Most Decorated German Soldier/Sailor/Pilot

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- The Great General -
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Most Decorated German Soldier/Sailor/Pilot

#1

Post by - The Great General - » 27 May 2003, 06:24

I can't find anything on who the most decorated soldier was in Germany. Can someone help me?

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Beppo Schmidt
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#2

Post by Beppo Schmidt » 13 Jul 2003, 03:22

Michael Wittmann was the most decorated soldier, and Werner Moelders was the most decorated pilot.


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Balrog
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#3

Post by Balrog » 13 Jul 2003, 04:56

where did rudel fit in? i read he was the most decorated soldier(pilot) in the third reich.

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#4

Post by ChristopherPerrien » 13 Jul 2003, 05:28

I would have guess Goering, generals and field marshalls get lots of "gimme medals" plus he was a Hero from WWI already with the pour le merit god knows what else , And he was one of the original member of the nazi party so you have all the "blood order?" awards too. Didn't he he recieve the highest version of the Knight's cross too?

Am I wrong?

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#5

Post by Mark Costa » 13 Jul 2003, 06:29

I hate to say it but neither Molders nor Wittman even come close to being the most decorated. Most decorated means most medals for bravery etc. Rudel certainly holds the highest award but the most decorated was Theodor Tolsdorff. He had numerous combat decorations such as General assault badges, infantry badges, all three wound badges, and of course the Oak leaves with swords and Diamonds to the KC.

Wittman was a highly decorated tank commander but certainly had no where near the quantity Tolsdorff had nor did Wittman ever receive the Diamonds. Moelders at least received the diamonds but was out decorated by Galland and later Rudel as far as pilots go.

Mark Costa

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sylvieK4
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#6

Post by sylvieK4 » 13 Jul 2003, 16:26

Does anyone have any photographs of Tolsdorff they can post here?

What branch of the military did he serve in?

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sylvieK4
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#7

Post by sylvieK4 » 13 Jul 2003, 16:47

I just found this big picture of Tolsdorf in his Heer uniform on line: Great shot of his awards.

From: http://www.wehrmacht-awards.com/german_cross/cases.htm
Image

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Stauffenberg II
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#8

Post by Stauffenberg II » 13 Jul 2003, 18:06

Mark Costa wrote:Rudel certainly holds the highest award but the most decorated was Theodor Tolsdorff. Mark Costa
Mark, the highest award was the Grand Cross of the Iron Cross which was only awarded to Göring (19.07.1940).

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#9

Post by Mark Costa » 14 Jul 2003, 05:07

The photo suppossedly of Theodor Tolsdorff as shown here is NOT of him. This photo has been circling the internet as Tolsdorff but is ACTUALLY Major Karl Frewer. Another photo of Frewer taken at the same time as this one above can be seen on page 269 of Gordon Williamson's book on the Iron Cross by Bender. You will see that this above is Frewer.

I will post a photo of Tolsdorff so you can see the REAL man.

I hope someone corrects those websites that purports this photo above as Tolsdorff.

In regards to Goering and the Grand Cross I was speaking of combat soldiers only. Goering never saw action during WWII.

Mark Costa

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USAF1986
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#10

Post by USAF1986 » 14 Jul 2003, 05:38

Theodor Tolsdorff...
Attachments
Tolsdorff, Theodor.jpg
Tolsdorff, Theodor.jpg (21.2 KiB) Viewed 22455 times

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sylvieK4
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#11

Post by sylvieK4 » 14 Jul 2003, 14:52

Thanks Mark and USAF. The picture of Frewer is a good one, but it is a shame the websites have mislabled the name. I also hope the sites correct the mistake. Accuracy is vital. We all need to remember history properly. In my opinion, mislabled photos are just as bad as deliberately falsified information. Its misleading and potentially harmful to the perception of the historical record.

Thanks again, guys.

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The Desert Fox
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Who was Theodor Tolsdorff?

#12

Post by The Desert Fox » 14 Jul 2003, 15:26

Mark Costa wrote:I hate to say it but neither Molders nor Wittman even come close to being the most decorated. Most decorated means most medals for bravery etc. Rudel certainly holds the highest award but the most decorated was Theodor Tolsdorff. He had numerous combat decorations such as General assault badges, infantry badges, all three wound badges, and of course the Oak leaves with swords and Diamonds to the KC.
Mark Costa
I have a reasonable knowledge of some of the outstanding soldiers and airman of the reich but I am Sorry to say but I know little of Theodor Tolsdorff. Would be interested in knowing a little more about him. What branch of service was he in etc? Where did he make his name?

Thanks
The Desert Fox
ps - excuse my ignorance.

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Stauffenberg II
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#13

Post by Stauffenberg II » 14 Jul 2003, 15:37

A bio is available at:
http://www.ritterkreuztraeger-1939-45.d ... heodor.htm

another pic (hopefully really showing him)

Image

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The Desert Fox
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Thanks, but I have a bit of a problem!

#14

Post by The Desert Fox » 14 Jul 2003, 15:56

Thanks Stauffenberg II, but alas I do not speak german. Can you recomend any english lanuage sites which may have a biography on him.

thanks
the Desert Fox

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Stauffenberg II
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#15

Post by Stauffenberg II » 14 Jul 2003, 16:01

Sorry, short of time to translate. I don´t know any engl. sources.

Here some further data:
http://www.feldgrau.com/search-officers2.php?ID=2085

Just copy the text of the German bio and fill in at
http://world.altavista.com/

Babelfish will translate for you. Better than nothing.

Regards

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