Otto Skorzeny's ribbon bar..

[IchHattEinenKameraden]

What does the second ribbon(b) and fourth(d) from left to right(observer's point of view) represent?



As far as i'm aware this is Otto's decoration list:

Knights Cross of the Iron Cross, 13 September 1943
Knights Cross of the Iron Cross with Oakleaves, 9 April 1945
Eisernes Kreuz 2. Klasse, 1939
Eisernes Kreuz 1. Klasse, 1939
Winterschlacht Im Osten/Ostmedaille
Czech Anschluss
Czech Anschluss mit Spange Prager Burg
Flugzeugführer und Beobacher-Abzeichen in Gold mit Brillanten, 16 September 1943
Order of the Holy Crown of Hungary, Commander Grade with War Decoration and Swords
Dienstauszeichnung der NSDAP in Silber
Verwundetenabzeichen in Schwarz
Verwundetenabzeichen in Silber
Allgemeines Sturmabzeichen/General Assault Badge
Honor Roll Clasp, 5 February 1945
Deutsches Kreuz in Gold/German Cross in Gold
Deutsches Sportabzeichen
Decoration of the National Socialist German Students Federation

My guess the award the second ribbon might represent is the Dienstauszeichnung der NSDAP in Silber, could someone tell me the exact ribbons he's wearing?

a. Eisernes Kreuz 2. Klasse
b. ???
c. Czech Anschluss
d. ???

[HPL2008]

Ribbon b) does appear to be for an NSDAP Long Service Award, but it should be the Bronze Grade, as the different grades of these were supposed to be worn together. Thus, as per regulations, Silver should always be worn with Bronze. (Of course, regulations were not always followed, but then again, Skorzeny was not exactly known for modesty and understatement. Anyway, I don't think he would have qualified for the Silver Grade; as far as I know, he joined the Party in 1931.)

Ribbon d) is definitely for the Austrian Anschluss Medal.

(a) and c) are correct: Iron Cross 2nd Class and Sudetenland Anschluss Medal.)

[IchHattEinenKameraden]

Thank you for your insight, what makes you that sure about d, the Austrian Anschluss ribbon?

[HPL2008]

Thank you for your insight, what makes you that sure about d, the Austrian Anschluss ribbon?

Its visual appearance and the fact that Skorzeny was a recipient of it. This is evident from his funeral pillow:

http://dev.wehrmacht-awards.com/foru...d.php?t=320038

[Robin Lumsden]

'b' = NSDAP 10 Years Service decoration.

Skorzeny joined the NSDAP in 1932...............it was banned in Austria the following year.

[IchHattEinenKameraden]

Its visual appearance and the fact that Skorzeny was a recipient of it. This is evident from his funeral pillow:

http://dev.wehrmacht-awards.com/foru...d.php?t=320038

You're right, i found a color photo of his medal pillow held by a boy on this funeral.
Once more, thank you!

'b' = NSDAP 10 Years Service decoration.

Skorzeny joined the NSDAP in 1932...............it was banned in Austria the following year.

In other words, he goes against the regulations by only wearing the 10 years ribbon instead of both his bronze and silver ribbon next to each other?
The photo is made in mid September 1943.

[HPL2008]

In other words, he goes against the regulations by only wearing the 10 years ribbon instead of both his bronze and silver ribbon next to each other?
The photo is made in mid September 1943.

The Bronze class was for 10 years of service, so that would have been the grade he was entitled to in 1943. (Silver was for 15 and Gold for 25 years.)

You listed him as a holder of the Silver grade; is there documentation for this? If he joined in 1932 (as confirmed by Robin Lumsden), he could not have qualified for the Silver grade at all before the end of the war.
(Unless... Party service from 1925 to 1932 counted double. Could there have been a similiar regulation for the 1933 - 1938 period Austrian party members?)

[IchHattEinenKameraden]

The Bronze class was for 10 years of service, so that would have been the grade he was entitled to in 1943. (Silver was for 15 and Gold for 25 years.)

You listed him as a holder of the Silver grade; is there documentation for this? If he joined in 1932 (as confirmed by Robin Lumsden), he could not have qualified for the Silver grade at all before the end of the war.
(Unless... Party service from 1925 to 1932 counted double. Could there have been a similiar regulation for the 1933 - 1938 period Austrian party members?)

I just recently started to read his memoirs:"For Germany: The Otto Skorzeny Memoirs", it's a very enjoyable book to read.
My decoration list of Otto are combined documentation, i got most of it by looking at the photo of the funeral decorations pillow but also information i found on axishistory.com, were it was stated Otto owned the NSDAP long service medal in silver.

I only own Mark Hayden's book "German militairy ribbon bars 1914-1957" when it comes to decorations, are there other books you would recommend, a complete list of Nazi-medals and it's ribbon would be perfect.

[HPL2008]

I only own Mark Hayden's book "German militairy ribbon bars 1914-1957" when it comes to decorations, are there other books you would recommend, a complete list of Nazi-medals and it's ribbon would be perfect.

Some good online sources to get you started:

http://dev.wehrmacht-awards.com/rela...bons/index.htm
http://www.medals.lava.pl/de/de3.htm
http://home.att.net/~david.danner/militaria/states.htm
http://www.ordensmuseum.de/adl/bander.htm
http://www.militaria-lexikon.de/kata...-_zweiter.html

The list of recommended books is long and in-depth studies on many individual awards are available, but for general reference I like to use the reprint of Dr. Doehle's 1944 "Die Auszeichnungen des Großdeutschen Reiches" (German language, obviously).
You might also find a price guide like "Deutsche Orden und Ehrenzeichen [Deutsches Reich, Weimarer Republik, Drittes Reich und Bundesrepublik 1871 bis heute]" by Nimmergut/Feder/von der Heyde useful. While it does (of course) no have detailed data and background informations on the awards and decorations themselves, it is illustrated in full color photographs throughout and it has a complete ribbon chart. This makes it very useful for visual identification.