Generalmajor Josef Gerstmann (1886-1963)

Discussions on the personalities of the Wehrmacht and of the organizations not covered in the other sections. Hosted by askropp and Frech.
BSJGGS
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Generalmajor Josef Gerstmann (1886-1963)

#1

Post by BSJGGS » 23 Aug 2015, 23:44

Hi
I'm new to this forum, wondering if you can help.
I'm looking for information on Generalmajor Josef Gerstmann. From this forum and other sources I have his WW1 awards and appointments in the German Army during WW2, would anyone know what awards he was entitled to during WW2?

regards Brian

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Frech
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Re: Generalmajor Josef Gerstmann

#2

Post by Frech » 24 Aug 2015, 07:12

Gerstmann Josef (22.07.1886 – 16.03.1963)

KuK:
01.09.1905 Kadettoffiziersstellvertreter (IR 10)
01.05.1907 Leutnant (Ldw.IR 15)
01.05.1912 Oberleutnant (Ldw.IR 4)
01.07.1915 Hauptmann (Adj./Ldw.IR 4)
ÖBH1:
01.01.1921 Major (Titel)
01.03.1923 Stabshauptmann [VBl. 9/1923]
17.03.1924 Major (Titel) [VBl. 12/1924]
01.10.1924 Major
22.06.1927 Major (DKl. V) (AJR 11) [VBl. 9/1927]
25.08.1933 Oberstleutnant VwGrp 3 [VBl. 18/1933]
08.09.1933 vers. zum IR 3 [VBl. 26/1933]
11.11.1933 vers. zum AJR 11 [VBl. 30/1933]
26.10.1934 Militärdienstzeichen für Offiziere 2. Klasse [VBl. 24/1934]
01.08.1935 best. zum zuget. Offz. beim IR 7 [VBl. 12/1935]

DWM:
20.04.1939 Oberst mit RDA 1.7.1937 [7]
26.08.1939 Kommandeur Geb.Ers.R. 2 (Neuaufstellung im WK XVIII für 2. Geb.D.)
12.02.1940 Kommandeur I.R. 628 (Neuaufstellung im WK XVII für 556. I.D. am Oberrhein)
25.10.1940 Kommandant Truppenübungsplatz Mourmelon
20.11.1940 Kommandant Truppenübungsplatz Suippe
15.11.1943 zum Stab des Kommandos Truppenübungsplatz Sieradz
01.12.1943 Kommandant Truppenübungsplatz Sieradz
15.05.1944 Generalmajor mit RDA 1.4.1944 [5a] (Kdt. TÜPl. Chalons-sur-Marne)

EKO.3.X, MVK.3.X (2x), SMVM.X (2x), BMVM.x, KTK, VerwM1, OD2, ÖKM.X, JK1908, b.u.a.K.Kr.f.T.
Attachments
GerstmannJosef1.jpg
GerstmannJosef1.jpg (16.39 KiB) Viewed 1236 times
Gerstmann als Oberst.jpg
Gerstmann als Oberst.jpg (29.11 KiB) Viewed 1236 times
Last edited by Frech on 24 Aug 2015, 16:30, edited 2 times in total.


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askropp
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Re: Generalmajor Josef Gerstmann

#3

Post by askropp » 24 Aug 2015, 15:03

To be precise:
20.04.1939 Oberst mit RDA vom 01.07.1937 (7)
15.05.1944 Generalmajor mit RDA vom 01.04.1944 (5a)
There are times in history when staying neutral means taking sides.

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Frech
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Re: Generalmajor Josef Gerstmann

#4

Post by Frech » 24 Aug 2015, 16:07

@askropp: thank you!

Regards

Christian

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Re: Generalmajor Josef Gerstmann

#5

Post by BSJGGS » 29 Aug 2015, 07:11

Christian
thank you very much. I take it these are his WW2 medals you've listed below

EKO.3.X, MVK.3.X (2x), SMVM.X (2x), BMVM.x, KTK, VerwM1, OD2, ÖKM.X, JK1908, b.u.a.K.Kr.f.T.

would you be able to elaborate on what they are

Regards Brian

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Frech
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Re: Generalmajor Josef Gerstmann

#6

Post by Frech » 29 Aug 2015, 11:11

no that are his WW1 medals. I have no evidence about his WW2 medals.

