My Bundeswehr and 57er awards collection

[Adrian]

Leave it as is Nick! It displays well and if you try and repair it, it will just look like a repaired flag.
The material looks quite thin on the shredded edge and there is quite a gap which will never look good repaired. Display it like it is and it will look fine.

[oradour]

Nick, a great collection of 57er's, your Deutsche Kreuz in Gold is the same construction as mine ! but mine has a copper coloured spray/starburst......your flag is indeed the "Dienstflagge der Seestreitkrafte" and should, as Adrian suggested be left alone, I would certainly have it in my collection as is ! the end fraying is evidence of use, and is how many flags end up, especially if flown from a ship, sea salt spray, sunlight and the extreme rigours of the wind all contribute.......
Prost ! Steve.

[Nick Hessens]

Thank you both for your opinions. I will leave it alone. 2/85 would that be the date it was commissioned?

I hope you get that RK, Steve!

Regards

[Nick Hessens]

Got this photo of RK-holder Lothar Kmitta today, the one on the right. The photo is a copy with an original signature.

Some information found on the internet:

During the Second World War, Lothar Kmitta achieved a total of 398 operational sorties.
After the Second World War, Lothar Kmitta served with the Luftwaffe in the West German Bundeswehr.

Promotions:
1st October 1942: Feldwebel;
October 1942: Offizieranwärter und Fahnenjunker;
4th October 1943: Leutnant;
1956: Oberleutnant;
1956: Hauptmann;
?: Oberstleutnant;
?: Oberst.

Career:
15th November 1939: Entered service with the Luftwaffe Luftwaffenausbildungsregiment 31;
20th June 1941: Nahaufklärungsgruppe 5;
1956: Entered service in the Luftwaffe Bundeswehr;
1957: Staffelkapitän Waffenschule 30;
10th January 1961 - 30th September 1962: Kommandeur Fliegende Gruppe, Jagdbombergeschwader 33 Büchel;
22th August 1964 - 31st December 1969: Kommodore Jagdbombergeschwader 36 Hopsten;
1970-1972: AFCENT;
1976 - 1980: Heeresamt in Keulen;
31st March 1980: Retirement.

DEUTSCHES KREUZ IN GOLD
Rank: Feldwebel
Unit: 12.(H) / Aufklärungsgruppe 12
Awarded on: August 16th, 1943

RITTERKREUZ DES EISERNEN KREUZES
Rank: Leutnant (2nd Lieutenant)
Unit: Flugzeugführer Nahaufklärungsgruppe 5
Awarded on: November 18th, 1944

[Nick Hessens]

My finds from today's flea market: two heer side caps and a Luftwaffe cuff title.

[oradour]

Nick, your caps are from the dreaded "Filzlouse" uniform (1959-late 1960's)...universally hated by most soldiers in the BW and not worn that often, they preferred the "moleskin" uniform, which at the time was a work related uniform...however ,towards the advent of the seventies it took over from the scratchy/itchy woolen uniform to become the BW third combat uniform lasting well into the 1990's.....they are good finds, but inexpensive ! the cufftitle is nice, an enlisted man's version by the look of it..... Prost ! Steve.

[Nick Hessens]

Thank you for the information, Steve. I quite like them, they're a part of the Bundeswehr history. To me they don't have to be expensive, to be nice.

Regards

[Nick Hessens]

Frosty S&L finally arrived. It's a nice early piece, but unmarked.

I hope you guys like her!

[oradour]

Quite right ! and most of it is inexpensive compared to TR & Imperial items ! but the early stuff is creeping up !...... Ingrid, that EK II is a beauty ! is the ring marked ?
Prost ! Steve.

[Adrian]

Superb new EK Nick!