EKII Ribbon Bar Device

[Waffenreich]

Good evening all,

I posted this in the EK Forum earlier but judging by the lack of action even viewing it I guessed I misjudged the experts' interest.

I'm looking to draw upon the expertise of the ribbon bar gurus now to help ID a device on this man's ribbon. Oberbootsmaat Gustav Schinkel served on the Scharnhorst until mid-40 and then transferred to U-124. Based on the 23 photos I have he must have been awarded the EKII sometime in early to mid '40. The pic below shows him in late '42/early '43 with some non-reg device on his EKII Feldspange. It's definitely an EKII ribbon as it was the only ribbon he's wearing/awarded in his other photos (besides the HSF badge and DRL Sports Abz. This is the only photo showing him wearing it as a Fedspange vs. in the buttonhole. Is anybody aware of a device that former members of either the Scharnhorst or U-124 could wear after their sinking????

This is part of a bigger mystery regarding this KIA sailor. I threw a few pics on for your viewing pleasure.

Thanks for any/all inputs in advance!!

Bob

[Waffenreich]

Close-up

[Waffenreich]

Scharnhorst pic.

[Waffenreich]

U-124 pic.

[Adrian]

At the risk of stating the obvious, it looks like an anchor within a wreath but I'm sure its not the Honour Roll Clasp as there doesn't appear to be a swastika on the anchor stock.
Your guess of a device relevant to service on a particular vessel could be a good one but would the wearer get away with wearing it on his EK2 ribbon?

[Waffenreich]

Thanks for the input Adrian. To me it looks too horizontal to be an anchor. I've ruled out the Honor Roll Clasp, KM Long Service (not a cornflower blue ribbon), and WWI EKII spange. I'm hoping some of our KM experts could weigh-in with some expertise.

Thanks again!!

Bob

[Chris Taylor]

That is puzzling!

Since there is a device on it, and no devices were ever worn on 1939 EK2 ribbons, that would tend to make me think that it's not an EK2 ribbon at all.

Maybe a foreign award?

It almost looks like something Italian, but I can't seem to recall what.

[McCulloh]

wow-I have squinted and squinted and have no clue.
I know the guy to ask though.

[Waffenreich]

Got your PM Mc, thanks a bunch. I'll try him this evening.

Chris, it is definately en EKII ribbon. He is wearing it as a buttonhole ribbon in many of the pics and it is the only award he appears to have that has a ribbon associated with it. Additionally, this ribbon looks identical to the many I have in other photos where there is no mistaking what the guy is wearing.

Based on what I know of his service there was no reason for him to have a foreign award. I'll try the lead Mc gave me and then contact the Dienststelle as well. He was KIA on 28 May 44 so there shouldn't be a problem.

Thanks again!!

Bob

[Adrian]

Make sure you let us know as well!!