name tag in LW Oberst tunic

[Berner]

Hi,
I'm trying to research this nice tunic. In my opinion the name tag reads like Koster or Köster.
I've found a Oberst Paul Koester, Commander KG 51. KG 51 operated in the Krim campaign. So it could be possible. Does have someone more info or even photos from Paul Köster?

thanks
Markus

[GHP]

Looks to me like


Major Köster
19.10.39


-- Guy

[Simon O.]

Paul Koester was a Flak officer and commanded Flak Rgt. 51 amongst other things.

Rudolf Koester however was a major in october 39 and commanded II./KG 28 at that time. Later on from Sept.41 he was Kommodore of KG 51. Promoted Oberst April 42 he then commanded Kampfbeobachterschule 2

[hucks216]

From the Luftwaffe Career Summaries (Larry deZeng IV & Doug Stankey) - http://www.ww2.dk/lwoffz.html :

KOESTER, Paul. (DOB: c.1895). (DKG). 11.38 Maj., Kdr. I./Flak-Rgt. 8. 08.39 Obstlt., appt Kdr.
Flak-Rgt. 18 (mot) (to 06.42). 01.01.42 promo to Oberst. 01.02.42 appt Kdr. Flak-Rgt. 61 (to
01.09.43). 27.11.42 Oberst, Flak-Rgt. 18, awarded DKG. 01.09.43 appt Kdr. Flak-Rgt. 51 (to
07.01.44). 01.12.43 Oberst, appt Kdr. 12. Flak-Brig. (to 11.44). †09.06.50 in Wellenburg Castle by
Augsburg.


KOESTER, Rudolf. (DOB: 12.07.99). 01.04.27 promo to Oblt. (n.d.) with Stab/2.Div. 01.11.30 on
the Geheime Fliegerliste. 01.02.39 Maj., appt Kdr. II./KG 254 (to 30.04.39). 01.05.39 Maj., appt
Kdr. II./KG 28 (to 12.39). 12.39 Maj., appt Kdr. II./KG 54 (to 20.07.40). 20.07.40 Obstlt., appt Kdr.
FFS C 4 (to 04.08.40). 05.08.40 Obstlt., appt Kdr. FFS C 6 and Kdt. Fl.H. Kolberg (to 28.07.41).
01.09.41 Obstlt., appt Kommodore KG 51 (to 04.07.42). 01.04.42 promo to Oberst. 01.10.42 Oberst,
appt Kdr. Kampfbeobachterschule 2 (to 27.06.44). 20.05.43 Oberst, appt acting Kdr.
I./Kampfbeobachterschule 2 (to 07.43).

You will need to check to see if Rudolf Koester went to Spain as he never won the DKiG/DKiS.

[Gary B]

It probably is Rudolf since the tabs are for a Oberst of Flight (yellow). Additionally, the loops over the ribbon bar are probably for a flight clasp.

The medal loops on the right breast pocket are probably for a Spain cross (although he does not have any ribbons on his bar which indicate service in Spain). The 4 loops configured in a square pattern below the 2 pocket loops would be for a vertical pinned badge with 2 side stabilizing hooks which, I believe, Spain used on some of their breast badges which would have been worn on the right side and would give further credence to the top loops being for a Spain Cross.

His officer records are blank for the period from 30-38.

Gary B

[Berner]

Thanks for all your aswers.
I guess there were two officers with the same name. Paul Köster as a Flak Commander and a Paul Koester who was Commander of the Kampfgeschwader 51 (Edelweiss)

(excerpt from Lexikon-der-Wehrmacht.de)

Geschwaderkommodore:

Oberst Dr. Johann-Volkmar Fisser, 3 Juni 1940

Major Hans Bruno Schulz-Heyn, 12 August 1940

Oberst Paul Koester, 1 September 1941

Major Wilhelm von Friedeburg, 4 Juli 1942

[Gary B]

Thanks for all your aswers.
I guess there were two officers with the same name. Paul Köster as a Flak Commander and a Paul Koester who was Commander of the Kampfgeschwader 51 (Edelweiss)

(excerpt from Lexikon-der-Wehrmacht.de)

Geschwaderkommodore:

Oberst Dr. Johann-Volkmar Fisser, 3 Juni 1940

Major Hans Bruno Schulz-Heyn, 12 August 1940

Oberst Paul Koester, 1 September 1941

Major Wilhelm von Friedeburg, 4 Juli 1942

Yes, so it should be this guy.

Gary B