Need info

[Johnny d]

What would 5.GJD stand for in the 1941 wehrmacht?

[Johannes Schoen]

Would it be too simple to translate it as Gebirgsjäger-Division? At least the 5. Gebirgs-Division (sic!) was formed in late 1940.

Johannes

[Johnny d]

That was my guess.
It is on a German solider bust to the Kommander 5 GJD 15th Mai 1941.
That date have any meaning in regards the 5th.
JdL

[Johannes Schoen]

Maybe You should ask member GJR100, who is an expert in the Gebirgsjäger.

Johannes

[GJR100]

Hallo Johannes,

Well ...

who is an expert in the Gebirgsjäger

... I wouldn't say that, just I've dedicated my collecting to these troops.

Ok, up 'til now I've found nothing specific about May 15th 1941.

Just, the commander of the 5th GJD was Julius Alfred Ringel (16.11.1889-10.02.1967) which he became (for the second time) at 01.11.1940 dating back to 25.10.1940.

The two dates that come close to this:
15.04.1941 - awarded the EK I
20.05.1941 - Operation Merkur (Kreta)

I'd say the EK I is too early and Merkur is too soon. So may be this is not an gift TO but may be a gift FROM the Kommandeur der 5. Gebrigsdivision.

Could you post a picture of the plate that might help ?

Mit freundlichen Grüßen,
Bart

[Johnny d]

Hi Bart & thanks,

Here are the pictures.




Oh the date is the 28th not the 15th as I first stated.

Any information about this plaque woud be great. JdL

[GJR100]

Hi Johnny,

Ok, 28th this date makes just a bit more sence ... although it's still guessing

First, the phrase unserem verehrtem means our hounered, it's a third person verb, meaning TO. It can therefore be concluded it was a gift to Julius Ringel.

Operation Merkur (Kreta) started at May 20th with the Fallschirmjäger parachuting in. May 21st the Gebirgsjäger were put on Crete. The battle would last to June 1st.
On May 28th it was the first day the troops 'woke up' at 03:00 and didn't find any Allied troops to fight against. The following days the fighting was no more then mopping up leftover resistance and trying to keep up with the British
So my guess is, some of Ringel's troops thanked him for his leadership during the real battle for Crete in giving him this statue.

It's hard to tell if this is a genuine statue, as these are frequently faked. But if I was faking a date on a statue, I'd take a much more obvious date .

Hope this helps.

Mit freundlichen Grüßen,
Bart

[Johnny d]

Thanks Bart

That is great info.

It is maker marked

"Hager" in script.

Also it came from Detlev so I trust it to be period made 100%.

Being a Crete item endears it to me more than before.

Thanks a lot Bart. JdL