RKTs guarding the coffin of Konrad Adenauer

[malvinas82]

Hi guys! I was wondering if someone could ID the KC holders who are seen guarding the remains of Dr. Adenauer.



I have marked the four RKTs I seen on the picture.

Source: I can't recall it. It has been on my PC for some time.

Thanks in advance

[Doktor Krollspell]

The Bundesmarine Offizer (no. 4 in your picture) is probably Eichenlaubträger Robert Gysae who went on to become a Flottillenadmiral in the West German Bundesmarine. Robert Gysae was present as member of the Ehrenwache at Adenauer's funeral.

Source: http://www.ritterkreuztraeger-1939-45.d ... Robert.htm


Regards,

Krollspell

[Doktor Krollspell]

Eichenlaubenträger Willy Langkeit was also part of the Ehrenwache at Adenaur's funeral. Langkeit held the rank of Brigadegeneral in the Bundesgrenzschutz but it's hard to tell who he is on your photograph.

Source: http://www.ritterkreuztraeger-1939-45.d ... -Willy.htm


Most german sources on the the subject of Konrad Adenaur's funeral states that there were six high-ranking Officers, all Ritterkreuzträger that constituted the Ehrenwache, although it's quite difficul to find a list of names...


Regards,

Krollspell

[W.Vermeer]

The Ehrenwache itself was of the Bundesgrenzschutz, so most probably Nr 3 would be Willy Langkeit

[Dieter Zinke]

DIE BUNTE ILLUSTRIERTE fom 10. Mai 1967 with more pics

Dieter Z.

[malvinas82]

Another pic of Flottillenadmiral Robert Gysae during the ceremony.



Thanks for all the help!

[Edward L. Hsiao]

Gentlemen,

I don't think Willy Langkeit was in the pictures above. As Brigadegeneral im BGS he would have worn the WWII type steel German helmet. There were BGS generals present during Konrad Adenauer's funeral and they were all wearing the WWII type steel German helmet.

Sincerely,

Edward L. Hsiao

[askropp]

The officers were not chosen because of their former decorations, but because of their general's or admiral's rank. Gy sae had been an admiral for less than two weeks at the time of Adenauer's funeral. We can see two admirals, three Luftwaffe generals and three Heer generals, probably of one or two star rank. A search for active general officers as of April 1967 who were RKT should provide some results.

You can watch a film sequence here:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f7ObpOoyCgc

And here is a picture of the BGS guard of honor in the Palais Schaumburg (not the Kölner Dom!):

[malvinas82]

A KC holder carrying one of Adenauer's funeral pillows.

Source: bild.net

[Edward L. Hsiao]

Gentlemen,

I wonder what Bundesluftwaffe officer on the right of photo was wearing as neck order? Looks very unique with a crown on top!

Sincerely,

Edward L. Hsiao

[askropp]

I saw that Dieter posted a list of Bundesmarine admirals with Ritterkreuz some time ago:
http://forum.axishistory.com/viewtopic. ... 6&start=15

Ites and Schroeter weren't admirals yet at the time of Adenauer's funeral, Rösing was already retired and Gysae has been identified. I would say the second BM officer is another Flottillenadmiral (narrow stripe). As Kuhnke and Topp were Konteradmirale in 1967, this leaves only Guggenberger, Kretschmer and Thomsen as candidates.

[Dave Danner]

Gentlemen,

I wonder what Bundesluftwaffe officer on the right of photo was wearing as neck order? Looks very unique with a crown on top!

Sincerely,

Edward L. Hsiao

Greece: Royal Order of George I