Regards

Christian

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Re: Generalmajor Josef Gerstmann

#7

Post by BSJGGS » 30 Aug 2015, 01:49

Christian
thank you. Its interesting with Gerstmann that he's in command of the 2nd Mountain Replacement Regiment Aug 1939 and 628th Infantry Regiment Feb 1940, very much combat commands, then from Oct 1940 he seems to have been relegated to the command of various Troop Exercise Grounds for the duration of the war, at 54 in 1940 I wouldn't have considered him an old man, I wonder what happened?

regards
Brian

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Re: Generalmajor Josef Gerstmann

#8

Post by histan » 30 Aug 2015, 15:36

Hi Brian

Neither of Gerstman's regimental commands were of front line combat units.

Geb.Ers.Rgt. 2 was a training command, training replacements for 2. Geb.Div.

IR 628 was part of 556. Infanterie-Division, raised as one of four divisions that formed the 9. Welle of divisions. These were classified as "Stellungsdivisionen für den Schwarzwald" - divisions for the defence of the Black Forrest.

I think he was always regarded as suitable for command of training units rather than front line combat units and that nothing happened.

Regards

John

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Frech
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Re: Generalmajor Josef Gerstmann

#9

Post by Frech » 30 Aug 2015, 18:32

maybe he was "kriegsbeschädigt"? On the pic as Generalmajor he looks not very healthy and seems to have a problem with one of his eyes.

@histan: do you own his card? It could stand there.....

Christian

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Re: Generalmajor Josef Gerstmann

#10

Post by BSJGGS » 30 Aug 2015, 21:48

John + Christian
thank you for clarification on the units he commanded. Am I correct in thinking his WW1 medals don't include a wound badge? with the commands he had during WW2 do you think he would have been awarded the Iron Cross 1st and 2nd class.

regards Brian

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Frech
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Re: Generalmajor Josef Gerstmann

#11

Post by Frech » 30 Aug 2015, 21:53

you can see his wounded medal from WW1 on his medal bar.

In WW2 he would have been awarded KVK2 and KVK1 more than EK1 or EK 2.

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Christian

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Re: Generalmajor Josef Gerstmann

#12

Post by BSJGGS » 30 Aug 2015, 23:27

Christian
that does seem more likely

regards
Brian

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Requin Marteau
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Generalmajor Josef Gerstmann

#13

Post by Requin Marteau » 05 Jun 2023, 12:27

 Österreichisches Miltärjubiläumskreuz (2 décembre 1908),
 Österreichisches MVK 3. kl mit KD u. Schwertern (2 octobre 1914),
 Österreichisches Bronzene MVM am Bande des MVK mit Schwertern (11 septembre 1915),
 Österreichisches Silberne MVM am Bande des MVK mit Schwertern (22 octobre 1916),
 Österreichisches Silberne MVM am Bande des MVK mit Schwertern (zum 2 mal) (3 février 1917),
 Österreichisches Karl Truppenkreuz (7 août 1917),
 Österreichisches MVK 3. kl mit KD u. Schwertern (zum 2 mal) (6 novembre 1917),
 Österreichisches Orden d. Eisernen Krone 3. kl mit KD u. Schwertern (7 février 1918),
 Österreichisches Verwundetenmedaille mit 1 Mittelstreifen (24 septembre 1918),
 Allgemeines Kärntner Kreuz für Tapferkeit (5 décembre 1919),
 Besonderes Kärntner Kreuz für Tapferkeit (3 avril 1920),
 Österreichisches Ehrenmedaille des Weltkrieges 1914-1918 mit Schwertern,
 Republik Österreichische Militärdienstzeichen für Offiziere 2. kl für 25 jahre (26 octobre 1934),
 Ehrenkreuz des Weltkrieges 1914-1918 mit Schwertern,
 Verwundeten Abzeichen in Schwarz,
 Wehrmacht Dienstauszeichnung für 25 Jahre,
 EK II (21 juin 1940),
 EK I (28 juin 1940),
 KVK II mit Schwertern (30 janvier 1943).
Attachments
GERSTMANN Josef.jpg
GERSTMANN Josef 1.jpg

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Re: Generalmajor Josef Gerstmann

#14

Post by harmel » 05 Jun 2023, 13:03

Thank you Requin!
Very nice.
Harmel

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kstdk
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Re: Generalmajor Josef Gerstmann

#15

Post by kstdk » 05 Jun 2023, 13:31

Hello

Pictures from BAMA PERS 6/1283 and Generalskartei PERS 6/299707

Regards
Kurt
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Attachments
Josef Gerstmann.01.jpg
Josef Gerstmann.02.jpg

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