Ernst Barkmann Question

[army_sniper]

I have an interest, as I suppose many people do, in Ernst Barkmann. Of the few few photos of him (and I am fortunate enough to have TWO autographed pictures of him - many thanks to Gran Sasso for helping me get them), one, in particular, has me scratching my head.

It is the photo of Barkmann apparently sitting in a chair and not wearing a hat. On his right sleeve there appears to be a chevron of some sort. With a service date of April, 1936, he would have been too late to have gotten an "Old Fighter" chevron. If anyone out there could possibly shed some light on this, I would be most appreciative.

[HPL2008]

To qualify for the "Old Fighters" Honor Chevron (Which he definitely wore), he would have had to belong to the Nazi Party or one of its organizations like the Allgemeine SS, SA etc. prior to the Nazis' assumption of power in 1933.
Since Ernst Barkmann was born in August 1919, he was only 13 years old at the time, which means that he could only have been a pre-1933 Hitler Youth member, which was sufficient to meet the criteria for wearing the Honor Chevron.

[Gran Sasso]

He told me he wore it because he was a war-volunter.

[army_sniper]

Many thanks for your answer and help. It certainly answers the questions I had.

[Mark C. Yerger]

I have a dozen or more different signed photos of him, he wore some interesting (and rare) headgear, etc in the early part of the war.

[angella]

I have a dozen or more different signed photos of him, he wore some interesting (and rare) headgear, etc in the early part of the war.

Care to share?

Only just discovered him last year, but boy was he hot.........

[Gran Sasso]

Care to share?

Only just discovered him last year, but boy was he hot.........

Some fotos:

[angella]

Some fotos:

tank you tank you thank you!

Like I said the minute I found him he went to the top of my list of SS men I would so like to keep in the back of my leopard.

trying so hard to keep it clean............

He just gives me the impression that he would have inspired confidence as a crew commander......

[Mark C. Yerger]

Barkmann was not only a great tank commander but a very, very, nice fellow to collectors and to me as a research historian. His best and closest friend for decades was similarily helpful to me Fritz Langanke (also Panzer Regiment "Das Reich" KC holder).

Barkmann wrote the Foreword for volume 2 of my SS/Police German Cross in Gold holders series covering "Das Reich."

Image shown previously, this is my favorite inscribed larger format photo from him due to where/when were when he signed it. I'm told unusual headgear on this one also. I have a group of photos of the the 2 friends together at Barkmann's home and must search my photo boxes when time permits. Only quickly found this one of Langanke that day (also a great junior commander).

[angella]

I think he's hot. If he had come past me on my way to do what ever it was I had to do as a soldier he would so be taken prisoner. Trying so hard to keep it clean.

[DieterKessler]

Thanks for posting this question and the subsequent replies. I had also wondered how he was entitled to wear the chevron. So many questions to be answered, yet sadly those that have the answers are no longer here.

[DieterKessler]

Did you also note that in that same picture, He is also wearing what appears to be silver piping around his collar tabs. That would only have been permitted for the rank of Standartenoberjunker; which of course he was not. Is this yet another cheeky liberty that Ernst took upon himself ?
Dieter.

[Gran Sasso]

Did you also note that in that same picture, He is also wearing what appears to be silver piping around his collar tabs. That would only have been permitted for the rank of Standartenoberjunker; which of course he was not. Is this yet another cheeky liberty that Ernst took upon himself ?
Dieter.

Thats not silver, but pink (panzer colour) pipings, worn by members of "DAS REICH"

[DieterKessler]

As I said. it "appears" to be. Due to the fact that in a black & white photo, the piping stands out very brightly.