Q: Real Edelweiss in cap

[B Hellqvist]

This is my first post here, and I hope to solve a small mystery... Here's a photo I purchased a while ago. Two friends (or relatives) had their photo taken in a studio in Dürnholz, Czechoslovakia. The town lies in Bohemia, which should place it in Wehrkreis XVII. Going by the uniforms worn by the guys in the pic, it was probably taken sometime between late 1940 (introduction of M40 SS side cap) and mid-1942 (removal of Panzer pink soutache and piping), but it could be later. It has been suggested that the guys in the pic were friends on leave when the photo was taken. Now, the W-SS guy is a bit puzzling: why does he sport an Edelweiss flower (a real one, not a metal or cloth badge) at the very top of his sidecap? If he was a Gebirgsjäger, wouldn't he have worn the Bergmütze instead of the sidecap? Checking those from Dürnholz who fell in W-SS service, there is one Sturmmann Anton Albrecht, born 31 July 1926, and KIA near Wieliszew/Modlin in Poland 19 October 1944. I've tried to find which SS units that fought in that area, and found just "Wiking". Anton couldn't be found on a list of "Wiking" KIA, so right now I'm at a loss... supposing that the guy in the pic is Anton Albrecht, of course (which seems less probable, as he must've joined up in 1943 and been around long enough to earn what appears to be a Wound badge in silver and an EKII before being KIA). Any ideas that can explain the Edelweiss and give a hint towards which division he served in?

Thanks in advance,
Björn

[Gary Wood]

Björn,
Interesting photo I do not think though it has anything to do with ss mountain troops the edelweiss is probably just a good look thing, quite a rare flower to actually find and I believe they are protected today and it is illegal to pick them in Germany, although I have seen them as trinkets for sale in Germany!
cheers
Gary

[Bob Hritz]

Even today I wear a lucite encased edelweiss flower, on my Baliey hat. It is reminder of the time I spent in the Alps.

It has long been a tradition to pick an edelweiss, when high in the mountains, to wear on your hat. Today, it is unlawful to take an edelweiss, growing in the mountains. Those edelweiss', for sale, are grown by horticulturists and not protected by such laws.

Bob Hritz