Seeking a few details on Generalleutnant Eduard Ritter von Schleich (of the Luftwaffe).
Does anyone know if he received the 1939 Spange to the 1914 EK I and II(1939 "bars" indicating a 2nd award in WW II)? Or other awards in WW II, such as the KVK I mit Schwertern? Here is a partial list of his awards:
Died: 09.08.1947 in Diessem am Ammersee (in U.S. captivity).
Postwar Confinement:
In U.S. captivity, 09.05.1945 - 15.11.1947.
Decorations & Awards:
04.12.1917 Orden Pour le mérite
14.06.1918 Ritterkreuz des Bayerischen Militär-Max-Joseph-Orden
(also granted the title of nobility “Ritter von”)
00.00.191_ Ritterkreuz des kgl. Hausordens von Hohenzollern
00.00.191_ 1914 Eisernes Kreuz I. Klasse
00.00.191_ 1914 Eisernes Kreuz II. Klasse
00.00.191_ Bayerischer Militärverdienstorden IV. Klasse mit Krone und
Schwertern
00.00.191_ Bayerischer Militärverdienstorden IV. Klasse mit Schwertern
00.00.191_ Sächsischer Albrechtsorden mit Schwertern
00.00.191_ Prinzregent-Luitpold-Medaille
00.00.191_ Flugzeugführer-Abzeichen
00.00.1918 Verwundetenabzeichen, 1918 in Schwarz
00.00.193_ Ehrenkreuz für Frontkämpfer
00.00.193_ Wehrmacht-Dienstauszeichnungen
Also interested in the cause of his death (apparently in U.S. captivity at Diessem am Ammersee / Bayern), if anyone has it.
Many thanks in advance.
~ Mike Miller
Gen.Lt. (LW) Eduard Ritter von Schleich - Questions
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Michael Miller
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Mike,
Ritter von Schleich was one of the rare Pour le Mèrite recipients who did not first (or ever) receive the Knight’s Cross with Swords of the Prussian Royal Hohenzollern House Order – the customary “stepping stone” between the Iron Cross, 1st Class and the Pour le Mèrite. Ritter von Schleich’s award of the Hohenzollern was passed over during a period of tension between the Prussian and Bavarian authorities. Other notable exceptions to this unwritten, yet generally enforced practice were Erwin Rommel and Ferdinand Schörner, both of whom were awarded the Pour le Mèrite without ever receiving the Hohenzollern.
An additional note, Ritter von Schleich’s WWI Pilot’s Badge was of Bavarian issue. This version featured a Royal Bavarian crown, but was otherwise identical to the more commonly seen Prussian pattern surmounted by the Hohenzollern crown.
He also held the following badges:
• Austro-Hungarian Field Pilot’s Badge (Karl pattern) – World War I award
• SA/SS Pilot’s Badge (worn when he served as Leader of the short-lived SS-Fliegerstaffel South)
Best regards,
Shawn
SOURCE:
• O’Connor, Neal W. Aviation Awards of Imperial Germany in World War I and the Men Who Earned Them – Volume II: Aviation Awards of the Kingdom of Prussia. Foundation of Aviation World War I, Princeton, New Jersey, 1990.
Ritter von Schleich was one of the rare Pour le Mèrite recipients who did not first (or ever) receive the Knight’s Cross with Swords of the Prussian Royal Hohenzollern House Order – the customary “stepping stone” between the Iron Cross, 1st Class and the Pour le Mèrite. Ritter von Schleich’s award of the Hohenzollern was passed over during a period of tension between the Prussian and Bavarian authorities. Other notable exceptions to this unwritten, yet generally enforced practice were Erwin Rommel and Ferdinand Schörner, both of whom were awarded the Pour le Mèrite without ever receiving the Hohenzollern.
An additional note, Ritter von Schleich’s WWI Pilot’s Badge was of Bavarian issue. This version featured a Royal Bavarian crown, but was otherwise identical to the more commonly seen Prussian pattern surmounted by the Hohenzollern crown.
