Luftwaffe Ribbon Bar

[Mike H]

OK, guys. Sunday Morning Quiz.

Help me with this one .... just in.

Mike

[landsknechte]

OK, guys. Sunday Morning Quiz.

Help me with this one .... just in.

Mike

(From left)
Austrian WWI Commemorative
Luftwaffe Long Service (12 years)
Luftwaffe Long Service (12 years)
Tyrollian WWI Commemorative
Something Austrian (?)
Austrian 1912-1913 Mobilization
Czech Annexation
Hungarian WWI Commemorative

The thing that jumps out at me right off the bat is the absence of a Hindenburg Cross.

I've seen a couple of post-Anschluss bars where the Austrian WWI commemorative was placed as if it were a "German" award, as is the case here. However, if that's what's going on, why are all the other Austrian awards after the long service ribbons?

I don't really know my Austrian ribbons very well, but the order of ribbons on this bar just seems plain weird.

--Chris

[Mike H]

More photos ..

Thanks, Chris.

Here are some photos of the reverse.

Mike

[Mike H]

4.

4.

[David S]

Personally I would say

Number five ribbon is probably the 1908 Jubilee Cross.

Too many questions on this bar, beginning with the absence of the HK. Placement looks wrong as well.

[Gerd Becker]

Mike,

on the first look its ok, but there are some things, that bother me. The clean ribbons(possible though), the strange catch, the order of the medals, absence of the Hindenburg. I really would like to hear, what Rick has to say to this bar.

best wishes,
Gerd

[Christian L]

i have also the doubts gerd mentioned, and also the arangement and the missing of an bravety or aid decoration after 25 years of service!?!?
christian

[landsknechte]

I agree... The catch is odd. I don't know enough to really say if it's damning or not, but it's certainly "different".

For what it's worth, as well, I've noticed a lot of questionable ribbon bars popping up on eBay (both US and German) that have a very similar looking wool backing. Sort of a soft-looking light gray wool type material with that same sort of stitching.

--Chris

[Mike H]

Comments ...

Thanks for the comments, gentlemen.

This piece comes from the most advanced Luftwaffe collection in the world -- George Petersen's. He had it for many years. So it is not a recent creation. Photos don't do it justice but my experience with these bars is there are many "differences" in features including the pin and catch.

Here is a basic question --- were Austrians entitled to the Hindenburg Cross, since it was a German award, even though allies in WWI?

Mike

[landsknechte]

Thanks for the comments, gentlemen.

This piece comes from the most advanced Luftwaffe collection in the world -- George Petersen's. He had it for many years. So it is not a recent creation. Photos don't do it justice but my experience with these bars is there are many "differences" in features including the pin and catch.

Here is a basic question --- were Austrians entitled to the Hindenburg Cross, since it was a German award, even though allies in WWI?

Mike

Yep...



After May 1942, Austrians were elgible for the Hindenburg Cross.

--Chris

[Rick Research]

.

[Mike H]

Thanks

Rick,

Really good info. I will remember --- TWO ROWS! Promise.

Mike

[Rick Research]

.

[Mike H]

Two Rows

Speaking of TWO ROWS ... here is one of my favorite autographed photos of Friedrich Christiansen in DLV uniform with two rows of ribbons. They are unattached. I have another set of double row ribbons that are sewn together.

Mike

[Mike H]

Double row

The two-row ribbon bar that is sewn together ...

Mike