Content - Richard Lundström
Layout - Sebastian Bianchi
Of course, most uniformed Germans, even officers, had far less
impressive awards to display. This young Leutnant from
Würzburg could only boast the 1938 Austrian Anschluss Medal
ribbon as WW2 began. Single ribbon bars were always this
25 mm width. Though occasionally ribbon bars as long as 7
or even 8 wide can be found in that width, the limits of
buttons-to-armpit distance generally meant the more usual 15 mm
multiple ribbons size was worn.
We know this Hauptmann in Pioneer Battalion 5 was a reservist,
because he is wearing a civil service 25 Years Loyal Service Cross in
next to last place. His ribbon bar: Iron Cross 1914, Bavarian
Bravery Medal (I find no unit or rank match for this to be a Max
Joseph Order winner-same ribbon), Bavarian Military Merit Order
4th/Cross 2nd with Crown and Swords, Hindenburg Cross with Swords, the
1938 LSC, and Hungarian WWI Commemorative Medal with Swords probably
dates from before the war. Note the early style
"scalloped" EK2 Spange worn from the second buttonhole, and
the KVK ribbon underneath. That probably dates this photo to
after October 1941, since before then, a KVK2 was not supposed to be
worn with a "matching" grade of WW2 Iron Cross. This
KVK was certainly "with Swords" since all military
recipients received that type, regardless of place or type of
service. This officer has neatly avoided having to place his KVK
"Sitzfleischorden" ahead of the far more prestigious Bravery
Medal by choosing this correct method of combined ribbon bar and
buttonhole ribbons wear. When the full size EK2 Spange was worn
from the buttonhole like this, it was NOT supposed to be worn on the
ribbon bar as well. This Captain is in compliance with
regulations, though photos will often show "double Spange"
errors in wear.
Here is another Hauptmann der Reserve-still wearing his
pre-war double underlay shoulder boards, though it is at least
1942. His south German style bar: EK2 1939, KVK2X, 1941-42 East
Medal, WW1 Hindenburg Cross with Swords, and 25 Years Loyal Service
Cross marks him as a reservist, even had he not been wearing the
pre-war rank insignia. Since the Loyal Service Crosses were not
awarded after 30 January 1943, this man evidently served at least
several years during the First World War, at least part of that time
in action, without ever being decorated then. RN
Although there is no way to trace careers or rank dates for reserve
officers like the above two men, when dealing with senior officers and
generals, a variety of reference sources are available. This is then
Generalleutnant Curt Pflugbeil (1890-1955), photo marked as having
been taken Christmas week of 1941. He was then Commander of IV.
Fliegerkorps, and had received his Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross on
5 October of that year. He would advance to General der Flieger
in 1942, and receive Oakleaves in 1944.
He was identified, long before the Hildebrand
"Die Generale der deutschen Luftwaffe" volumes came out,
simply by checking his combination of awards against Reichsheer Rank
Lists and the list of Knight's Cross recipients. He wears the
miniature 1939 EK2 Spange on his ribbon bar EK2 1914 ribbon, then the
Prussian Hohenzollern House Order 3rd Class with Swords, and the usual
"Saxon trio" of Saint Henry-Civil Merit-Albert Orders. But
there is something VERY "peculiar" about this ribbon bar!
Although he transferred to the Luftwaffe in 1933, Pflugbeil is wearing
ARMY Long Service Eagles, not correct Luftwaffe types! The fact that a
Prague bar has fallen out of his Sudeten Medal ribbon in last place
(note the device hole!) suggests the sort of field wear and tear
ribbon bars were subject to. The Commanding General is clearly
"out of uniform" here!
This Unteroffizier's odd looking combination of army M1936 field
service tunic and NSDAP parade dress full medal bar is NOT "out
of uniform." This is a wedding photo, and for those, the
happy groom often got dressed up in his very best. A reservist
like this Party functionary wouldn't have possessed a pre-war army
parade dress uniform, nor were any issued new after the war
started. Full dress medals are much more uncommon during the
Second World War than they were in the First, but for this sort of
occasion, the extra expense was often made. Parade medals on a
service uniform would have been worn only during the wedding
celebration, as if this hybrid attire was "walking out
dress." Because NSDAP awards could be worn on any uniform,
back on duty he would have worn a matching ribbon bar. His Nazi
Party 10 Years Long Service Cross is not "incorrect" as
General Pflugbeil's little eagles are, because they represent actual
service in another uniformed organization than the one this NCO was
currently wearing, in the same way that civil service etc awards could
be worn in military uniform. RN
