Major Gerhard WITTE

[jwburchell]

The photo shown here bears the signature "Witte". I cannot read all of the cursive beneath the signature, except for "Major"....and then the next line "Riga 1.V.42 - 31.V.43"....which I presume is when the photo was taken...while he was there on duty.

The reverse of the photo bears an inkstamp of the photographer, as well as additional information indicating that he received the RK on 23.08.44 - a fact which I have verified in reference books.

As well, the following thread lists Gerhard Witte as being a RK recipient who is still living - see posting #541 here

http://dev.wehrmacht-awards.com/foru...te#post3211184

I also found a thread here regarding the "Honor Roll Clasp in Wear" that shows a picture of Gerhard Witte wearing his RK. However, the two persons do not look alike and the signature appears different.

Please see post #42 here:
http://dev.wehrmacht-awards.com/foru...te#post4309413

Would the real Gerhard Witte please stand up?

If anybody here on the Forum could please help to shed some light on this matter, it would be appreciated.

Thanks in advance.

John

[ardennes1944]

Hi,

this photo is not that of Gerhard Witte (Ritterkreuzträger)
Gerhard Witte died April 16, 2009.

Regards

Phil.

[Gerdan]

The text I read:

"Major und Kommandant des Insp.(ektions) Bez.(irkes) Riga..."

Gerdan

[jwburchell]

Thanks for the feedback, Phil. and Gerdan. So, it would appear that we have here a different Major Witte.

I am guessing that whomever had this photo before me must have researched the name and figured this was Major Gerhard Witte and then wrote the RK info on the reverse to "up the value".

Is there any way to confirm who this Major Witte is, based upon his service in Riga, perhaps?

John