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Shot in the Dark Personalized Heer Dagger

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    Shot in the Dark Personalized Heer Dagger

    I’ve posted a query on this fellow before but it’s been several years and there is ‘turnover’ in the subscribers to military boards so I thought I’d post this question again.
    I’m asking for assistance in finding information regarding a personalized Heer officer dagger I acquired some years ago. I’ve known where the item was and the veteran who brought it back for over 35 years and so I’m comfortable that no one has altered it since 1945.

    As can be seen from the crossguard inscription the dagger was the property of F. W. Mewes who must have served in the Heer from at least 1939 until 1943. Why 1943? Possibly the dagger was presented in to Mewes in 1943? Or, possibly he was wounded and released from service in 1943? The quality of the dagger reflects a level of quality and workmanship of the pre-war format which does mesh with the 1939 date.

    The pommel of the dagger includes a triangular crest that would be helpful in narrowing down who Mewes was (is?). The top ½ of the crest incorporates what looks to be a horn or trumpet in the form of a horn. The bottom ½ of the crest includes a field with three ‘stars’.

    Any assistance in determining the service record of this individual and his eventual fate would be appreciated. Relics of this sort can really ‘come alive’ when coupled with this information.

    Prior research and assistance from board members has yielded the following:
    Though a Mewes does not appear in the 1944-45 Heer Ranglist, the 1939 version does have two Mewes. Also, there is a Feldwebel named Mewes who won the German Cross in Gold, but clearly not "your" man.

    1. Hauptmann Mewes (Date of rank 1-8.1936), Schützenregiment 13 (a motorized
    rifle regiment, part of 5 Panzer Division,

    2. Leutnant Mewes, (1-1-38) Nachrichtenabteilung 57 (communications
    detachment based in Stuttgart)
    Attached Files

    #2
    This could be a city or possibly a personal crest?
    Attached Files

    Comment


      #3
      There's a Hauptmann Fritz Mewes listed on the German wargraves site.

      <TABLE cellSpacing=1 cellPadding=4 width="100%" border=0><TBODY><TR><TD class=headtabelle width="36%">Nachname:</TD><TD class=bodytabelle width="64%">Mewes </TD></TR><TR><TD class=headtabelle width="36%">Vorname:</TD><TD class=bodytabelle width="64%">Fritz </TD></TR><TR><TD class=headtabelle width="36%">Dienstgrad:</TD><TD class=bodytabelle width="64%">Hauptmann </TD></TR><TR><TD class=headtabelle width="36%">Geburtsdatum:</TD><TD class=bodytabelle width="64%">16.03.1892 </TD></TR><TR><TD class=headtabelle width="36%">Geburtsort:</TD><TD class=bodytabelle width="64%">Berlin </TD></TR><TR><TD class=headtabelle width="36%">Todes-/Vermisstendatum:</TD><TD class=bodytabelle width="64%">24.06.1944 </TD></TR><TR><TD class=headtabelle width="36%">Todes-/Vermisstenort:</TD><TD class=bodytabelle width="64%">Res.-Laz. I / Litzmannstadt </TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>
      Collecting German award documents, other paperwork and photos relating to Norway and Finland.

      Comment


        #4
        Originally posted by Simon orchard View Post
        There's a Hauptmann Fritz Mewes listed on the German wargraves site.

        <TABLE cellSpacing=1 cellPadding=4 width="100%" border=0><TBODY><TR><TD class=headtabelle width="36%">Nachname:</TD><TD class=bodytabelle width="64%">Mewes </TD></TR><TR><TD class=headtabelle width="36%">Vorname:</TD><TD class=bodytabelle width="64%">Fritz </TD></TR><TR><TD class=headtabelle width="36%">Dienstgrad:</TD><TD class=bodytabelle width="64%">Hauptmann </TD></TR><TR><TD class=headtabelle width="36%">Geburtsdatum:</TD><TD class=bodytabelle width="64%">16.03.1892 </TD></TR><TR><TD class=headtabelle width="36%">Geburtsort:</TD><TD class=bodytabelle width="64%">Berlin </TD></TR><TR><TD class=headtabelle width="36%">Todes-/Vermisstendatum:</TD><TD class=bodytabelle width="64%">24.06.1944 </TD></TR><TR><TD class=headtabelle width="36%">Todes-/Vermisstenort:</TD><TD class=bodytabelle width="64%">Res.-Laz. I / Litzmannstadt </TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>
        Some more info about this guy:
        Hptm.d.R.z.V. Fritz Mewes, died 24.06.1944 as the result of an accident (inf.Unf.verst.). At the time he was in Bau-Pi.Ers.u.Ausb.Btl.3. His Wehrbezirkkommando (recruiting district HQ) is listed as Berlin IX.

        Another (slim) possibility could be Lt.d.R. Friedrich Mewes, born 16.05.1922, killed 01.02.1944 near Golovka while serving in Gren.Rgt.579. However, his young age works against him... would a 17-year-old be presented with such a dagger?

        I suppose the 1939-1943 date inscribed on the dagger could be the dates with which he served in a certain unit and this dagger was presented upon his departure. The crest on top is definitely significant and will provide vital clues... hopefully a German member of the forum will recognise it.

        All the best,
        Jason

        Comment


          #5
          Thanks much for the information.

          I suspect the crest will 'be the key to unlocking the question' of who Mewes was (hopefully is, if he's still alive)!

          Sadly, the US veteran, whom I knew fairly well, showed me the dagger during a period of time when I was in a 'collecting coma'. Since I knew who brought it back I could have at least asked where he obtained the dagger. Of course he may or may not remember but that avenue of inquiry is now closed forever......

          Comment

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