identification RK holder and SS oberf

[Georges JEROME]

pictures taken in february 1943. Meeting of Dr Goebbels at Berlin's sport Hall

who is the RK holder
who is the SS Oberführer

thanks for help

[Michael Miller]

The Oberführer will be tough to identify, as there were so many by 1943.

The RKT is identifiable, as he wears the Edelweiß on his right sleeve- I will check my book of Gebirgstruppe RKT's and get back to you soon.

Best,
~ Mike Miller / ABR

[USAF1986]

Mike,

Good catch! It also looks like he's wearing the Narvik Shield on his other sleeve.

Regards,
Shawn

[Michael Miller]

Shawn- I thought that might be the Narvikschild! If I'm right in identifying him as

Oberst Ludwig Stautner,

then it would make sense, as he received it for service in Norway- on 20. June 1940 as Major and Kommandeur of I.Bataillon / Gebirgs-Jäger-Regiment 139 / Gruppe XXI in "Unternehmen Weserübung".

(born 4. May 1895 in Schrobenhausen / Bayern; died 5. January 1983 in Garmisch-Partenkirchen / Bayern)

Two pictures- which I am unfortunately unable to post as my scanner is broken- of Stautner appear in the Biblio-Verlag book "Die Ritterkreuzträger der Gebirgstruppe". Hopefully someone else out there can post a picture of him to verify if we have a match or not.

Best wishes,
~ Mike Miller / ABR

[Georges JEROME]

thanks for your kind help Mike


Georges

[Glenn2438]

Hi Mike,

thats spot on. It is Stautner and a head shot of Stautner from the same photograph as Jerome's is in the Gebirgsjäger Ritterkreuzträger book. Here is another portrait of him.

Glenn

[USAF1986]

Great color pic! Note the large ribbon below that of his EK II with 1939 Bar: the Bavarian Military Merit Medal, also better known as the Bravery Medal. This was the highest decoration that could be awarded to Bavarian NCOs and soldiers and was viewed as the enlisted man’s counterpart to the Bavarian Military Max Joseph Order for officers (they both used the same ribbon). Does anyone know if Stautner received this decoration in Gold or Silver (I would presume Gold)?

Numbers of Bavarian Military Merit Medals (Bravery Medals) awarded during WWI:
Gold – 998
Silver – 2,839

Regards,
Shawn

[Glenn2438]

Hi Shawn,

Ludwig Stautner won the Golden Bavarian Military Merit Medal as a Vizefeldwebel und Offiziers-Anwärter in the 4th company of the 1st Bavarian Jäger Battalion in September 1916 for his part in the taking of a French position at Thiaumont and neutralizing an enemy machine gun. He was further cited for his part in holding the then taken position. He was subsequently commissioned as a Leutnant der Reserve on the 23rd of February 1918.

Glenn

[Marcus]

Here you see a color picture of Stautner!

Great photo! Thanks for sharing it!

/Marcus

[graveland]

I could not see the colour pic of Stautner, I think because the site has closed. Can anyone upload it on this forum, please?

Regards,

Alif Rafik Khan

Here you have...



Cheers,

Gregg.

[AlifRafikKhan]

Thank you so much Gregg for sharing. Indeed, it is a GREAT photo!!!