NCO Group photos / 1./Pz.Abw.Abt.13

[Akira Takiguchi]

Thought that it might be interesting to some of you. We find group photos from early period that were pasted on thick board. Althought the quality of the photo is very high, in many cases there are too many soldiers. In this example the number is smaller and we see many details.

This is from the estate of Feldwebel Meldner, Panzer-Abwehr-Abteilung 13 (later Panzer-jäger-Abteilung 13. He earned both EKs during the war).

<img src="http://www.history.jp/images/UffzKorps-1.Pz.Abw.Abt.13.jpg">

[Akira Takiguchi]

The photo.

<img src="http://www.history.jp/images/UffzKorps-1.Pz.Abw.Abt.13-1938m.jpg">

Stabsfeldwebel Dittrich

<img src="http://www.history.jp/images/StabsfeldwDittrich.jpg">

Hauptfeldwebel B&ouml;tel

<img src="http://www.history.jp/images/HauptfeldwBoetel.jpg">

Feldwebel Bosse

<img src="http://www.history.jp/images/FeldwBosse.jpg">

The owner, Feldwebel Meldner

<img src="http://www.history.jp/images/FeldwMeldner.jpg">

[Brian S]

What a wonderful portrait!

[Al P]

What is this award?? from the Feldwebel Bosse photo


Al

[Brian S]

What is this award?? from the Feldwebel Bosse photo


Al

It is the S.A. Ralley at Brunswick 1931 Badge of Honor.

I didn't know they wore those on their Waffenrocks!

Badge would say "S.A. Treffens Braunschweig 1931"




These men are wearing Army shooting lanyards, none of them are wearing Panzer shooting lanyards.

[Al P]

Thanks, I dont think I have seen that one before.

Al

[Tim Curley]

Hauptfeldwebel Bodel

Thanks, I dont think I have seen that one before.

Al

NOTE Hauptfeldwebel Bodel is wearing the newer Marksmanship Lanyard Badge and it is "gilt", indicating a Grade 9 or above.

As to why these Panzerjagers are not wearing Panzer Marksmanship Lanyards,
from the date on the photo, it would seem to slightly predate the issue said
insignia.

[Brian S]

Must be predated;

The award for panzer troops was changed to a include a tank on the plaque 17 Oct 1938.


But only slightly. Photo in November and these gentlemen already had earned their lanyards.

[Angel Farré]

Show us more from this Nachlass, do you have also his citations and Soldbuch/Wehrpass?

Angel

[JuanS]

It is interesting how the ones using the service tunic ( or pipped tunic ) have the collar tresse placed.

Juan

[Brian S]

Dittrich is an interesting chap. Silesian eagle. He's already had some front experience.

[Akira Takiguchi]

I think these pre-war NCO/Offizier-Korps photo with names are quite important for collectors. Because they show so many usual soldiers' names as well as some later-distinguished guys. Unit history booklets that are often found with "Wehrdienst-Ehrendienst" albums are also important. Finding names such as von Luck with his photo gives me a good surprise.

Anyway, here's the advance route map of 13.Infanterie-Division in Westfeldzug.



Here's Fw.Meldner's EK2 document.



And his EK1 document, by then he had been promoted to Oberfeldwebel, and the unit was now a Panzer-Division.



Unfortunately I do not have his Wehrpaß/Soldbuch. I hope I had...

There are some more diaries from the comrades of the division, which would be an interesting read.