Small Grouping of a Bundeswehr WW II Veteran

[Proud Kraut]

Insignia convolute of a Bw Oberst that passed away some years ago.

 

[Proud Kraut]

Ordensspangen

 

[AB45]

Gude

He was probably a tank destroyer and lifesaver in his life.

I am always surprised that the WK2 have worn the DSB and here the DLRG on the uniform.

That's nothing military

[Proud Kraut]

No it's nothing special military but those insignia (Sportabzeichen, Rettungsschwimmerabzeichen) are completed by most of the soldiers and of course worn as ribbons.

 

 

 

[SARGE]

Yes, the sport badges were worn during and after the war as well as the DLRG Lifeguard badges. The SA Sport Badge is also often seen on WWII military and police uniforms although it could not be worn after the war as a 57er. The wartime sports badges were upgraded to the then current DSB postwar. One had only to bring in your wartime certificate for the badge and authorities would issue you a new, then current, DSB.

 

Some of the old dies were reworked after the war to eliminate the swastika at the bottom of the wreath of the DRL Sports Badge to make new de-Nazified 57ers. These are interesting to see as you can often still see the tip of the swastika from the back. Here are a couple of full size badges. I like these sports badges and have collected quite a few.

 

 

[PaulR]

Cool set. Do you know specifics about his service?

[Proud Kraut]

Cool set. Do you know specifics about his service?

 

Thanks, no, unfortunately I do not know anything about his WW II service.

[108popo]

I love the 57er ordensspangen with the tank destruction - great set!

[Brig]

Nice bars...very interesting to see the single GAB...I have found single ribbons very tough to find

[usmedalman]

I am new to the forum, loved seeing this grouping. Nice that the Bundeswehr allowed veterans a way to wear their WWII awards.

[Proud Kraut]

Yes, WW II veterans were allowed to wear their awards again from 1957 on (with some exceptions). Of course these medals were denazified without swastika e.g. Will post some more soon.

[Old Marine]

Those are interesting.  I was never really aware of the 57 versions of those badges.  Thanks for posting them, I always learn something new here.  

[Proud Kraut]

As promised some more 1957er medals. Holder was a German staff officer who passed away some years ago. He was drafted in 1940 and fought mainly at the eastern front. He was wounded twice in 1942 and 1944 and was finally promoted to Leutnant. In 1956 he enlisted again, this time as an artillery officer. He retired in the late 1970´s.

 

 

[Proud Kraut]

Interestingly the wounded badge is not a post war variation but a modified (de-nazified) WW II original.

 

 

[jmd62]

Very interesting! I wonder how often that was done?