Ritterkreuzträger Oakleaves at a destroyed Stug!!

[M3A1Mats]

Fellow collectors,

This just came in the mail. I bought it as a soldier with an EK2 but to my amazement the soldier was wearing a Knightscross with oakleaves!

Is there anyone who is able to determine who this soldier is?

Much appreciated,

Best regards,

Mats

[M3A1Mats]

-

[Simon O.]

Great photo, who said the Germans have no sense of humor.

[chrischa]

Hello Mats.

It is not a real Knights Cross, it could be a joke of some kind as Simon refers to.

Great photo.

Chris.

[pauke]

cross

Goering's Grand Cross looks small by comparison....could have been awarded for the literal single-handed destruction of an enemy tank--no weapons, just one hand. In the USA we'd call him Chuck Norris.

[M3A1Mats]

That's amazing thanks guys

Best regards,

Mats

[Simon O.]

I notice that the soutache on his cap is dark, perhaps artillery red or pionier black.

[BergführerKiser]

Greetings Mats,

A very interesting photograph. I'm wondering if the Obergefeiter was a member of the crew of the destroyed StuG III Auf. C/D in the background. Perhaps they held off the enemy while their StuG was being shot up. At first it looks like they may have rolled over a anti-tank mine, but the whole rear engine deck is sitting on the ground behind him which would suggest that they were shot up. It was not uncommon for field-made awards to be presented until the real award arrived. Just my thoughts.

Horrido!

Patrick

[Edward]

Cannot seem to find who the manufacturer was of this particular Ritterkreuz. Must be very rare variation.

[amiklic1]

Such KCs, made onboard U-boats, are not so rarely seen on U-boat commanders.

They were making them when they received the note/order about the KC being awarded, but they couldn't get a real piece.

Something like this could be the case here, also.

[tony james]

How many soldier's with this rank were awarded the KC & OL ?

[Simon O.]

None, the lowest ranked EL holders at the time of their awards were 3 unteroffizier

[Sepp45]

Army guys weren't the only ones

[M3A1Mats]

A better scan of the photo--

Sorry for the dumb title

[jujuy]

Obviously a joke photo with a destroyed tank done sometime ago as background

A better scan of the photo--

Sorry for the dumb title