Vets wearing their 57ers!!!

[Tom B]

Anybody knows who's the RKT during Alfons Rebane's funeral in 1976?

I'm positive it's not Harald Nugiseks.

I do believe it's Wolfram Kertz. Probably attending as a Representative of the OdR. I know he did such things as a high official of the OdR. Tom

[Sepp45]

In the meantime, I leave this photo of Major Fritz Sann

[Sepp45]

Anybody knows who's the RKT during Alfons Rebane's funeral in 1976?

I'm positive it's not Harald Nugiseks.

Correction: the date of the video is 1999, after Rebane's remains were transported to Estonia for a second burial ceremony.

So, that rules out the possibility of Bernhard Langhorst, since he died in 1996...

[Tom B]

Correction: the date of the video is 1999, after Rebane's remains were transported to Estonia for a second burial ceremony.

So, that rules out the possibility of Bernhard Langhorst, since he died in 1996...

I still believe it's Wolfram Kertz, OdR official (passed away 2009).

[Sepp45]

I still believe it's Wolfram Kertz, OdR official (passed away 2009).

Hi Tom! Yes, I believe you are right. I've been asking around the AHF and they came up with the same identification. Good eye

[Sepp45]

Colonel Kiemmer with his '57 ribbon bar.

[Sepp45]

I can't believe I left out these two great photos! Credits to WAF member Calvin Harris

Postwar pictures of Hermann Graf (left) and Wilhelm Schmalz (right). Both are seen holding their Ritterkreuz

[Tom B]

I can't believe I left out these two great photos! Credits to WAF member Calvin Harris

Postwar pictures of Hermann Graf (left) and Wilhelm Schmalz (right). Both are seen holding their Ritterkreuz

Thanks for posting these Sepp ! To my regret I never met either of these famous men !

[Sepp45]

Thanks for posting these Sepp ! To my regret I never met either of these famous men !

I've read somewhere that Graf was a kind of "outcast" from the former pilot's meetings and gatherings. This had to do with his postwar involvement into communism, right?

[Tom B]

I've read somewhere that Graf was a kind of "outcast" from the former pilot's meetings and gatherings. This had to do with his postwar involvement into communism, right?

Yes you are correct. He "went" over to the commies while a POW. He was released in 1949 while others like Erich Hartmann were held untill the mid 50's. While on a visit with Hartmann, I mentioned this, and was told by Hartmann that Graf was a Traitor, only he used more colorful words to describe him. An "outcast" is a mild way to put how the other former fighter pilots viewed him. "A hero in the air and a coward on the ground" is what I was told. Pretty strong stuff !!! Tom

[Sepp45]

Yes you are correct. He "went" over to the commies while a POW. He was released in 1949 while others like Erich Hartmann were held untill the mid 50's. While on a visit with Hartmann, I mentioned this, and was told by Hartmann that Graf was a Traitor, only he used more colorful words to describe him. An "outcast" is a mild way to put how the other former fighter pilots viewed him. "A hero in the air and a coward on the ground" is what I was told. Pretty strong stuff !!! Tom

Thanks Tom!

[Sepp45]

Some RKTs, names?

(Photo credits http://www.flickr.com/photos/4828470...7629114334326/)

[Sepp45]

Kurt Bischof (left) and unknown RKT (right)

(Photo credits http://www.flickr.com/photos/4828470...7629114334326/)

[Sepp45]

Martin Drewes and Herbert Fries

(Photo credits: http://www.flickr.com/photos/4828470...7629114334326/)

[Sepp45]

Achim Wunderlich (right) and unknown RKT on the left.

(Photo credits http://www.flickr.com/photos/4828470...7629114334326/)