He also held the following badges:
• Austro-Hungarian Field Pilot’s Badge (Karl pattern) – World War I award
• SA/SS Pilot’s Badge (worn when he served as Leader of the short-lived SS-Fliegerstaffel South)
Best regards,
Shawn
SOURCE:
• O’Connor, Neal W. Aviation Awards of Imperial Germany in World War I and the Men Who Earned Them – Volume II: Aviation Awards of the Kingdom of Prussia. Foundation of Aviation World War I, Princeton, New Jersey, 1990.
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Dieter Zinke
- In memoriam
- Posts: 9841
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- Location: Koblenz / germany
Hallo Mike,
Der “Schwarze Ritter” (The Black Knight) don’ t win The Knigt’s Cross of the Iron Cross as being reported by Raymond F. Toliver & Trevor J. Constable. So it’s uncertain for me, if he obtained also the bars to the 1914 Iron Crosses.
The SS-Sturmbannführer, HJ-Obergebietsführer and Mitglied des Reichstages was also Fliegerkommandant (i.e. Major) im Präsidium des DLV (Deutscher Luftsport-Verband, camouflaged Air-Force).
The very interesting pic shows Generalfeldmarschall Erwin Rommel (inspecting the “Küstenverteidigung“ in Denmark) with (from left to right):
General der Infanterie Hermann von Hanneken (Wehrmachtbefehlshaber Dänemark), Generalleutnant Eduard Ritter von Schleich (General der Luftwaffe in Dänemark), Vizeadmiral Hans-Heinrich Wurmbach (Kommandierender Admiral Dänemark) and
SS-Gruppenführer Dr. iur. Werner Best (Reichsbevollmächtigter in Dänemark).
The date:
14.12.1943 Flugfeld Grove (9.30 h), shortly before Rommel is flying with his He 111 to Fürth near Nuremberg. On 09.12.1943 Best had welcomed Rommel on airfield Kopenhagen, they dinnered together (19 h).
Cheers
Oberstab
Der “Schwarze Ritter” (The Black Knight) don’ t win The Knigt’s Cross of the Iron Cross as being reported by Raymond F. Toliver & Trevor J. Constable. So it’s uncertain for me, if he obtained also the bars to the 1914 Iron Crosses.
The SS-Sturmbannführer, HJ-Obergebietsführer and Mitglied des Reichstages was also Fliegerkommandant (i.e. Major) im Präsidium des DLV (Deutscher Luftsport-Verband, camouflaged Air-Force).
The very interesting pic shows Generalfeldmarschall Erwin Rommel (inspecting the “Küstenverteidigung“ in Denmark) with (from left to right):
General der Infanterie Hermann von Hanneken (Wehrmachtbefehlshaber Dänemark), Generalleutnant Eduard Ritter von Schleich (General der Luftwaffe in Dänemark), Vizeadmiral Hans-Heinrich Wurmbach (Kommandierender Admiral Dänemark) and
SS-Gruppenführer Dr. iur. Werner Best (Reichsbevollmächtigter in Dänemark).
The date:
14.12.1943 Flugfeld Grove (9.30 h), shortly before Rommel is flying with his He 111 to Fürth near Nuremberg. On 09.12.1943 Best had welcomed Rommel on airfield Kopenhagen, they dinnered together (19 h).
Cheers
Oberstab
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- Schleich.jpg (53.64 KiB) Viewed 1776 times
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Dieter Zinke
- In memoriam
- Posts: 9841
- Joined: 02 Dec 2003, 10:12
- Location: Koblenz / germany
Hallo Mike,
Ritter von Schleich died in a Alpine pasture cottage.
After his 13th victory he painted his Albatros D V Nr. 13 in black colour ("the black knight").
Totally he had 46 victories, confirmed only 35.
His father was a famous painter.
Oberstab
Ritter von Schleich died in a Alpine pasture cottage.
After his 13th victory he painted his Albatros D V Nr. 13 in black colour ("the black knight").
Totally he had 46 victories, confirmed only 35.
His father was a famous painter.
Oberstab
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- von Schleich.jpg (32.28 KiB) Viewed 1710 times