Lorient shield
Hello,
Here's a neat Wikipedia link on Fortress Lorient U-boat pens: http://de.wikipedia.org/wiki/U-Boot-Bunker_in_Lorient
LORIENT SHIELD
It has been suggested that "LORIENT SHIELDS" were made by melting down any metals available, including led, tin, copper, tombak, steel & other metals, including soft metals used to form humidity shields on ammo crates, and then pouring the mixture into molds. That is how my Lorient Shield appears to have been made. Moreover, the shield depicted in this thread is assured to be at least 35 years old (in my possession). There are other numerous examples of period shields may have been stamped.
Before Judgment, I ask for time to research the issue for full discourse. I've requested copies of valuable reference materials, as a starting point.
Please see also: e.g.:
"World War II German Battle Insignia" (Men-at-Arms) by Gordon Williamson and Darko Pavlovic, at 22-23 (detailed account of the suggested history, origin and implementation of the Lorient Shield [designed by Marine-Baurat Fehrenberg and submitted to Admiral Hennecke for approval in late 1944 - [who denied knowledge during late 1970's interview]] and this book further references KM soldbuchs containing entries consistent with the award. (See also f.n. 1). See also: Lexikon der Wehrmacht page discussing another KM abzeichen designed by Marine-Baurat Fehrenberg (Vizeadmiral und Oberwerftdirektor): http://www.lexikon-der-wehrmacht.de/Orden/wla.html, citing: "Auszeichnungen des Deutschen Reiches 1936-1945" von Kurt-G. Klietmann - S. 151 (German text).
(Lexikon-der-Wehrmacht site discussing Lorient shield):
http://www.lexikon-der-wehrmacht.de/Orden/s-lori.html:
a) Issued for participation in the siege of Lorient of the August / September 1944 until 10 May 1945;
b) Designed by: Navy building advisor (Vizeadmiral und Oberwerftdirektor) K. FEHRENBERG;
c) Materials used: Brass, copper, aluminum, steel, etc.
again citing: Auszeichnungen des Deutschen Reiches 1936-1945" von Kurt-G. Klietmann., pp. 96-97.
(Views of Moderators and site members):
http://dev.wehrmacht-awards.com/camp..._prototype.htm (official site reference);
http://dev.wehrmacht-awards.com/foru...archid=1002115 (search of "Lorient Shield" on this site);
http://dev.wehrmacht-awards.com/foru...Lorient+Shield (opinions of some Moderators); AND
http://dev.wehrmacht-awards.com/foru...Lorient+Shield (post #1: Moderator's veteran attestation and statement "[o]riginals were hand made in the Lorient kessel").
(Lorient Shields in others' collections):
http://dev.wehrmacht-awards.com/foru...ead.php?t=7734;
http://dev.wehrmacht-awards.com/foru...hlight=Lorient;
http://dev.wehrmacht-awards.com/foru...light=Lorient; and
http://dev.wehrmacht-awards.com/foru...hlight=Lorient (post 1).
But cf.: http://reviews.ebay.com/German-Fanta...00000002159655
"Lorient Shield - Never officially approved but rumored to be approved unofficially by Fahrmbacker in late December, 1944 who swore after the war that the shield never happened, None are known to be manufactured, no award documentation not even a piece of paper exists. It is also rumored that some survivors of Lorient made thier own and gave them as Christmas gifts to each other as keepsakes only. But then again all this is speculative and I agree with one of my sources, "an overactive post war imagination" [1] [4]." Citations omitted, following the rational espoused in: "Medals and Decorations of Hitler's Germany", at 77. See also: A Collector's Guide to German World War 2 German Medals and Political Awards.
... And so the debate continues, but I've learned never to say never when it comes to TR. Inasmuch as the "Lorient Shield" - a very localized badge, if authentic, was unofficial then there may well be no award documentation per se. Personally, I don't believe is was a "combat award", but rather an object of comradery for the men who were surrounded and embattled at Lorient until war's end. And even within the 26,000+ man garrison at Festung Lorient, the impementation may have been localized to particular units who simply made it (with some approval) as an icon of their prolonged struggle. The Lorient Shield is akin to both the submariners who created and wore specific, unofficial cap badges as well as other military units who were encircled are created their own shields - some of which received official recognition - (those which were liberated from encirclement).
The notion or "lore" of the "Lorient Shild" has been around for a long time, and the design consistent. Lore always has some grounding in truth. The "smoking gun" will be an indisputable period photo or video depicting the shield. There must be at least one out there somewhere. If anyone will please help with a photo, video reference, article, or document entry such as a soldbuch or wehrpass....
Please see also discussion of Lorient 1 and Lorient 2 "shields", AND with photo of LORIENT 2 shield at: http://dev.wehrmacht-awards.com/foru...d.php?t=242993, Post 6.
Foot note 1. Posts 24-28 infra.
