Knight Crosses today

[Sepp45]

RK preliminary award document to Major der Reserve Ernst Schneck
Kommandeur I. / Grenadier-Regiment 698 / 342.Infanterie-Division
Presented on: November 16th, 1944

Schneck also got the CCCiG in 1945.

[Sepp45]

RK formal award document to Hauptmann Josef-Otto Riepold
Chef 5./PzRgt 5
Presented on: July 29th, 1942

[Sepp45]

RK formal award document to Oberstleutnant Josef Salminger
Kommandeur III. / Gebirgsjäger-Regiment 98 / 1.Gebirgs-Division
Presented on: August 31st, 1941

[Sepp45]

Oak Leaves formal award document to General der Panzergruppen Ludwig Crüwell
Kommandeur 11.Panzer-Division / Panzergruppe 1
Presented on: September 1st, 1941

(Photo credits to "Honoring Those They Led: Decorated Field Commanders of the Third Reich", by authors Mark C. Yerger and Leslie Fiorenza)

[Sepp45]

RK preliminary award document to Hauptmann Horst-Günther von Fassong
Kommandeur, III. Gruppe, Jagdgeschwader 11, Luftwaffe
Presented on: July 27th, 1944

(Photo credits to Emedals.com)

[Leroy]

Here is another photo, supposedly, of Fassong. The person in the photo from eMedals is an Oberleutnant and Fassong was awarded the RK 2 months after he was promoted to Hauptmann. Wrong photo? Right photo and couldn't get the correct insignia for his uniform?

12.02.43 Oblt., appt Staka 10./JG 51.
20.09.43 Oblt., awarded Ehrenpokal.
17.10.43 Oblt., awarded DKG, 10./JG 51.
04.44 Oblt., Staka 10./JG 51, appt Staka 7./JG 11 (to 05.44).
01.05.44 promo to Hptm.
05.44 appt Kdr. III./JG 11 (to 01.01.45).
27.07.44 Hptm., awarded Ritterkreuz, Kdr. III./JG 11.
01.01.45 Hptm. and Kdr. III./JG 11, MIA

[Sepp45]

Hi Leroy, thanks for the info and input on the picture. You are correct, it's not Fassong! I will leave the KC doc only and remove the photo

[Sepp45]

RK awarded to Generalmajor Johannes Bruhn
Artillerie Kommandeur 149
Awarded on: December 20th, 1943

(Photo credits to team-militaria.de)

[Sepp45]

Front and back of Johannes Bruhn's KC

(Photo credits to team-militaria.de)

[Sepp45]

A few more photos of Bruhn and his KC urkunde

(Photo credits to team-militaria.de)

[Denis]

Hello

Am I the only one to find the KC preliminary document strange?

[DDD777]

Hello Denis!

Yes, you are only one.

[Denis]

Yes, I feel alone; thanks for replying !!

So let's go for the reasons and based on close up views from the original website

I have to admit that at first glance, the doc was nice looking and not raising any doubts.

- The diploma pattern is the correct one for this period; the one presented here is the very final one used from mid February 44 onwards but has never been used for diploma granted in Dec. 43
- HP-A rubber stamp, although close, present radical discrepancies (especially on the 2 stars on each side which are too thin and the P of Personalamt whose the very particular shape has never been encountered so far
- Finally, when looking closely at the Burgdorf signature, the B is too long while usual ones are much in a 'water drop' shape; added to that the beginnign of the signature present a draw not frankly made as you would expect to see.

Here are the reasons why I feel this document doubtful; too many variances sending back a negative feeling for me.
Interested to read other members' input on this doc

Denis

PS: The "Zweitzschrift" alternative (replacement one, usually duly mentioned at the top) woumd have been a reason to justify the diploma pattern change but Zweitschrift diploma were obviously made several months (when not talking years) after the bestowal date, not 6 days as it is displayed here...

[DDD777]

Hello Denis!

I understand your doubts but i do not see everything so scary.

RK EK VB's of Faulhaber, Borck, Hofbauer, Behnke... and many other ,,date neighbors" of Johannes Bruhn let me sleep peacefully.

BR
D.

[Denis]

Hello Denis!

I understand your doubts but i do not see everything so scary.

RK EK VB's of Faulhaber, Borck, Hofbauer, Behnke... and many other ,,date neighbors" of Johannes Bruhn let me sleep peacefully.

BR
D.

Hello D

Yes, using Behnke's, Borck's, Hofbauer's RK diploma whose signature dates are very close of the Bruhn document is really a good way to highlight signifcant discrepancies (the primary one being the diploma pattern) but I don't want to continue to troll Sepp's nice & so interesting thread.

If you or other fellow member wants to take time to discuss it in the Paper forum and in a brand new thread, I will be glad to illustrate my opinion with several examples.

KR
Denis