Mjr Hans Keppler (Luft) RKt

[Harry]

This is a long shot, but I was wondering if anyone out there had any info +/- pics. of Major Hans Keppler, Kommandeur III Kampfgeschwader 'Hindenburg' Aug - Sept. 1942. Awarded the RK posthumously(?) in Sept 1942.
Any info would be appreciated........

[Michael Miller]

Here are the basics from www.das-ritterkreuz.de:



<TABLE cellSpacing=1 cellPadding=3 width="100%" bgColor=#808080 border=0><TBODY><TR><TD align=middle width=410 bgColor=#ffffff colSpan=2>Major </TD></TR><TR><TD align=middle bgColor=#ffffff colSpan=2>Keppler, Hans</TD></TR><TR><TD bgColor=#ffffff colSpan=2>* 11.02.1912 </TD></TR><TR><TD bgColor=#ffffff colSpan=2>+ 03.09.1942 </TD></TR><TR><TD noWrap bgColor=#ffffff>Ritterkreuz am: </TD><TD width=270 bgColor=#ffffff> 20.08.1942</TD></TR><TR><TD bgColor=#ffffff>als: </TD><TD bgColor=#ffffff> Major </TD></TR><TR><TD bgColor=#ffffff>Funktion: </TD><TD bgColor=#ffffff> Kommandeur III./KG 1 "Hindenburg"</TD></TR><TR><TD bgColor=#ffffff>Bes. Vermerke: </TD><TD bgColor=#ffffff colSpan=2> Laut Kampfflieger-Asse RK am 21.08.42. </TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>




Best wishes,
~ Mike Miller

[Denis]

Hello

Here is additionnal information :

Last rank : Obestleutnant (posthumous)
Last unit : III/KG 1

EK1 : 23/05/40
DKiG : 25/02/42 as Hptm. III/KG 1

A book (in German) covering RKT from KG1 which was published by Heinz Nickel (Publishing Co VDM) might interest you since Keppler is listed in it.

The pic follows
Regards
Denis

[Denis]

Here they are :

[Denis]

the other :

[Harry]

Michael & Dennis
That is great info, thanks a million!
Apparently this guy died over Russia when a stuka collided with the bomber he was flying. Obviously he received the RK while still alive, but was killed very shortly afterwards. He held the position of commander of III gruppe Kampfgeschwader 1 for only a couple of weeks before he was killed. I obtained the case and ribbon for his RK from his family, it had no cross in it.

Cheers again

[gildas]

Dear Harry, this is icredible you have major Hans Kepple RK box, i have its RK at home , we try to collect items he use to own but we have mainly letters and pictures, we had the pleasure few days ago to discover few lines in the ww2 magazin Der Adler how he obtained its RK, can you let us know how you have been able to find the box ? Is there any name on it ? Would you sell the box ?
Kind regards
Magali and Gildas

[gildas]

Dear Harry,thank you for your prompt answer, is there any name or initial such as keppler or HK or such item that would confirm it is major keppler box ?
Kind regards
Magali and Gildas

[luftkrieg]

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