Thank you,
Christopher
Hello,
Here's a neat Wikipedia link on Fortress Lorient U-boat pens: http://de.wikipedia.org/wiki/U-Boot-Bunker_in_Lorient
LORIENT SHIELD
It has been suggested that "LORIENT SHIELDS" were made by melting down any metals available, including led, tin, copper, tombak, steel & other metals, including soft metals used to form humidity shields on ammo crates, and then pouring the mixture into molds. That is how my Lorient Shield appears to have been made. Moreover, the shield depicted in this thread is assured to be at least 35 years old (in my possession). There are other numerous examples of period shields may have been stamped.
Before Judgment, I ask for time to research the issue for full discourse. I've requested copies of valuable reference materials, as a starting point.
Please see also: e.g.:
"World War II German Battle Insignia" (Men-at-Arms) by Gordon Williamson and Darko Pavlovic, at 22-23 (detailed account of the suggested history, origin and implementation of the Lorient Shield [designed by Marine-Baurat Fehrenberg and submitted to Admiral Hennecke for approval in late 1944 - [who denied knowledge during late 1970's interview]] and this book further references KM soldbuchs containing entries consistent with the award. (See also f.n. 1). See also: Lexikon der Wehrmacht page discussing another KM abzeichen designed by Marine-Baurat Fehrenberg (Vizeadmiral und Oberwerftdirektor): http://www.lexikon-der-wehrmacht.de/Orden/wla.html, citing: "Auszeichnungen des Deutschen Reiches 1936-1945" von Kurt-G. Klietmann - S. 151 (German text).
(Lexikon-der-Wehrmacht site discussing Lorient shield):
http://www.lexikon-der-wehrmacht.de/Orden/s-lori.html:
a) Issued for participation in the siege of Lorient of the August / September 1944 until 10 May 1945;
b) Designed by: Navy building advisor (Vizeadmiral und Oberwerftdirektor) K. FEHRENBERG;
c) Materials used: Brass, copper, aluminum, steel, etc.
again citing: Auszeichnungen des Deutschen Reiches 1936-1945" von Kurt-G. Klietmann., pp. 96-97.
(Views of Moderators and site members):
http://dev.wehrmacht-awards.com/camp..._prototype.htm (official site reference);
http://dev.wehrmacht-awards.com/foru...archid=1002115 (search of "Lorient Shield" on this site);
http://dev.wehrmacht-awards.com/foru...Lorient+Shield (opinions of some Moderators); AND
http://dev.wehrmacht-awards.com/foru...Lorient+Shield (post #1: Moderator's veteran attestation and statement "[o]riginals were hand made in the Lorient kessel").
(Lorient Shields in others' collections):
http://dev.wehrmacht-awards.com/foru...ead.php?t=7734;
http://dev.wehrmacht-awards.com/foru...hlight=Lorient;
http://dev.wehrmacht-awards.com/foru...light=Lorient; and
http://dev.wehrmacht-awards.com/foru...hlight=Lorient (post 1).
But cf.: http://reviews.ebay.com/German-Fanta...00000002159655
"Lorient Shield - Never officially approved but rumored to be approved unofficially by Fahrmbacker in late December, 1944 who swore after the war that the shield never happened, None are known to be manufactured, no award documentation not even a piece of paper exists. It is also rumored that some survivors of Lorient made thier own and gave them as Christmas gifts to each other as keepsakes only. But then again all this is speculative and I agree with one of my sources, "an overactive post war imagination" [1] [4]." Citations omitted, following the rational espoused in: "Medals and Decorations of Hitler's Germany", at 77. See also: A Collector's Guide to German World War 2 German Medals and Political Awards.
... And so the debate continues, but I've learned never to say never when it comes to TR. Inasmuch as the "Lorient Shield" - a very localized badge, if authentic, was unofficial then there may well be no award documentation per se. Personally, I don't believe is was a "combat award", but rather an object of comradery for the men who were surrounded and embattled at Lorient until war's end. And even within the 26,000+ man garrison at Festung Lorient, the impementation may have been localized to particular units who simply made it (with some approval) as an icon of their prolonged struggle. The Lorient Shield is akin to both the submariners who created and wore specific, unofficial cap badges as well as other military units who were encircled are created their own shields - some of which received official recognition - (those which were liberated from encirclement).
The notion or "lore" of the "Lorient Shild" has been around for a long time, and the design consistent. Lore always has some grounding in truth. The "smoking gun" will be an indisputable period photo or video depicting the shield. There must be at least one out there somewhere. If anyone will please help with a photo, video reference, article, or document entry such as a soldbuch or wehrpass....
Please see also discussion of Lorient 1 and Lorient 2 "shields", AND with photo of LORIENT 2 shield at: http://dev.wehrmacht-awards.com/foru...d.php?t=242993, Post 6.
Foot note 1. Posts 24-28 infra.
Thank you,
Christopher
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