Walter Pischon

[Steve-Hoog]

This is my one and only award I bought at a gun show; I got it to kind of go along with my 1939 K98. I hope this is the right place to post something like this as I am new to the forum and don't really know my way around well.

I would like to know if anyone thinks the document is real? I had a couple of people on Axis History suggest it was a fake; it looks aged and real to my untrained eye.

[Tom Yanacek]

Hello Steve,

The medal, ribbon, and document all look good to me. The document belonged to an Unteroffizier from the 4th Company of Schützen Regiment 28 and attached to the 8th Panzer Division. Erich Brandenberger was the Divisional Commander at the time this award was given in June of 1941. And his rank was Generalmajor at that time. The eagle ink stamp is that of the awarding authority and it looks completely correct. The signature of Brandenberger looks good, in my opinion. I would have no problem with owning this grouping.

Best regards,
Tom

PS: Did anyone on Axis History give you any good reasons why this might be fake?

[Tom Yanacek]

Also, the German abreveation O.U. preceeding the award date stands for "Orts Unterkunft." It is a vague terminology, often seen on German documents so as to not disclose the specific location of the unit.

Best regards,
Tom

[Steve-Hoog]

Very cool.

The seller claims to have spent much time in Germany; possibly the early 70's, purchasing from the actual service men. Then claims to have been given access to the records; via the paper I got.

All cool with me and I was surprised a couple of people claimed it was bogus.

[Tom Yanacek]

All cool with me and I was surprised a couple of people claimed it was bogus.

Hi Steve,

Did these people claim it was bogus in one breath and then want to buy it from you in the next breath? People should be able to support their opinion with some sort of reasoning. If not, their opinion is meaningless. Glad to see that you trusted your instincts on this one.

Best regards,
Tom

[Steve-Hoog]

Let me please correct myself; there was one negative post, I apologize as it has been some time since I visited the thread.

I'm happy with it and will have it mounted and framed at some point.

Re: Help with Walter Pischon and his award?
by Moltke d. J. on 14 Feb 2009 07:22

Steved400,

I'm afraid this award certificate is probably a fake, as this was a lesser award. According to German Wikipedia 2.700.000 KVK II were awarded. All examples I found by a quick Google search ('Verleihungsurkunde Kriegsverdienstkreuz') are by typewriter, none seems to be 'printed', as in your case, not even for a Generalmajor:
http://www.militaria-lexikon.de/kata...-_das_kri.html
Other examples: http://www.militarialexikon.de/katal...-_urkunde.html,
http://www.militaria321.com/auktion/...eihungsurkunde
http://plasselb-sammlershop.ch/popup...ID/685/imgID/0

Otherwise it seems to fit, but that's easy...
Btw., I simply don't understand what 'O.U.' (as I read it) means? Maybe 'H.Q.'?

Frank

[Tom Yanacek]

Let me please correct myself; there was one negative post, I apologize as it has been some time since I visited the thread.

I'm happy with it and will have it mounted and framed at some point.

Hi Steve,

You definitely got some bad information there. Documents filled out by hand script or calligraphy are not at all unusual. Seen more frequently on some award documents than others, but still nothing unusual for an Iron Cross or War Merit Cross.

Best regards,
Tom