The Coburg Badge

[chen]

I remember a couple of years ago Craig Gottlieb had Grimminger's GPB at the show in Kassel and asked me to look after it for him. I had it for about 12 hours and didn't want to give it back!

Stan

Must be this one.

[Stan]

Still makes my heart miss a beat

Stan

[Martin M.]

Erinnerungstreffen in Coburg.

Martin

[ErichS]

That's an impressive photo Martin and one that I haven't seen before, thanks for adding it to the thread!

Is this photo dated?

[Br. James]

Hi Chen,

Yes, I believe that's the GPB Craig had. According to my notes, In 2009 Ulric of England sold a small Fuess GPB bearing number 759 and made into a stickpin, and in 12/09 Craig Gottlieb added a large safety-pin-backed GPB w/#759 along with a unique pinky ring with the likeness of Hitler on it to his personal collection – both pieces reputedly belonging to Jakob Grimminger. Quite an historic badge!

Br. James

[ErichS]

Erinnerungstreffen in Coburg.

Martin

Martin,
After checking with a friend, it looks like the photo was from the 1942 20th anniversary of the march. Again, a cool photo!

[Br. James]

I agree, Erich! Martin has provided a photo new to me, too, and a fine one. I assume this captured an event at the 1942 Commemoration of the Battle of Coburg as the Political Leaders are wearing the results of the 1939 major PL uniform revision. Isn't that Wilhelm Schepmann at the microphone? If it is, he was still SA-Obergruppenführer of Sachsen at that time. And in the line behind the speaker, to the far left, I notice Gauleiter Jakob Sprenger of Hessen-Nassau. Interesting, too, that neither Schepmann or Sprenger were Coburg Badge Trägers!

Br. James

[ErichS]

I agree, Erich! Martin has provided a photo new to me, too, and a fine one. I assume this captured an event at the 1942 Commemoration of the Battle of Coburg as the Political Leaders are wearing the results of the 1939 major PL uniform revision. Isn't that Wilhelm Schepmann at the microphone? If it is, he was still SA-Obergruppenführer of Sachsen at that time. And in the line behind the speaker, to the far left, I notice Gauleiter Jakob Sprenger of Hessen-Nassau. Interesting, too, that neither Schepmann or Sprenger were Coburg Badge Trägers!

Br. James

James,

The Gauleiter appears to be Waechtler rather than Sprenger.

[Martin M.]

That's an impressive photo Martin and one that I haven't seen before, thanks for adding it to the thread!

Is this photo dated?

Thank you.
This might help.

Martin

[ErichS]

Interesting that it's from 1943 and not 42 Martin, and again, thanks much for posting this most interesting photo.

Best,

Erich

[Erich B.]

That makes sense--I believe Schepmann is wearing Stabschef collar tabs, although it's hard to tell as they're not particularly in focus.
Erich

[JoeW]

Well who is the person between Schepmann and Wachtler. He looks like another Gauleiter and must carry some weight to be up front. But he is not mentioned in the photo description on the reverse.

This has been discussed before. Here is another photo from the series apparently giving more perspective to the crowd.

[ErichS]

The celebration of the march seems large by the photo considering it was held in an off year considering the 20th anniversary was the year before.
It seems that celebrations were held each year possibly up to 1944?

[Dmv]

Gpb 759

Must be this one.

How many GPB's did Jakob have?
For in the book "Der Kornett der Blutfahne" where his Nachlass is pictured, which was auctioned april 15th 1997, there is another set shown, also numbered 759 (as well as the certificate)


p.s. also his Coburg badge is shown, a Zweitstück...

[Jon Fish]

How many GPB's did Jakob have?
For in the book "Der Kornett der Blutfahne" where his Nachlass is pictured, which was auctioned april 15th 1997, there is another set shown, also numbered 759 (as well as the certificate)

He would have had at least 4 then, not unusual.