CCC Document - Research on signature

[Thomas Durante]

Hi guys,

While writing the CCC book, I became very interested in the documents and groupings to the soldiers, moving on from the study of actual award itself. On a typical document such as this, how would I research the signature on award as well as the location of the unit during the time of awarding? Can you guys recommend some books that are "must haves" for doing this type of research? I have found the "felgrau.com" website that has been very helpful, but looking for some books on the subject.

Thanks in advance guys.

Tom

[Tom Yanacek]

Hello Tom,

I cannot recommend any particular books, but I have always found www.lexikon-der-wehrmacht.de to be very useful. Here is a link to the info. on Gebirgs-Jäger Regiment 98 from that site:

http://www.lexikon-der-wehrmacht.de/...ter/Inhalt.htm

I'm thinking that it will be difficult to come up with the name of a regimental adjutant, but at least you can get some info on the regiment and its movements. It will also give you the breakdown of the battalions and companies within the regiment. Feldpost numbers too. Very useful for document research. Happy hunting!

Best regards,
Tom
PS: Congratulations on your CCC book!

[Thomas Durante]

Hi Tom,

Thanks for the reply and link! Very helpful website that I will certainly be visiting often. Man, there is a lot of information on that site and I have already found some other things I was searching for, thanks!

Anyone else have any helpful websites like this? What about lists of Ehrenblattspange holders, DK winners, etc.?

Thanks guys.

Tom

[Simon O.]

Tom

This includes DKiG, DKiS and RK KVK holders as well as RK. I don't know if it's complete but it's useful if you don't have the relevant books. Ehrenblattspange holders are a long way from complete from what i see.

http://www.ww2awards.com/default.asp

[Thomas Durante]

Hi Simon,

Thanks for the reply and the link. I actually stumbled upon that website a few days ago while searching each of the titles you emailed me about last week . Thanks again for that list, I have found several of them and while I was at it, a few other helpful sites specifically about RK winners:

http://www.ritterkreuztraeger-1939-4...halt-Seite.htm

http://www.das-ritterkreuz.de/

I have been looking on the Lexicon der Wehrmacht site and it is very helpful. I have been able to find all the Divisional commanders I have searched for, but have not been able to find anything lower, like Brigade, Regimental or Battalion commanders. Do any other websites go into more details for these lower commanders, or any books with lists of known commanders for each Brigade, Regiment or Battalion?

Thanks guys!

Tom

[Tom Yanacek]

Hello Tom,
Did you happen to see the award grouping to Oberst Josef Salminger on the Andreas Thies auction?

http://www.andreas-thies.de/pdf_28_0...n_S281_293.pdf

Best regards,
Tom

[Thomas Durante]

Hi Tom,

Thanks for the link! Small world it seems, when you get into documents. Looks like he died on Oktober 1, 1943 as an Oberst. My document is dated June '43 while Salminger was an Oberstleutnant, so this seems to jive pretty well. I notice however that Salminger is not listed as one of the Regimental Kommandeur's of GJR 98 on the Lexicon website. I am assuming that it is typical that these websites are not always 100% accurate and there is still lots of missing info and pieces to this type of research.

Thanks Tom.

Tom

[Simon O.]

The lexikon is, as i understand it, a work in progress and some units info is more complete than others.

In any case Salminger was given the leadership of GJR 98 in Feb.43 then confirmed as commander in April, remain in that post until his death in Greece.

BTW, the last Thies auction included a very nice 1 Geb.Div. grouping that included a Salminger signed CCC in bronze doc.

[Thomas Durante]

Hi Simon, thank for the info. I wonder if the signed CCC doc in the last Thies auction was this same one just recently sold by Klaus Butschek. The CCC doc is clearly signed by Salminger, along with a few others:

http://www.klaus-butschek.com/index....close%20combat

Thanks for all the help guys.

Tom