SS Dogtag

**Paul D** · 05-22-2009, 05:13 PM

Very interesting Tag and group Bob

Thanks for the story behind it.

Have just checked his personal records and have a bit more History, SS Sturmbannfuhrer Alfred Arnold commanded SS Panzer Auf Ausb Abt 1 from 21/1/1944 until 4/8/44 hence the number 1 on the tag as the unit commander.

Not sure why he would have obtained a new Erkennungsmarke on transferring to this unit other than it was newly formed and he was the first commander ? He had already served with the E Btl of Deutschland then SS Inf Regt 9 from 1940 until August 1942 so his original Erkennungsmarke would have presumably come from those units.

I can't see any connection to Totenkopf during wartime.

He was KIA on the Lithuanian / East Prussian border on 10/10/44 as a result of a heavy Russian Mortar bombardment whilst commanding SS Gren Btl1 of SS Panzer Brigade Gross commanded by Ritterkreuztrager SS Sturmbannfuhrer Martin Gross who recommended him for the DKiG.

Can you post anything else from your group to Arnold ?

cheers

paul

**Espenlaub Militaria** · 05-22-2009 05:13 PM

We also buy and trade your items and full collections!

**ostlanddigger** · 05-22-2009, 05:17 PM

against so many arguments i can,t say nothing.-just seen many like this high quality copies.moust of them made in :Kenigsberg

-and widespread all ower the world.just know the man who sold them several hundreds to USA. NICE PIECE BOB.i always like dog tags-something magnificant is in those small pancake,s

.i dont colect them-just have in my dusty shelf few latvian ss dogtags.

**Alan M** · 05-22-2009, 07:12 PM

it would be very nice to see yours Ost

Al

**BOB COLEMAN** · 05-22-2009, 08:18 PM

At some point, I intend to shoot pictures of all of the medals and post them along with a few selected documents. It will be a massive undertaking to not only photograph but also post. Arnold's tunic and schiffen has previously been posted on this forum. Arnold was also assigned to Thule. The officers and men of Thule wore the Totenkopf collar tab. Among his items is a hand embroidered Thule cufftitle. I am attaching a war era picture of Arnold in Totenkopf uniform.

**Paul D** · 05-22-2009, 09:16 PM

Great picture Bob he served in SS Panzer Brigade Gross with SS Sturmbannfuhrer Fritz Herzig who was awarded the DKiG on the same day 6/1/45.

I have some Award documents and awards belonging to Herzig.

Quite clearly he served with Totenkopf yet his personal record doesn't indicate any service with the T Divison ??

regards

Paul

**BOB COLEMAN** · 05-22-2009, 09:28 PM

From the douments I have, which are well over 200, Arnold only served with Totenkopf units until his service with Panzer Brigade Gross. The sidenote regarding the other award of the DK in Gold on the same day in January, 1945 is interesting. Here is Arnold's DK and the preliminary award certificate.