Vintage WWII tunic

[T.Smith]

Opps missed that.

Let's see if I can take a stab at it. That is what appears to be a Iron Cross Second Class. The first ribbon on his tunic is to denote that he has the Iron Cross, the second one appears to be a Eastern Front Ribbon.

There is definately a General Assault Badge, and a wound badge. Is it possible to get a close-up on that lanyard. I know they issued marskmen with them, but I can't make out the shield on it. The shoulderboards look like they are of that of a Feldwebel (Need a closeup of those too if possible) As you can see, the feldwebel's shoulderboards are on the left, lieutenant's on the right.

[REXTER]

Originally Posted by Bunny

Great story! I've always been interested in ww2, I had relatives that fought on both sides.

I'm trying to identify his medals, looks like a 'Wound Badge' and a 'General Assault Badge(silver)'. The red ribbon (I'm taking a bit of a stab) to say it's a Campaign ribbon (Russia?). The insignia on the left arm means 'Kreigsmarine Engineer' (I think). The Aiguillette is also a decoration of some kind, but I'm at a loss on that one. Also, he was a First Lieutenant. *Edit* oops, how could I forget, an Iron Cross (not sure of the class).

Nice man, really accurate. I actually have the documentation on the way for the medals. His stories are truely amazing. I have so much respect for him and everyone that has served.

I'll get some better pics of the medals and post them up later.

[tiger-unit]

woaah, nice M43 tunic, I realise you wont sell it, but your lookin at a lot of money there.

[Oberst39]

Wow that is an incredible tunic in excellent condition. I can emphatically state that your tunic should be displayed in a glass case. It is very very rare that you see an authentic tunic with all tabs and insignia plus medals attached in original condition like this. I myself being German have many many relatives that fought for their fatherland. My Grandfather was the adjutant to a very high ranking General in the Heer, I had two 2nd cousins, one on the Bismark and one on the Graf Spee. My other Grandfather was an officer in the Heer serving on the Eastern Front as well as Great Uncles in the Artillery and Army throughout various fronts in the war. I have been a German WWII militaria collector and enthusiast since childhood and hearing all the old Kreig stories when we had traditional family gatherings. Your tunic as is belongs in a museum or should be kept in that state. DO NOT wear it playing airsoft as it is a testimonial to your grandfather and a piece of living history. To see it degrade would be tragic. As for value, I could give you an estimate, (you are looking at 4 figures minimum) so please take care of this piece of history with the pride that I know you will. Should you require any further explanation of the badges let me know.

[Krieg]

Very nice looking uniform! ANd also great story.
My grandfather also served in the Army, the Hungarian 2nd Army which was destroyed in 1943 January at the River Don. Many forget how valiantly those soldiers fought. ANywayz my grandpa survived, but was in Russian captivity for 3 yrs after being captured by Ruskies around Magdeburg in 1945.
He was an artillery man, later a cook, than infantryman at the very end.
I still remember wearing his M35 helmet back in Hungary, I am sure it is lost now

[Generation vexed]

I had a m35 i belive but my friend sold it and moved to new mexico.


Wow that was a great story.

[BiggusMalus]

The collar tabs and shoulder rank is that of a Heer Engineer Feldwebel.

the breast eagle is of prewar design (off white on field grey) it was instituted in 1934. Either whomever made this jacket had old supplies of the eagles, or he kept his older insignia in favour of the new ones (they were allowed to wear old items until they wore out, many men did this as they favoured the older insignia.. it was made better. looked better etc) the second option would make sense given the dark green shoulder boards and the older marksman plaque. The Tunic is late war as it does not have the dark green collar. THe collar tabs are also an earlier style as later styles did not have the waffenfarbe centre line... it was the same colour as the uniform.

Engineer is denoted by the black line down the center of the collar tabs, also the shoulder boards were piped with the colour of the wearers unit or branch, given the shoulderboards were dark green I am assuming there is black piping (waffenfarbe) which is difficult to see in the picture.. Black was for engineers.

The lanyard is for marksmanship.. the shield is an old style Wehrmachtadler (Armed Forces eagle) and the lack of an silver acorn at the other end denotes 1 award of this type (multiple awards had acorns) I am going to assume that he served in the army before ww2 in a combat role as the lanyards were introduced in 1936 and the plaque shown was replaced in 1939 with a different design similar to the plaque used for higher awards.

You should find out if he served in the spanish civil war as this would explain the older plaque used... but then he should also have a spanish cross on the right hand pocket.. given there appears to be holes there it might have been removed or lost? maybe he kept it? alot of collectors would probably pay a pretty penny for that tunic.. specially if you can locate an original spanish cross if he was issued one.

The two button ribbons..
the top one is an Iron Cross Second class awarded for a single act of bravery, it had a medal but was mostly worn as a ribbon only from the buttonhole

I cant make it out properly, but assuming that the button holding the lanyard in place is also the button for the 2nd hole of the tunic (where the ribbons are) it appears he also had an Honor role clasp (the thing on the iron cross ribbon) It was required to have the iron cross 1st class already, and it was given for acts of bravery not high enough for the German Cross in gold or the Knight's Cross.

the second ribbon is the "Ostmedaille" or East Medal. awarded for those who participated in the first winter of operaton barbarossa (invasion of USSR)

To get that medal he had to meet any of the following..

-14 days combat participation.
-60 days service in the area (with and without combat)
-wounds or frostbite severe enough for a wound badge.

on the pocket is an Iron Cross 1st class... for 3-5 acts of bravery above and beyond.. you had to have the 2nd class award to recieve the first.

also is what appears to be a wounds badge in silver.. Awarded for three or four wounds, it could also be awarded for more serious wounds if such wound included loss of hearing, a hand, a foot, an eye, brain damage, or facial disfigurement.

and a General Assault Badge (the left one) The General Assault badge was presented to engineers (who it was originally designed for), as well as members of the artillery, anti-tank, and anti-aircraft units that served along with the infantry in the conduct of an assault. Also eligible were medical personnel who treated battlefield wounded. In addition, the badge was presented for the single-handed destruction of eight tanks or armored vehicles until the institution (in March of 1942) of The Special Badge for Single Handed Destruction of a Tank. Specific criteria was as follows,

The recipient must not be eligible for the Infantry Assault Badge.

To have taken part in three infantry or armored assaults on three different days.

To have taken part in three infantry or armored indirect assaults on three different days.

To have been wounded while fulfilling the second or third requirement.

To have earned a decoration while fulfilling the second or third requirement


The patch on the left sleeve is Uffz., men Pioniere with Steuermann training, dictionary.com translates it to Uffz., men pioneers with attendant training... I dont know what it indicates though


The tunic itself is a cross between the 1942 (m42) and 1943 (m43) styles..

the 1942 style had the little holes on them (4 sets of 3... 2 sets to the front and 2 to the back) which were for hooking in canteens, ammo pouches etc) but the 1942 style had the pocket flaps cut to give them 3 points, 1 under the button and 1 at each edge.

the 1943 style had square pocket flaps as this one does.. but the holes had been eliminated.

pretty impressive set of awards for an engineer... from his awards he is a heroic gentleman..

attached are images of the honor role clasp, the plaque on the lanyard.. also the spanish cross he might have had on the right hand pocket.

[MI6]

http://www.reenactor.net/ww2/ww2_sutlers.html

This is a link to many other WWII retailers that sell both original and repo stuff, good luck. Oh and there not cheap!!!