Lets see some RK's and award details here?

[J G]

Don’t know if this thread exits elsewhere but for us newbies can we some pics of RK’s and higher awards together with details of the recipients and stories on how they were awarded? I’m sure the experienced collectors can share their collections and stories with us?

[Dave Kane]

JG...there have been many great images posted and unfortunately 'lost' as the site grows etc.!

I think you have a very valid request so I'll try to kick it off

[Erickn]

JG...there have been many great images posted and unfortunately 'lost' as the site grows etc.!

I think you have a very valid request so I'll try to kick it off

Great Image Dave!



Best regards,
Erickn

[Jim Baker]

BEEEEUUUTEEEEFUL!!!

[stevo4361]

MMMMMmmmmmmmmmmm Ritterkreuz.

[Rich G]

JG...there have been many great images posted and unfortunately 'lost' as the site grows etc.!

I think you have a very valid request so I'll try to kick it off

Rather than just pics of Rk's, I think JG wants to read who the awardee was and why it was awarded.

[Luftm40]

Here is one of mine: Lange was awarded the RK for his actions as a Regimental commander on the eastern front during defensive fighting against one of the Soviet pushes.

http://dev.wehrmacht-awards.com/foru...ht=Erich+Lange

[J G]

Keep them comming

Dave, Erickn- now that's what I call pictures of RK's!!!!!
Andy, Thanks for the info on the award.

Can anyone match these photo's? Anyone have any award stories to share?

Cheers

John

[Harry]

Not a grouping so no stories, just the 'high end' of my collection!

[Harry]

the RK........800 marked S&L, iron core

[Harry]

the oaks....900 - 21 marked Godet 2nd pattern......

[Harry]

DKiG........134 marked

[upbeek]

wow

some nice stuff chay

[Rich G]

Here's a brief version of events surrounding one particular RK award from 1941 early in the Russian campaign.

Note, this is a translation from German using an on-line translation tool so it doesn't exactly read too well.

With the start of the war in the Soviet Union on 22 June 1941, he was gruppenspäter Kp.Trupp Fhr, and received, on 26 July 1941, the iron cross 1<SUP>st</SUP> class. In the context of a flank security for an advance guard of the division south X transferred, threw Mogilew, eastward the Dnieper, X took over after losing wounded officers, from his own resolution lead the panzer-grenadiers, threw out the opponent in forest combat in the Gegenstoss with Hurra back and held out, despite a heavy shot in the head on his steel helmet, and contained the leadership and the assigned units. For this, he received the further process of the fights to determining, important employment the knight cross of the iron cross.
another to follow.

[Rich G]

Here is another: The name is protected.


In the early morning hours after preparatory heavy artillery barrage and the obscuring of vision through thick smoke bombardment a major enemy attack was awaited. X, situated with his gun in a fire position close behind the main battle line, immediately took control of the paratroopers to his front uniting with them to create a firm position. Only a further small group of ten combat-effective men were on-hand in his sector. He collected these and resolved to hold his position to the last man.

The enemy artillery fire had barely ended when the enemy attacked from out of the smoke. Vigorous infantry fire, interspersed by enemy tank fire over-shot X's position. Suddenly at a range of about 150m 3 Sherman tanks moved out of the smoke. As quick as lightning, X grasped the situation and in a few minutes shot all three in flames.

Closely following the tanks and advancing on X's position were the enemy infantry in the strength of about two companies. X received the enemy with well-aimed HE shells inflicting heavy loss. After firing his last round of HE, X gripped his MG and delivered destructive bursts into the attacking enemy. After all of his MG ammunition was expended he engaged, with his machine pistol, an enemy group moving in position with a mortar about 60m in front of him, taking it out of the battle. The enemy thereupon broke-off the attack in X's sector withdrawing with heavy loss. Of the small group of paratroopers by then almost all were wounded or dead.

Renewed heavy enemy artillery fire was accompanied by the advance of 2 enemy tanks, including a heavy Dreadnought, at a range of 1000m. These brought X's gun under fire. With a few rounds X shot and destroyed both tanks. A short time thereafter more attacking enemy tanks appeared at a range of about 1200m. Of these he destroyed 4 with his remaining AP rounds. A few minutes later a shell detonated above his position. X was wounded and two men from his crew were fatally hit. His gun sustained severe damage. Meanwhile the other enemy tanks withdrew. As reinforcement for the sector, four Panthers and a group of infantry were assembled.

Through his brave endurance and his bold action X hindered the break-through and inflicted heavy loss. With his crew X destroyed 9 enemy tanks and the greater part of two enemy companies.


Hope you this was the kind of thing you were after?

Rich