's a good way to look at it.

I wish I had some more info to help with this. There is no writing or a photographer's name on the back of the photo. I tried to get more detail out of the ribbon bar but it's to grainy to get anything else out of it.

Tim

[Daniel Krause]

Without additional Info I can nail him down to 55 possible names; Prussia had too many Generals in WW1!

If any Uniform Expert can spot the years in which the pic was taken or which branch he belonged to....

Best regards

Daniel

[sb98]

Hi Guys,

Thanks for the replies. I guess my first post will remain a mystery for now.

I have another one to tantalize you with. I think this may be easier, especially for those who can read Suetterlin, I'm not very good yet. A few years ago I got a large group of German photos from a seller in Scotland. This next photo was one of them (my first post was not part of the group). The group contains several photos high rankers. I'm not sure if the photos in the group are related to each other or not. Hopefully a translation might give me a clue to follow. Thanks for the help.

Tim

[sb98]

...and the back.