Here is an EK2 to EK1 conversion that reportedly was awarded after the war for mine clearance. I don't see why the seller would lie about it since they were selling it for almost nothing...
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As many others already have mentioned, what an absolutely awesome research & presentation you have done Simon.
I really do hope that you will write an article to the IMC.
It is really interesting to read, what you ahve found.
/FlemmingComment
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As mentioned in this article by Simon, then the recipient would get the Spange to the EK.Originally posted by Edward L. Hsiao View Post
/FlemmingComment
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Re: Iron Crosses awarded for mineclearing in Norway, 1945
Spangen were for those with 14-18 awards, those with both classes of 39 EK got nothing.Collecting German award documents, other paperwork and photos relating to Norway and Finland.Comment
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Originally posted by AUSGANG View Post
Very interesting, a pity there's no documentation with it.Collecting German award documents, other paperwork and photos relating to Norway and Finland.Comment
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I assume that all the mine clearance awards were denazified so it IS possible that someone who had an EK2 would get it converted to an EK1. I've often wondered about denazified conversions, but of course its impossible to know if the denazzing was done before or after VE day. Here's another odd one , an Imperial with the "W" and "14" of the date removed to make an ersatz 39er, probably post war too...Originally posted by Simon Orchard View Post
That's it, I'm not going to hijack this thread... Great work Simon, very interesting!
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Thank you Simon that was great! An in depth article would be wonderful!Comment
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Yes I know that, but apperently I mis read what Edward wrote. For some reason I saw it as:Originally posted by Simon Orchard View Post
holders of both Second and First Classes of the Iron Cross earned during the GREAT War
Which of course is a mistake form my side.
/FlemmingComment
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great article and pictures!
here is my document, i also own his Wehrpass. The soldier even got a promotion for a higher rank after the war!
PS: i also love your EK1, Ausgang!Comment
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excellent research!Comment
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Originally posted by StefanK. View Post
Yes, i remember seeing this.
I own his SB, promotion doc and his other! EKII docCollecting German award documents, other paperwork and photos relating to Norway and Finland.Comment
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Thats odd! They even were written with the same typewriter. See themflaws in the unit! Why they did two documents..... Crazy!
The promotion is the one which is entered in his wehrpass.Comment
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I was back at the archives today and found Ehrbarth's EKII recommendation.
He was recommended for it on the 12th July and the red pencil note by army headquarters is dated the 29th.Collecting German award documents, other paperwork and photos relating to Norway and Finland.Comment
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Simon,thank you for this story,
from collector aspect: very interesting addition to our historical puzzle
from soldier aspect: the mine clearance very hard work. The Geneva Convention regulates the use of mines. Need minefield diary (with map). Without this this is lethal work. The anti-personel mines can not be deactivate (low weight need to explosion) only the anti-tank mines. But these used mixed...
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I can add a litt more information after today. As it seems that almost the entire recommendation lists are still with us i can say that awards started from the end of may '45 and the last ones occured during the first half of october '45. Over time that ran out of stocks of EKs, first it seems EKII as the recommendations from august often state that EKI's will be delivered but due to no more EKII only the ribbons would be sent, then by september they'd run out of EKI as well.
I've also found that wound badges were, at least on some occasions awarded for wounding due to mine explaosions, all three grades as well.Collecting German award documents, other paperwork and photos relating to Norway and Finland.Comment
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