Giday Everyone,
As many of you know, I am currently writing a book about the men of Sturmabteilung Koch.
Simon has posted several photographs that previously belonged to Ludwig Retzbach, including the photograph above of Retzbach seated on a chair with two of his comrades, (Yes, he is wearing the Kreta cuff title.).
Ludwig Retzbach was a member of Sturmgruppe Stahl, which captured the Veldwezelt bridge on 10 May, 1940. Later, as a member of the 2nd Kompanie of the Sturm Regiment, he took part in the invasion of Crete and the fighting that followed in Russia.
Simon, the photographs that you have posted here relate to the period when Ludwig Retzbach was a member of Fallschirmjäger Regiment 12.
Iron Cross, first class
It is my understanding that all members of Sturmabteilung Koch were awarded the Iron Cross, 1st and 2nd class.
I have many photographs that show Ludwig Retzbach wearing the Kreta cufftitle along with his jump badge and a wound badge. I also have several photographs that show Retzbach wearing the ribbon for the Iron Cross, second class. What I don't have is a photograph of Ludwig Retzbach wearing the Iron Cross, first class.
Was Ludwig Retzbach awarded the Iron Cross, first class?
Did Ludwig Retzbach chose not to wear the Iron Cross, first class?
For many of us, it is difficult to understand why a soldier who has earnt a bravery award would not chose to wear same. Having said this, I note with some interest that in several photographs I have in my collection that show members of Sturmabteilung Koch enjoying a tour of Belgium after the events of 10 May, 1940, the majority of the men are not wearing the Iron Cross, first or second class.
With the above in mind, could it be that Ludwig Retzbach felt no need to wear the Iron Cross, first class, as all of his comrades also had won the same award? Further, could it be that in later years there was no need for Ludwig Retzbach to wear any bravery awards because it was widely known throughout the unit that he was an "old hand", as shown by the silver wound badge and Kreta cufftitle he wore, and/or a veteran of the Belgian campaign, and therefore he automatically commanded the respect of his men?
Many of the younger Fallschirmjäger veterans that I have spoken to have told me that during the later stages of the war, men wearing the Kreta cufftitle were few and far between. The veterans of Crete were greatly admired by the young recruits, some of whom have said that they were almost too afraid to speak to these "old hands". To the young recruits, the "old hands" were like gods!
I look forward to reading your thoughts on any of the matters referred to above. Similarly, if anyone has information and/or photographs pertaining to Ludwig Retzbach, please feel free to contact me.
All the best,
Ian
As many of you know, I am currently writing a book about the men of Sturmabteilung Koch.
Simon has posted several photographs that previously belonged to Ludwig Retzbach, including the photograph above of Retzbach seated on a chair with two of his comrades, (Yes, he is wearing the Kreta cuff title.).
Ludwig Retzbach was a member of Sturmgruppe Stahl, which captured the Veldwezelt bridge on 10 May, 1940. Later, as a member of the 2nd Kompanie of the Sturm Regiment, he took part in the invasion of Crete and the fighting that followed in Russia.
Simon, the photographs that you have posted here relate to the period when Ludwig Retzbach was a member of Fallschirmjäger Regiment 12.
Iron Cross, first class
It is my understanding that all members of Sturmabteilung Koch were awarded the Iron Cross, 1st and 2nd class.
I have many photographs that show Ludwig Retzbach wearing the Kreta cufftitle along with his jump badge and a wound badge. I also have several photographs that show Retzbach wearing the ribbon for the Iron Cross, second class. What I don't have is a photograph of Ludwig Retzbach wearing the Iron Cross, first class.
Was Ludwig Retzbach awarded the Iron Cross, first class?
Did Ludwig Retzbach chose not to wear the Iron Cross, first class?
For many of us, it is difficult to understand why a soldier who has earnt a bravery award would not chose to wear same. Having said this, I note with some interest that in several photographs I have in my collection that show members of Sturmabteilung Koch enjoying a tour of Belgium after the events of 10 May, 1940, the majority of the men are not wearing the Iron Cross, first or second class.
With the above in mind, could it be that Ludwig Retzbach felt no need to wear the Iron Cross, first class, as all of his comrades also had won the same award? Further, could it be that in later years there was no need for Ludwig Retzbach to wear any bravery awards because it was widely known throughout the unit that he was an "old hand", as shown by the silver wound badge and Kreta cufftitle he wore, and/or a veteran of the Belgian campaign, and therefore he automatically commanded the respect of his men?
Many of the younger Fallschirmjäger veterans that I have spoken to have told me that during the later stages of the war, men wearing the Kreta cufftitle were few and far between. The veterans of Crete were greatly admired by the young recruits, some of whom have said that they were almost too afraid to speak to these "old hands". To the young recruits, the "old hands" were like gods!
I look forward to reading your thoughts on any of the matters referred to above. Similarly, if anyone has information and/or photographs pertaining to Ludwig Retzbach, please feel free to contact me.
All the best,
Ian
and thats all I could obtain.
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