Article about: Wish the picture was better but after looking through some books I'm now leaning to a Mauser Modle HSe da auto pistol. 1938 7.65mm in competing with the Walther PP. The wood grip lead me to
Good deal of info HPL. It did look slightly different than a Barrage Balloon, so I figured I was wrong. I saw a great documentary on Barrage balloons being used on ww2 beach heads against low flying aircraft/planes. A very interesting concept too I must say
By the way, this is the kind of balloon found in the design of the Heer's Balloon Observer's Badge [Ballonbeobachterabzeichen]: Balloon Badge of the Heer
Imagine going wayyyy up in one of those observation balloons, dangling in your basket all exposed and vulnerable... Brrr... Would not have been my military occupational specialty of choice. But then again, I am scared of heights anyway.
By the way, this is the kind of balloon found in the design of the Heer's Balloon Observer's Badge [Ballonbeobachterabzeichen]: Balloon Badge of the Heer
Imagine going wayyyy up in one of those observation balloons, dangling in your basket all exposed and vulnerable... Brrr... Would not have been my military occupational specialty of choice. But then again, I am scared of heights anyway.
Wow never seen this badge before.
Looking for the photo albums of Leutnant Emil Freitag, 3. / G.R. 377
I agree HPL, I would not want to be in a balloon battalion either as I am also afraid of heights. (unless I was a truck driver transporting the balloon) haha. Imagine getting shot at while in that bucket, trying to observe artillery/flak positions?? NOT FOR ME
Chris, thats an Army Balloon Badge.....a very controversial badge, if im not mistaken. I remember alot of people (at least a couple of years ago) say this badge never existed, or at least was not issued in ww2. There was a good thread on WAF about this badge, and nobody could provide a valid period photo of the badge in wear. I stand neutral on this matter, since I havent looked into it recently, so maybe new things have been found to backup its existence. But I believe that if this badge was even produced, then VERY few were actually awarded/issued. I would love to hear some more info on this at some point.
(also I remember there being an NSFK Balloon badge of some kind, I could be wrong tho)
HPL is the man! Such a great asset to this thread! Panzer and Don are as well! I have a lot of pics that I could use your expertize on. This is one of the best threads going on this site, imo!
I agree HPL, I would not want to be in a balloon battalion either as I am also afraid of heights. (unless I was a truck driver transporting the balloon) haha. Imagine getting shot at while in that bucket, trying to observe artillery/flak positions?? NOT FOR ME
Chris, thats an Army Balloon Badge.....a very controversial badge, if im not mistaken. I remember alot of people (at least a couple of years ago) say this badge never existed, or at least was not issued in ww2. There was a good thread on WAF about this badge, and nobody could provide a valid period photo of the badge in wear. I stand neutral on this matter, since I havent looked into it recently, so maybe new things have been found to backup its existence. But I believe that if this badge was even produced, then VERY few were actually awarded/issued. I would love to hear some more info on this at some point.
(also I remember there being an NSFK Balloon badge of some kind, I could be wrong tho)
I paste the info found in web:
Present knowledge suggests this badge was awarded in very small numbers or not at all. Trial strikes did occur, but if production took place it was in extremely small numbers. These factors make the Heer Balloon Observer badge one of the rarest awards of the Third Reich.
Documents were issued to individuals who qualified for the badge before the end of the war. It is highly unlikely, due to the late institution of this badge and the limited use of balloon observing, that any awards or documents were issued for the gold grade.
Looking for the photo albums of Leutnant Emil Freitag, 3. / G.R. 377
HPL is the man! Such a great asset to this thread! Panzer and Don are as well! I have a lot of pics that I could use your expertize on. This is one of the best threads going on this site, imo!
Pwny thanks for your kind words but my only contribution to this thread is the photos that i'm posting
I can't help on the description of them as my knowledge is very limited
Looking for the photo albums of Leutnant Emil Freitag, 3. / G.R. 377
I paste the info found in web:
Present knowledge suggests this badge was awarded in very small numbers or not at all. Trial strikes did occur, but if production took place it was in extremely small numbers. These factors make the Heer Balloon Observer badge one of the rarest awards of the Third Reich.
Documents were issued to individuals who qualified for the badge before the end of the war. It is highly unlikely, due to the late institution of this badge and the limited use of balloon observing, that any awards or documents were issued for the gold grade.
I think I agree with that Chris. But its still not a badge i would want to spend a decent amount of money on.....only because there arent "known originals" to compare one another to, like there are for all the other badges/medals. I dont think I could sleep well at night knowing I spent a bunch of money on a "maybe original" I guess, I dunno. One thing I would like to look into more is what type of metal was used in making the Balloon Badge, seeing as it was a late war badge. Zinc was the metal used for making most of the badges/medals in late war production.....so I dont think it would make sense if the Balloon badges we see were made from "more scarce/expensive" metals. A very interesting badge, for sure. And on the other hand, it would indeed make sense if very few examples were produced or issued seeing as there were very few people who would have qualified for the badge, compared to other awards. One day, maybe a photo of one in wear will come out....you never know.
And yes, thanks PWNY.....cant wait to see more of your pics. I as well have enjoyed this thread thoroughly. Everyone's photos and Inputs especially have made this thread really fun and a good learning experience IMO.
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