German Cross in Gold Grouping Franz U. Pionier-Btl.2

[Lionel H.]

Hi Guys. Want to share with you this IMO nice Group from Fw Franz U. I have checked, that's my only DK-Group where the soldier served from beginning to the end of the War in the same Unit and the same company..... 3./Pionier-Btl.2
You will probably appreciate the Interesting Form from the BWB established from the Res. Hospital Eisleben which probably hadn't received the printed Award Docs at this early Stage of the War (U. was wounded during the Meuse River Crossing on May, 15th 1940...). As he came back to the Unit, he got a Formal Award, but one more time, not in the most commoin Form !! The CCC Bronze Award is also an interesting Variant....

Those among you which are also interesting in Awards will find all Awards from Franz U. in the part "Crosses of the Wehrmacht".

Despite missing formal German Cross Award, I hope you enjoy this Group I got directly in it's Family in 2001. Lionel. <p><img src="http://cdn01.trixum.de/upload2/8/u/8up1fOV3qNey137295094549P1683.jpg"></p>
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[Lionel H.]

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[Lionel H.]

Here are the Awards.....

http://dev.wehrmacht-awards.com/foru...d.php?t=680180

I tried to load the Awards Docs as usual in the Order he got them.... but obviously he de not worked... My Apologies for that...

[Hank C.]

Great grouping....love the unit-specific version of the NKS award, with the misspelling of "Tapferes".

best
Hank

[Lionel H.]

Just good Eyes Hank ! Wow ! To be honest, never payed attention to this detail before ! Great, thanks !

[WEISNER]

Yes that is a wonderful grouping, thanks for sharing it! another Bomb from your killer hoard, I always look forward to your threads!

Kevin

[peterm]

Great group of docs and awards, many thanks for sharing!

Kind regards, Peter

[Lionel H.]

Thank you for your Comments. Kevin, I'm doing my best to distract you ! . Auch viele Gruesse nach Oesterreich, Peter !

[WEISNER]

Something I find interesting Lionel in looking at the award certificates is that he won the close combat clasp (22.10.43) before the Infantry assault badge (30.1.44) this obviously being due to his having won the General assault badge prior to the CCC.

It looks as though the photos you show must have been taken during the following three months after the award of the CCC, and before the IAB (22.10.43 - 30.1.44)? or perhaps he did not wear the IAB choosing instead to continue wearing the GAB?

Do you know for my curiosity what date he was awarded the GAB and do you have any photos of him wearing the IAB? looks like the IAB was missing from the grouping of medals you got from the family?

A last question from me, could somebody please remind me what the black bands are for that are slid onto his shoulder straps? Officer aspirant?

Lovely Grouping Lionel!

Kevin

[Lionel H.]

Hi Kevin.

Not sure I clearly understand your msg..... but there is NO I.A.B. (Inf. Assaut Badge / Infanterie Sturmabzeichen) in this Group....

He was a Pionier (Engineer) and received only the G.A.B.

You are very right concerning the award date of the G.A.B., it is very late, and for sure it would have been logical he got if if not during the french campaign, at least during the early Stage of the campaign in Russia.

It is not the first time I see late attributions of GAB'S, IAB's ou PAB's in Group, I just see two possible explanations : he was just "forgotten", or the first Award Doc has been lost and this one is a Replacement, but well in this case, you would have a marking aboove "Zweitschrift" or "2.Ausfertigung" or the Mention Under the doc on the left side "F.d.R." (Für die Richtigkeit).

I would have loved to get more Pics from him, but these 2 were the only one the Widow found in it's own Album. It would have been interesting to see on Pics from 41/42 if he already wore the GAB or not !!

But well..... we are always obliged to be satisfied with what we get... note I get the whole Group at no cost.... these times are definitely belonging to the past !!

Thanks for you Interest Kev....

[peterm]

note I get the whole Group at no cost.... these times are definitely belonging to the past !!

Thanks for you Interest Kev....

Unfortunately true! (sigh...)

Kind regards, Peter

[Ludwig]

Very nice! Odd award citation for the Wound badge in black! Nice!

[Akira Takiguchi]

Super, as usual and what we expect from Lionel!

[Simon O.]

My favourite kind of grouping. A real alte hase, frontschwein but most of all a survivor. How many young new faces did he see turn up at his kompanie only to disappear as the war ground on.

Given the late date of his DKiG he wont have got a formal urkunde.

[Lionel H.]

Thanks Akira, Thanks Simon. You are right. Serving in the company since the beginning of the war, he was probably 1944 the Coy "Figure" that everyone knew and recognized, perhaps more that the Company Commander itself ?? My only Regret with this Group is the Lack of a more complete Fotolot. If I good remember my discussion with the Widow - it is already 12 Years old - I mean the Pics have been thrown away.... I made this cruel Experience a lot of times by visiting Families. Why especially the Fotos ?? Well I mean, because of the Swastikas, because of dead Enemies, and probably other private reasons....