Knight Crosses today

[Tony T-S]

I'd love a Souval one like the example Exile is offering on estand, but I couldn't afford the divorce. My copyfake is 2.5mm too small at 61+mm, but it still gives the idea of how silly and huge the medal was/is. Yet there is something about it that does in deed make it a grand cross. Great photos as usual Sepp.

[Tom B]

There are two Souval GC's on the estand. One is a real super beauty! Tom

[Obersalzberg]

A little something to add here: from a German Newsreel, Görings Grand Cross, PLM and other awards on a display case. Very interesting on my opinion.

Not all from German newsreel.
His captured uniform etc. ..were filmed too.

[Sepp45]

Not all from German newsreel.
His captured uniform etc. ..were filmed too.

This one in particular was filmed before 1945.

[Sepp45]

RK with Golden OL, Swords and Diamonds awarded to Oberst Hans-Ulrich Rudel
Führer Schlagtgeschwader 2 " Immelmann "
Awarded the Golden Oak Leaves: December 29th, 1944

A very interesting reference about a "third set" of Golden Oaks! Personally, I had no idea of a British Officer keeping one of this unique pieces.

The photo comes from "For Führer and Fatherland: Vol. 1 Military Awards of the Third Reich", by John Angolia.

[Tom B]

A very interesting reference about a "third set" of Golden Oaks! Personally, I had no idea of a British Officer keeping one of this unique pieces.

The photo comes from "For Führer and Fatherland: Vol. 1 Military Awards of the Third Reich", by John Angolia.

Hi Sepp, I'm not sure about this being fact. Lets ask some experts. I have a feeling it's not accurate. Tom

[Leroy]

Other sets of the Golden O&S with Brilliants were produced and some were at Schloss Klessheim at the end of the war. I believe that Rudel is being confused with Galland by Angolia. It is true that after Hitler awarded Galland his Brilliants in 1941, Goering famously had another set made, saying the Fuhrer had been swindled and that the diamonds were not of good quality. When Hitler heard of this, a third set was quietly given by him to Galland. (All this comes directly from Galland.) One of Galland's sets (after he fell out with Goering later in the war when he was General of Fighters) was hung by Galland around the neck of a stuffed crow in his office in Berlin and was destroyed by bomb damage to that office.

[chen]

Forget this Angolia's 1976 story and that fake goldern oakleave.
Just concentrate on this picture.

[chen]

This folk is Bowen and that his interview story.

[Sepp45]

Thanks for the help guys!

Yes, it's right, besides Rudel states on his autobiography that he was able to avoid an American GI from taking his RK in 1945.

The only thing he regretted was that some other medals were taken from him, like the Hungarian Gold Medal for Bravery.

[Sepp45]

One more piece to discuss

A got an email with this photo attached to it: Hajo Hermann's Ritterkreuz, next to his Formal Award document.

Both items were sold to an American collector.. as stated by the person who sent me the photo.

Opinions?

For me, this is the first time I see a photo of Hermann's Cross.

[nick]

Thanks for the words, Nick I would like very much that my thread be pinned, but its not up to me.

I'll try to find more info on Vocke's RK.

Regards,
Sepp.

Hey Sepp,

No luck in finding my guy?

[Sepp45]

Hey Sepp,

No luck in finding my guy?

Hi Nick.. sorry, no luck with Major Vocke. Very few pictures on the net (1 or 2, if any).. and no word on his RK (awarded posthumously in 1943).

[Tom B]

Forget this Angolia's 1976 story and that fake goldern oakleave.
Just concentrate on this picture.

Many years ago on a visit to Rudel's home these are just the way they looked ! I asked if I could pick them up, and he said "sure" look all you want. A moment in my collecting life I will never forget ! Tom

[Sepp45]

Many years ago on a visit to Rudel's home these are just the way they looked ! I asked if I could pick them up, and he said "sure" look all you want. A moment in my collecting life I will never forget ! Tom

I can only imagine that moment Tom... thanks for sharing it