1957 RK recipients. (Quick help please)

[nellyp51]

Were these only given to War Vets dated to WW2?.

[Douglas Jr.]

Knight´s Cross Holders in Bundeswehr

Hi folks,

There were many Ritterkreuzträger veterans who joined the Bundeswehr. As I´m a Luftwaffe enthusiast, I can mentions a few names of pilots who served in the post-war German Air force:

- Erich Hartmann (Diamonds)
- Gerhard Barkhorn (Swords)
- Gunther Rall (Swords)
- Wilhelm Batz (Swords)
- Johannes Steinhoff (Swords)
- Werner Streib (Swords)
- Friedrich Lang (Swords)
- Dietrich Hrabak (Oakleaves)
- Walter Krupinski (oakleaves)
- Georg-Peter Eder (Oakleaves)
- Gunther Radusch (oakleaves)
- Hannes Trautloft (RK)

And others...

Douglas.

[Phil_C]

Hi,

I know that in total 674 holders of the Knights Cross became soldiers of the Bundeswehr.

Here are a couple,

Sturmbannführer Eberhard Heder of SS-PzPiBtl 5 "Wiking" became an Oberst serving in the Bundswehr from 01.03.1960 to 30.09.1976.

Major Friedrich-August v. Michael commander II./GrenRgt 172 became an Oberstleutnant serving from 01.04.1956 to 31.03.1973.

Major der Reserve Wolfram Kertz, 8./Kampfgruppe "Bruhn" became an Oberst der Reserve.

Wachtmeister Albert Dubicki of 1./WerferRgt 14 served from 02.05.1956 to 31.03.1977 reaching the rank of Hauptmann.

Generalleutnant Heinrich Trettner (Oakleaves), Kommandeur 4.FschJägDiv served from 02.11.1956 to 24.08.1966 reaching the rank of General.

Oberfähnrich Wolfgang Hartelt, 2./FschPzRgt "Hermann Göring" Von served from 02.01.1956 to 31.03.1984 reaching the rank of Oberst

Phil

[Phil_C]

Here is a link with a list of all Bundeswehr RKT's http://www.das-ritterkreuz.de/index_...p4?modul=db_bw

Sorry but I think the number of RKT's I mentioned in my last post is wrong.

Cheers
Phil

[junior]

Thanks for the info guys! This forum is a great help!

Thanks a lot,
Junior.

[Bob Hritz]

The 1957 version of the Knight's Cross was not awarded to anyone. These were authorized for wear, if you were awarded the KC in WWII. The person wearing a 1957 pattern Knight's Cross had to buy his own medal.

Post WWII awards of the Knight's Cross, where the paperwork was delayed, were given as an Urkunde only. No 1957 Knight's Crosses were awarded to anyone.

In an old correspondance with Steinhauer , over 20 year ago, stated that over 95% of the 1957 Replacement medals and badges were sold to collectors and militaria dealers, around the world. Steinhauer's correspondant clearly stated these were not German government issues or that the German government had ordered any. They were strictly for private purchase. Unfortunately, many of my files were lost, but I clearly remember the letters. I had written to get information on which medals and badges were authorized and which forbidden.

Bob Hritz

[junior]

Thanks for the info Bob! I've never heard that story. This forum keeps suprising me.

Cheers,
Junior.

[Grant Broadhurst]

Hello Bob ,

Very interesting that only a minority of the awards manufactured made it into the hands of vets , mind you i suppose S & L have got to make a living like the rest of us . It also makes it clearer to me why worn 1957 knights crosses are sought after !!

I own one but the ribbon used for it,s wear was not with it but it came with a nice unissued early silky replacement ribbon ( could be wartime but i haven't blacklighted it ) .

Has anyone on the Forum got the Bundeswehr award certificate for the 1957 knights cross , i remember seeing one on Ebay a few months ago it had a lot of interest .

Regards

Grant

[Mike Kenny]

Phil, interesting and very useful link! The general who's estate my early 57 RK came from is not on the list though. Three possibilities that I can think of;

1) the list is incomplete,
2) the person I obtained the RK and associated items from was fibbing (he wasn't a militaria collector though),
3) there were NON-active (ie retired) RK veterans who also obtained 57 re-issue pieces.

Regards
Mike K

[Sebastian Bianchi]

Phil, interesting and very useful link! The general who's estate my early 57 RK came from is not on the list though. Three possibilities that I can think of;

1) the list is incomplete,
2) the person I obtained the RK and associated items from was fibbing (he wasn't a militaria collector though),
3) there were NON-active (ie retired) RK veterans who also obtained 57 re-issue pieces.

Regards
Mike K

Mike, while all those could be true, number three is a real possibility. You did not have to enlist in order to have/wear a 1957 RK.

It shouldn't come as a big shock that 95% (99%?) of medals were sold to collectors since you can still order the 1957 awards, and I sincerely doubt there is much for them from veterans any more. At least until a couple of months ago, they were listed on their website.

[Henri S]

I was under the impression that sales of 1957 re-issues had stopped. S&L only had a ek1 showing on their site, but not sure if they still sold them anymore. Correct me if I'm wrong.

Mike, while all those could be true, number three is a real possibility. You did not have to enlist in order to have/wear a 1957 RK.

It shouldn't come as a big shock that 95% (99%?) of medals were sold to collectors since you can still order the 1957 awards, and I sincerely doubt there is much for them from veterans any more. At least until a couple of months ago, they were listed on their website.

[Grant Broadhurst]

Hello ,

I was under the impression that the production of 1957 awards ceased around the mid 1980,s . So presumably S&L are just get rid of the stock they still have ?

Can anyone add anything to this ?

Regards

Grant

[junior]

What's the site?

I was under the impression that sales of 1957 re-issues had stopped. S&L only had a ek1 showing on their site, but not sure if they still sold them anymore. Correct me if I'm wrong.

[Henri S]

Here it is, but they do not respond to any e-mails. Let me know if you manage. Good Luck.

http://www.steinlueck.de/

What's the site?

[junior]

Thanks a lot!

Here it is, but they do not respond to any e-mails. Let me know if you manage. Good Luck.

http://www.steinlueck.de/