Vets wearing their 57ers!!!

[Sepp45]

Great image of Spanish veterans Sepp
The wound badge was never reproduced/made in Spain so probably originals....However the IAB was, and the one being worn looks to be Spanish made judging by its over large eagle/swastika on the top of the badge. Notice the shiny Spanish made "Blue division" medal..........
Prost ! Steve.

You are correct Steve, that IAB looks to be Spanish made

[Sepp45]

Going a bit off topic, I came across this nice picture of a Spanish veteran from the Blue Division. As Steve pointed out earlier, the IAB was also manufactured in Spain and this photo shows it.

But, on a side note, whats going on with that EKII ribbon??

[Tom B]

Going a bit off topic, I came across this nice picture of a Spanish veteran from the Blue Division. As Steve pointed out earlier, the IAB was also manufactured in Spain and this photo shows it.

But, on a side note, whats going on with that EKII ribbon??

?????looks like a regular EK2 & ribbon attached to some "fancy" EK dress ribbon ?Great photo ! Thanks My Friend !

[Sepp45]

?????looks like a regular EK2 & ribbon attached to some "fancy" EK dress ribbon ?Great photo ! Thanks My Friend !

It seems like that, right? Thanks Tom

[Sepp45]

Back on track, color picture of Adenauer's funeral and both RKTs guarding the coffin.

[Sepp45]

General der Bundeswehr Johannes Steinhoff

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[Tom B]

.

Never met this one...always wanted to !!

[Sepp45]

Hauptmann Jakob Steidl

[Sepp45]

Unsere Ehrengäste beim Patronatstag, 1982.

The second guy from the right has a EKII on his medal bar, and also a 57' IAB.

[Sepp45]

Feldwebel Georg Klotz (1919 - 1976)

During WW2, Klotz served as a sergeant in the Gebirgspionieren of the Wehrmacht in Norway, the Arctic Ocean and also Stalingrad. For his bravery he was awarded the EKII, among other decorations. After returning from the war, he devoted himself in the reconstruction and protection of the South Tyrolean.

Notice the missing finger on this hand.. frostbite?

[Sepp45]

Once more, Georg Klotz and Josef Egger.

[Tom B]

Georg Klotz (notice the missing finger on this hand)

Hi Sepp ! This one and all the others from this event are wonderful !! some wearing 57ers and others with swas !! Great pics ! Tom

[Sepp45]

Hi Sepp ! This one and all the others from this event are wonderful !! some wearing 57ers and others with swas !! Great pics ! Tom

Thanks my friend, here's another one of Georg Klotz.

[Sepp45]

I've been reading a lot about this guy, Georg Klotz, and it seems he was a very controversial postwar figure (including some people calling him a "terrorist" and murderer).

He was the leading member of the Befreiungsausschusses Südtirol (BAS), something like "South Tyrol Liberation Committee", a paramilitary organization that fought a few guerrilla-war operations against Italy after 1945.

Although not seen in the photo, he was also awarded the Iron Cross first class.

[Tom B]

I've been reading a lot about this guy, Georg Klotz, and it seems he was a very controversial postwar figure (including some people calling him a "terrorist" and murderer).

He was the leading member of the Befreiungsausschusses Südtirol (BAS), something like "South Tyrol Liberation Committee", a paramilitary organization that fought a few guerrilla-war operations against Italy after 1945.

Although not seen in the photo, he was also awarded the Iron Cross first class.

Very interesting Sepp ! I've never heard of him or his organization? Tom