Gebirgs Officer's M43

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Label inside Fuhrmann's greatcoat.

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Fuhrmann's career.

All pertain to Col. Wilh. Fuhrmann exept #17 (belongs to his bother, Major Otto Fuhrmann, Nachrichten Abteilung 220, 164 leichte Afrika Div.)!

Oberst Wilhelm Fuhrmann was CO of Nachr. Abt. 67, from it's incecption in 1938 until May 1945!

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Wilhelm Fuhrmann, circa 1940.

FROM SIMON ORCHARD COLLECTION.

[Simon O.]

Somewhere along the line some of Otto's stuff got mixed with Wilhelm's and i traded something Otto for the photo of Wilhelm.

I'm the owner of Wilhelm's award documents (small world isn't it)

http://gmic.co.uk/index.php?showtopic=7862&hl=fuhrmann

Fuhrmann actually commanded Gebirgs Nachrichten Abteilung 67 from it's raising in 1938, through the Polish and Norwegian campaigns until Nov.1940. He then became Korps Nachrichten Führer for Gebirgskorps Norwegen. I'm not to sure when he left that spot but i believe it was in '42 sometime. His last job was as Kommandeur der Nachrichtentruppe VII (commander of signals troops in Wehrkreis VII)

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Simon,
I was not aware of Fuhrmann's two other posts as Korps Nachrichten Fuehrer for Gebirgskorps Norwegen and Kommandeur der Nachrichtentruppe VII. Very interesting.

Good to finally see these documents that I have only heard about until now.
Very wonderful grouping, thank you for sharing!

Yes, it is a small world.

Regards

[Simon O.]

The label inside the greatcoat ties in very well with his promotion to oberstleutnant in march '42. He made oberst 9.nov.44

I've seen the greatcoat and cap before ;-)

[Ian Jewison]

Heres an old thread with photos of the brothers!

http://dev.wehrmacht-awards.com/foru...ad.php?t=37005

/Ian

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Hello,

After letting this thread sit idle for a while, I decided to add a bit to it.
Not wanting to stir controvery, but only wanting to learn, I will add a few more photos in hope that the general consensus might be more helpful in pointing out what features show the cap being a reproduction.

I do know that it is possible that WWII vets pick up items along the way to add to their original war souvenirs. Col. Charles L. Downey passed away in 1994 at the age of 91. Here is a link to the National Cemetery in San Antonio, Texas where he is buried:
http://www.interment.net/data/us/tx/...ft_sam_d09.htm

Of course it is possible that in his 80's or 90's, Col. Downey went out and bought a reproduction cap. If this is the case, then the old Col. got it right when he chose an Officers cap with flat wire insigina and green backing behind the edelweis as was customary with many members of 2. Geb, Div.

One mistake I made was placing the cap on a wire shape for the photos.
It makes the cap misshaped, as the cap's peak naturally falls forward at a diagonal, like many pre-1945 bergmutze, instead of vertical as the first photos show. I do not have a head form and the cap is too small for my big head to show how it should normally sit and appear.

Here are a few shots that show the true shape a little better.

Cheers

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cap and coat

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rear seam

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top

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The treated side of the leather sweatband looks to be in great condition.
Looking at the reverse side, the leather looks old and is quite dry.

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The officer's flat wire insignia is nicely machine sewn.

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Grommet outside

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Inside grommet with a bit of rust.