Award-docs "Panzer-Artillerie-Regiment 103" of 4. Panzerdivision

[peterm]

Hi guys!

Here is a grouping of a member of "Panzer-Artillerie-Regiment 103" which belonged to the "4. Panzerdivision". As can be seen in the "Ostmedal-" and the "wound badge"-doc, this unit was (in 1944) equipped with "Selbstfahrlafetten" (self propellered guns), in case of this guy (5./103) with "Wespen".

As always, any comments welcome!

Kind regards, Peter

[peterm]

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[peterm]

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[Hank C.]

Looks likely this guy almost made it through to the end of the war, but not quite. A name matching his shows him being killed in/near Gaya [known also as Kyjov] (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kyjov_...3%ADn_District) ) on 1 April 1945. LdW has quite a detailed history of P.A.R 103 too: http://lexikon-der-wehrmacht.de/Glie...g/PAR103-R.htm

best
Hank

[peterm]

Hi Hank!

Many thanks, I am aware of the "Lexikon der Wehrmacht"-entry. It's always a good an reliable source!

Unfortunately I don't know anything about the soldier and his fate. The docs were found in a house-clearing here in Austria and I bought them from a local dealer a lot of years ago.

Kind regards, Peter

[Tom Yanacek]

Hi Peter,

Very nice document grouping. I especially like that ornate Black Wound Badge document.

I was going through and trying to figure out the signatures. Looks like the Wehrmacht 4-Year LS Medal was signed by Oberst Erich Brandenberger; the East Medal by Hauptmann Ingfried Hintze; the Assault Badge by Major Fritz Weidner; and the Black Wound Badge by Hauptmann Hermann Winterling.

Do you happen to know who signed the Czech Annexation and 1939 KVK2X documents? I can't figure those two out. I would have thought the KVK2X would be a simple ID. I thought it should be Hans Freiherr von Boineburg-Lengsfeld, but it doesn't seem to be a match.

Anyway, a very nice grouping.

Best regards,
Tom

[peterm]

Hi Tom!

Many thanks for Your kind words and the work with the signatures.

The KVK-doc is signed by General Willibald Freiherr von Langermann und Erlenkamp, commander of the 4. Panzer-Division at that time. Don't know who signed the 1.10.1938-doc.

Kind regards, Peter

[Tom Yanacek]

The KVK-doc is signed by General Willibald Freiherr von Langermann und Erlenkamp, commander of the 4. Panzer-Division at that time. Don't know who signed the 1.10.1938-doc.

Hi Peter,

I'm still puzzled with the KVK2X document. That document is dated 29. July 1940. I show Hans Freiherr von Boineburg-Lengsfeld as the division commander from 24. July 1940 to 7. September 1940 and Willibald Freiherr von Langermann und Erlenkamp as the division commander from 8. September 1940 to 27. December 1941.

Going by dates of command, one would think that Boineburg should be the signatory. But the signature is definitely not his. I think you are correct, as the signature does appear to read Freiherr v. Langermann. I am still confused, though, by the dates of command.

Best regards,
Tom

[Brian R]

Hi Tom - I'd guess the date of the doc is reflective of the Vorschlagsliste or something similar and was not actually processed until weeks later. Perhaps these OKH awarded KVKs took a while to finally make it through division to the recipients, especially with all the awards processed after the fall of France.

[Tom Yanacek]

I'd guess the date of the doc is reflective of the Vorschlagsliste or something similar and was not actually processed until weeks later. Perhaps these OKH awarded KVKs took a while to finally make it through division to the recipients, especially with all the awards processed after the fall of France.

Thanks, Brian.

I guess that would be the only logical explanation for this.

Best regards,
Tom

[Tom Yanacek]

Aha!!!!!!

Looks like the Czech Annexation Medal/Spange document was signed by Major Sermersheim. It was right under my nose the whole time.

Best regards,
Tom

[peterm]

For sure, Tom!!

Kind regards, Peter